B14. KNOW HIS WILL: HE PROVIDES GIFTS & ABILITIES

CONSIDER

• We don’t have to be a master gardener to know that the branches of a vine can’t survive and thrive unless they’re connected to the vine

• And we can’t survive and thrive spiritually unless we stay connected to Jesus

• God gives us the spiritual nourishment we need to produce good fruit in our lives

• God provides the ability for each one of us to complete the job He assigns us

• As Christians, we often don’t know all that God has given to us; we don’t know the resources that He has placed into our spiritual bank accounts

• Figuring out what you do well, what your God-given gifts are, is part of the adventure of faith

• One of the best ways to do that is through the process of elimination, to find out what you’re good at, you must first find out what you’re not good at  <L120>

GOD’S PROVISION

• We might pray for more love, power and peace but it is not a matter of needing more but using what we already have (Rom 5:5, 2 Peter 1:3, John 14:27)

• God gives us what is needed to do His will at that moment  <M1501>

• We need to stop living like spiritual paupers and start laying hold of what God has given to us

• In contrast to being a pauper, are those who believe they have what it takes already to 'be good' because they carry a good disposition

• Don't mistake your own merits what God has given you through nature

• This 'goodness' should be recognized as gifts already given by God to be used for His glory  <L125>

• God’s generosity is perfect because God is perfect

• He isn’t limited by resources, swayed by moods, feelings, or impulses

• He doesn’t have to guess at what might be meaningful or right for us; He designed us and knows our code

• He knows us better than we know ourselves

• God gives His gifts as He chooses; we don’t earn them

• God is the One who gives gifts and, since He created and knows everything about us, the gifts are exactly our size and style

• He gives because He’s merciful and gracious

• A mature faith understands that even though we have done nothing to earn God’s favor, He wants only what is ultimately best for us

• If we want to enjoy a healthy relationship with our Gift Giver, we'll learn how to maximize our gifts  <L120>

OUR RESPONSIBILITY

• Some people have an ability to speak publicly, some are better working behind the scenes, some have business acumen, some have athletic skills, some have an ability to sing, etc

• Whatever your gift, God has given it for a very specific purpose and He wants you to use it for His glory and His work  <L120>

• We all have a responsibility and unique part to play in God's kingdom

• Don't elevate yourself or other servants for work done in advancing God's kingdom  <F60>

• Seek the Lord to determine how He wants to use you right now

1 Corinthians 1:4 NIV

[4] I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

2 Peter 1:4 NIV

[4] Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

RELATED COMMENTS

Note: each ** comment in this APPLICATION doc comes from CHAPTER doc(s), where the comments are in numerical order according to verse(s) from the chapter

** Acknowledge God who will provide for you

Exodus 16:10-12 NIV

[10] While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud. [11] The Lord said to Moses, [12] “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.' ”

Philippians 4:19 NIV

[19] And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 33:3 NIV

[3] 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'

Psalm 91:14-15 NIV

[14] “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. [15] He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

** God helps us accomplish His will using the situation and means He's provided; repurpose everything we have towards that end  <H86>

God worked through the lives of many Old and New Testament saints using their unique situation, such as:

• Moses staff was used for a number of miracles that demonstrated signs of God's power, such as initiating the plagues in Egypt, calling water out of a rock, dividing the Red Sea, etc

• David used his sling to kill Goliath

• Daniel's position allowed him to train authorities in Babylon about his God

• Esther used her position as Queen to save the Jewish people

• Jesus used a boy's lunch to feed thousands

• And God can work through you and your situation today if you let Him!

Exodus 4:2-5 NIV

[2] Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. [3] The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. [4] Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. [5] “This,” said the Lord, “is so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers---the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob---has appeared to you.”

1 Samuel 17:39-40,49 NIV

[39] David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. [40] Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. [49] Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

Daniel 2:24 NIV

[24] Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.”

Esther 8:3-7 NIV

[3] Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. [4] Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him. [5] “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king's provinces. [6] For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?” [7] King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up.

Mark 8:4-9 NIV

[4] His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” [5] “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. [6] He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. [7] They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. [8] The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. [9] About four thousand were present.

** Before David loaded the stone into his sling, he warned Goliath that this was the Lord’s battle  <L120>

• David was calm where other warriors had panicked

• He knew who was really doing the fighting

• We cannot win spiritual battles if we rely on our own strength

• And we cannot lose spiritual battles if we rely on the power of God

1 Samuel 17:47 NIV

[47] All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

Ephesians 6:10 NIV

[10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

** No matter how solid the breastplate of a Roman soldier was, and no matter how tightly he cinched his belt, those pieces of armor would be of little use if he slipped and fell in the heat of battle  <L120>

• The shoe of a Roman soldier was called a caligae, a sandal-boot hybrid designed for maximum comfort and protection

• In Paul’s day, the Roman soldiers wore sandals with nails or cleats on the soles to give them firm footing

• They could dig in and hold their ground

• With leverage comes advantage, and with  advantage comes victory

• That explains why one of the favorite tactics of our enemy is to throw us off-balance, to keep us from getting solid spiritual footing

• Look at the serpent’s question to Eve in the Garden of Eden: “Did God really say...?" (Gen 3:1)

• If our enemy can get us to question the bedrock of our faith, then everything becomes negotiable

• If we can’t trust what the Lord really said about the trees in the Garden, how can we trust what He says about salvation? Or forgiveness? Or eternal life?

• The Good News, the gospel, gives us security and a firm foundation on which to build our lives

• In spiritual warfare, solid grounding is essential; we stand firm by studying the Lord’s teaching and following it in the way we live

• If we do that, we will always have leverage against our enemy  <L120>

Ephesians 6:15 NIV

[15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

** Know that everything we have is from the Lord; we are trustees and should be generous to others with what He provides us

• Just as Paul reminded slaves that their position is an opportunity to serve, so do those who are rich have opportunity to serve others

• Rich are not to count on their riches, nor to guard their wealth jealously

• Instead, the rich are to put their hope in God and be rich in good deeds

• A generous rich man is a bright jewel in God’s crown

• In being generous, the rich will find a meaning in life that they would otherwise never know  <R1795>

1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. [18] Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. [19] In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Philippians 3:3 NIV

For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh---

Philippians 3:8-9 NIV

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

** Wisdom is like hidden treasure that can be found

• This poem on wisdom is a good reminder that humans can wrest precious metals from the earth, but only God has access to wisdom

• Man is able to unearth precious metals, but wisdom – which lies in the realm of the spiritual – is beyond human reach

• Like Job, we may not know the purposes God has in the things that happen to us, but we can choose to honor the Lord and live righteously

• If we do, we will be wise as well as good  <R1795>

Job 28:1-4,7-8 NIV

[1] There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined. [2] Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore. [3] Mortals put an end to the darkness; they search out the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness. [4] Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft, in places untouched by human feet; far from other people they dangle and sway. [7] No bird of prey knows that hidden path, no falcon's eye has seen it. [8] Proud beasts do not set foot on it, and no lion prowls there.

Job 28:10-11 NIV

[10] They tunnel through the rock; their eyes see all its treasures. [11] They search the sources of the rivers and bring hidden things to light.

Job 28:20-21 NIV

[20] Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? [21] It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky.

** David knew his military victories were only possible with the help of the Lord  <R1795>

• One amazing example of David choosing to obey God occurred when he obtained spoils of war and didn’t use them for his own efforts

• We read in early Scriptural documents that God instructed no king of Israel to obtain horses

• David obeyed this command after capturing a thousand chariots and horses from Hadadezer

• David decided to hamstring all but 100 horses so they were unfit for warfare

• David was not tempted to utilize the horses even though they were considered ‘super weapons’ in the ancient world, for he understood that without God’s help, the horses would be useless

• Likewise today, we need not rely on weapons of this world – without God’s help they are useless, and with God’s help we don’t need them!  <R1795>

Deuteronomy 17:16 NIV

[16] The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.”

1 Chronicles 18:4 NIV

[4] David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He hamstrung all but a hundred of the chariot horses.

** Every spiritual blessing (such as spiritual gifts, salvation, redemption, adoption into God’s family, etc) reside in the heavenly realm  <M1501>

• Spiritual blessings refer to the divine benefits and gifts bestowed upon believers through their relationship with Jesus Christ

• The purpose of spiritual blessings is to glorify God and to equip believers for a life of holiness and service

• These blessings are primarily spiritual in nature, as opposed to material or physical, and are rooted in the believer's union with Christ

• They encompass a wide range of divine favors, including salvation, grace, peace, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit

• Ephesians 1:3 underscores the source, scope, and location of these blessings: they are from God, through Christ, and are located in the heavenly realms  <B20>

Ephesians 1:3 NIV

[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

** Four men with leprosy reasoned that they would die from the famine so why not surrender to the Arameans; when they arrived at the Aramean camp no one was there!

• These four lepers who discovered that the Syrians had fled their camp, leaving all their supplies, reminds us of God’s provision in unexpected ways

• The same can hold true when sharing our faith with others

• As we take our first hesitant steps toward sharing our faith, God will already be at work in the hearts of those we approach

• The God who did the impossible and fed a starving city still does the impossible, turning hard hearts to Himself in our day  <R1795>

2 Kings 7:3-4 NIV

[3] Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate. They said to each other, “Why stay here until we die? [4] If we say, 'We'll go into the city'---the famine is there, and we will die. And if we stay here, we will die. So let's go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, then we die.”

2 Kings 7:8-10 NIV

[8] The men who had leprosy reached the edge of the camp, entered one of the tents and ate and drank. Then they took silver, gold and clothes, and went off and hid them. They returned and entered another tent and took some things from it and hid them also. [9] Then they said to each other, “What we're doing is not right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let's go at once and report this to the royal palace.” [10] So they went and called out to the city gatekeepers and told them, “We went into the Aramean camp and no one was there---not a sound of anyone---only tethered horses and donkeys, and the tents left just as they were.”

** It's wise for believers to distinguish the difference between 'gifting' and being 'called' or 'prompted' by God regarding an action or decision

GIFTING

• Gifts are those things that are freely or graciously given; think of the Christmas gifts received as a child

• God gives gifts as well, such as giving His people the land of Israel

• Likewise, God gives every follower of His gifts and abilities to use in their lives

• God's greatest gift is eternal life with Him for those who believe and follow Him

• Gifts of God are irrevocable

Romans 6:23 NIV

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 11:29 NIV

[29] for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.

CALLING & PROMPTING

• Both terms of 'calling' and 'prompting' are related to the Holy Spirit's guidance

• Those who have been 'called' or 'prompted' are directed by the Holy Spirit in some way  <M1501>

• Discernment is key: always seek to discern whether a feeling or thought aligns with Scripture and understanding of God's will before acting on it  <W2201>

CALLING

• A 'calling' from the Holy Spirit usually refers to a strong, clear, and often life-changing direction to pursue a specific ministry or path

• It is said that a believer’s calling includes God’s drawing them to salvation

• Think of it as a long-term commitment that comes with a clear understanding of what a person is being called to

• Paul explains the called of Jesus Christ refers to those called by God to belong to Jesus Christ and enjoy fellowship with Him  <G72>

Romans 1:6-7 NIV

[6] And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. [7] To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude 1:1 NIV

[1] Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ

PROMPTING

• The Holy Spirit can equally prompt a person regarding preferences, desires, and choices; but this is different from 'calling'

• A 'prompting' is a more subtle nudge or suggestion, often guiding a person in a specific situation or towards a particular action  

• It is often a more ambiguous, moment-to-moment guidance in a specific situation

• The misuse of the word 'calling' can lead to painful theological crises when situations don't turn out as expected

• "But I thought I was called to this," we wonder. You weren't called. You freely chose what you did and it didn't work out. So what? Move on to something else. Your decision was not necessarily wrong, and God's not punishing you, unless it was clearly a sinful choice.

• Since a Christian's calling is to live in righteous harmony with God, this can be done in any vocation or geographic area  <W2207>

1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV

[3] We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

** God's unfailing love led Him to provide us with a way of salvation through Jesus Christ

Psalm 13:5 NIV

[5] But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:8-9 NIV

[8] But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. [9] For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

** People encourage others to 'do unto others' or follow what is commonly known as the 'Golden Rule'  <B296>

Luke 6:31 NIV

[31] Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Matthew 7:12 NIV

[12] So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

• Most consider the Golden Rule as the standard when interacting with others, treating each other in a fair reciprocal manner

• In other words, a person is encouraged to act toward another based on how they want to be treated in return

• But Jesus calls His followers to 'up the ante' when interacting with others: we are to imitate how God interacts with us!

• God loves us, so we love others

• God is merciful to us, so we show mercy to others

• God is gracious to us, so we show grace to others

• This may seem impossible, especially when dealing with difficult people, so we look to God for the strength and ability to love others

• The truth is, we all too often fall short of loving others in our own strength

Luke 6:36 NIV

[36] Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

John 13:34-35 NIV

[34] “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

** There are 5 times in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit came upon an individual, and each time the experience was characterized by boldness  <F60>

• The overflowing power of the Holy Spirit becomes evident in a person's life

• The Holy Spirit carries the Christian believer in word and deed

Acts 4:31 NIV

[31] After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

** Do not be afraid when speaking to others about God and Scripture, for He has already given you His written Word and will provide words to speak

1 Corinthians 2:13 NIV

[13] This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

Psalm 81:10 NIV

[10] I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

1 Peter 4:11a NIV

[11] If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.

** There may be occasion when God grants a vision or warning to aid a believer along their life journey, perhaps warning of a danger ahead because their focus is somewhere else  <M1501>

• Some Christians are not comfortable with God communicating in visions, but you can't remove the supernatural from the Supernatural  <M1503>

• In other words, the power of the Holy Spirit within believers can/will operate as He sees fit without being limited by human bounds

• The primary source that addresses all needs for humanity remains His written Word, but there may be occasion when God wants to encourage or warn a person regarding a specific situation

• We can test any vision by making sure it aligns with (does not deviate from) what is written in Scripture, otherwise it is from a power other than God

Job 33:15-18,22-26 NIV

[15] In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds, [16] he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, [17] to turn them from wrongdoing and keep them from pride, [18] to preserve them from the pit, their lives from perishing by the sword. [22] They draw near to the pit, and their life to the messengers of death. [23] Yet if there is an angel at their side, a messenger, one out of a thousand, sent to tell them how to be upright, [24] and he is gracious to that person and says to God, 'Spare them from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom for them--- [25] let their flesh be renewed like a child's; let them be restored as in the days of their youth'--- [26] then that person can pray to God and find favor with him, they will see God's face and shout for joy; he will restore them to full well-being.

** Followers of Christ are to consider the seriousness of sin and temptation, not taking temptation lightly because it leads to sin

• It is important to know the danger of temptation

• Playing around with tempting thoughts allows Satan a foothold that makes it easier to succumb to these temptations over time

• Believers have hope, however, because the power of God is within them to withstand whatever the enemy throws at them

2 Peter 2:4,10a NIV

[4] For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; [10] This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.

1 John 4:4 NIV

[4] You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

** Remember that Jesus invites everyone to come as they are -- but He never calls them to stay as they are  <H82>

• ONE EXAMPLE of a trend in the church today is acknowledging homosexual acts as sinful but claiming the identity is not (May 2025)

• How can any Christian identify themselves by a temptation that the Lord hates and that their regenerate hearts should equally hate?

• How can anyone fight a sin they don’t hate?

• Hating our own sin is a key component to doing battle with it

• Followers of Christ maintain that we who repent and believe stand in robes of righteousness as beloved sons and daughters of God, even as we do daily battle with any and all sexual lust and unbiblical desire that claims our affections

• Christians ought never to let sin define them but must look to the cross to overcome it

• The cross doesn’t just free those who are in Christ from sinful acts -- it frees people from sinful identities, from sinful desires, and from succumbing to temptations

• We are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness (Rom 6:18)

• The cross redeems us and calls us to be holy as the Father is holy (1 Peter 1:15–16)

• It also declares that our previous identity in sin is what we once were (1 Cor 6:11)

• Strugglers of EVERY KIND of sin need the real, full Gospel which sanctifies and sets captives free!

Matthew 11:28 NIV

[28] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Romans 6:18 NIV

[18] You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

1 Peter 1:15-16 NIV

[15] But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; [16] for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV

[11] And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

** Jesus visually demonstrated to His followers they should go to Him when in need of anything

Mark 8:19-21 NIV

[19] When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. [20] “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” [21] He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

John 6:35 NIV

[35] Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

** Relationships often deepen when friends share with each other their love for God and the impact of His Word on their lives

1 Samuel 20:42 NIV

[42] Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, 'The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever. ' ” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.

Psalm 119:63,79,165 NIV

[63] I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts. [79] May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. [165] Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

** God encouraged Moses to look around and SEE what He was doing right in front of him: equipping Bezalel with what is needed to do His work  <M1501>

• Bezalel .= in the shadow of God; in God's presence and being identified with Him

• God will provide what is needed

• It's one thing to be called and equipped for His service, but are we answering His call and energetically acting on it?

Exodus 31:1-2 NIV

[1] Then the Lord said to Moses, [2] “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah

Psalm 81:10 NIV

[10] I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

** It seems God intentionally goes out of His way to find individuals who didn’t necessarily look like they would amount to much  <L120>

• When we think of the people God raised up to touch the world, the great apostles whom He used to start the church, we tend to see them in stained glass

• People who, at first glance, didn’t appear to even have what it took

• And though God powerfully used them, they weren’t superhuman, but ordinary men whom God used to touch their world

• When God was looking for someone to lead the nation of Israel, He selected a shepherd boy named David

• When God wanted someone to lead an army to defeat the enemies of Israel, the Midianites, God chose a cowardly man named Gideon who couldn’t even muster the courage to show himself publicly

• Throughout Scripture and the history of the church, we find that God has done unexpected things with unexpected people

• God has done extraordinary things through ordinary people

2 Chronicles 16:9a NIV

[9] For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 NIV

[26] Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. [27] But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. [28] God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things---and the things that are not---to nullify the things that are, [29] so that no one may boast before him.

** The Holy Spirit that resides in believers gives them the power to be able to have victory over sin

• The Spirit of God takes residency in the body of the believer and supernaturally empowers them to live a life of victory

• Followers of Christ used to be governed by the desires of the flesh but are now governed by the power of God

• The Spirit of God now tells the believer what He wants so the flesh, as His slave, obediently follows that voice  <K110>

Galatians 2:20 NIV

[20] I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 John 4:4 NIV

[4] You, dear children, are from God and have overcome [evil spirits], because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

** Jesus wasn’t dying but He was leaving, and these were the final words He gave to the disciples before His ascension.

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

[18] Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

How would the disciples pull this off from a human standpoint? The apostles were in no way ready for such a task. There were things they still didn’t understand. Their faith was weak. They had failed in their public witness and also in their private faith.

After all, Simon Peter, their acknowledged leader, had openly denied the Lord. So, how could Jesus expect Peter and the other disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel? They would do it with a power they had never known before, a power to change the world.

Acts 1:8 NIV

[8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

This was power to be a witness, power to share their faith, and power to do what Jesus had called them to do. The same power that God poured out on the Day of Pentecost is available to followers of Christ today.

The Bible has promised every believer a dimension of power to be a witness for Jesus Christ. Notice that Jesus didn’t tell the disciples He would give the Holy Spirit to those who plead with Him or beg Him. We need only to ask Him. And when we don’t receive all that God has for us in our lives, that is called quenching the Spirit.  <L120>

** God calls us to a holy life, only made possible by His grace

2 Timothy 1:9 NIV

[9] He has saved us and called us to a holy life---not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time

** If you have Jesus and are willing to be used by Him, you have enough

Isaiah 60:1-2 NIV

[1] “Arise, shine, for your light has come,

 and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. [2] See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.

1 John 5:4-5 NIV

[4] for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. [5] Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

John 16:33 NIV

[33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

** Those who put their trust in God, can experience the healing He brings

1 Peter 5:10-11 NIV

[10] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. [11] To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Exodus 15:26 NIV

[26] He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”

Psalm 107:19-21 NIV

[19] Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. [20] He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. [21] Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

** Thanksgiving is never out of season; we always have much to be grateful for!

View all things as:

• Arranged by His wisdom

• Dependent on His will

• Sanctified by His blessing

• According with His promises

• Flowing from His love!  <S183>

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

[16] Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

** Paul stated his desire to visit Rome to impart spiritual gifts to believers to mutually encourage each other in the faith

• Scripture teaches us the purpose of spiritual gifts is to promote 'the common good' of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:7), to build up the church (1 Cor 14:12), and to prepare us each for works of service (Eph 4:12–13)

• Each person upon accepting the gift of salvation from Jesus Christ receives the Holy Spirit, who then gives to each believer certain gifts from God to do His work (1 Cor 12:4–6)

• In no way are the spiritual gifts to be used to draw attention to oneself or put on a showy display  <G72>

Romans 1:11-12 NIV

[11] I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong--- [12] that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NIV

[4] There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. [5] There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. [6] There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. [7] Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

1 Corinthians 14:12 NIV

[12] So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.

Ephesians 4:12-13 NIV

[12] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Romans 12:6-8 NIV

[6] We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; [7] if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; [8] if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

** God gives us our daily provisions, not only because He cares for us but ultimately for His glory; we are to depend on Him on a moment-by-moment basis

• God gives us the example of providing manna to the Israelites every morning and quail in the evening

• Manna and quail were products of a miracle

• Enough was produced to feed millions and was available everywhere the people went for 40 years, six days a week

• The Lord knows our basic needs and He acts to meet them  <R1795>

Exodus 16:4-5 NIV

[4] Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. [5] On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

Exodus 16:8 NIV

[8] Moses also said, “You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.”

Exodus 16:11-15 NIV

[11] The Lord said to Moses, [12] “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’ ” [13] That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. [14] When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. [15] When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.

Exodus 16:21-22 NIV

[21] Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. [22] On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much---two omers for each person---and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses.

** Jesus repeated instructions to the 72 He sent out, as He did with the 12 disciples

• Members of this larger group were to depend on God and resources provided by others

• This event reminds us how IMPORTANT it is to be hospitable and sensitive to God's call and to provide for others!

Luke 10:4,7-8 NIV

[4] Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. [7] Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. [8] “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.

Luke 10:10-12 NIV

[10] But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, [11] ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ [12] I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

Luke 10:33-35 NIV

[33] But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. [34] He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. [35] The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

Luke 10:38 NIV

[38] As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.

** The parable of the bags of gold reminds us that God expects us to wisely invest what He provides us to advance His kingdom

• God entrusts us with resource – perhaps money, personal gifts and abilities

• He expects us to use these resources in His service

• The servant who buried his talent in the ground portrays every Christian who has been afraid to risk stepping our for God

• Perhaps the greatest wonder is that God entrusts so much to us, and then gives the freedom to use what He has given as we choose

• God steps back and lets us have the pleasure of taking the initiative

• God gives us freedom and support while He also holds us responsible and wants us to succeed

• This parable explains a grim picture of the punishment awaiting those who fail in their service to Him  <R1795>

Matthew 25:14-30 NIV

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. [15] To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. [16] The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. [17] So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. [18] But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. [19] “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. [20] The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ [21] “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ [22] “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ [23] “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ [24] “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. [25] So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ [26] “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? [27] Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. [28] “ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. [29] For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. [30] And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

** Humans are limited by our logic and experience; God often chooses to work beyond what we can imagine!

• When we feel limited by what we can do for others in need, remember to call on the Lord who can miraculously take the little we have and multiply it to meet their need  <R1795>

Matthew 14:15-16 NIV

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” [16] Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

Matthew 14:17-21 NIV

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. [18] “Bring them here to me,” he said. [19] And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. [20] They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. [21] The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

** Jesus never suggested that it’s wrong to be concerned about the basic needs; He simply said it is unnecessary  <R1795>

• The pagan is gripped by anxiety because he faces an uncertain tomorrow

• The Christian, who has a personal relationship with Christ, relies on the One who not only knows but also control tomorrow

• When children of God appreciate how much God loves them, they no longer feel pressure to ‘run after’ even the necessities of life

• This frees them to set right priorities and ‘seek first His kingdom and His righteousness’

Matthew 6:25,32-33 NIV

[25] “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV

[16] I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, [18] may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, [19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

** People who bury their head in the sand and refuse to admit there is a spiritual war going on around them are typically the first to be hurt by it  <K110>

• All things are possible with God!

• The only way to combat spiritual warfare is by relying on God's power and using the tools (armor) He provides His children  

• God has demonstrated His ability to enact paranormal activity -- activity beyond the scope of normal scientific understanding -- throughout Scripture's history, observed in our current day and will see again in the future

Mark 10:27 NIV

[27] Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV

[10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

** Jacob had a personal experience with the Lord, who spoke to Jacob in a dream repeating His promise and revealing His majesty; Jacob built a memorial to remind him of this occasion

• God confirmed transmission of the Abrahamic Covenant to Jacob at Bethel

• Jacob continues to show us the basic benefits of a personal relationship with God, for He is with us!  <R1795>

Genesis 28:10-11 NIV

[10] Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. [11] When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.

Genesis 28:12-15 NIV

[12] He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. [13] There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. [14] Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. [15] I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. ”

Genesis 28:16,18 NIV

[16] When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” [18] Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it.

** Jacob made a vow to God to return a portion of his wealth to Him, if God would protect Jacob on his journey  

• Jacob continues to show us the basic benefits of a personal relationship with God, for He will provide for us the basic necessities!  <R1795>

Genesis 28:20-22 NIV

[20] Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear [21] so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God [22] and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”

** God is in the details and will help us complete the assignments He has for us

Genesis 6:15 NIV

[15] This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high.

** Jesus, God incarnate, was going to be executed but would send another Comforter to His followers just like Himself: God. The Trinity is real. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  <G73>

John 14:25-26 NIV

[25] “All this I have spoken while still with you. [26] But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 20:21-22 NIV

[21] Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” [22] And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Acts 5:32 NIV

[32] We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

** The Bible tells us that God tested Abraham. We don’t know for certain but perhaps Isaac began to fill the spot that Abraham had previously reserved for God.

Genesis 22:2 NIV

[2] Then God said, “Take your son , your only son, whom you love---Isaac---and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you. ”

Even then, Abraham had his priorities right. He was willing to give up Isaac to the Lord believing that, if necessary, He would resurrect him from the dead. Of course, we know the rest of the story. At the last moment, God spared Isaac and Abraham passed the test.

Genesis 22:8,11-12 NIV

[8] Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. [11] But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. [12] “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son. ”

In his book The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer commented, “To the wondering patriarch [God] now says in effect, ‘It’s all right, Abraham. I never intended that you should actually slay the lad. I only wanted to remove him from the temple of your heart that I might reign unchallenged there.’ ”  <L120>

** If we are to serve Jesus, we must have a sense of mission as well as a message  <R1795>

• There are people who are ready to come to the Lord and need to hear the gospel message

• As the 72 ministered, they were to pray not simply that those who heard would believe but they would become workers; the goal is multiplication

• We are to provide the message despite the inconvenience, potential dangers and no assurance our efforts will have a positive result

• While fulfilling this command, trust in the Lord and He will protect and guide as needed!

Luke 10:2-3 NIV

[2] He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. [3] Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

Luke 10:9 NIV

[9] Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

Luke 10:16 NIV

[16] “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Proverbs 3:21-23,25-26 NIV

[21] My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; [22] they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. [23] Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. [25] Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, [26] for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.

** God promises to protect us through whatever 'furnace of affliction' we happen to be in at the moment  <F60>

• God protected the lives of these young men who trusted in Him and valued God above their own lives

• Not only did the Hebrew slaves not burn in the fire, there was no smell of smoke on them as they stepped out of the fire!

• The only thing that burned were the ropes that bound them as witnessed by others who saw them walking around inside the fire

• Sometimes God allows us to go into a fire of affliction simply to burn that which binds us

• Let's pray that our ordeal leads us to Jesus and further accomplishes His purposes

Daniel 3:17 NIV

[17] If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand.

Isaiah 30:20 NIV

[20] Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them.

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

[1] I lift up my eyes to the mountains---where does my help come from? [2] My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 34:22 NIV

[22] The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

** Even though Elijah demonstrated great faith and strength by slaying 450 prophets of Baal, he later feared and hid in a cave from Jezebel who wanted to kill him

• God encouraged Elijah by informing him there were 7000 in Israel who were on the Lord's side

• Likewise, we can be encouraged knowing God has an army that surrounds us, despite all the evil we see  <S2002>

• God and His army are ready to protect and defend His children in times of suffering when we turn to Him!

1 Kings 19:9-10,15-18 NIV

[9] There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” [10] He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” [15] The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. [16] Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. [17] Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. [18] Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel---all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

Hosea 5:15 NIV

[15] Then I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt and seek my face---in their misery they will earnestly seek me. ”

** Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit before being taken away

• After Elijah was taken up, Elisha picked up the fallen cloak of his mentor

• Returning to the Jordan, he struck the waters as Elijah had

• The fact that the Jordan parted for him showed Elisha that his prayer was answered, and he was to take Elijah’s place as Israel’s premier prophet  <R1795>

2 Kings 2:9-12 NIV

[9] When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. [10] “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours---otherwise, it will not.” [11] As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. [12] Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.

2 Kings 2:13-15 NIV

After Elijah was taken... [13] Elisha then picked up Elijah's cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. [14] He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over. [15] The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.

** God promised to seal New Testament born-again believers with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption  <G70>

• Old Testament saints and Jews going through the Tribulation were not given this promise of the Holy Spirit

• This is why Jesus encouraged Jews encountering the end times Tribulation to 'endure to the end' and promised the rapture to Church Age believers

• Not all Scripture is written for the born again believer; we learn from it but are not required to follow these passages

• For instance, the Olivet Discourse was written for the Jews to keep watch

Ephesians 4:30 NIV

[30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Matthew 25:10-13 NIV

[10] “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. [11] “Later the others also came. 'Lord, Lord,' they said, 'open the door for us!' [12] “But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I don't know you.' [13] “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

** God is sovereign and He can name one whom He will use for His purposes years before that one even exists  <L127>

• Isaiah wrote his prophecy about 740 to 700 BC regarding the matter of that Persian king named Cyrus, whom he named some 200 years before Cyrus came on the scene to be God’s man

• Cyrus would allow Ezra to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple in 539 BC

Ezra 1:1-2 NIV

[1] In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: [2] “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “ 'The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.

Isaiah 45:12-13 NIV

[12] It is I who made the earth and created mankind on it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts. [13] I will raise up Cyrus in my righteousness: I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, but not for a price or reward, says the Lord Almighty.”

** Followers of Christ have access to the power of the Holy Spirit when they place their trust in Christ and put off their old self

• Submitting to the Spirit allows Him to work through individuals  <H86>

Acts 5:32 NIV

[32] We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

[7] For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

• Christians have a part to play in this -- God gave us His Word and the Holy Spirit who dwells within, but we must put off the old self of sin and put on the new self of righteousness  <R178>

Romans 6:6,13 NIV

[6] For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--- [13] Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.

Romans 6:17-18 NIV

[17] But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. [18] You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Romans 15:13 NIV

[13] May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

** The Holy Spirit helps the reader understand and discern truth in God's Word; this often confounds the wise who like to depend on their abilities and degrees

1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV

[25] For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Proverbs 26:12 NIV

[12] Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

Isaiah 5:21 NIV

[21] Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

[7] But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

** God not only calls us but qualifies us to work in His service  <B295>

Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV

[11] So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV

[20] Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, [21] equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

** On May 14 1948, the nation of Israel was declared, and on the very next morning five Arab nations attacked Israel. Since the time Israel was re-established there have been constant birth pains through constant wars.

Israel experienced the birth pains during the:

• War of Independence of 1948-49

• Suez War waged in 1956

• Six Day War waged in 1967

• Yom Kippur War waged in 1963

• Lebanese War waged in 1982

• First Intifada, which was the first Arab uprising in Israel from 1987-93

• First Gulf War fought from 1990-91

• Second Arab uprising from 2000-2005

• Hezbollah War fought in 2006

• Gaza War waged in 2009

• Second Gaza War exploded in 2014

The Israelis, from the moment their nation was rebirthed, have lived in a constant state of war. Israel has had to defend itself over one war after another after another. The birth pains have continued to this day.

A whopping 350 million Arabs surround little Israel today, but this tiny nation has defied all odds by continuing to exist. Israel is a miracle of God! And let me tell you something, Israel will continue to exist. The end time prophecies make that very clear.

Look at Zech 12:6.  When Zechariah uses the term "In that day…” he is talking about the end times. A miraculous revival of Israel’s military power in the end times is what this prophecy is talking about, and that is exactly what has happened.  <R173>

Zechariah 12:6 NIV

[6] “On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume all the surrounding peoples right and left, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place.

** Humans typically believe their wealth is their own and can provide a sense of power and prestige

• Unfortunately, many will do whatever it takes to acquire more wealth including evil; too many divorce wealth from morality  <M132>

• We convince ourselves that we govern the wealth in our possession; in reality, it is on loan to us from God  

• Many deny that wealth comes from God and should be governed by God

• The wealth God blesses us with is meant to be shared with others -- shared like a sprinkler system that distributes water, not hoarded like a water-filled mote intended to keep others out  <E58>

• The average westerner has so much to give yet we continue to give God and others our second best

• In response to our acquisition and hoarding of wealth, God ensures we reap what we sow; in other words, we are typically not satisfied and miss out providing a joyous offering to God

• God challenges His children to operate from a selfless paradigm

Malachi 3:9-10 NIV

[9] You are under a curse---your whole nation---because you are robbing me. [10] Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV

[6] Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

1 Timothy 6:10 NIV

[10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

** Angels exist first to serve God, and more specifically to:

• Worship and praise God (Isa 6:1-3, Rev 4:8)

• Carry out God’s judgment (Gen 19:1-13, Rev 15:1-7)

• Serve as God’s messengers (Luke 11:1-20, Acts 8:26, Heb 1:14)

• Protect and guide his people. (Psalm 91:11-12, Dan 6:22, Acts 12:7-10)  <C400>

Isaiah 6:1-3 NIV

[1] In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. [2] Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. [3] And they were calling to one another:

 “Holy, holy , holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Genesis 19:15 NIV

[15] With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished. ”

Acts 8:26 NIV

[26] Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road---the desert road---that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

Daniel 6:22 NIV

[22] My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

Evil activities are countered for the people of God by his ministering spirits, the holy ones of the angelic order. Christians should never fail to sense the operation of angelic glory. It forever eclipses the world of demonic powers, as the sun does a candle’s light. If you are a believer, expect powerful angels to accompany you in your life experiences. And let those events dramatically illustrate the friendly presence of ‘the holy ones’… Certainly, the eye of faith sees many evidences of the supernatural display of God’s power and glory. God is still in business.  <G7991>

** We must continually look to the Holy Spirit to guide us or deceiving spirits will do the job; commit every moment of every day to loving the Lord our God and value the constant feedback offered by the Holy Spirit  <B295>

• If we choose to sit on the sidelines and ‘go along to get along’ in society then we will end up supporting Satan’s efforts

• Be ready to OBEY the Spirit when He leads, even when the task before us seems beyond our ability; God will provide what is needed!

• God works through the foolish to bring down who the world calls 'wise'

Jude 1:17-21 NIV

[17] But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. [18] They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” [19] These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. [20] But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, [21] keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Deuteronomy 10:12 NIV

[12] And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

1 Corinthians 1:26-27 NIV

[26] Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. [27] But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

** Current day Israel has amazing riches that will entice surrounding nations to invade, as is foretold in the Ezekiel 38-39 War  <H87>

Israel has riches and resources enabling it to control the world if wanted:

• Oil and gas reserves; recent findings offshore can easily supply Europe and other nations

• Desalinization to utilize sea water by removing its salt; no need to find other water resources

• Unprecedented amount of minerals in the Dead Sea are not available anywhere else in the world making it a ‘cash cow’

• Recent discoveries in quantum computing and artificial intelligence (Jul 2023)

• God has blessed this small nation that is only the size of the state of NJ

• As predicted in Scripture, the world is focused on Israel and surrounding nations desire their riches  <P163>

Ezekiel 38:12-13 NIV

[12] I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land. ” [13] Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages will say to you, “Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder? ” '

Isaiah 60:3,5 NIV

[3] Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. [5] Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.

• What prompts the Ezekiel war?

• Definitely, the resources in Israel would be a factor but also struggles within other countries, such as drought, collapsing economies, hatred for Israel, religious rivalry, etc

• Motivation will likely be a combo of reasons

• Notice the prophet says there will be HOOKS (plural) that draw other nations to invade Israel  <H88>

Ezekiel 38:4 NIV

[4] I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army---your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords.

** It pleased God to convert, consecrate, and crown the apostle Paul with such eminent success

• There was nothing in Paul to deserve it

• Nothing in Paul to move God to do it

• God blessed Paul, just because He wanted to — because it pleased Him to do it

Just so in our case.

• Do we differ from others?

• Do we differ from our former selves?

• Have we spiritual life?

• Have we Christian graces?

• Why were they conferred upon us — and not upon others?  <S183>

• God is sovereign, and I am not  <D40>

Galatians 1:15-16 NIV

But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased [16] to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.

1 Corinthians 4:7 NIV

[7] For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

Romans 9:13-15 NIV

[13] Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” [14] What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! [15] For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

1 Corinthians 15:10a NIV

[10] But by the grace of God I am what I am

** Adversity creates tremendous warriors for the Lord; instead of asking God to resolve the difficulty instantly, ask how you can grow and He can be glorified in the situation  <G70>

• Every great story through history involved overcoming adversity in one form or another

• Our life is our story and adversity can be the moment we shine, by leaning on God through difficulty

• Remember: we endure one short life to qualify as a good soldier, before enjoying one long eternity as a fulfilled human being  <B23>

2 Timothy 2:3 NIV

[3] Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  

Ephesians 6:13 NIV

[13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Revelation 21:4 NIV

[4] 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Romans 8:18 NIV

[18] I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

** To what extent do we consider God's involvement when analyzing a problem and looking for a solution?

• More than not, we look at the logistics of a problem or situation and don't consider God's miraculous ability in the equation

• Going to God in prayer is often our 'last resort' when 'there's nothing else we can do' when it should be our first response before considering other options

Mark 8:9a NIV

[9] About four thousand were present.

Mark 8:4 NIV

[4] His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”

** Trust God who will provide for us; Jesus proved He is able to provide for the need of those around Him by not only supplying their need for food but building the faith of disciples by having them pick up the leftovers  <R1795>

• At times even Christians who are most familiar with Christ forget just how great His power is, only for Him to act and remind us

• When this happens, let’s not be simply satisfied as the crowds were when He met their need, but share the wonder the disciples must have felt as they gathered seven baskets of leftovers

• Testify to the overflowing abundance of His grace and power!

Mark 8:7-8 NIV

They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. [8] The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

** Humans are the creation of our Heavenly Father, God knows every detail of every individual and has numbered their days before they were even formed!

Psalm 139:13-16 NIV

[13] For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. [14] I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. [15] My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. [16] Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Jeremiah 1:5 NIV [To Jeremiah]

[5] “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. ”

** The yoke symbolizes subjection & obedience to Christ  <S183>

Unless we submit the:

• Understanding to His teaching

• Conscience to His authority

• Will to His pleasure

• Heart to His love, and

• Abilities to His service —

we do not take His yoke upon us.

The yoke of Christ includes:

• Allegiance to Him as our King

• Reliance on Him as our Savior

• Confidence in Him as our Guide

• Imitation of Him as our Example, and

• Attachment to Him as our best Friend

His yoke is easy, because connected with it:

• Every trial, there is assistance

• Every temptation, there is support

• Every difficulty, there is help

• Every sorrow, there is solace

• Every trouble, there is tranquility

• Every loss, there is unspeakable gain; and

• Every service, there is a rich and eternal reward!

Matthew 11:29-30 NIV

[29] 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. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

** The love of God for His people is armed with divine power, for the execution of its purposes and the fulfillment of its designs

• We may come up out of the wilderness, leaning upon the omnipotent arm of a Savior's love

2 Samuel 22:2-3 NIV

[2] He said: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; [3] my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior---from violent people you save me.

Song of Songs 8:5a NIV

[5] Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved?

• It will perform all its good pleasure, but in the most judicious and prudent way

2 Samuel 22:18-22 NIV

[18] He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. [19] They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. [20] He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. [21] “The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. [22] For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I am not guilty of turning from my God.

• Christ's omnipotent love for His people never varies, and it cannot fail

• Trust then in Jesus forever, for in the love of Jesus is everlasting strength!  <S183>

** The Hebrew word David used for ‘groaning’ or ‘lament’ is an unusual term that hints at an unspoken prayer — an aching, longing, and yearning of the innermost being

• David had a genuine burden

• Essentially he was saying, “Consider my yearning. Consider my aching heart. Consider what is going on deep inside me, the cry of my soul.”  <L120>

Psalm 5:1-2 NIV

[1] Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. [2] Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.

Romans 8:26-27 NIV

[26] In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. [27] And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

** James warns that gold and silver will corrode in the last days; since these materials don’t physically corrode, James is warning the reader about the temporal value and illogical dependency we place on them  <O1591>

The things we depend on, such as wealth that enables a high standard of living, will become nothing in the last days; learn to depend on only our eternal God instead!

James 5:1-3 NIV

[1] Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. [2] Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. [3] Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.

** Understand the connection between God’s blessings and the success of nations who look to the Lord

Psalm 33:12 NIV

[12] Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.

** Elisha took the blind army to Samaria even though Elisha was the one they were ‘looking for’

• Once inside Samaria, the enemy’s eyes were opened, fed, and they quit attacking Israel because they were spared

• God worked miraculously to help Elisha as Israel engaged in spiritual warfare

• Elisha knew the answer was through spiritual prayer and relying on the heavenly hosts, not a nation’s fighting army  

• When we disconnect ourselves and think God was working ‘then’ with Elisha and not ‘now’ with us, we tie the hands of God’s many and mighty miracles with the ropes of our spiritual blindness and lack of discernment

• Like with Elisha, God has given us the same spiritual radar so we can avail ourselves of the same God (who is the same yesterday, today and forever) in our situation today  <F60>

2 Kings 6:18-23 NIV

[18] As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. [19] Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria. [20] After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria. [21] When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?” [22] “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” [23] So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel's territory.

Ephesians 6:12 NIV

[12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

** God provided a miraculous event by bringing animals (even from thousands of miles away) to the exact location of Noah’s ark; imagine what the locals must have thought as they watched animals arrive that had been tamed, behaving contrary to their own natural ravenous character  <M131>

Genesis 6:20 NIV

[20] Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive.

** Those witnessing the phenomenon of believers speaking multiple languages after God gave them the Holy Spirit wondered what had happened; Peter explained that it was to fulfill prophesy

• The miracle of tongues was either those speaking in a foreign language or those hearing the foreign language

• Whichever it was, we know the first use of tongues was the gracious gift of a God who wants all men to understand who Jesus is, and what He has done for us  <R1795>

Acts 2:12-13 NIV

[12] Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” [13] Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Acts 2:14-15,33 NIV

[14] Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. [15] These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! [33] Exalted to the right hand of God, [Jesus] has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

** God ‘hard wires’ us to be passionate about participating in certain areas of the Christian walk — some teaching, evangelizing, discipleship, watchmen, compassionate toward others, etc — and He desires that we do our best for Him in the area He carved out for us

1 Corinthians 12:13-14,27-31a NIV

[13] For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body---whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free---and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. [14] Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. [27] Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. [28] And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? [30] Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret? [31] Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

Ezekiel 33:2-6 NIV

[2] “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: 'When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, [3] and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, [4] then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. [5] Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. [6] But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone's life, that person's life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.'

• Note that the watchmen in the Ezekiel passage were appointed (vs 2)

• In the spirit of the passage in Mark 13, all believers in Christ should warn others about the impending danger of end times even if it is not their primary mission

• Most importantly, Jesus calls everyone individually to watch and be ready for His return

Mark 13:33-35 NIV

[33] Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come. [34] It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. [35] “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back---whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.

** God brought the animals to Noah so he didn’t have to try to coral them himself; the significance of this part of the story is that God never taxes us with more than we are capable of enduring or doing  <J106>

Genesis 6:20 NIV

[20] Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive.

** “Be still and know that I am God” is His message to His people — even during the most terrible convulsions of nature, the most cruel wars, and the most painful trials! The Lord reigns and works, even in the most dreadful circumstances.

"Be still," for though painful at present, your trial will soon be over. Know that God is supreme and works all things after the counsel of His own will. Know that God never loses sight of you, or forgets your frame and your weakness. Exercise patience, relieve your burdened heart by prayer, and wait in full expectation of a blessing.

• Do not complain, for it will displease the Lord

• Do not murmur, for it will grieve Him

• Do not fear, for it will dishonor Him

Instead

• Be still, for your safety is provided for

• Be still, for your needs shall be supplied

• Be still, for all things shall work together for your good

• Be still, for God bids you and all will end well

The Lord is constantly doing His will, and accomplishing His purposes, and He never forgets His promises.  <S183>

Psalm 46:10 NIV

[10] He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

** God told Abraham He would receive land for his descendants; if Abraham believed God, then he was to step out and walk according to what God told him and demonstrate his trust in God  <H86>

Genesis 48:15 NIV

[15] Then he blessed Joseph and said, “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked faithfully, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day

Hebrews 11:8-10 NIV

[8] By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. [9] By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. [10] For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

• This is the definition of faith = to walk according to what you believe

• God promises to protect and provide as needed as we accomplish the task He has assigned us to walk by faith

Hebrews 11:3,6 NIV

[3] By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. [6] And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

** Every day we have the choice to either live for ourselves or deny ourselves. If we will seek first the kingdom of God and put our priorities in order, then the rest of life will find its proper balance.  <L120>

Luke 12:31,34 NIV

[31] But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. [34] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

** The omnipotence of Jehovah is ruled by His wisdom and holiness, His justice and love. He can do everything consistent with those attributes, but nothing contrary to them.

God's omnipotence is altogether on the believer's side. All that God consistently can do, He will do for His people. Nothing is too hard for the Lord.

He can make us contented in the most trying circumstances, and happy in the deepest affliction. He can so bring down our minds to our condition, that we shall glory in tribulation. He can turn darkness into light, and bitter into sweet; and bring the richest joy out of the deepest sorrow.

The omnipotent God is your God! His omnipotence is engaged for you!  <S183>

Matthew 19:26 NIV

[26] Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

** Jehovah is emphatically called the…

• God of all grace

• Father of mercies

• God of all comfort

• God of peace

• God of hope

• God of salvation

All of these titles are full of comfort, and are calculated to inspire our souls with love, gratitude, and pleasure as we abound in every good work  <S183>

2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

[8] And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

** The promises of God are an inexhaustible mine of wealth to the believer. Happy is it for him if he knows how to search out their secret veins and enrich himself with their hidden treasures.

The promises of God are a spiritual ARMORY, containing all kinds of offensive and defensive weapons. Blessed is he who has learned…

• To enter into the sacred arsenal

• To put on the breastplate and the helmet, and

• To lay his hand to the spear and to the sword!

The promises of God are a spiritual PHARMACY, in which the believer will find all kinds of restoratives and blessed elixirs. There is…

• An ointment for every wound

• A cordial for every faintness

• A remedy for every disease

Blessed is he who is well skilled in heavenly pharmacy and knows how to lay hold on the healing virtues of the promises of God!

The promises are a spiritual STOREHOUSE of food to the Christian. They are as the granaries which Joseph built in Egypt, or as the golden pot wherein the manna was preserved. Blessed is he who can take the five barley loaves and fishes of promise, and break them until his five thousand necessities shall all be supplied, and he is able to gather up baskets full of fragments.

The promises are the Christian's LEGAL Magna Carta of blessings; they are the title deeds of his heavenly estate! Happy is he who knows how to read them well and call them all his own.

Yes, they are the JEWEL ROOM in which the Christian's crown treasures are preserved. The regalia are his, secretly to admire today--which he shall openly wear in Paradise hereafter! He is already privileged as a king with the silver key that unlocks the strong room; he may even now grasp the scepter, wear the crown, and put the imperial mantle upon his shoulders!  <S185>

2 Peter 1:4 NIV

[4] Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Romans 4:13,16 NIV

[13] It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. [16] Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring---not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

Romans 10:4,9-12 NIV

[4] Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. [9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. [11] As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” [12] For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile---the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him

2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

Galatians 3:14 NIV

[14] He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Galatians 3:29 NIV

[29] If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Hebrews 10:36-37 NIV

[36] You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. [37] For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”

James 1:12 NIV

[12] Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

2 Peter 3:13 NIV

[13] But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

** If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature…

• He is convinced of sin, and mourns over it

• He hates sin, and departs from it

• He reads the Word of God, and loves it

• He hears the gospel of Christ, and believes it

He becomes a disciple of Christ…

• Learning His doctrines

• Trusting His promises, and

• Doing His will

He receives the Spirit of Christ, which is a spirit of meekness, love and holiness. He would rather suffer for Christ, than sin against Christ! He loves the person of Christ, imitates the example of Christ, and observes the ordinances of Christ.

He commits his soul into the hands of Jesus…

• To be pardoned through His blood

• To be justified by His righteousness

• To be sanctified by His Spirit

• To be preserved by His power

• To be used for His glory, and

• To be presented faultless by Him to the Father at last

He looks for the second coming of Christ with joy, because then he will be like Him, for he will see Him as He is!  <S183>

1 Thessalonians 5:23 NIV

[23] May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

** Many church leaders choose to focus only on topics that members want to hear, such as self-help tips and how to achieve ‘your best life now’

• Shouldn’t the church gather to focus on God instead of ourselves and be challenged by everything He has to say to us via His Word?

• Topics need to include understanding WHY God made us as He did and WHAT He wants to accomplish through us

EXAMPLE 1

• Review relevant passages for Biblical examples and instruction related to the last steps in Blackaby’s “Experiencing God”:

6. You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing, and

7. You come to know God by experience as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you

EXAMPLE 2

• A theme or topic like “Getting Out of the Boat” could easily focus only on achieving self-interests such as boosting image, being brave and accomplishing dreams

• Rather, focus the topic on God’s purpose for getting out of the boat instead of self-interest

• Discussion could center around WHY God would want members to get out of the boat and WHO to rely on to serve His purpose

• There are lots of times we need God’s courage, faith, strength, wisdom, motivation etc to accomplish tasks that seem impossible to us

• These discussions would be perfect reminders to believe, seek and depend on God alone to help get out of the boat to accomplish His will!

Matthew 6:31-34 NIV

[31] So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

[8] And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Philippians 4:19 NIV

[19] And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

** God will often direct His children in specific ways through the prompting of a representative or the Holy Spirit so they can accomplish His will

Acts 9:10-12 NIV

[10] In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. [11] The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. [12] In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

Acts 10:4-6 NIV

[4] Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. [5] Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. [6] He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”

Acts 10:19-21 NIV

[19] While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. [20] So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” [21] Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”

** Israel promised to destroy the cities of their avengers in exchange for the release of those who had been taken captive; God heard their plea and handed over their enemy

• The Lord provided them a victory when everything seemed hopeless

• A journey that started in despair, ended in joy

• The Israelites were learning that a purified people, willing to trust God, would enjoy victory rather than defeat  <R1795>

Numbers 21:1-3 NIV

[1] When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked the Israelites and captured some of them. [2] Then Israel made this vow to the Lord: “If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy their cities.” [3] The Lord listened to Israel’s plea and gave the Canaanites over to them. They completely destroyed them and their towns; so the place was named Hormah.

** When Peter was sinking in the sea, the Lord miraculously lifted him out and placed him in the boat!

Maybe you are sinking right now. You’re filled with fear, worry, and defeat, and you’re wondering what you should do. Follow the example of Peter and simply say, “Lord, save me!”

He will not rebuke the person who is trying to come to Him by faith. Cry out to Jesus, and then watch what He will do for you.  <L120>

Matthew 14:29-32 NIV

[29] “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” [31] Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” [32] And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

** Humble hearts prize small mercies, and in their prayers they often ask for very simple things. A word or a look from God, or a ray of light from their heavenly Father's loving countenance — is at times, all that they can venture upon asking. It was a sweet prayer presented by the Psalmist, when he cried, "Look upon me, and have mercy on me — as You always do to those who love Your name."

• Look, and have mercy, for I am sorely tried

• Look, and sympathize with me, for I am greatly troubled

• Look, and strengthen me, for I am very feeble

• Look, and encourage me, for I am full of fears

• Look, and be a Father unto me, for I long to be treated as one of Your children

• Look upon me, as you did on Peter and break my heart, for I have sinned

• Look upon me, as you did on Gideon and give me courage, for like him, I am timid and very fearful

• Look upon me, as you did on Israel and deliver me, for I also am in difficulty and danger

It is God's custom to look upon, and  to deal tenderly and graciously with those who love His name; therefore we may plead with Him to deal mercifully with us. We are brought to where we need mercy, then the Lord looks upon us; and then we receive mercy!  <S183>

Psalm 119:132 NIV

[132] Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.

** David was young, but he knew the Lord, and knew Him personally. His battle experience was not against men, but he had faced the lion and God gave him victory. He protected his sheep from the bear, and God gave him victory.

The army shivering with fear behind David might not have had his back. But David stood in that valley — the living God within him and the armies of heaven on all sides. Goliath’s size, experience, equipment, and power were as nothing before God. And David made sure that everyone understood Who Goliath opposed that day in the valley. The giant could easily defeat David alone, but he didn’t stand a chance against God.

Maybe you feel alone in the valley — ill-equipped and ill-trained. The Christian army behind you may seem weak, ineffective, compromised, fearful, or uninterested. That which stands against you may seem confident, powerful, and committed. Even in such a dire circumstance, you can say with Paul in

Acts 20:24 NIV

[24] However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me---the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace.

It's not about you, your strengths, or your weaknesses. In Christ, you can face any enemy, defeat any giant because… the battle is the Lord’s!  <L124>

1 Samuel 17:47-50 NIV

[47] All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands.” [48] As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. [49] Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. [50] So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

** If your faith is in your own strength or the strength of your political associations or in a particular leader, you will naturally be afraid. You will be outraged by every potential threat. But faith in God allows you to exhibit and grow the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control  <L124>

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

** Consequences await those who give freely and those who don’t; prioritize God and others!

Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV

[24] One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. [25] A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

** Any offering to God should be given from a ‘willing heart’

Exodus 35:5 NIV

[5] From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze

Exodus 35:10 NIV

[10] “All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded:

Exodus 35:20-22 NIV

[20] Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, [21] and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. [22] All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the Lord.

Exodus 35:29 NIV

[29] All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do.

** God has a lot to say about the utilization of money, including using our blessings to support and encourage others  <C31>

CONCERN FOR OTHERS

• There should be a concern for others when obeying the great commandment to love our neighbors

• Through our concern we can touch other people's lives

2 Corinthians 9:1-2 NIV

[1] There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord's people. [2] For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.

DISCIPLINED

• Paul reminds the church to address other believers’ needs

• Paul didn't want the church to neglect their responsibility and ultimately be embarrassed about it if they forget

2 Corinthians 9:3-4 NIV

[3] But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. [4] For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we---not to say anything about you---would be ashamed of having been so confident.

RIGHT ATTITUDE

• God cares more about our attitude than the amount we give

• Recognize our blessings come from God

• Have hope and trust that your offering will be used for God’s honor and glory

• If we don't have the right attitude then we should not even bother to give; God doesn't need our money!

2 Corinthians 9:5,7 NIV

[5] So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. [7] Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

ACCORDING TO ABILITY

• God doesn't expect us to give more than we have but a good portion of what He has blessed us with

• The more we give with the right heart attitude the more we will receive

• We can receive things that are more important than money like peace, wisdom, direction, etc.

2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV

[6] Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

2 Corinthians 8:2-3,12 NIV

[2] In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. [3] For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, [12] For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

TRUSTING GOD

• If we obey and do what God wants us to do then He will look after the details

• God will look after us when we trust Him and live in His will

• Strive to give 10% except if Christ has provided you with more

• What we give reflects how our love for God

• Make sure we give to God eagerly, not out of duty but because God loves a cheerful giver

2 Corinthians 9:8,11 NIV

[8] And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. [11] You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

** We live in the day of grace and a call to action, knowing our future

John provides a vision of Christ, the Lamb on the throne, lamp stands, three waves of judgment, destruction of Babylon, gathering of believers, etc

1. Revelation's BLESSING (6-11)

• God's word is true

• Prophesy is from God and we know He is trustworthy

• God has proven His trustworthiness; if we trust Him in the past, we can trust Him in the future

• His word is united even though there are 44 different authors from different generations in the Bible

• One story from start to end — creation of earth in Genesis to new creation in Revelation; there is the tree of life in both beginning and end, representing separation from God in Genesis to living with God in Revelation

• God confirms that He is coming even though His timing is different than ours; God has His reasons for not coming till He decides

• We remain blessed in the meantime, having His word and living life to the max when we follow it

• Remember to accept these truths and share them to remain blessed

• There are those who are determined to accept His invitation and move toward Him or away from Him

• Our life in Christ involves walking with Him in faith and living His words out

Revelation 22:6 NIV

[6] The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

2. Revelation's INVITATION (12-17)

• Christ says He is coming 3 times; He will come with a reward, judging to each according to what He has done

• We are to share God's invitation with others; to "give this testimony to the churches" or believers to share

• We are not to seal up His words but to teach them and let others know of God's plan for us

• Non-believers who remain unrepentant will receive eternal punishment, while believers will receive eternal blessing upon entering the new heaven

• Christ is the first and last, not only in time but in stature, in accomplishments (such as death and resurrection), in creation, etc

• God's plan starts in Genesis — is fulfilled through Abraham, Isaac, David to Christ, His death, resurrection — and on to events in Revelation; God is the One who is present in all time and events

Revelation 22:12 NIV

[12] “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

3. Revelation's WARNING (18-21)

• The warning is not to change the Book by adding or subtracting from it; accept the totality of His word!

• If we do not accept His word in completion we will not receive His reward

• We are also warned to tell others that Jesus is coming again

• People need to know they can be saved from His judgment, for not all understand their current condition in sin

• Our time on earth is unknown; therefore we should experience a sense of urgency

• Our aim should be to live out His word

• This revelation also gives us hope for we have the opportunity to live with God for eternity!

• Are we thirsty for this Water of Life?

• Where is our focus with this as the reality?

Revelation 22:18 NIV

[18] I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.

** We can escape this ‘present evil age’ and peace can be ours; Jesus gave Himself not only that we might be forgiven, but that we might be rescued from this evil

Galatians 1:3-4 NIV

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, [4] who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

Galatians 6:16 NIV

Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule---to the Israel of God.

** Will we live in victory or defeat in the spiritual battle of today? Stay focused on Christ to live in victory!  <K111>

• The battle on earth has the dragon pursuing the woman because he was not successful in destroying Jesus

• The woman flies to the desert (wilderness) where she is protected out of Satan's reach

• Water = attacking army that is swallowed up by earth

• Offspring = those who hold to the testimony of Christ; they are also protected, not necessarily with a comfortable life but with eternal life

• Satan rages more because of his frustration

• God equips His people to live a victorious life against Satan's attacks

• God gives His followers the full armor of God (Ephesians); truth, peace, power, wisdom, strength, discernment, fruits of the Spirit

Revelation 12:13-17 NIV

[13] When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. [14] The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach. [15] Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. [16] But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. [17] Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring---those who keep God's commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.

** God's plans for our future are good!

A New Year's Prayer

Lord, You make all things new

You bring hope alive in our hearts

And cause our Spirits to be born again.

Thank you for this new year

For all the potential it holds.

Come and kindle in us

A mighty flame

So that in our time, many will see the wonders of God

And live forever to praise Your glorious name.

Psalm 65:11 NIV

[11] You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

[11] For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

** We cannot do anything on our own but must ask God in the moment to help us accomplish what we know is right, for His honor and glory

Revelation 3:18 NIV

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

** It doesn’t matter where a committed believer in Christ travels around the world, they can always unite and bond with other genuine committed believers because they share the same Spirit!

1 Corinthians 12:11 NIV

[11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

** My witness may look different than my neighbor, depending on how God has gifted me

• While some adhere to the ‘forward approach’ such as delivering a message via tracts, others operate in a different environment — like communicating with teenagers who don’t want to listen

• Don’t feel you have to witness the same as your neighbor

• If you buy into this thinking, then you’re getting into ‘works territory’ and neglecting the gifts God has given you!

• For example, God may have given you the ability to ADD into someone’s life with encouragement in a proactive way on a daily basis

• Perhaps let them know they came to mind and you prayed for them

• Don’t keep score waiting for a response in kind, but use your time to shine light into potentially dark places  

2 Timothy 2:2 NIV

[2] And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

Matthew 5:16 NIV

[16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Luke 11:36 NIV

[36] Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.”

2 Timothy 2:20-21 NIV

[20] In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. [21] Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

** Jehoiachin was not sent away from the king's palace with a 'supply' to last him for months, but his provision was given him as a daily pension. Herein he well pictures the happy position of all the Lord's people. A daily portion is all that a man really needs. We do not need tomorrow's portion; for that day has not yet dawned, and its needs are as yet unborn. The thirst which we may suffer in the month of June, does not need to be quenched in February for we do not feel it yet. If we have enough for each day as the days arrive, we shall never know want. Sufficient for the day, is all that we can enjoy.

We cannot eat or wear more than the day's supply of food and clothing. Any surplus gives us the care of storing it, and the anxiety of watching against a thief. One staff aids a traveler, but a bundle of staffs  is a heavy burden. Enough is not only as good as a feast, but is all that the greatest glutton can truly enjoy. Enough is all that we should expect; a craving for more than this, is ungrateful. When our Father does not give us more, we should be content with His daily allowance.

In the Word, by meditation, in prayer, and waiting upon God--you shall receive renewed grace and strength. In Jesus, all needful things are laid up for you. Enjoy your continual allowance!  <S185>

2 Kings 25:29 NIV

[29] So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king's table.

Luke 11:3 NIV

[3] Give us each day our daily bread.

Deuteronomy 33:25 NIV

[25] The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.

** God is always present with us, is willing to be consulted by us, and will surely attend to us. Our way is likely to be difficult, dark, and perplexing; a way in which we have never traveled before, and in which we are likely to be misled.

The only way to be safe, to walk securely, is to seek Divine direction

• God is willing to give but He will have us ask it of Him

• We are dependents, and we must realize our dependence

• We are but children, and we must feel it, and act as under the impression of it

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

[5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

You have His WORD, consult it; make it your counselor, your directory and your guide.

You have His PROMISE, believe it; He says, "I will teach you and instruct you in the way which you shall go, I will guide you with My eye."

You have His THRONE OF GRACE, flee to it, and plead with Him as a man pleads with his friend.

And, while you consult His Word, believe His promise, and pray for direction — watch His hand! Providence is God working; working to accomplish His purposes, to fulfill His promises, and to answer the prayers of His people.

In His Word, He speaks to us;

on His throne, He listens to us,

by His providence, He works for us, and those who keep their eye open, will be sure to see His hand.

While you watch His hand, seek grace to submit to His will. He wills to do you good, the greatest good; and if His will crosses yours, depend upon it, it is just because it is most for your benefit.

Gratefully acknowledge His favors as you receive them. Remember that, as sinful creatures, being criminals and traitors, we have no "rights".

• Consequently, everything short of Hell, is a mercy!

• Everything but eternal punishment, is a favor!

• How many favors and mercies you receive — and how few praises you render!

• How many mercies are given you — and how few acknowledgments you make!

He who habitually…

• consults God's holy Word

• believes His faithful promises

• pleads at His gracious throne for direction

• watches His working hand

• submits to His righteous will, and

• gratefully acknowledges His sovereign favors —

will never be allowed to go far wrong, or to go wrong for long; for "He shall direct your steps!"

<S183>

** Be thankful for what we HAVE and not what we DO NOT HAVE — recognize God’s goodness and blessings in everyday routines

Romans 8:28 NIV

[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

[5] Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

** God intended Himself to be the great fountain of supply to His creatures. All are to be dependent on Him, and to look for their supplies from Him. Just so, the believer is to apply to God for all. Ample provision is made, but it is only in Jesus. Promises are given, but they are to be fulfilled by Jesus. He possesses all fullness, and as such He presents Himself to us as His needy dependent creatures.

This is the business of faith and prayer: to look to Jesus, and apply to Jesus for all that we need. Let us consider these words as spoken unto us every day, as calling us away from dependence on the creature, and as directing us how to act under all circumstances. It is Jesus who speaks. Jesus, as God. Jesus, as the Savior. Jesus, full of sympathy and power. Let us therefore listen to, and act upon His Word.  <S183>

Psalm 46:1 NIV

[1] God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Isaiah 45:22 NIV

[22] “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

** Draw your strength from God to live a life of integrity, then let others see what's on the inside and make sure it does not differ from what they can see on the outside; live your life free from hypocrisy!

• Henry Heinz (the ketchup king) lived and developed his business with integrity; his clear bottles of product showed everyone, "what you see is what you get"

• Some try to hide what's on the inside by putting a deceitful package on the outside

• Ask God to help set you free FROM hypocrisy in order TO DO other things and remain true to Him

• David was determined to live in integrity so he asked God for help

• David’s strength to live in integrity flowed from God's love and grace

• He chose to view life from God's perspective

• Likewise, we can choose to trust God's power to change our life and walk as needed in integrity — in God's way  <C31>

Psalm 26:8,11-12 NIV

[8] Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells. [11] I lead a blameless life; deliver me and be merciful to me. [12] My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation I will praise the Lord.

** Humans can create in a limited way — within God's creation

• Man was given responsibilities to be caretakers of this world and make it part of his life

• We have been given creativity and drive to invest in this world

• God placed 'hidden treasures' for man to discover, use and protect

Genesis 2:15 NIV

[15] The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

** Respectfully acknowledge the interdependence between men and women, and God as our head above all

• Life itself tells us that both men and women are necessary to the continuation of the race

• Thus, drawing of Eve from Adam does not imply that women are subordinate to men but, instead, are necessary!

• Men and women may be different, but as far as praying and prophesying are concerned, the ministry of both sexes isn’t optional but required  <R1795>

1 Corinthians 11:11-12 NIV

[11] Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. [12] For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

1 Corinthians 11:5 NIV

[5] But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head---it is the same as having her head shaved.

** God arranged our DNA for a meaningful and godly life, and provides all the promises to help make that happen

• God pours strength and guidance into us through our relationship with Him

• God gives us amazing promises, like never leaving us, loving us, providing for us... over 300 promises that cover salvation, freedom, wisdom, heaven, etc

• God provides what we need but He never forces us to participate

We have to choose to live in His provision

• He wants to develop His nature in us and escape the corruption of this world

• We will never become a god but can reflect His image

• Sin does not have to dominate our life; we can live free from sin's corruption, living life to its full maximum potential

• We take the step of faith and God empowers us on our journey  <C31>

2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

[3] His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. [4] Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

** God provides what we need to do His calling and will protect us while abiding by His will

Luke 10:17-19 NIV

[17] The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” [18] He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. [19] I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

** God knows our needs along with how best to meet them

• Trouble is, we tend to get confused as to our needs because our vision is limited — but God knows the whole picture

• Ask God to show you what you truly need and fully depend on Him for it

• God keeps His promises and always honors His word, in His way and timing

• We, on the other hand, let others down all the time

• God can make and keep promises through His power and love  <C31>

2 Peter 1:3 NIV

[3] His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

** Resolve to live in love; when we do love as we are commanded then sit back and watch what God is going to do

Love involves giving sacrificially

• Peter reminds us we need to love sacrificially with our gifts toward others and with God

• We were created to love God

• We must love God first before we can love others

Mark 12:30-31 NIV

[30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' [31] The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.”

Love is the foundation for using spiritual gifts, whatever they are

• To love and encourage each other

• Like the body brings together all parts of the body to work together

• Everybody has spiritual gifts and is empowered by God to use them

• Even when we are going through difficult times and times of suffering

Love builds unity in the church

• Agape (selfless) love holds the body of believers together

• Seek the good for others

• Our human nature is contrary to this command, for we naturally want to look after ourselves first

Love covers a multitude of sins

• This doesn't mean we'll forget about sin but that we address it to solve the matter

• We see each others' weaknesses but accept and love each other despite our failures

Love does not expect anything in return

• Like 'Pay it Forward' concept of paying for someone behind you at drive-thru

• Do it for the glory of God

• Done both within the church community and in the world

• Trust God during suffering; know that it will end someday

• Be urgent and make the most of the time God has given you

1 Peter 4:7-11 NIV

[7] The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. [8] Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. [9] Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

** The Lord's care of His people is ceaseless...

• No parent was ever so vigilant over a precious and only child

• No gardener was ever so attentive to a delicate and favorite plant

• God visits, He watches, He supplies

• He studies our needs, and provides for each of them

• God's SUPPLY will be constant, in every season

• It will be suitable, like refreshing moisture to a thirsty plant

• It will be in small portions, as the gently falling rain

• It will be imperceptible, like the morning dews

If the Lord would cease to water, we would soon wither and die!

• It is by these divine 'supplies' that our graces are kept alive

• Our dependence on Him is absolute!

• Our obligations to His love are infinite!

Let us not imagine that we are not watered, because we do not sensibly feel it. The constancy, and the gentle gradual manner in which we are supplied, render His loving care virtually imperceptible. <S183>

Hosea 6:3 NIV

[3] Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. ”

Isaiah 27:3 NIV

[3] I, the Lord, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it.

** The unsaved view the gospel as too humiliating in its doctrines and too strict in its precepts

• They are filled with pride, unwilling to embrace any sentiment that tends to abase them and full of worldly lusts they cannot endure to have subdued

• In short, their desires and their passions are altogether adverse to the Gospel

• When the Word is preached to them, they instantly set themselves against it!  <S179>

Luke 16:13-14 NIV

[13] “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” [14] The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.

Luke 19:14b NIV

[14] …'We don't want this man to be our king.'

** Nothing reveals the state of a person's heart and spiritual health than their view of money; we ALL have to examine our hearts regarding our view of money — rich and poor alike

• Do you have the attitude that there is never enough?

• We cannot serve two masters but must choose

• Store up treasures in heaven, not in store-houses on earth

• Do not be overcome with money matters

• God expects us to rely on Him for resources to meet needs

• Do we demonstrate our faith through what we have and give?

James 5:7 NIV

[7] Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.

** Possessing wealth is not sinful  <C31>

• God wants us to work and provide for our family

• God gives us ability to generate wealth

• God talks about saving, giving, etc in His Word

• The problem is misuse of wealth and whether we are DEPENDENT on money or God for a sense of security

What's the difference between the righteous and those who hoard wealth?

1. The way we get our wealth — the way we treat those who work for us (Jer 22:13), whether we hoard money, pinch the penny or control the courts (James 2:6)

2. The way the rich use their wealth — do they store up money to ensure personal stability, do they trust in money and keep others from benefiting from their wealth while living in luxury?

3. Realization that everything is the Lord's — it’s a perspective regarding what we have, whether small or large amounts

James 5:4-6 NIV

[4] Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. [5] You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. [6] You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

** We should always be seeking what God wants us to do; it is a good sign that true believers desire to please the Father  <C31>

God has a will for us:

• We should say "if the Lord wills"

• He wills, for instance, that everyone should come to Him

• A sanctified holy life is also His will; avoiding sexual sin and surrendering our life to Him

2 Corinthians 8:5 NIV

[5] And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 NIV

[3] It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;

Romans 12:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God---this is your true and proper worship.

Benefits of doing God's will:

• Some think being a Christian is restrictive when it is, in actuality, freeing

• His will is safest place to be; like Jesus in the midst of storm on the boat with disciples

• During times of struggle we sometimes feel He is distant; yet He will not let anything come in the way of you accomplishing His will

James 4:13-16 NIV

[13] Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” [14] Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. [15] Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.” [16] As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.

Luke 8:24 NIV

[24] The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we're going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.

** God prepares us as long as we invest in the process; how do we know the will of God?

a) Develop a relationship and learn to listen so we can learn His voice

b) Focus on God, not yourself

c) Look for God working around you and allow Him to involve and stretch you

Matthew 16:19 NIV

[19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

** The Christ child was to be named Jesus, which means 'Savior' and 'Immanuel'; Christ arrived at a time when there were no living prophets

Matthew 1:21 NIV

[21] She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:23 NIV

[23] “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

** God offers varied blessings and protection when we follow His decrees; times may get tough but we can be blessed through them

Psalm 16:5-6 NIV

Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. [6] The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

Psalm 16:11 NIV

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

** Without divine wisdom guiding him, the Christian would stray into the fatal paths of folly and crime! To guide him aright, requires an omniscient eye, a wise intellect, and loving heart; and Jesus possesses and exercises these for the good of His people.

Is the Christian protected from the innumerable dangers and foes to which he is exposed?

It is by the power of Christ! That power is his guard and his defense.

• An almighty arm is placed beneath him, to uphold him

• An almighty arm is lifted up, to defend him

• He looks to it when foes assail him

• He leans on it when his own strength fails him

• He trusts in it in every hour of danger  <S183>

Psalm 119:117 NIV

[117] Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.

** David asked God to consider his groaning regarding his situation  <C31>

• Life's circumstances weighed heavily on David and he had confidence in God's identity as King and Creator of all

• David recognized God as the only One he can go to at all times because others are not trustworthy and cannot be counted on in time of need

• How awesome that believers can turn to God, for He will not forsake those who call on Him

Psalm 5:1-2 NIV

[1] Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. [2] Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.

Psalm 116:4-5 NIV

[4] Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me! ” [5] The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. [6] The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me

** God serves as a lighthouse, bringing us back on track with the strength and ability to move forward; we gain direction, hope, and everything needed in the moment  <C31>

Psalm 5:3 NIV

[3] In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

** Those who seek the Lord may be sick, or poor, or tired, in a variety of ways, but the Lord will send them supplies OR give them the grace of contentment so that they shall not lack any good thing

• How many times are you glad God didn’t answer your prayer?

• While the Lord promises to supply all His people's needs, He nowhere promises to gratify them with all wishes in the way they request

• The Apostle reminds us that we really need very little

1 Timothy 6:8 NIV

[8] But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

[5] Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

• They shall not lack any good thing; that is, they shall not lack whatever is really good for them at the time and under the circumstances

• Whatever will promote their holiness and happiness shall certainly be conveyed to them

Those who seek the Lord are sure of necessary supplies, for four reasons:

• First, the Lord is ABLE to supply them. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think!

• Second, the Lord DESIRES to supply them. "Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust."

• Third, the Lord has PROMISED to supply them. "The Lord God is a sun and shield, the Lord will give grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." "My God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

• Fourth, the Lord ALWAYS HAS supplied them. Look at Jacob, at David, and at all who have already arrived in glory. If the question, put by the Lord Jesus to His disciples when they returned from their missionary tour on which He sent them without purse or bag, was put to them: "Have you lacked anything?" Every one of them would readily answer, "Nothing, Lord!"  <S183>

Psalm 34:10 NIV

[10] The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

** It may appear we are facing difficulty alone at times, but the One who created the winds and waves knows what we are going through and will help see us through!

Matthew 8:23-27 NIV

[23] Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. [24] Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. [25] The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We're going to drown!” [26] He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. [27] The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Psalm 116:3-6 NIV

[3] The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. [4] Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me! ” [5] The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. [6] The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.

** Strength of the young and old

Proverbs 20:29 NIV

[29] The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.

** Jesus did not say “Go, be delivered from all your moral temptations” before you complete the Great Commission

• It's not about you, it’s about Him

• We are not to try to be ‘good enough’ before embarking on our mission

• God knows we are all sinners and He dealt with that on the cross, thus calling us in our redemptive state

• We will NEVER be ready if we are waiting to be good enough!  <D40>

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

[18] Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

** God gives humans earthly resources to use for our benefit

• Contrary to the message we are being force-fed today via the ‘green movement’

• God gives us fossil fuels, for example, to utilize as we see fit because He has given us dominion or authority over the earth  <H86>

• For sure, we are to take care of the resources God gave us, but thinking we control the future is an affront to God!

• Remember: GOD controls the earth, not humans, so man cannot destroy the earth without God’s permission any more than he can “save the planet” contrary to His will

Genesis 1:28 NIV

[28] God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground. ”

Exodus 23:10-11 NIV

[10] “For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, [11] but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what is left. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.

** Godless man tries to control every aspect of his life, including seeding the clouds to induce rain, rather than acknowledging our Creator and asking Him to provide rain when needed

Zechariah 10:1 NIV

[1] Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime;

 it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.

** Man does not know the future and whether love or hate awaits him

• All lives lay in the hands of God

• One fate awaits everyone regardless of where they stand with God — and that is death

• The dead are cut off from all feelings and interests in life in the after world  <B20>

Ecclesiastes 9:1-6 NIV

[1] So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God's hands, but no one knows whether love or hate awaits them. [2] All share a common destiny---the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not.

 As it is with the good, so with the sinful; as it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them. [3] This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. [4] Anyone who is among the living has hope---even a live dog is better off than a dead lion! [5] For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten. [6] Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun.

Proverbs 21:1 NIV

[1] In the Lord's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.

Psalm 31:15 NIV

[15] My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.

Ecclesiastes 11:6 NIV

[6] Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.

** The Lord cares for His children!

 • He knows our needs and will supply them

• He knows our foes and will deliver us from them

• He knows our fears and will make us ashamed of them

He is your Father, and His love to you is infinite. You are His delight — His dear child. Will He neglect you? Impossible!

Cast then, your cares upon Him. Tell out all your desires, fears, and troubles to Him; let Him know everything; keep nothing back. And then in the confidence of faith, expect Him to fulfill His Word, and act a Parent's part.

But never for one moment, or under any circumstances, distrust Him! He cannot love you more! He is your ever present help. He will rejoice over you to do you good, with His whole heart and with His whole soul.  <S183>

Philippians 4:6 NIV

[6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

[7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

** Only one leper returned to give God thanks while nine continued on their way unmindful, ungrateful. And why was that?

Perhaps they knew the danger of committing themselves to Jesus, they knew that He was narrowly watched and suspected; they knew that even to receive a cure from Him was in itself an offence to many. My Lord, I seek grace not to be so cowardly!

Perhaps they were afraid that now the Master would have a claim upon them and would begin to press that claim. He who had given them their health, might demand their loyalty; and they were not ready to yield it. My Lord, I would be more [dedicated] than they!

Perhaps they were seized with the wish to mix with the world, to go back to its affairs, to play their part in its business. They were impatient of delays which detained them from the promotion of their own interests. My Lord, I would learn to hate such selfishness!

Perhaps they thought that they had only got what was their due. They thought that the loathsome disease was an injustice and a grievance, and health was their right, and they need not be profoundly grateful. Lord, teach me to watch against this self-conceit and pride!

Perhaps they told themselves that their Benefactor was no longer necessary to them. The pressure of urgent need was past, and its disappearance makes a difference. My lord, let me never forget Your untold benefits!

There is no darker sin than ingratitude! I entreat You Lord Jesus, to save me from it.  <S182>

Luke 17:17 NIV

[17] Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?

** Those who choose to live in the power of the Holy Spirit will be filled to overflowing with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control  <R1795>

• Have you noticed that along the banks of a stream the vegetation is always abundant and luxurious?

• The Bible says as the Holy Spirit flows freely in our lives, a rich and beautiful character grows

• These traits can only be produced by God the Holy Spirit, and only those who live by Him

Galatians 5:22-24 NIV

[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. [24] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

1 Peter 2:9 NIV

[9] But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

** I see many wonders in God's salvation [and that He would lavish it on those who choose to follow Him]. It is as many-sided as the ocean with its moods and waves.

There is the wonder of its ORIGIN. From HIM it takes its rise and source!

• From the King against whom I have revolted

• From the Friend whose wishes I have opposed

• From the thrice-holy One, to whom the smallest of my sins is absolutely hateful

• From the Father on whom I have turned my back

• It is He who approaches me with the white flag of peace

• It is He who sacrifices Himself to accomplish my deliverance!

And there is the wonder of its CONTINUOUSNESS. Salvation keeps coming. It does not cease. It flows and deepens and broadens. God does not weary, though there are ten thousand reasons why He should. The Savior does not lose His sympathy and grace. The Holy Spirit goes on performing His good work. It is an "eternal salvation".

Hebrews 5:9 NIV

[9] and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

And there is the wonder of its OBJECT. It is MY salvation, incredible as that may seem. It is a miracle to me that my past guilt should be pardoned — such a terrible criminality there was in my heart. It is a miracle to me that my present imperfections should be borne with and overcome. Such a forbearing, conquering patience I need, for I am the chief of sinners!

And there is the wonder of its ABUNDANCE. It is SALVATION which comes to me. Salvation is a palace with many rooms in it. It is a landscape in which many different elements of beauty are found — mountain, river, lush pasture-ground, darker forest, and the silver streak of the sea.

I think of salvation from the DIVINE side and how much it cost God! I think of salvation from the HUMAN side and how much it brings to me!  <S182>

Psalm 62:1 NIV

[1] Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.

2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV

[15] Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

** God gives us the needed strength to accomplish tasks He has for us, for His glory

Haggai 2:3-4 NIV

[3] 'Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? [4] But now be strong, Zerubbabel,' declares the Lord. 'Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the Lord, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the Lord Almighty.

Haggai 2:9 NIV

[9] 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the Lord Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace, ' declares the Lord Almighty.”

** God had given Micah the supernatural ability to ‘call it like it is’ and identify leaders who do not stand up for righteousness; those today who have the Holy Spirit within them have the power and ability to proclaim truth

Micah 3:8 NIV

[8] But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin.

** God's divine appointment means something will happen in His timing and in His way; sometimes we don't see that God’s ways are better for us so we need to trust Him

• Notice how many times God gets Jonah's attention: storm, fish, plant, worm, scorching wind

• God is not limited and can do what He wants

• He loves us too much to let us continue in our destructive behavior

• God does not always act in ways we want  <C31>

Jonah 4:6-8a NIV

[6] Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. [7] But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. [8] When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah's head so that he grew faint.

** The remembrance of God’s mercies, like the harvest of a crop, should make us submissive to the will of God when we meet with displeasures later in life  <H83>

Amos 7:1 NIV

[1] This is what the Sovereign Lord showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts after the king's share had been harvested and just as the late crops were coming up.

** We can call on God to deliver us from those who follow Satan’s schemes and, in response, we recognize and praise Him for this deliverance while experiencing His blessings!

Psalm 144:7-8 NIV

[7] Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners [8] whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.

Psalm 144:9-11 NIV

[9] I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you, [10] to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David. From the deadly sword [11] deliver me; rescue me from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.

Psalm 144:1-2 NIV

[1] Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. [2] He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

Psalm 144:15 NIV

[15] Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.

** Jonah deserved justice from disobedience yet received God's MERCY; even throwing Jonah overboard was a death sentence (so Jonah and sailors thought) but God extended mercy

• Mercy = don't receive what we deserve

• Grace = receive what we don't deserve

Jonah 1:14-16 NIV

[14] Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” [15] Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. [16] At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.

Jonah 1:17 NIV

[17] Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

** God is in control of every aspect of our existence, including the weather!

Amos 4:7,13 NIV

[7] “I also withheld rain from you when the harvest was still three months away. I sent rain on one town, but withheld it from another. One field had rain; another had none and dried up. [13] He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth---the Lord God Almighty is his name.

Matthew 8:24-26 NIV

[24] Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. [25] The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We're going to drown!” [26] He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

** Interesting, that Jonah wanted to escape the presence of the Lord and got what he wanted — but then became terrified; God responded to Jonah’s prayer by adjusting his heart, not his circumstances  <C31>

Jonah 2:3-4 NIV

[3] You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. [4] I said, 'I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.'

** Just because life is getting difficult, we are not to shrink back but rather continue in our work for the Lord in order to see Him accomplish amazing things — including people being saved — under the banner of Christ!  <K114>

Daniel 11:32 NIV

[32] With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.

** God cares about the poor and those in need

Psalm 140:12 NIV

[12] I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.

** God prompts us to do what is best and right when He hems us in, confronting us with His wisdom as we face the inevitable; like a city under siege, hemmed inside and protected, even though we are being attacked from all sides, we need His help in order to do what is best and right

Psalm 139:1-5 NIV

[1] You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. [2] You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. [3] You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. [4] Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. [5] You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

** God involves Himself in His creation

Psalm 136:11,16-17,23-24 NIV

[11] and brought Israel out from among them His love endures forever. [16] to him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures forever. [17] to him who struck down great kings, His love endures forever. [23] He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever. [24] and freed us from our enemies. His love endures forever.

** Every true believer in Christ is an anointed one, receiving the oil of true grace from the Holy Spirit; our request is that God would not turn away but hear and answer petitions for His Son’s sake  <H83>

Psalm 132:10 NIV

[10] For the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed one.

** David revealed his deepest feelings about what's going on in his heart and how God was responsible for his rise from shepherd to king

Giving attribute to God prevented David from becoming proud, with proper:

• Attitude (heart): he believed he was no better than anyone else

• Actions (eyes): treated others properly; the eyes are reflection of the soul

• Ambition: David did not seek greatness but only what God wanted him to do

Remember that pride can blind us to God's plan, so do an honest examination of your heart attitudes then do your best and leave the glory and results to God  <C31> (Sep 2016)

Psalm 131:1 NIV

[1] My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.

** When we are on the Lord’s side, then He pours on us ‘grace upon grace’  <S185>

Hosea 6:3 NIV

[3] Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. ”

Psalm 128:1-2 NIV

[1] Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. [2] You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

** Just like the angel giving Daniel strength in his time of need, so God will give us strength when we seek Him

Daniel 10:16-18 NIV

[16] Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. [17] How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.” [18] Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength.

** There is hope — rescue from the troubled — for those who recognize God and admit the error of their ways

Daniel 12:3 NIV

[3] Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

Jeremiah 30:10-11 NIV

[10] “ 'So do not be afraid, Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel,' declares the Lord. 'I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid. [11] I am with you and will save you,' declares the Lord. 'Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.'

** God gave Daniel the ability to interpret visions and dreams, then placed him in a position of influence and used this gift to His honor and glory

Daniel 1:17,20 NIV

[17] To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. [20] In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

** Daniel and friends sought God in their trouble; in turn, God relayed Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in a night vision that Daniel later relayed to the king

Daniel 2:17-19 NIV

[17] Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. [18] He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. [19] During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven

Daniel 2:26-29 NIV

[26] The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” [27] Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, [28] but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these: [29] “As Your Majesty was lying there, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen.

Daniel 2:36-43 NIV

[36] “This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king. [37] Your Majesty, you are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory; [38] in your hands he has placed all mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds in the sky. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold. [39] “After you, another kingdom will arise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth. [40] Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron---for iron breaks and smashes everything---and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others. [41] Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay. [42] As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. [43] And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay.

** Daniel and others refused to worship and were reported to the king for their disobedience; Nebuchadnezzar’s challenge that their God could not save them came back to embarrass him

Daniel 3:15-18 NIV

[15] Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” [16] Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. [17] If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. [18] But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. ”

Daniel 3:21-26 NIV

[21] So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. [22] The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, [23] and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. [24] Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” [25] He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” [26] Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire

** Daniel’s friends were promoted and God was recognized as the all-powerful God because they stood their ground against the king’s edict

Daniel 3:28-30 NIV

[28] Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. [29] Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” [30] Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

** There are over 3000 promises in God’s word, and each one is God’s word; God has kept every promise — He never has gone back on His word — so why can we not trust Him with our daily lives?  <F60>

• WHY trust God?

• Because Jesus is returning to take us to a place He has prepared for us via the Rapture

• What an awesome promise that we will be with Jesus where He is

• So if we trust Him with this huge promise, why can’t we trust Him in our daily lives?

John 14:1-3 NIV

[1] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. [2] My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

• But Jesus has not returned yet, so HOW can we maintain this trust while we wait for the trumpet sound and our departure?

• Regardless of the confusing and terrifying situation we face, we can be calmed — by trusting Him with all our heart and leaning not on our own understanding that propels us to Him

• It’s a reciprocal and conditional promise for us to trust, and He will respond

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

[5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

• Maybe the delusion we see around helps us not to lean on our previously-trusted reasoning but to trust God!?

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

[6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

** God allows us to undergo difficulty so we recognize His deliverance; besides applying this to any particular deliverance, we should have in our thoughts the great work of redemption by Jesus Christ by which believers were rescued from Satan  <H83>

Psalm 124:1-5 NIV

[1] If the Lord had not been on our side---let Israel say--- [2] if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, [3] they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us; [4] the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, [5] the raging waters would have swept us away.

** May Israel say — the danger was so great, their helplessness so manifest, and the deliverance was so clearly the work of God, that it was proper to say that if this had not occurred, ruin would have been inevitable and entire  <C33>

Psalm 124:6-8 NIV

[6] Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. [7] We have escaped like a bird from the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. [8] Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

** I am bound to speak well of my Physician; He treats me with great tenderness, and bids me in due time to expect a perfect cure. I know too much of Him (though I know but little) to doubt either His skill or His promise.

Though His medicines are all beneficial, they are not all pleasant. Now and then He gives me a pleasant cordial; but I have many severe disorders, in which there is a needs-be for my frequently taking His bitter and unpalatable medicines!

We sometimes see published in the newspapers, acknowledgments of cures received. If I were to publish my own case, that it would run something like this:

"I, John Newton, have long labored under a multitude of grievous disorders:

• a fever of ungoverned passions,

• a cancer of pride,

• a frenzy of wild imaginations,

• a severe lethargy, and

• a deadly stroke!

In this deplorable situation, I suffered many things from many physicians, spent every penny I had — yet only grew worse and worse!

In this condition, Jesus, the Physician of souls, found me when I sought Him not. He undertook my recovery freely, without money and without price — these are His terms with all His patients! My fever is now abated, my senses are restored, my faculties are enlivened! In a word, I am a new man! And from His ability, His promise, and the experience of what He has already done, I have the fullest assurance that He will infallibly and perfectly heal me; and that I shall live forever as a monument of His power and grace!"  <N150>

1 Peter 2:24 NIV

[24] “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

** Keep your eyes fixed on God and He will provide the needed help and strength to see you through each difficulty

• Peter initially stepped above the surrounding storm because his focus was fixed on Jesus

• He started to sink when he shifted his focus onto the storm

• Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, and not the immediate problem, often goes against our natural inclination because we believe we can resolve the problems on our own

• Why not look to God who can provide what is needed for us to rise above any storm we feel will engulf us?

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

I lift up my eyes to the mountains---where does my help come from? [2] My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Matthew 14:28-31 NIV

[28] “Lord, if it's you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” [29] “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” [31] Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

• God instructed ancient priests to strap reminders to their forearm and forehead to remember His power and holiness

• Likewise, followers of Christ should remember to prayerfully review and remember God's Word when approaching our holy God

Exodus 28:36-38 NIV

[36] “Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: holy to the Lord. [37] Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. [38] It will be on Aaron's forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron's forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the Lord.

** God is the guardian and deliverer of His people.  From how many dangers has He preserved us.  From how many calamities has He delivered us.

Dangers, distresses and deaths crowd upon us – and surround us in every age and every place. The air, the earth, the sea, and every element – are pregnant with numberless inlets of pain and death ready to seize and destroy us!

Sickness and death swarm around us!  Nay, they lie in ambush in our own constitution, and are perpetually undermining our lives – and yet our divine Guardian preserves us for months and years unhurt, untouched.  And how many 'salvations' of this kind has He wrought for us.

Salvation from:

• Accidents

• Sicknesses

• Pains

• Sorrows

• Death

Salvation from seen and unseen dangers.  Salvation in infancy, in youth, and in maturer years!  <D43>

Psalm 121:1-8 NIV

[1] I lift up my eyes to the mountains---where does my help come from? [2] My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. [3] He will not let your foot slip---he who watches over you will not slumber; [4] indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. [5] The Lord watches over you---the Lord is your shade at your right hand; [6] the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. [7] The Lord will keep you from all harm---he will watch over your life; [8] the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Psalm 91:3-7 NIV

[3] Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. [4] He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. [5] You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, [6] nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. [7] A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

** God wants us to know His will even more than we do, and He will guide and enable us as needed toward His goal when we ask it of God!

Revelation 3:8,10 NIV

[8] I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. [10] Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

Ephesians 1:18-21 NIV

[18] I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, [19] and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength [20] he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, [21] far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Ephesians 3:16 NIV

[16] I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Colossians 1:10-11 NIV

[10] so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, [11] being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience

** God guided, provided and protected the Israelites as they journeyed in the desert for 40 years; God will do the same for today’s believer who seeks Him along their journey

Deuteronomy 2:7 NIV

[7] The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.

Deuteronomy 2:3-5 NIV

[3] “You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north. [4] Give the people these orders: ‘You are about to pass through the territory of your relatives the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, but be very careful. [5] Do not provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land, not even enough to put your foot on. I have given Esau the hill country of Seir as his own.

Deuteronomy 2:21,25 NIV

[21] They were a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakites. The Lord destroyed them from before the Ammonites, who drove them out and settled in their place. [25] This very day I will begin to put the terror and fear of you on all the nations under heaven. They will hear reports of you and will tremble and be in anguish because of you.”

** God is our Ultimate Shepherd who not only protects us from harm but desires to lavish us with blessings

Ezekiel 34:25-26,31 NIV

[25] “ 'I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of savage beasts so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety. [26] I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. [31] You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.' ”

** Children of God! your heavenly Father says, "All things are yours!" (1Cor 3:21) — and so they are, in the degree and manner that is good for me. All the gold in the world is Christ's, and as His child, He gives me just as much as suits my best interest. If more were good for me, would not my loving Savior give me more: money, or material things, or health, or friendship?

Come back, then, wandering desire! Do not roam abroad over that which is not yours — that is forbidden ground.

What is your present lot? Scan it well; look at it through the lens of faith, and you will see a blessing in it. You will find a Father's love, a Savior's presence, and the Spirit's comforts wrapped in the garb of present things, and rays of glory coming from them all.

Is not what I now have, better than the cravings of wandering desire, with such realities, better, far better, than the shadows of wandering desire!  <M138>

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

[5] Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

** God's command may not make sense to us from our limited ability to reason, but it is ALWAYS in our best interest to obey Him; reward for obedience can be bountiful if He so chooses

• Jesus’ command to throw the net to the right side of the boat was, no doubt, a comfort in that Jesus understood the disciples going back to fishing

• His command was primarily a promise to meet every material need as they serve Christ; they would be traveling evangelists, dependant on others for food and lodging

• What an incredible reminder that we can spend so much time working all night and ‘catch nothing’ which one word from Jesus will supply our every need  <R1795>

John 21:3-6 NIV

[3] “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. [4] Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. [5] He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. [6] He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

John 21:11 NIV

[11] So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

** My dear friend,

I am very sorry about your accident but I am thankful that you were not hurt. Such catastrophes, as this may properly be called, have often been attended with dislocated or broken bones, a fractured skull, or instant death — so frail is man!

Often, when he thinks himself safe, and is dreaming of his own importance, as if he were a necessary part in the complicated movements of Divine Providence — he falls like grass before the scythe! And not by the hands of a giant, or the fangs of a tiger, but the smallest trifle is sufficient to destroy him!

For example: how many loose stones do we see in the road; it seems no great matter where they lie. Yet any one of them, by changing the direction of a wheel is sufficient to confound all the plans of this mighty creature! One stone stumbles him down; he falls with his head upon another — in that very moment all his future plans perish! But the Lord gave His angels charge over you; therefore you fell unhurt, and are still alive to praise and serve Him.

I see so much of the uncertainty of life, and how little I can either foresee or prevent what the next moment may bring forth that I would be a very great coward — afraid not only of riding in a coach but of walking across a room — if I was not in some degree enabled to confide in the Lord's protection!

I wish for you to think much of the Lord's governing providence. It extends to the minutest concerns. He rules and manages all things; but in so secret a way, that most people think that He does nothing. When, in reality — He does ALL!  <N150>

Psalm 119:117 NIV

[117] Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.

** In all circumstances! This comes as a surprise when one considers the vicissitudes of human life. Sickness and health, poverty and wealth, joy and sorrow — are all ingredients of the cup placed to human lips — so all must come within the scope of thanksgiving.

Why be thankful for everything? Because God causes everything to work together for good to those who love Him.

We shall have cause to be thankful for all our afflictions, if the Lord is pleased to employ them as means to make us more humble and broken-hearted, and to wean our hearts from this vain world.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

[18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4 NIV

[4] Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

** God works on the inside of us as we become born again so we have the will and tools to put salvation into action; make manifest on the outside with fear and trembling the salvation God did on the inside  <M130>

Philippians 2:12-13 NIV

[12] 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, [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Ephesians 4:1 NIV

[1] As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

Romans 6:19 NIV

[19] I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

** Look ahead to see if you will encounter evil and plan how to deal with it with God’s help; if you know you will be personally affected by it, then prepare now with a ‘Plan B’  <H86>

Proverbs 22:3 NIV

[3] The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

** Followers of Christ can access His strength to overcome anything this world throws at them

Matthew 11:28-29 NIV

[28] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] 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.

** Ezekiel was to utter God’s words of warning only as provided by the Holy Spirit, not try to convince others using his own words through his own effort

Ezekiel 3:24-27 NIV

[24] Then the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said: “Go, shut yourself inside your house. [25] And you, son of man, they will tie with ropes; you will be bound so that you cannot go out among the people. [26] I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious people. [27] But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says.' Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people.

** The prophets often foreshowed impending judgments by significant emblems, which usually strike more powerfully than words. So Jeremiah was commanded to go down to the potter’s house and observe how frequently vessels were marred in his hands (Jer 18) and to take one of those earthen vessels and break it in the sight of the elders of the Jews (Jer 19) that they might thereby be sensibly taught the greatness of God’s power and their own frailty. So here God commands Ezekiel to take a tile, or such a slate as mathematical lines or figures are usually drawn upon, and there to make a portrait of Jerusalem, thereby to represent it as under a siege.  <C34>

Ezekiel 4:1-3 NIV

[1] “Now, son of man, take a block of clay, put it in front of you and draw the city of Jerusalem on it. [2] Then lay siege to it: Erect siege works against it, build a ramp up to it, set up camps against it and put battering rams around it. [3] Then take an iron pan, place it as an iron wall between you and the city and turn your face toward it. It will be under siege, and you shall besiege it. This will be a sign to the people of Israel.

Jeremiah 18:1-6 NIV

[1] This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: [2] “Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message.” [3] So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. [4] But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. [5] Then the word of the Lord came to me. [6] He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.

Jeremiah 19:1-2,10-11 NIV

[1] This is what the Lord says: “Go and buy a clay jar from a potter. Take along some of the elders of the people and of the priests [2] and go out to the Valley of Ben Hinnom, near the entrance of the Potsherd Gate. There proclaim the words I tell you, [10] “Then break the jar while those who go with you are watching, [11] and say to them, 'This is what the Lord Almighty says: I will smash this nation and this city just as this potter's jar is smashed and cannot be repaired. They will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no more room.

** Will anxiety…

• keep the winter away, or

• keep the storm from rising, or

• put coal in the cellar, or

• put bread in the pantry, or

• get clothes for the children?

Even human reason shows the uselessness of worrying, since it helps nothing, and only wastes one's strength and unfits one for doing one's best!

The Christian gospel goes farther, and says that even the hard things and the obstacles are blessings, if we meet them in the right spirit. They are stepping-stones lifting our feet upward — disciplinary experiences in which we grow.

So we learn that we should quietly, and with faith in God's Providence, accept life as it comes to us — fretting at nothing, yet changing hard conditions to easier ones if we can. And if we cannot, then we must use them as means for growth and advancement.  <M136>

Matthew 6:27,31-33 NIV

[27] Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life ? [31] So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

** God gave the prophet Ezekiel everything needed to deal with the hard-hearted and obstinate exiles he was to approach in ministry; God lifted Ezekiel to the place he needed to be and later told him where to go

Ezekiel 3:4-9 NIV

[4] He then said to me: “Son of man, go now to the people of Israel and speak my words to them. [5] You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and strange language, but to the people of Israel--- [6] not to many peoples of obscure speech and strange language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you. [7] But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for all the Israelites are hardened and obstinate. [8] But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. [9] I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. ”

Ezekiel 3:12-15 NIV

[12] Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound as the glory of the Lord rose from the place where it was standing. [13] It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against each other and the sound of the wheels beside them, a loud rumbling sound. [14] The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the Lord on me. [15] I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Aviv near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days---deeply distressed.

Ezekiel 3:22-24 NIV

[22] The hand of the Lord was on me there, and he said to me, “Get up and go out to the plain, and there I will speak to you.” [23] So I got up and went out to the plain. And the glory of the Lord was standing there, like the glory I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown. [24] Then the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said: “Go, shut yourself inside your house.

** God continues to give His servants strength to accomplish His tasks; the picture of the Holy Spirit helping Ezekiel to his feet is a beautiful visual to reminder how God understands and will provide exactly what we need!  <M130>

Ezekiel 2:1-2 NIV

[1] He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you. ” [2] As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.

Ezekiel 11:5 NIV

[5] Then the Spirit of the Lord came on me, and he told me to say: “This is what the Lord says: That is what you are saying, you leaders in Israel, but I know what is going through your mind.

Ezekiel 37:1 NIV

[1] The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.

Numbers 24:2 NIV

[2] When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him

Judges 6:34 NIV

[34] Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.

Luke 4:16-19 NIV

[16] He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, [17] and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: [18] “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

** The land was first divided by lot under Joshua, a portion (approximately seven miles squared) of which was to go to God as a reminder of His sovereign dominion; “oblation” = offering made to God out of the first fruits  <C34>

Ezekiel 45:1 KJV

[1] Moreover, when ye shall divide by lot the land for inheritance, ye shall offer an oblation unto the Lord, an holy portion of the land: the length shall be the length of five and twenty thousand reeds, and the breadth shall be ten thousand. This shall be holy in all the borders thereof round about.

Ezekiel 45:1 NIV

[1] “ 'When you allot the land as an inheritance, you are to present to the Lord a portion of the land as a sacred district, 25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits wide; the entire area will be holy.

Leviticus 25:23 NIV

[23] “ 'The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers.

Leviticus 27:30 NIV

[30] “ 'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.

Ezekiel 44:30 NIV

[30] The best of all the firstfruits and of all your special gifts will belong to the priests. You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest on your household.

** Expectations of offerings could be viewed as God’s promise to the Israelites to provide a land that would produce enough to satisfy the generous offerings  <R1795>

• Adding up the requirements, we see that each year the Israelites were to offer 113 bulls, 32 rams and 1,086 lambs

• A ton of flour and a thousand measures of oil and wine were also required

• Israel would surely occupy the land where the offerings were to be made and supply what was needed for the offerings

Numbers 28:1-2 NIV

[1] The Lord said to Moses, [2] “Give this command to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Make sure that you present to me at the appointed time my food offerings, as an aroma pleasing to me.’

** Eating the scroll in Ezekiel’s vision was akin to fully digesting what the Lord had to say, so it became part of him and he could emulate it to others

Ezekiel 3:1-3 NIV

[1] And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.” [2] So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. [3] Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.

Ezekiel 3:10 NIV

[10] And he said to me, “Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you.

** The God of the Bible is the God of the broken-hearted.

The world cares little for the broken hearts. Indeed, people oftentimes break hearts by their cruelty, their falseness, their injustice, their coldness, and then move on as heedlessly as if they had trodden only on a worm! But God cares. Broken-heartedness attracts Him. The plaint of grief on earth, draws Him down from heaven.

Physicians in their rounds do not stop at the homes of the well, but of the sick. So it is with God in His movements through this world. It is not to the whole and the well — but to the wounded and stricken, that He comes with sweetest tenderness! Jesus said of His mission: "He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted." (Isa 61:1)

We look upon trouble as misfortune. We say that the life is being destroyed, which is passing through adversity. But the truth which we find in the Bible, does not so represent suffering. God is a repairer and restorer of the hurt and ruined life. He takes the bruised reed, and by His gentle skill makes it whole again, until it grows into fairest beauty. The love, pity, and grace of God, minister sweet blessing of comfort and healing to restore the broken and wounded hearts of His people.

Much of the most beautiful life in this world, comes out of sorrow. As "fair flowers bloom upon rough stalks," so many of the fairest flowers of human life grow upon the rough stalks of suffering. We see that those who in heaven wear the whitest robes, and sing the loudest songs of victory — are those who have come out of great tribulation. Heaven's highest places are filling, not from earth's homes of glad festivity and tearless joy but from its chambers of pain; its valleys of struggle where the battle is hard; and its scenes of sorrow, where pale cheeks are wet with tears, and where hearts are broken. The God of the Bible is the God of the bowed down, whom He lifts up into His strength.

God is the God of those who fail. Not that He loves those who stumble and fall, better than those who walk erect without stumbling; but He helps them more. The weak believers get more of His grace, than those who are strong believers. There is a special divine promise which says, "My divine power is made perfect in weakness." When we are conscious of our own insufficiency, then we are ready to receive of the divine sufficiency. Thus our very weakness is an element of strength. Our weakness is an empty cup, which God fills with His own strength.

You may think that your weakness unfits you for noble, strong, beautiful living, or for sweet, gentle, helpful serving. You wish you could get clear of it. It seems to burden you — an ugly spiritual deformity. But really it is something which, if you give it to Christ, He can transform into a blessing, a source of His power. The friend by your side, whom you envy because he seems so much stronger than you are — does not get so much of Christ's strength as you do. You are weaker than him, but your weakness draws to you divine power and makes you strong.  <M136>

Psalm 147:3 NIV

[3] He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 34:18 NIV

[18] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Isaiah 61:1 NIV

[1] The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

 because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners

** God's Word is represented as a lamp for the feet. It is a "lamp" — not a blazing sun, nor even a lighthouse — but a plain, common lamp or lantern which one can carry about in the hand.

It is a lamp "for the feet," not throwing its beams afar, not illumining a hemisphere, but shining only on the one little bit of road on which the pilgrim's feet are walking.

The law of divine guidance is, "Step by step". One who carries a lantern on a country-road at night, sees only one step before him. If he takes that step, he carries his lantern forward, and thus makes another step plain. At length he reaches his destination in safety, without once stepping into darkness. The whole way has been made light for him, though only a single step of it at a time. This illustrates the usual method of God's guidance.  <M136>

Psalm 119:105 NIV

[105] Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

** God, the Creator of all things, is our strength; through Him we can do all things!

Jeremiah 51:19-23 NIV

[19] He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including the people of his inheritance---the Lord Almighty is his name. [20] “You are my war club, my weapon for battle---with you I shatter nations, with you I destroy kingdoms, [21] with you I shatter horse and rider, with you I shatter chariot and driver, [22] with you I shatter man and woman, with you I shatter old man and youth, with you I shatter young man and young woman, [23] with you I shatter shepherd and flock, with you I shatter farmer and oxen, with you I shatter governors and officials.

Philippians 4:13 NIV

[13] I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

** God used the officials to instruct Jeremiah and Baruch to hide; the king burned every section of the scroll and wanted to arrest them but they could not be found

Jeremiah 36:19-20,23-24,26 NIV

[19] Then the officials said to Baruch, “You and Jeremiah, go and hide. Don't let anyone know where you are.” [20] After they put the scroll in the room of Elishama the secretary, they went to the king in the courtyard and reported everything to him. [23] Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe's knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. [24] The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes. [26] Instead, the king commanded Jerahmeel, a son of the king, Seraiah son of Azriel and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet. But the Lord had hidden them.

** There is a similar quietness and calm and steadiness as He deals with my soul. So it is when He first saves me. For the most part, there is no stir when Christ revolutionizes my heart. Yet, as quiet and inexplicable as the work is — it is thoroughly done.

• My mind is illuminated

• My conscience convinces me of my sin

• My heart is enlivened

• My will is subdued

• I awake, a new man in a new world of light and love, from which I shall never leave!

In the same way, my practical sanctification progresses gradually, rather than by leaps and bounds. My ascent up the strait and narrow way to the Celestial City is slower and more agonizing than I had dreamed. My day has cold in it, and tempest, and tears — as well as sunshine and warmth.

Yet He is ruling within me as the:

• Teacher of my ignorance

• Finisher of my faith

• Gardener who matures my spiritual life, even if my growth takes time and my lot is troubled  <S182>

Mark 4:28 NIV

[28] All by itself the soil produces grain---first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.

Proverbs 4:18 NIV

[18] The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Psalm 37:23-24 NIV

[23] The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; [24] though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Philippians 1:6 NIV

[6] being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

** Child of God, let me urge you to make use of your God. Make use of him in prayer; I beseech you, go to Him often, because He is your God. He has made Himself over to you, and He has become the property of all His children, so that all that He has, and all that He is, is theirs. O child of God, will you let your treasury lie idle, when you need it? No! go and draw from it by prayer.

• Fly to Him, tell Him all your needs — use Him constantly by faith, at all times.

• If some dark providence has come over you — use your God as a sun, for He is a sun.

• If some strong enemy has come out against you — use your God for a shield, for He is a shield to protect you.

• If you have lost your way in the mazes of life — use Him for a guide, for the great Jehovah will direct you.

• If you are in storms — use Him, for He is the God who stills the raging of the sea, and says unto the waves, "Be still."

• If you are a poor thing, knowing not which way to turn — use Him for a shepherd, for the Lord is your Shepherd, and you shall not want.

Whatever you are, and wherever you are, remember that God is just what you need. I beseech you, then, make use of your God!  <S185>

Jeremiah 31:33 NIV

[33] “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

** The truth that the Lord will never leave us ought to bring unspeakable comfort to God's children, who are called to suffer earthly losses. If they have GOD left to them, no other loss is irreparable!

A wealthy man came home one evening with a heavy heart and said that he had lost everything. Bankruptcy had overtaken him. "We are utterly beggared!" he said. "All is gone; there is nothing left! We must leave our home, and beg for tomorrow's bread!" His little five year old daughter crept up on his knee, and, looking earnestly into his despairing face said, "Why, papa, you have mamma and me left!"

Just so, what are temporal and worldly losses of the sorest kind — while God remains? Yes, what is the loss of money, houses, costly furniture, and other possessions — while God's love remains? There is surely enough in Him, to compensate a thousand times for every earthly loss!

Our lives may be stripped bare: home, friends, riches, comforts gone; every sweet voice of love, every note of joy silenced; and we may be driven out from brightness, tenderness and shelter into the cold ways of sorrow! Yet if we have God Himself left — ought not this to suffice? Is He not in Himself infinitely more than all His gifts? If we have Him, do we really need anything else?  <M136>

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

[5] Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Psalm 23:1 NIV

[1] The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

** Jesus did not come immediately when He saw the disciples struggling in the boat in the storm; indeed, it was almost morning when He came, and the disciples had been struggling all night in the storm.

Yet He had not been indifferent to them meanwhile. From the mountainside where He was praying, He kept His eye upon them. "He saw that they were in serious trouble." All that dark night, He kept a watch upon that little boat that bore His disciples in the midst of the waves.

There is something very suggestive in the narrative. This 'boat in the storm', is a picture of 'Christ's friends in this world, in the storms of life'. Sometimes we think we are forgotten — but from His place in glory, Christ's eye is always on us! He sees us struggling, battling with the waves, beaten, and distressed. He has full sympathy with us in all our struggles. It ought to be a great strength and comfort to us in trial, to know this. Jesus intercedes for us in our distresses!

It may not be best always to deliver us immediately but His prayer continually ascends, that our faith may not fail in the struggle. This also should encourage us. Then, He always comes in time. He may delay long, but it is never too long. If we call upon Him in trouble, we may be sure that He hears and sees us, and knows just how hard it is for us to endure; that He prays for us that we may not fail, and that He will come at the right time for our deliverance!  <M136>

Mark 6:45-48 NIV

[45] Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. [46] After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. [47] Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. [48] He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them

** Many prayers which seem to be unanswered, are really answered. The blessing comes, but in a form we do not recognize. Instead of the very thing we sought, something better is given!

The burden is not lifted away, but we are sustained beneath it. We are not spared the suffering, but in the suffering we are brought nearer to God, and receive more of His grace. The sorrow is not taken away, but is changed to joy.

Our ignorant prayers are taken into the hands of the great Intercessor, and are answered in ways far wiser than our thought!

• Instead of earthly trifles — heavenly riches!

• Instead of things which our poor wisdom sought — things God's infinite wisdom chose for us!

• Instead of pleasure for a day — gain for eternity!  <M136>

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NIV

[8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. [9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

** Sometimes God requires numerous people to be involved in ministry for a seemingly long time without evidence of efforts, as Jeremiah and other prophets experienced having prophesied to a stubborn Israelite nation for 23 years

Jeremiah 25:3-4 NIV

[3] For twenty-three years---from the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah until this very day---the word of the Lord has come to me and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened. [4] And though the Lord has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention.

** Notice that Saul thought he was just persecuting no-name Christian believers but when Jesus stops him on the road to Damascus, He says that Saul is persecuting Jesus; when someone persecutes a believer they are really persecuting the Master — Jesus has our back  <D40>

Acts 9:3-5 NIV

[3] As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. [4] He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” [5] “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.

** 'Where to go in sorrow' is one of life's great questions. For there are none to whom sorrow does not come at some time. The Master, whose footprints are on all life's paths, shows us the way to the refuge in the time of trouble. He found it in prayer. "Being in agony, He prayed."

We may listen at the gate of the Garden of Gethsemane, and learn how our Master prayed. He was facing a great sorrow and He pleaded with His Father, that it might not come to Him. We have a right, therefore, to ask in prayer that the trouble which seems imminent may pass, or that we may be relieved of the bitter anguish we are enduring. God will never blame us for such pleading.

There was another element, however, in our Lord's praying. In His most intense pleading for the passing of His sorrow, He still referred all to His Father. "Nevertheless, not as I will — but as You will."

There is no true prayer, which is not modeled after this pattern. We do not know what is best. We do not know what is in the sorrow for us, for others, or for the divine glory; nor what would be lost if we failed to endure it. We must leave all with our Father, saying, "Nevertheless, not as I will — but as You will."

Then the Master found the comfort which He sought. His prayer was answered. The cup of suffering did not pass. The bitterness was not lessened in the smallest degree. So far as we know, not a single cruel element in the terrible experience was eliminated or even mitigated, because of the prayer in the Garden.

The answer came in another way. The Holy Sufferer was strengthened to accept the sorrow and endure it! And was not that an answer? Was it not a better answer, than if the dreadful anguish had been diminished? The pleading grew less intense as He went back again and again into the depths of the Garden, and at the end, the struggle was over — victory had been won and He was at peace!

Prayer is always answered. It is answered either directly in the giving to us of what we ask; or in ourselves, in enabling us to accept the will of God and rejoice. We shall never seek this refuge of prayer in vain. We shall always find comfort there, and peace — and always God will meet us to strengthen us!  <M136>

Luke 22:40-43 NIV

[40] On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” [41] He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, [42] “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” [43] An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

** A beautiful picture of how God can shape our lives for His purposes as a potter works with clay at his wheel

Jeremiah watched the potter at his wheel; the soft clay became misshapen, but the potter shaped it back into a good vessel illustrating that God can do the same with Judah if she repents  <M130>

Jeremiah 18:1-6 NIV

[1] This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: [2] “Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message.” [3] So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. [4] But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. [5] Then the word of the Lord came to me. [6] He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.

** In Old Testament times, ending with John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit “came upon” men to empower them with strength to accomplish a specific task for God’s purposes

• This indwelling or filling of the Spirit in the Old Testament was selective and temporary

• Once the task was completed, the Holy Spirit usually departed from that person

• The possible exception to this condition was David, who retained the Spirit throughout his adult life:

1 Samuel 16:13 NIV

[13] So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

• However, after committing the grievous sins of adultery and murder, David was worried that the Holy Spirit would depart from him, as recorded by his prayer of repentance in Psalm 51

Psalm 51:10-12 KJV

[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. [11] Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. [12] Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

• The Holy Spirit came upon men, irrespective of their spiritual condition, such as Saul, Jephthah, and Samson

• In most cases, once the specific God-ordained task was complete or the recipient proved unworthy, the Spirit would depart from that individual

• Take, for instance, the next verse after the Holy Spirit came upon David in 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 16:14 NIV

[14] Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.

• God raised up a deliverer for Israel in about 1367 BC; his name was Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother

Judges 3:10-11 NIV

[10] The Spirit of the Lord came on him, so that he became Israel's judge and went to war. The Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. [11] So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.

• Othniel was Israel’s first judge, not including Moses and Joshua

• He served for forty years and this is the first time the phrase Spirit of the Lord is mentioned in the Bible

• The recipient of the Spirit of the Lord was given a temporary and spontaneous increase of physical, spiritual, and/or mental strength

• This was a supernatural occurrence that prepared a person for the special task at hand, usually delivering Israel from a life of slavery  <N154>

** Jeremiah was created special to be a prophet just as we all are created for God's sovereign purpose; even those around us, regardless of situation, are special in God's eyes

Why are we doing what we are doing... did God call you to where you are right now?

Jeremiah 1:5 NIV

[5] “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. ”

Jeremiah 1:10 NIV

[10] See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

** Jeremiah complained about his appointment because he did not know how to speak or preach the message but God encouraged him and promised to help

Jeremiah 1:6-8 NIV

[6] “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” [7] But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, 'I am too young.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. [8] Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

** Jeremiah was told to be courageous because God would be with him when he was fearful; likewise, God does not give us a spirit of fear when life is not easy but we can move ahead with yet courage and confidence He provides us

Jeremiah 1:8-9 NIV

[8] Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. [9] Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.

** All learning is slow. This is true in proportion to the importance of the lessons. We learn some things quickly but they are not the things which are of greatest value. Mere head-lessons are gotten more easily than heart-lessons. We may memorize the beatitudes in a few minutes but it takes many years to learn to live them! And in spiritual and moral lessons — living is the only learning which counts. Anyone can memorize a code of ethics by heart, without much effort. But to get the faultless code wrought into conduct, disposition, spirit, and character is the work of a lifetime!

In life-teaching, the lessons are given only as fast as they are learned. Our Master will not teach us more rapidly than we can live His lessons. It was in the midst of His most confidential talk with His disciples, that He said He had much more to say to them, more than they could now bear.

Spiritual truths can be received only as we come to the experiences for which they are adapted. There are many of the divine promises which we can never claim, and whose blessedness we cannot realize until we come to the points in life for which they were specially given.

For example: "He will conceal me in His shelter in the day of adversity; He will hide me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high on a rock." This word can mean nothing to the child playing amid the flowers, or to the young man or woman walking in sunny paths without a care or a trial. It can be understood only by one who is in the depths of trouble. In the days of gladness, when there is no trouble, no pain — there are many of God's Words which seem to have no meaning for us. We do not need them. They are for times of sorrow, and we have no sorrow. They are lamps for the darkness, and we are not walking in darkness. They are for days of pain and loss, and we have no pain and are called to endure no loss.

There is a large part of the Bible which can be received by us, only when we come into the places for which the words were given.

There are promises for weakness — which we can never get while we are strong.

There are promises for times of danger — which we can never know in the days when we need no protection.

There are consolations for sickness — whose comfort we can never get while we are in robust health.

There are promises for times of loneliness, when men walk in solitary ways — which never can come with real meaning to us while loving companions are by our side.

There are words for old age — which we never can appropriate for ourselves along the years of youth, when the arm is strong, the blood warm, and the heart brave.

Christ says to us then, "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear." We could not understand these lessons now. But by and by when we come into places of need, of sorrow, of weakness, of failure, of loneliness, of sickness, of old age — then He will tell us these other things, these long-withheld things and they will be full of joy for our hearts! <M136>

John 16:12 NIV

[12] “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.

** The experience of temptation is universal. Every life must grow up amid unfriendly and opposing influences. Some of them are subtle and insidious, like a pestilence in the air. Some of them fierce and wild, like the blast of storm, or the rush of battle.

The question in life is not how to escape temptation, but how to pass through it so as not to be harmed by it. Christ's way of helping us, is not by keeping us out of the conflicts. This would leave us forever weak, untried, and undisciplined. The price of spiritual attainment and culture, is struggle. Jesus Himself was made perfect through suffering.

All the best things in life, the only things worth obtaining, lie beyond fields of battle--and we can get them only by overcoming. It would be no kindness to us, were God to withdraw us into some sheltered spot whenever there is danger; or if He were to fight our battles for us, thus freeing us from all necessity to struggle.

Yet there is a way of so living in this world, as not to suffer harm in even the fiercest temptations--to pass through them and not be damaged by them. There is even a way of so meeting temptations as to get benefit and blessing from them! "Blessed is the man who endures temptation--for when he has been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love Him."

Rightly meeting and victoriously resisting temptation, puts new fiber into the soul. The Indians say that when a warrior kills a foe--the spirit of the vanquished enemy enters the victor's heart and adds to his own strength. This is true in spiritual warfare. We grow stronger through our struggles and victories! Each lust conquered, each evil subdued--adds to the strength of our soul.

The question, then, is how to meet temptation so as to overcome it, and thus win the blessing there is in it. We must remember, first of all, that we are not able in ourselves successfully to fight our battles. If we think we are, and go forth in our own name and strength, we shall utterly fail. Life is too large, and its struggles and conflicts are too great--for the strongest human, unaided by divine power.

We must settle it once for all--that we can conquer only in the name and by the help of the strong Son of God. We may come off the field more than conquerors--but only through him who loved us. We can pass safely through all the fierce dangers of this world and be kept unspotted amid its sin and foulness--but only if we have with us, Him who is able to keep us from stumbling, and set us before the presence of His glory without blemish in exceeding joy. Self-confidence in our own ability to overcome temptation, is fatal folly!

Men and devils may tempt us, but men and devils cannot force us to yield! Others may seek to influence us, they may plead, entreat and persuade--but they cannot compel us.

We cannot avoid being tempted, but we ought to avoid yielding to temptation. Luther used to say, "We cannot keep the birds from flying over our heads, but we can prevent them from building their nests in our hair!" Just so, we cannot keep temptations away from our ears, nor prevent them whispering their seductive words close by us--but we can hinder them making their nests in our hearts!  <M136>

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

[13] No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

** There is a blessing in weakness because it nourishes dependence on God. When we are strong, or deem ourselves strong, we are really weak because we trust in ourselves and do not seek Divine help.

But when we are consciously weak, knowing ourselves unequal to our duties and struggles, we are strong because then we turn to Christ and get His strength.

Too many people think that their weakness a barrier to their usefulness or make it an excuse for doing little with their life. Instead of this, however, if we give it to Christ — He will transform our weakness into strength. He says that His power is made perfect in weakness, for what is lacking in human strength, He fills and makes up with divine strength. Paul had learned this when he said that he now gloried in his weaknesses because on account of them, the strength of Christ rested upon him.  When he was weak, then he was strong — strong with Divine strength.

We need only to make sure of one thing: that we do indeed bring our weakness to Christ and lean on Him in simple faith. This is the vital link in getting the blessing.

Weakness itself is a burden... it is like chains upon our limbs. If we try to carry it alone, we shall only fail. But if we lay it on the strong Son of God and let Him carry us and our burden, going on quietly and firmly in the way of duty, He will make our very weakness a secret source of strength.

He will not take the weakness from us — that is not His promise, but He will so fill us with His own power that we shall be strong — more than conquerors, able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us!

This is the blessed secret of having our burdening weakness, transformed into vital strength. The secret can be found only in Christ. And in Him, it can be found by every humble, trusting disciple.  <M136>

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV

[9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. [10] That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

** No weapon forged (previously by a blacksmith) against us will prevail when we have God on our side!

Isaiah 54:17 NIV

[17] no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.

[God talking to those who plan to go against Israel in the last days]

Ezekiel 38:9-12 NIV

[9] You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land. [10] “ 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. [11] You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people---all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. [12] I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land. ”

[God’s response to those attacking]

Ezekiel 38:21-23 NIV

[21] I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign Lord. Every man's sword will be against his brother. [22] I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. [23] And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord. '

** Singleness is a gift from God; men and women do not have to be married to be fulfilled because God IS their spouse

The church of God (those who trust in Jesus Christ) is referred to as the Bride of Christ; marriage is temporary and Christ offers us a new identity for “family” through bloodlines in the Church that are eternal

Just as there was a betrothal period of time in Biblical times during which the bride and groom were separated until the wedding, so is the Bride of Christ (church) separate from her Bridegroom (Christ) during the Church age; her responsibility during the betrothal period is to be faithful to Him

At the rapture the Church will be reunited with Christ and the official wedding ceremony will take place and the eternal Union of the Bride and Lamb  <G72>

We can see bloodlines diminishing with the breakup of today’s family structure, but Christ offers us so much more as our support and love rest in Him and those who love Him! (David Platt)

Isaiah 54:5 NIV

[5] For your Maker is your husband---the Lord Almighty is his name---the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.

** Scripture makes it clear that singleness is a gift from God and is preferred to marriage when possible

• There is a great danger of sexual immorality when single and marriage is God’s way to fulfill this desire

• Singles are more free from the cares of life, more free from trouble and have more leisure to serve the Lord  <C399>

• Happy are those who abstain from marriage so they can walk more closely with God!  He that is able to receive it let him receive it.  This gracious command is not designed for all men but only for those few who are able to receive it. O let these receive it joyfully!  <M130>

1 Corinthians 7:1 NIV

[1] Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”

1 Corinthians 7:7-9 NIV

[7] I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. [8] Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. [9] But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

1 Corinthians 7:2 NIV

[2] But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.

Matthew 19:11-12 NIV

[11] Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. [12] For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others---and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

** God gives us abilities and sets a direction before us

Isaiah 51:2 NIV

[2] look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many.

** Gideon tried everything to convince the angel that he was NOT the one God was looking for — he was the black sheep of his family, and his family was the black sheep of his clan, and his clan was the black sheep of the tribes; but God knew exactly who He was calling because He wanted everyone to know who could defeat the Midianites

Judges 6:11-16 NIV

[11] The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. [12] When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior. ” [13] “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, 'Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” [14] The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?” [15] “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family. ” [16] The Lord answered, “I will be with you , and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”

** The Lord provides for those in need for His glory

Isaiah 41:17-20 NIV

[17] “The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. [18] I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. [19] I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set junipers in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, [20] so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

** God continues to provide for us to though His Word and involvement in our lives; He desires to teach and direct us in the way we should go; blessings await us when we follow His lead and we are denied His peace when we do not

Isaiah 48:17 NIV

[17] This is what the Lord says---your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.

Isaiah 48:18-19 NIV

[18] If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea. [19] Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be blotted out nor destroyed from before me.”

Isaiah 48:22 NIV

[22] “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”

** We are to look to God and trust in His name; those who do not trust in God but in their own devices will suffer torment in the end

Isaiah 50:10-11 NIV

[10] Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God. [11] But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.

** The furnace of affliction! It is God's meeting place with His people.  "I have chosen you," says He, "in the furnace of affliction. I will keep you there, until the purifying process is complete; and if need be, in a 'chariot of fire' I will carry you to heaven!"

Some fires are for destruction, but the furnace of affliction is for purification.  He, the Refiner, is sitting by the furnace regulating the flames, tempering the heat; not the least filing of the gold but what is precious to Him!  The bush is burning with fire, but He is in the middle of it; a living God in a bush; a living Savior in the furnace!

And has this not been the method of His dealing with His redeemed people in every age.

• First, trial — then blessing.

• First, difficulties — then deliverances.

• First, Egyptian plagues, darkness, brick kilns, the Red Sea, forty years of desert privations — then Canaan!

• First, the burning fiery furnace — then the vision of "one like the Son of God!"

• Or, as with Elijah on Carmel, the answer is first by fire — and then by rain.

• First, the fiery trial — then the gentle descent of the Spirit's influences, coming down like "rain upon the mown grass, and as showers that water the earth."

Believer! be it yours to ask, "Are my trials sanctified?"  Are they making me holier, purer, better, more meek, more gentle, more heavenly-minded, more Savior-like?  Seek to "glorify God in the fires."  <M129>

Isaiah 48:10 NIV

[10] See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

** Dear Sir,

I received your letter, and dare not say that I am sorry for your fall, nor indeed for any afflictions that God lays on His children; they are tokens of His fatherly love, and needful medicine for us. Rather would I pray that while God keeps you in the furnace--you may be still, and feel your dross and tin being purged away.

The Lord Jesus gives me a dose of this medicine most days; and I am never so well as when I am taking it, though I frequently make a crooked face at it. If your heart is as my heart, it will need many a bitter potion to cleanse and strengthen it! Afflictions have been to me some of my greatest mercies.

No lasting gain do I get, but in a furnace. Comforts of every kind make me either light or lofty, and swell me, though unperceivably, with self-sufficiency. Indeed, so much dross, native and acquired, is found in my heart, that I have constant need of a furnace. Jesus has selected a suitable furnace for me, not a hot and hasty one, which seems likely to harden and consume me--but one with a gentle and lingering heat, which melts my heart gradually, and lets out some of its dross. Though I cannot love the furnace, yet the longer I live, the more I see of its need and its use. A believer seldom walks steadily and brightly, unless he is well-furnaced...

For His sake, I am your servant,

John Berridge, 1761

Isaiah 48:10 NIV

[10] See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

** The Bema (judgment) Seat is translated as court or tribunal that can be either public or private, similar to Paul before Agrippa; we will ALL stand before God to give an account of our lives

Typically, bema refers to a high platform where the judge sat used for giving awards; the Bema Seat we will face is to determine awards or crowns

The Christian life is a race and the divine umpire is Jesus Christ; after our race is over Christ will gather the Church before the bema in Heaven for the purpose of giving rewards for faithful service after trusting Christ — works don’t save us but we will be held accountable for our efforts!

The varying degree of rewards that the believer receives will be proportionate to the varying degrees of faithfulness they show in this life; the key is faithfulness to the gifts (time, talent, resources) God has given

Romans 14:10 NIV

[10] You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister ? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.

2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV

[10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Acts 25:22 NIV

[22] Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”

Matthew 16:27 NIV

[27] For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

Ephesians 6:8 NIV

[8] because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

1 Corinthians 3:10,12-13 NIV

[10] By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. [12] If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, [13] their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work.

1 Corinthians 3:15 NIV

[15] If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved---even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV

[15] Be very careful, then, how you live---not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

1 John 2:28 NIV

[28] And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

Colossians 3:23-24 NIV

[23] Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, [24] since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Do not confuse this with the other two judgments of Separating Sheep & Goats (after 7 year Tribulation), and the Great White Throne judgment (after 1000 year Millennial Kingdom) both for non-believers  <T203>

Matthew 25:31-33 NIV

[31] “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. [32] All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

** Followers of Christ can always turn to Him in hope and in our human frailty, for God will sustain us!

Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV

[29] He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. [30] Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; [31] but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

** All plenitude is in Christ, to answer all the needs of His people. In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, that out of His fullness I may receive all spiritual blessings!

• Have I destroyed myself by sin?

I have deliverance from Him who is mighty to save from sin and wrath!

• Is my foolish mind darkened; am I a guilty, polluted and ruined wretch?

Jesus is my wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption!

• Is my life fleeting and passing away like a shadow?

Jesus is the Ancient of days, and endures forevermore!

• Are my days short-lived and full of trouble?

Jesus is my life, the length of my days, and the joy of my heart!

• Am I exposed to contempt?

Jesus shall be my crown of glory, and diadem of beauty!

• Am I traveling through the wilderness?

Jesus is my staff, and on Him I lean all the way!

• Am I on my last journey to my long home?

Jesus is my leader, and my rewarder!

• Am I a sheep?

Jesus is my pasture, and my green pasture too!

• Am I hungry and thirsty?

Jesus is my heavenly manna, and gives me to drink of the water of life!

• Am I weary?

Jesus is my rest and refreshing!

• Am I weak?

Jesus is my strength!

• Am I oppressed and wronged?

Jesus is my judge and my avenger!

• Am I reproached?

The reproach of His people, Jesus will wipe away!

• Am I a soldier?

Jesus is my Captain and shield!

• Must I fight in the field of battle?

Jesus is my armor in the day of war!

• Do I sit in darkness?

Jesus is my light!

• Do I have doubts?

Jesus is my counselor!

• Am I ignorant?

Jesus is my wisdom!

• Am I guilty?

Jesus is my justification!

• Am I filthy?

Jesus is my sanctification!

• Am I dead in sin?

Jesus is my life, and quickens those who are dead in trespasses and sins!

• Am I poor?

Jesus is the pearl of great price, and has immeasurable riches!

• Am I blind?

Jesus, and none but He can open the eyes of one born blind!

• Am I naked?

Jesus has white clothing to cover the shame of my nakedness!

• Am I in the very utmost necessity?

Jesus is a very present help in time of trouble!

• Am I exposed to the hurricanes of adversity?

Jesus is a refuge from the storm, a shelter from the blast, rivers of water in a desert, the shadow of a great rock in a weary land!

• Am I afraid of being left alone?

Jesus will never leave me, nor forsake me!

• Do friends and brethren prove false?

Jesus is the friend who sticks closer than a brother!

• Am I in danger from disease and death or from sin and Satan?

My life is hidden with Christ in God! When He shall appear, I shall appear with Him--immortal in my body, and glorious in my soul!

• Is my case considered in the court of Heaven?

There Jesus is my Advocate!

• Do I offend the Father?

Jesus is my Intercessor!

• Do I suffer in my body, and am I grieved in my mind?

Jesus bore my infirmities, and carried my griefs!

• Is my mind disquieted, and my soul debarred from peace?

Jesus is my sympathetic High Priest! He was tempted in all points, and knows how to support those who are tempted!

• Am I poor in my circumstances?

Jesus is the heir of all things! Though He was rich, yet for my sake He became poor--that I through His poverty might be made rich!

• Do I suffer in my character?

Jesus was numbered with transgressors, called a Samaritan, a glutton, a drunkard, and a devil!

• Am I bereaved or alone?

Jesus in the fatal night was left alone; all the disciples forsook Him and fled. Jesus, my only friend, can never die!

• Must I undergo death and be laid in the grave?

Jesus has taken away the sting of death, and robbed the grave of its victory!

• Must I rot in the grave?

Jesus shall be my resurrection, and raise me to immortality and bliss!

• Would I go to God and to glory?

Jesus is my way, and must admit me into the palace of the great King, where I shall abide forever!

In summary, Jesus is my Brother, my Physician, my Prophet, my Priest, my King, my Father, my Head, my Husband. In eternity when I shall dwell in the land of bliss, in the city of God--Jesus will be the light thereof. And since I am to worship there forever, He will be temple of all the redeemed.  <M134>

** Moses didn’t know WHAT was about to happen but he knew WHO was about to happen; Moses trusted that God would deliver the Israelites as He had done so many times before  <D40>

Exodus 14:13-14 NIV

[13] Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. [14] The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

** God promised to provide what was needed for the Israelite journey out of Egypt

Exodus 3:21-22 NIV

[21] “And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed. [22] Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians.”

** The Jews were infatuated with Egypt’s strength and relied on Egypt despite her previous failures to give effective aid

• The Pharaohs maintained large numbers of chariots

• The trust the Israelites had in the Egyptian alliance was accompanied by a distrust in God and His power

• There was a disinclination to look to God for help  <B20>

Isaiah 31:1 NIV

[1] Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,

 who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.

Psalm 20:7 NIV

[7] Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Deuteronomy 17:16 NIV

[16] The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.”

Isaiah 36:6 NIV

[6] Look, I know you are depending on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff, which pierces the hand of anyone who leans on it! Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who depend on him.

Daniel 9:13 NIV

[13] Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.

** The Feast of Pentecost is very significant to Christians as well as to Jews. Pentecost celebrated the beginning of the wheat grain harvest, during the early summer months. But of course, what Pentecost is most remembered for is the giving of the Holy Spirit to Jesus’ disciples. Precisely 50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits, 120 of His disciples gathered together in one place to await the promise of Christ.

Acts 1:8 NIV

[8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

 On the 7th day of Sivan on the Hebrew calendar, in A.D.33, the Holy Spirit manifested Himself, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

‘Those ordinary people, His disciples, were transformed on that day into men of extraordinary spiritual power who would challenge their world of abject paganism with a dynamic Christian movement that not even the might of Rome could stop.

John 14:26 NIV

[26] But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Within a few days, over three thousand Jews became believers. Reliable reports suggest that despite horrible persecutions, tortures, and massive executions, within 70 years over 10 million believers had joined the underground Christian Church throughout the Roman Empire. Jesus fulfilled his prophecy to his disciples, and God baptized them with his Holy Spirit. The feast of Pentecost began the Dispensation of Grace, and the Church was born. It consisted of Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of mankind.’ {Randy Nettles)

** The desolations of Tyre were not to be forever. The Lord will visit Tyre in mercy. But when set at liberty, she will use her old arts of temptation. The love of worldly wealth is spiritual idolatry; and covetousness is spiritual idolatry. This directs those that have wealth to use it in the service of God. When we abide with God in our worldly callings; when we do all in our power to further the gospel, then our merchandise and hire are holiness to the Lord. Christians should carry on business as God’s servants and use riches as His stewards. <H83>

Isaiah 23:15-18 NIV

[15] At that time Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, the span of a king's life. But at the end of these seventy years, it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the prostitute: [16] “Take up a harp, walk through the city, you forgotten prostitute; play the harp well, sing many a song, so that you will be remembered.” [17] At the end of seventy years, the Lord will deal with Tyre. She will return to her lucrative prostitution and will ply her trade with all the kingdoms on the face of the earth. [18] Yet her profit and her earnings will be set apart for the Lord; they will not be stored up or hoarded. Her profits will go to those who live before the Lord, for abundant food and fine clothes.

** Some have different gifts for the profit of all

• Some have the gift of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kind of tongues and their interpretation ALL from the same Holy Spirit

• Christ followers should not only make sure we recognize and receive this gift but then use it for God’s glory!

1 Corinthians 12:8-11 NIV

[8] To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

** The best way to fight Satan (who can only try to trick and mislead us) is to trust in God and follow His Word; all aspects of the armor of God rely on God’s Word that opposes the values of the Babylonian system and counteracts Satan’s agenda, for the truth in God’s Word offsets the lies coming from Satan!

The Babylonians wanted unity at all costs WITHOUT the truth which is the mantra today; valuing individual accomplishment/ability is replaced by unity and opportunity of outcome where everyone receives the same; this in anti-Scripture where Jesus talks about different individual abilities and outcomes via the parable of the minas  <H86>

Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Genesis 11:4 NIV

[4] Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

Luke 19:12-22 NIV

[12] He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. [13] So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.' [14] “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.' [15] “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. [16] “The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' [17] “ 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' [18] “The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' [19] “His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.' [20] “Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. [21] I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' [22] “His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow?

** We are undoubtedly living in a crooked and perverse generation, similar to the Philippians living in northern Greece when Paul wrote to them

• We see that every generation has known its evil — so what can we learn from Paul’s challenge to them?

Philippians 3:2,18-19 NIV

[2] Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. [18] For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. [19] Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

Philippians 1:27-28 NIV

[27] Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel [28] without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved---and that by God.

Proverbs 21:8 NIV

[8] The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

Isaiah 59:7-8 NIV

[7] Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways. [8] The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.

• When the first church was planted in Philippi, a city swarming with brutal evil-wielding Roman soldiers, it was assaulted and attacked

• Paul tells them not to be surprised by persecution for Christ-followers are expected to suffer for Christ

Matthew 5:11-12 NIV

[11] “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. [12] Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

• The book of Philippians, an “epistle of joy”, was written by Paul while he was in prison for 4 years waiting for a verdict from Nero on his life

• It is recorded that Paul and Barnabas were singing in prison as an example of the JOY believers are to exhibit while in the midst of a perverse and crooked generation

Philippians 2:14-18 NIV

[14] Do everything without grumbling or arguing, [15] so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky [16] as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. [17] But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. [18] So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

• Seek truth, discernment, wisdom and follow Christ’s example when living among unbelievers

• Do not beg to be taken from this world

• This is where God wants us to be, asking for protection from the world as we are to be light reaching a very dark world

Proverbs 2:11-15 NIV

[11] Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. [12] Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, [13] who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, [14] who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, [15] whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.

John 17:15 NIV

[15] My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

1 John 3:10 NIV

[10] This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God's child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

[14] “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Proverbs 4:18 NIV

[18] The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

1 Peter 3:8-9 NIV

[8] Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. [9] Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

• Finally, remember that our kingdom is in Christ and not of this world

• Followers of Christ have been delivered FROM the kingdom of this world — we do not derive our purpose, power, success, reality, rights, or anything from this world — for we know one day God’s kingdom will reign forever and we will be with Him in His new heaven and earth!  <M130>

Colossians 1:13-14 NIV

[13] For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Revelation 11:15 NIV

[15] The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

Isaiah 65:17-18 NIV

[17] “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. [18] But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.

** Believer! What can better support and sustain you amid the trials of your pilgrimage, than the thought that you have an Omnipotent arm to lean upon? The God with whom you have to do, is boundless in His resources!

There is no:

• Crossing His designs

• Thwarting His purposes

• Questioning His counsels

His mandate is law! "He speaks and it is done!" Your need is great. From the humblest crumb of providential goodness, up to the richest blessing of Divine grace — you are hanging from moment to moment, as a poor pensioner on Jehovah's bounty!

Revelation 19:6 NIV

[6] Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

Philippians 4:19 NIV

[19] And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

** The world will often deem believers foolish when singular in their obedience to God, but the Lord will support His servants under the most trying effects of their obedience — what they are called on to suffer for His sake is light compared to what groans under sin <H83>; these times of discomfort should also drive us to God for support

Isaiah 20:2-4 NIV

[2] at that time the Lord spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz. He said to him, “Take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet.” And he did so, going around stripped and barefoot. [3] Then the Lord said, “Just as my servant Isaiah has gone stripped and barefoot for three years, as a sign and portent against Egypt and Cush, [4] so the king of Assyria will lead away stripped and barefoot the Egyptian captives and Cushite exiles, young and old, with buttocks bared---to Egypt's shame.

** Grace is no scanty thing, doled out in pittances.  It is a glorious treasury, which the key of prayer can always unlock — but can never empty!  It is a fountain full, flowing, ever flowing, over flowing!

Mark these three ALL'S in this precious promise. It is a three-fold link in a golden chain, let down from the throne of grace, by the God of grace. "All grace!" "all-sufficiency!" in "all things!" and these to "abound."  <M129>

2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

[8] And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

** Creation is testimony to God; even those who have never had opportunity to hear the Gospel have received a clear witness about the existence and character of God — and if a person will respond to the revelation he has, even if it is a solely natural revelation, God will provide some means for that person to hear the Gospel  <M130>

Romans 1:19-20 NIV

[19] since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. [20] For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities---his eternal power and divine nature---have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Acts 8:26-29 NIV

[26] Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road---the desert road---that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” [27] So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, [28] and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. [29] The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

Acts 17:27 NIV

[27] God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

** In deducing from these words moral and spiritual lessons, I would observe generally, that each individual in this life has some great purpose to fulfill. "David served God's purpose in his own generation." He has left his indelible footprints on the sands of time!

Everything in the wide universe has its special mission. Turn to whatever page we may in the vast volume of creation, we shall find in each, the record of some peculiar office and vocation. Mountains and seas, fire and hail, snow and vapor, stormy wind — all fulfill the word and decree and design of God.

And is it different with man?  Has he alone no momentous work to perform in the economy in which he is placed?  Is our whole earthly destiny to eat and drink, and sleep and die?

Are we to fritter away our brief hour on life's stage; to be ushered in with a few rejoicings at our birth, followed by a few tears at our departure? And when our sun has gone down, when the grass of the grave covers our resting places, shall we be as if we never were?  <M129>

Acts 13:36 NIV

[36] “Now when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.

** Isaiah chapter 12 outlines lyrics to a song about God making level the hilly terrain, or leveling mountainous difficult terrain to easily navigable flat plains that gives us hope when wanting relief from our problems

Isaiah 12:1 NIV

[1] In that day you will say: “I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.

** Man may be proud of his accomplishments and think he is making great headway but the Lord is the One who rewards; if the people do not follow God’s way then they will suffer the consequences

Isaiah 5:8-10 NIV

[8] Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land. [9] The Lord Almighty has declared in my hearing: “Surely the great houses will become desolate, the fine mansions left without occupants. [10] A ten-acre vineyard will produce only a bath of wine; a homer of seed will yield only an ephah of grain.”

** Our integrity and virtue are the result of the divine upholding. We would fall, and blunder and spoil all if left to ourselves. The Lord should be praised every day, if we are preserved from gross sin. When others sin, they show us what we would do but for preserving grace. <S185>

Psalm 119:117 NIV

[117] Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.

Psalm 94:18 NIV

[18] When I said, “My foot is slipping, ” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

[10] So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 119:154,156 NIV

[154] Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. [156] Your compassion, Lord, is great; preserve my life according to your laws.

** There is a limit (finishing line) to our goals in life, but inexhaustibility when one lives within the precepts of God's intended purpose for life; when we live within the parameters God establishes for us in life, we find the law is perfect and results in ‘boundless wonder’  <Z220>

Psalm 119:96 NIV

[96] To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless.

** I can truly say of everything I have ever tasted in this world of God's mercy — and my path has been remarkably strewn with divine lovingkindness — I feel more grateful to God for the bodily pain I have suffered, and for all the trials of diverse sorts I have endured, than I do for anything else.

I am sure I have derived more real benefit, and permanent strength and growth in grace and every precious thing from the furnace of suffering, than I have ever derived from prosperity.

I know not how to quite express my meaning, but even depression of spirit and deep sadness have a particular charm within them, which laughter in vain may emulate.

Ponder and consider the much gratitude you owe to God for His chastening rod. Dwell much in your heart upon what God evidently regards as one of His distinguishing blessings. Do not lightly pass over, what God would have you consider. Count the cross and the rod to be doubly worthy of your deepest thought.

Remember that whenever you are chastened, you are not chastened as a slave master smites his victim, nor as a judge orders the criminal to be lashed; but as a tender father chastens his son..  Your chastisement is a sign of sonship, it is a token of love! It is intended for your good.

Accept it, therefore, in the spirit of sonship, and "Do not despise the chastening of the Lord, neither faint when you are corrected by Him."

• It is the Lord your God who chastens you!

• If He were not your God, He might let you alone!

• If He had not chosen you to be His own, He would not take such care of you!

• If He had not given Himself to be your treasure, He might not be so diligent in weaning you from all other treasures!

But because you are His, He will withdraw your love away from this poor world.

• Perhaps He will take one child after another from you, that all the love that was lavished on the children might flow towards Himself.

• Perhaps He will leave you a widow, that the love that ran in the channel of a husband may run altogether to Himself.

• Perhaps he will take away your riches, that the consolation you derived from them may be all derived from Him.

• Perhaps He will smite you, and then lay you on His own bosom, faint and helpless, that you may derive a strength and a joy from close and near fellowship with Himself, which you would never have had if it had not been that these other joys were removed.

Bless God for your chastenings!  Let the sweetest note of your music be to Him who, as a loving father, chastens His children for their good.  <S185>

Psalm 119:71 NIV

[71] It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

Micah 6:9 NIV

[9] Listen! The Lord is calling to the city---and to fear your name is wisdom---“Heed the rod and the One who appointed it.

Deuteronomy 8:5 NIV

[5] Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you.

Isaiah 48:10 NIV

[10] See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

** The Lord disciplines and allows affliction to help us to grow and strengthen us as He sees fit.

Psalm 119:67 NIV

[67] Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.

Psalm 119:71 NIV

[71] It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

Psalm 119:75 NIV

[75] I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

** In truly sanctified afflictions we have a striking solution of Samson's riddle. How often, and how remarkably is it explained and fulfilled in the experience of the saints in times of distress!

"Out of the eater, came something to eat.

 Out of the strong, came something sweet."

1. By afflictions we gain much knowledge of ourselves. When corrupt nature is vexed, it shows its real self. As in tempestuous weather, the chinks and openings in the roofs of our houses are most sensibly perceived — so in sharp afflictions we learn our own defects, weaknesses and sins.

2. Afflictions tend to wean us from the world. When in uninterrupted health and prosperity, we are apt to be too much pleased with our present condition, and to lose sight of the crown of glory and the everlasting mansions above — the loud alarm of affliction rouses us from the enchanting delusion! The violence of a tempest impels the mariner to long the more earnestly for the haven of rest.

3. Afflictions serve to quicken our affections to the Lord Jesus Christ. While in ease and tranquility, a spirit of lethargy too often pervades the mind in regard to Christ and the blessings of His salvation. But, when the tides of distress and sorrow come rolling in upon us, we are willing, we are glad to seek rest in Him who is our only hope and Savior in times of trouble.  <F62>

Judges 14:14 NIV

[14] He replied, “Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet.” For three days they could not give the answer.

Psalm 119:67,71-72 NIV

[67] Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. [71] It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. [72] The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

** At the same time as God allowing affliction, He offers His comfort to those who follow and take delight in His law!

Psalm 119:76-77 NIV

[76] May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. [77] Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.

Psalm 119:109-110 NIV

[109] Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law. [110] The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.

** David’s affliction debilitated him yet he continued to abide by God’s law and trust in God as his savior

Psalm 119:83-84,87 NIV

[83] Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your decrees. [84] How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors? [87] They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.

Psalm 119:88 NIV

[88] In your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.

Psalm 119:92-93 NIV

[92] If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. [93] I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.

Psalm 119:109-110 NIV

[109] Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law. [110] The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.

Psalm 119:116-117 NIV

[116] Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. [117] Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.

** Enjoy your work and be thankful for God’s blessings in your life

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 NIV

[18] This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them---for this is their lot. [19] Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil---this is a gift of God. [20] They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

** There is an infinite difference between the materials that men employ to construct and compose their masterpieces, and the materials that God uses to create sinners anew in Christ Jesus. Men work with the best of materials to showcase their talents, but God works with the WORST to showcase His power, wisdom and skill.

The most gifted sculptors carve their creations out of the finest pieces of ivory, marble and jade. The best jewelers seek only the finest gold and silver to form their bracelets and rings — they utilize only the most desirable gems to adorn their jewelry; rubies of the highest grade, diamonds of most exquisite clarity, and emeralds of impeccable luster. Da Vinci painted on a clean canvas with fresh paint when he painted the Mona Lisa. Beethoven and Bach chose blank sheets of clean white paper upon which to compose their symphonies.

But God is not like men. His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. God employs, not the best, not the finest, not the most appealing of materials when creating His masterpieces — but the worst! He uses what no one else wants. He uses the offscouring of humanity to display His handiwork and magnify His grace. God constructs His masterpiece, not from a perfectly shaped piece of ivory--but from a deformed, twisted, marred chunk of hard rough stone that has no attraction.

God has purposed to conform His redeemed people into the pristine image of His darling Son. While keeping His eye fixed upon His Son, using the chisel of His grace, God sculpts rebel sinners into the likeness of Christ!

God paints, not on a clean white canvas--but on a canvas that has been...

• stained with sin,

• spotted with corruption, and

•. bespattered with the filth of the fall.  <H81>

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

[10] For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Romans 8:29 NIV

[29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

** Brothers and sisters, our Shepherd will stop at nothing to bring every one of His beloved sheep home to Heaven. He says of Himself, "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." Oh precious revelation of grace!

Sheep of His fold, I urge you to pause and consider the death of the good Shepherd! Behold with wonder the sacrifice of your Shepherd! He died so that you might live forever! He esteems us more precious than His own life! Oh blessed Shepherd, thank You for taking our sins to Yourself and putting them away by Your own precious blood.

Christ's sheep lack nothing for time and eternity because He is their all-sufficient Shepherd. "For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace!" The Lord our Shepherd will withhold no good thing from the sheep of His pasture. In Him we have all the fullness of God's free salvation, which can never be lost.

"We shall not want!" We receive the fullness of His grace in time, because we possessed that very same fullness in Him from the foundation of the world. We are the possessors of:

• Everlasting life

• Perfect righteousness

• Eternal redemption

• Pardon from all our sin

• Impeccable holiness

• Unending peace

• Unalterable acceptance with God our Father!

We lack nothing, because in Him we have all things. His boundless provision for our souls has no end. His provision is perfect, infinite, and everlasting. God help us to depend on:

• His fullness

• His mercy

• His grace

• His power

• His all-sufficiency as the Lord our Shepherd  <H81>

Psalm 23:1 NIV

[1] The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

Philippians 4:19 KJV

[19] But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 4:16 NIV

[16] Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

** Why are we so determined to carry our own burdens, when we have proved countless times that we are utterly insufficient for the task? Is it not due to our sinful flesh, carnal pride, and foolish self-sufficiency? We often mope about in sadness and depression with heavy hearts because we foolishly, ignorantly, and obstinately refuse to cast our burden on the LORD.

The Lord Jesus has proven Himself fully capable and willing to carry our heaviest burdens. The heaviest load that has ever been carried was carried by Him, for "the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all!" (Isaiah 53:6). It was the tremendous weight of our sins which laid Him low in the garden of Gethsemane and pressed His blood through the pores of His skin. In infinite mercy and grace, He bore our sins, our guilt, and our shame in His own body on the cruel tree, and was made a curse for us — that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. He not only carried our sins to Calvary's cross, He took them away forever by the sacrifice of Himself. ‘As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us!’ (Psalm 103:12).

Children of God, let us forever cease from fleshly self-dependence and cast every burden on our mighty Savior. It doesn't matter what the burden is, or how heavy the load is — the Lord Jesus is ready, able, and willing to bear it for us. We need not bear it even for a moment. It is our glorious right and God-given privilege as the beloved children of God, to cast every care and every burden on our Savior.

Are you struggling to carry a burden of guilt and sin? Struggle no longer and stumble no more. Cast your sin and guilt on Him! He will:

• Sustain you

• Forgive you

• Receive you, and

• Embrace you

Are your responsibilities stressful and overwhelming your soul? Do not neglect them, but do not presume that you are sufficient to do anything on your own. Cast them on Him, seek His grace, depend on His mighty arm and He will sustain you! Is your heart laid low with heavy cares and secret troubles? Cast them all on Christ!

In love, grace, and wisdom, your Savior gave you these cares and troubles — not to see how far you could carry them on your own, but to bring you to the end of yourself. He gave you these cares to show you your inability, your weakness, and your need of Him that you would cease from your carnal self-confidence and find your all in Him:

• Full salvation

• Infinite strength

• Unceasing aid

• Everlasting sufficiency, and

• Perfect help

His power and grace are sufficient for us in all things in:

• Every trial

• Every circumstance, and

• Every temptation

He will sustain us to the end. He will never allow His righteous ones to be moved. He loves them with an everlasting immutable love! They will never be utterly forsaken or cast down. He:

• Keeps them

• Protects them

• Helps them

• Preserves them

• Provides for their souls, and

• Sustains them freely forever by His almighty grace

No two things fit more perfectly together, than an all-sufficient Savior and a needy sinner!

Psalm 55:22 NIV

[22] Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV

[6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

** God often saves and delivers those He loves; David realized “human help is worthless” but with God they can gain victory over their enemies

Psalm 108:6 NIV

[6] Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.

Psalm 108:12-13 NIV

[12] Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. [13] With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

** God’s word will help us in difficult situations and steer us in the right direction

Psalm 119:28-29 NIV

[28] My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. [29] Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law.

Psalm 119:50 NIV

[50] My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

Psalm 119:67 NIV

[67] Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.

Psalm 119:133-134 NIV

[133] Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. [134] Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts.

Psalm 119:173,176 NIV

[173] May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. [176] I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

** A beautiful visual of those who find themselves in troubled waters, calling on the name of the Lord and God coming to their rescue

Psalm 107:23-30 NIV

[23] Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. [24] They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. [25] For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. [26] They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. [27] They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits' end. [28] Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. [29] He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. [30] They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.

** Will we ever learn this? If we would live in this world for the honor and glory of Christ, we must understand that it is our glorious privilege and responsibility to wait on our God.

If we would honor the Lord Jesus we must wait on Him faithfully:

• Believing His Word

• Trusting His promises

• Resting in His finished work as our Savior

• Hiding beneath His precious blood

• Depending on Him for righteousness, salvation and acceptance with our God

We must wait on Him patiently without:

• Murmuring

• Complaint

• Dissatisfaction

• Discontent

God does not always work immediately, but He always works. He never performs His works on our carnal schedule, but according to His all wise eternal purpose of grace. Let us be patient. God knows what's best for His glory and our immortal souls. He knows when, where, and how to work deliverance for us far better than we do.

We must wait SUBMISSIVELY. We must submit our vain wills to His sovereign, almighty, perfect will. We must wait on Him with a spirit of humility and submission, as children wait on their father to help them, feed them, teach them and provide for them. His name is Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord Will Provide). Our God will not forget us. It is our responsibility to submit ourselves to Him, His will and His ways.

We must wait on Him GLADLY. We quickly forget that not only is it our duty to wait on him, but our privilege to wait on His Majesty. Would we really rather have things our way? Has not our way proved to be abject misery and shame, countless times before? Would we rather have our foolish way — than His who is Love, Mercy, and Wisdom? Let us, as the dear children of God, wait on Him cheerfully.

We must wait on Him EXPECTANTLY.

• He will do all that He has promised.

• He will save us.

• He will remember us.

• He will destroy our enemies.

• He will bring us to Himself.

• He will dispel the darkness.

• He will accomplish His purpose for us and in us.

Let us wait on Him who cannot fail, with earnest expectation and lively hope.

We must wait on Him PRAYERFULLY. We must have our eyes perpetually fixed upon Him. Let us give ourselves to constant prayer, so that day by day, hour by hour, and moment by moment--we are looking to Him for fresh supplies of mercy and grace to sustain us, strengthen us, and keep us to the end.

We must wait on Him with PERSISTENCE and PERSEVERANCE. We must be resolute and determined to wait on Him forever if needs be. In His time, on His terms, when the time is best, right, and perfect He will come and deliver us from all our sorrows, troubles, and fears.

Our Savior will never leave us to ourselves!

• He is with us always!

• He loved us!

• He chose us!

• He suffered, bled, and died for us!

• He redeemed us with His own precious blood!

• He called us by His Spirit and gave us life from the dead!

• He has staked His glory as God, upon our everlasting salvation!

• He has promised to do us good, and to withhold no good thing from us!

How can we not faithfully, joyfully and patiently wait on such a God as this?

Psalm 27:14 NIV

[14] Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

** The wise recognize that God is the source of all blessings

Psalm 107:35-38 NIV

[35] He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs; [36] there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle. [37] They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest; [38] he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish.

Psalm 107:43 NIV

[43] Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

** The Lord protected His anointed through the centuries, even as they wandered the desert

Psalm 105:15 NIV

[15] “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.”

Psalm 105:12-14 NIV

[12] When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it, [13] they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. [14] He allowed no one to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings:

** God acts on behalf of His children, protecting, providing and directing them

Psalm 105:26-36 NIV

[26] He sent Moses his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen. [27] They performed his signs among them, his wonders in the land of Ham. [28] He sent darkness and made the land dark---for had they not rebelled against his words? [29] He turned their waters into blood, causing their fish to die. [30] Their land teemed with frogs, which went up into the bedrooms of their rulers. [31] He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country. [32] He turned their rain into hail, with lightning throughout their land; [33] he struck down their vines and fig trees and shattered the trees of their country. [34] He spoke, and the locusts came, grasshoppers without number; [35] they ate up every green thing in their land, ate up the produce of their soil. [36] Then he struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their manhood.

Psalm 105:39-41 NIV

[39] He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night. [40] They asked, and he brought them quail; he fed them well with the bread of heaven. [41] He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert.

** The Lord will provide individuals understanding of situation and words for defense when asked

Proverbs 16:1 NIV

[1] To humans belong the plans of the heart,

 but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.

** There is a contrast between words that are blurted out and thoughtful words that bring healing <M130>; a good witness has trustworthy words

Proverbs 12:18 NIV

[18] The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:19,22 NIV

[19] Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. [22] The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

** The prudent are measured in their response; a wise person is a model of restraint and humility, speaking what he knows at the appropriate time  <M130>

Proverbs 12:16 NIV

[16] Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.

Proverbs 12:19,22 NIV

[19] Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. [22] The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

Proverbs 29:11 NIV

[11] Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

** God blessed Job after this testing

Job 42:10-13,16-17 NIV

[10] After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. [11] All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. [12] The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. [13] And he also had seven sons and three daughters. [16] After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. [17] And so Job died, an old man and full of years.

** Paul was discouraged/depressed because he found the Corinthian church he started in shallow waters and in deep practice of sin — some members demonstrating bickering, slandering, engaged in sexual sin, idol worship, believing false reports and questioning the resurrection; Paul’s heart was grieved over the spiritual condition of the church because of his love for them — love intensified discouragement.

Paul sent Titus to find out how they responded to his first letter (1 Cor) and missed the report; everything was going wrong.  But Paul stood his ground and knew he needed to deal with this situation through the strength of God as protector and deliverer!  God always leads to triumph in victory when we allow Him to lead us!

1 Timothy 1:12-17 NIV

[12] I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. [13] Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. [14] The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. [15] Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners---of whom I am the worst. [16] But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. [17] Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

** Christians should not be surprised by persecution in today’s world as has happened in the past; in 2019 alone over 3000 Christians were killed, over 10,000 churches destroyed, 4000 arrested for being Christian, most persecution happening from those in authority  <M130>

Historically, when times get hard it purged the church; we are commissioned to preach truth of God and Christ in the midst of troubling times, always looking to Him for strength and stamina and the results of our efforts because the Lord is with us!

2 Corinthians 2:12-17 NIV

[12] Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, [13] I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia. [14] But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. [15] For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. [16] To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? [17] Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.

Joshua 1:1-6 NIV

[1] After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: [2] “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them---to the Israelites. [3] I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. [4] Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates---all the Hittite country---to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. [5] No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. [6] Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

Isaiah 41:8-13 NIV

[8] “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, [9] I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. [10] So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. [11] “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. [12] Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. [13] For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

** Mordecai exhibited a strong faith that God would save His people, providing “relief and deliverance”

Esther 4:12-14 NIV

[12] When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, [13] he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. [14] For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Mordecai doubted that Esther would survive this edict and understood God’s providential timing in having her living in the king’s court

Esther 4:12-14 NIV

[12] When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, [13] he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. [14] For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

** The Lord protects His children and can restore or increase their status when they rely on Him  <M130>

• As per Persian custom, property of a traitor was returned to the king

• This was the case when Haman was put to death and Esther received his estate

Esther 8:1-2 NIV

[1] That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. [2] The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman's estate.

Esther 8:15-16 NIV

[15] When Mordecai left the king's presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. [16] For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor.

Esther 9:3-4 NIV

[3] And all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king's administrators helped the Jews, because fear of Mordecai had seized them. [4] Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.

** Paul is saying that Christians need to be “well dressed”, clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love; the world is watching us and desire to see us in this light; the fruit of the Holy Spirit that enables us to do these!

COMPASSION - it is so rare that people are often cynical when receiving it; we would be more compassionate if we knew what people were going through

KINDNESS - sometimes all we need to do is saying a kind word or leave a decent tip; as the kindness of God leads to salvation so our kindness is witness to Christ in our lives

HUMILITY - the opposite of being proud which is most like Satan; Jesus, of a humble heart, loved the children who were attracted to Him; we should emulate Christ so we are approachable

GENTLENESS - the opposite being hard and tough; it isn’t so much what you say as how you say it; delivery is 70% of the message

PATIENCE - equivalent to long-suffering; how attractive is genuine patience, not just obligatory patience to get your way

FORGIVENESS - do you hold on to bitterness and resentment, then that willful act of obstinance will destroy; think about how MANY times God had forgiven you!

LOVE - when you love others you are willing to do the rest; love binds all together and is a product of the Holy Spirit  <F60>

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

** Daniel chapter 3 is a typology of the end times as described in Revelation 13: Nebuchadnezzar forced people to bow down to his image but when the 3 men who refused were thrown into the 7-times-hotter fire, they were not consumed but accompanied by the Son of God

Revelation 13:11,14-15 NIV

[11] Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. [14] Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. [15] The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.

Daniel 3:1-6 NIV

[1] King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. [2] He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. [3] So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it. [4] Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: [5] As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. [6] Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

Daniel 3:12-13,16-18 NIV

[12] But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon---Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego---who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” [13] Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, [16] Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. [17] If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. [18] But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. ”

Daniel 3:21-26 NIV

[21] So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. [22] The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, [23] and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. [24] Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” [25] He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” [26] Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire,

** The Lord did not approve of Amaziah, king of Judah, who depended on the hiring and support of 100,000 fighting men

2 Chronicles 25:6-8 NIV

[6] [Amaziah] also hired a hundred thousand fighting men from Israel for a hundred talents of silver. [7] But a man of God came to him and said, “Your Majesty, these troops from Israel must not march with you, for the Lord is not with Israel---not with any of the people of Ephraim. [8] Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow.”

** We think we can ‘hire’ help but no one can help if God is not with us

2 Chronicles 25:6-9 NIV

[6] [Amaziah] also hired a hundred thousand fighting men from Israel for a hundred talents of silver. [7] But a man of God came to him and said, “Your Majesty, these troops from Israel must not march with you, for the Lord is not with Israel---not with any of the people of Ephraim. [8] Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow.” [9] Amaziah asked the man of God, “But what about the hundred talents I paid for these Israelite troops?” The man of God replied, “The Lord can give you much more than that.”

** God provides what we ask – as long as we remain in Him, His words remain in us, and our request is in accordance with His will

2 Chronicles 1:6-7 NIV

[6] Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. [7] That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

John 15:7 NIV

[7] If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

John 14:14 NIV

[14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

James 1:5-8 NIV

[5] If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. [6] But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. [7] That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. [8] Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

1 John 5:14 NIV

[14] This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

** God continues to provide gifts to His children to be used in His service

1 Chronicles 15:22 NIV

[22] Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it.

** The Israelites rejoiced because the leaders were willing to give of themselves and their possessions; David recognized that all gifts come from God so they were just giving back to God what is already His

1 Chronicles 29:6-9 NIV

[6] Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king's work gave willingly. [7] They gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron. [8] Anyone who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the Lord in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite. [9] The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

1 Chronicles 29:14,16 NIV

[14] “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. [16] Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.

** Since David was instructed by God that his son would build the temple for the Lord, David prepared the materials for the temple so Solomon could focus on construction during his reign

• The magnificent and complex challenge of building such a monumental edifice required an experienced leader for preparation

• David understood the temple needed to reflect on earth something of God’s heavenly majesty, so he dedicated himself to the collecting of plans and materials, tapping the vast amount of spoils from people he had conquered and cities he had sacked  <M130>

• Trusting the promise that his son would construct the temple David had yearned to build, David dedicated his last years to making preparations for a structure he would never see

• We too are wise to prepare for a future beyond the span of our years here on earth  <R1795>

1 Chronicles 22:5 NIV

[5] David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.” So David made extensive preparations before his death.

1 Chronicles 22:2-4 NIV

[2] So David gave orders to assemble the foreigners residing in Israel, and from among them he appointed stonecutters to prepare dressed stone for building the house of God. [3] He provided a large amount of iron to make nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, and more bronze than could be weighed. [4] He also provided more cedar logs than could be counted, for the Sidonians and Tyrians had brought large numbers of them to David.

1 Chronicles 22:14-17 NIV

[David said to Solomon] [14] “I have taken great pains to provide for the temple of the Lord a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver, quantities of bronze and iron too great to be weighed, and wood and stone. And you may add to them. [15] You have many workers: stonecutters, masons and carpenters, as well as those skilled in every kind of work [16] in gold and silver, bronze and iron---craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you.” [17] Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon.

1 Chronicles 29:1-3 NIV

[1] Then King David said to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the Lord God. [2] With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God---gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble---all of these in large quantities. [3] Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple

** God did not want David to build a temple for Him because David had ‘shed much blood on the earth in [the Lord’s] sight’; God provided Solomon peace from his enemies to build the temple and David encouraged the leaders to help his son

1 Chronicles 22:6-10 NIV

[6] Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. [7] David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. [8] But this word of the Lord came to me: 'You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. [9] But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. [10] He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.'

1 Chronicles 22:17-19 NIV

[17] Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon. [18] He said to them, “Is not the Lord your God with you? And has he not granted you rest on every side? For he has given the inhabitants of the land into my hands, and the land is subject to the Lord and to his people. [19] Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the Lord.”

** Occasionally, there is special mention of an individual; what would be mentioned of me if my name appeared?

1 Chronicles 2:3,7,34-35 NIV

[3] The sons of Judah: Er, Onan and Shelah. These three were born to him by a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua. Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the Lord's sight; so the Lord put him to death. [7] The son of Karmi: Achar, who brought trouble on Israel by violating the ban on taking devoted things. [34] Sheshan had no sons---only daughters. He had an Egyptian servant named Jarha. [35] Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage to his servant Jarha, and she bore him Attai.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NIV

[9] Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” [10] Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

1 Chronicles 4:38-40 NIV

[38] The men listed above by name were leaders of their clans. Their families increased greatly, [39] and they went to the outskirts of Gedor to the east of the valley in search of pasture for their flocks. [40] They found rich, good pasture, and the land was spacious, peaceful and quiet. Some Hamites had lived there formerly.

** God gives us the ability to conquer our circumstances and prepares the hearts of people to fulfill His will

• When the old generation died out, God began to give the new generation a taste for success

• In a series of increasingly difficult battles, God gave Israel increasingly greater victories  <R1795>

Deuteronomy 2:30-33 NIV

[30] But Sihon king of Heshbon refused to let us pass through. For the Lord your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate in order to give him into your hands, as he has now done. [31] The Lord said to me, “See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his country over to you. Now begin to conquer and possess his land.” [32] When Sihon and all his army came out to meet us in battle at Jahaz, [33] the Lord our God delivered him over to us and we struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army.

Deuteronomy 2:36 NIV

[36] From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge, and from the town in the gorge, even as far as Gilead, not one town was too strong for us. The Lord our God gave us all of them.

** David conquers Jerusalem and the city is named after him, the City of David, because the Lord Almighty was with him

1 Chronicles 11:7-9 NIV

[7] David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David. [8] He built up the city around it, from the terraces to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city. [9] And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord Almighty was with him.

** God helped Ezra accomplish what He willed for him to do

Ezra 7:28 NIV

[28] and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king's powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.

** God protected His people while they worked on the temple

Ezra 5:5 NIV

[5] But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received.

** Christ worked miracles when He walked the earth to authenticate Himself; the typical response when we are suffering today is not to remove the problem but force us to go through the problem and lean on Him the whole way, for God will give us the needed tools <H86>

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV

[7] or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. [9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. [10] That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

** The Lord continues to provide for His children as seen when God gave enough olive oil to fill numerous jars gathered by a widow; the oil was then sold to pay off debts and support her family

2 Kings 4:2-7 NIV

[2] Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” [3] Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. [4] Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” [5] She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. [6] When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing. [7] She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

** God confirms with Solomon that he will receive long life if he follows God's decrees and commands

1 Kings 3:14 NIV

[14] And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

** Solomon’s love for God was demonstrated by his obedience to the Lord and by Solomon’s request that God give him ‘a discerning heart’

• Solomon was only about 20 years old when he became king and asked for a ‘discerning heart’ and wisdom to govern the Israelites

• This pleased the Lord and Solomon received both wisdom and wealth as a result

• The servant’s heart that Solomon displayed pleased God, who throughout Scripture gives servanthood the highest priority  <R1795>

1 Kings 3:5,7-9 NIV

[5] At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” [7] “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. [8] Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. [9] So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

1 Kings 3:10-13 NIV

[10] The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. [11] So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, [12] I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. [13] Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for---both wealth and honor---so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.

1 Kings 4:29-30 NIV

[29] God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. [30] Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.

1 Chronicles 22:5 NIV

[5] David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.” So David made extensive preparations before his death.

1 Chronicles 29:1 NIV

[1] Then King David said to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the Lord God.

Matthew 20:26-28 NIV

[26] Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, [27] and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--- [28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

** God often uses His blessings to demonstrate His presence and goodness, for others will recognize the hand of God when they see it

1 Kings 10:9 NIV

[9] Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.”

1 Kings 10:23-24 NIV

[23] King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. [24] The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.

1 Kings 10:26-27 NIV

[26] Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. [27] The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills.

** Two women ask Solomon to settle a matter of who belongs to the son who is alive and the son who is dead; Solomon wisely knows that the real mother will want to protect her son and the other is out for revenge

1 Kings 3:16-20 NIV

[16] Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. [17] One of them said, “Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me. [18] The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us. [19] “During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. [20] So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast.

1 Kings 3:24-27 NIV

[24] Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king. [25] He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.” [26] The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!” [27] Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.”

** The Israelites recognized that God gifted Solomon with wisdom to administer justice

1 Kings 3:28 NIV

[28] When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.

** Providentially, the Lord took control of the situation through the counsel of Hushai who advised Absalom in such a way that allowed David more time to prepare for war with Absalom; the elders thought Hushai's advice was superior and followed it  <M130>  

2 Samuel 17:14 NIV

[14] Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

2 Samuel 17:15-16 NIV

[15] Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. [16] Now send a message at once and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness; cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up. ’ ”

** God frustrated the advise of Ahithophel; the messengers sent to warn King David hid in a well to avoid being caught by Absalom's men

2 Samuel 17:17-21 NIV

[17] Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En Rogel. A female servant was to go and inform them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they could not risk being seen entering the city. [18] But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them left at once and went to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. [19] His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it. [20] When Absalom’s men came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” The woman answered them, “They crossed over the brook.” The men searched but found no one, so they returned to Jerusalem. [21] After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David. They said to him, “Set out and cross the river at once; Ahithophel has advised such and such against you.”

** David and men were able to cross the Jordan; Ahithophel took his life because his advice was not taken seriously

2 Samuel 17:22-24 NIV

[22] So David and all the people with him set out and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, no one was left who had not crossed the Jordan. [23] When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb. [24] David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.

** Joab knew that David taking a census was a foolish idea because God can multiply the number of fighting men as He wishes, as though 'numbers' in the army would matter when God sets against an enemy

2 Samuel 24:3 NIV

[3] But Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?”

** David did what was right and just (administered judgment and justice) for all his people, and the Lord gave David victory wherever he went

2 Samuel 8:14b-15 NIV

[14] The Lord gave David victory wherever he went. [15] David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.

** David praises God for all His benefits and delivering us from the pit, providing and renewing us with what is good

Psalm 103:2-5 NIV

[2] Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits--- [3] who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, [4] who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, [5] who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

** God’s creation includes the designation of seasons and times of the day that determine daily routine

Psalm 104:19-23 NIV

[19] He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. [20] You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. [21] The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. [22] The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. [23] Then people go out to their work, to their labor until evening.

** David recognizes God’s creation of the sea and the creatures within and how man interacts with it

Psalm 104:25-26 NIV

[25] There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number---living things both large and small. [26] There the ships go to and fro, and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.

** "According to His purpose"--for He had purposed before the world was, who His called ones would be, and also purposed that all things would work for their good. The doings of His grace in time, are ever the result of the purposes of His grace before the foundation of the world!

"Those who are CALLED according to His purpose."

• These are called to know themselves as guilty before God and deserving of eternal condemnation.

• These are called to know the all-sufficiency of Christ to save.

• These are called to trust in His sin-atoning death as their only hope of salvation.

• These are called out of the world. They no longer revel in the world's gaieties, or are swayed by its corrupt principles.

• These are called to be followers of the despised Lord Jesus, treading in His footsteps.

• This is the calling which distinguishes those who love God, and for whose good God causes all things to work together.  <R170>

Romans 8:30 NIV

[30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

** Samuel anointed Saul with oil; he told Saul exactly in detail what would happen next and that Saul would become a different person due to the power of the Spirit of God indwelling in him

1 Samuel 10:1-6 NIV

[1] Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the Lord anointed you ruler over his inheritance? [2] When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb, at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you set out to look for have been found. And now your father has stopped thinking about them and is worried about you. He is asking, “What shall I do about my son?” ’ [3] “Then you will go on from there until you reach the great tree of Tabor. Three men going up to worship God at Bethel will meet you there. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine. [4] They will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from them. [5] “After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, timbrels, pipes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying. [6] The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.

1 Samuel 10:9 NIV

[9] As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day.

** Once the Spirit of God claimed Saul, he was to trust the leading (direction) of the Spirit, including the prophesying of the Word of the Lord with the other prophets; Saul would be equipped for deeds of valor like other prophets  <M130>  

1 Samuel 10:6-7 NIV

[6] The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. [7] Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.

1 Samuel 10:10 NIV

[10] When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying.

Judges 6:34 NIV

[34] Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.

Judges 11:29 NIV

[29] Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites.

** Noticeable changes can be seen in the person who has the Spirit of the Lord indwelling in them

1 Samuel 10:11 NIV

[11] When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, “What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”

** David continued to inquire of the Lord whether to advance against the Philistines and whether to escape from Keilah; the Lord directed his every step

1 Samuel 23:1-5 NIV

[1] When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,” [2] he inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”

 The Lord answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” [3] But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!” [4] Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand. ” [5] So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah.

1 Samuel 23:9-12 NIV

[9] When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod. ” [10] David said, “Lord, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. [11] Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Lord, God of Israel, tell your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will.” [12] Again David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will.”

** Jehovah is bounteous in His nature--to give is His delight. His gifts are precious beyond measure, and are as freely given as the light of the sun!

He freely gives grace in all its forms, to all His people:

• Saving grace

• Comforting grace

• Preserving grace

• Sanctifying grace

• Directing grace

• Instructing grace

• Assisting grace!

He gives grace:

• Abundantly

• Seasonably

• Constantly

• Readily

• Sovereignly!  <S185>

Psalm 84:11-12 NKJV

[11] For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. [12] O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

** The Lord looks after those who walk in His ways; Boaz noticed Ruth and gave her special privilege even though she was not one of his servants because of how she sacrificed for her mother-in-law

Ruth 2:8-12 NIV

[8] So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. [9] Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.” [10] At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me---a foreigner? ” [11] Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband---how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. [12] May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. ”

Ruth 2:14-17 NIV

[14] At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.” When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. [15] As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don’t reprimand her. [16] Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her.” [17] So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah.

** In a last attempt, Samson asked God to give him strength one last time to destroy the Philistine temple and those within

Judges 16:25-30 NIV

[25] While they were in high spirits, they shouted, “Bring out Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them. When they stood him among the pillars, [26] Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.” [27] Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. [28] Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” [29] Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, [30] Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.

** God communicates to Manoah's wife through an angel who informs her that she will bear a son who will eventually deliver Israel from the Philistines  

Judges 13:2-5 NIV

[2] A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. [3] The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. [4] Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. [5] You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”

** God reduced His army to 300 men vs countless Midianites and defeats the enemy by having them turn on each other

Judges 7:12 NIV

[12] The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.

Judges 7:19-22 NIV

[19] Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. [20] The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” [21] While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled. [22] When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath.

Judges 7:24 NIV

[24] Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah.” So all the men of Ephraim were called out and they seized the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth Barah.

** Gideon was nervous with the reduced numbers in the army and God comforted him

• Gideon was given one last encouragement in the form of a dream

• Dreams were viewed as a channel by which the gods communicated with men in the ancient world

• God is not limited in the means He uses to communicate, and gave Gideon the dream and interpretation  <R1795>

Judges 7:10-11 NIV

[10] If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah [11] and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp.

Judges 7:13-15 NIV

[13] Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.” [14] His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.” [15] When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.”

** David recognizes that he has nothing unless he is sustained by God

Psalm 73:25-26 NIV

[25] Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. [26] My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

** David prays that the land and God’s kingdom will flourish and be restored because they align themselves with our righteous God

Psalm 72:3-4,6-7 NIV

[3] May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. [4] May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor. [6] May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. [7] In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

Psalm 72:12-14,16 NIV

[12] For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. [13] He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. [14] He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. [16] May grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. May the crops flourish like Lebanon and thrive like the grass of the field.

** God's omniscience and omnipotence was known to the inhabitants of the Promised Land before the Israelites even entered which were comforting words to the spies; the Lord our God is surely God in heaven above and on the earth below!

Joshua 2:8-11 NIV

[8] Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof [9] and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. [10] We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. [11] When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

Joshua 2:24 NIV

[24] They said to Joshua, “The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.”

** To Levi: Moses recognizes that God gives abilities and asks Him to bless the work created from his skills and abilities

Deuteronomy 33:11 NIV

[11] Bless all his skills, Lord, and be pleased with the work of his hands. Strike down those who rise against him, his foes till they rise no more.”

** Sometimes God leads through chosen leaders, as He did with His children in the desert and will again in future generations

Psalm 77:19-20 NIV

[19] Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. [20] You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 78:70-72 NIV

[70] He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; [71] from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. [72] And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.

** The Lord directed the Israelites by providing judges; the people were successful when listening to the judges but were more corrupt in the absence of them

Judges 2:16-19 NIV

[16] Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. [17] Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the ways of their ancestors, who had been obedient to the Lord’s commands. [18] Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. [19] But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

Judges 4:1 NIV

[1] Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, now that Ehud was dead.

** What God requires of us is accessible through His Word and easy to obey, if only people then choose to obey

Deuteronomy 30:11-14 NIV

[11] Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. [12] It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” [13] Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” [14] No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.

** The Lord prepares each situation, such as setting the hearts of people, to fulfill His will

Deuteronomy 2:30-33 NIV

[30] But Sihon king of Heshbon refused to let us pass through. For the Lord your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate in order to give him into your hands, as he has now done. [31] The Lord said to me, “See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his country over to you. Now begin to conquer and possess his land.” [32] When Sihon and all his army came out to meet us in battle at Jahaz, [33] the Lord our God delivered him over to us and we struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army.

Deuteronomy 2:36 NIV

[36] From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge, and from the town in the gorge, even as far as Gilead, not one town was too strong for us. The Lord our God gave us all of them.

** God provides for our daily needs, ultimately for His honor and glory

Deuteronomy 29:5-6 NIV

[5] Yet the Lord says, “During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet. [6] You ate no bread and drank no wine or other fermented drink. I did this so that you might know that I am the Lord your God.”

** Moses offers God's words of comfort to be strong and courageous because God promises to go before them and never leave or forsake them

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

[6] Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:7-8 NIV

[7] Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. [8] The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:23 NIV

[23] The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.”

** The Lord promises to raise a prophet from the Israelite community after Moses to speak for the Lord

Deuteronomy 18:15-18 NIV

[15] The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. [16] For this is what you asked of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the Lord our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.” [17] The Lord said to me: “What they say is good. [18] I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him.

** The Lord provides specific skills and abilities to certain individuals to accomplish His will

Exodus 35:30-34 NIV

[30] Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, [31] and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills--- [32] to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, [33] to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. [34] And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.

Exodus 36:1 NIV

[1] So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.”

** God made every effort to communicate to His people, through miracles in nature that got their attention and then audible instruction for Moses to pass on to the assembly

Deuteronomy 4:11-14 NIV

[11] You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain while it blazed with fire to the very heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. [12] Then the Lord spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice. [13] He declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets. [14] And the Lord directed me at that time to teach you the decrees and laws you are to follow in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.

Deuteronomy 4:32-34 NIV

[32] Ask now about the former days, long before your time, from the day God created human beings on the earth; ask from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of? [33] Has any other people heard the voice of God speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived? [34] Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?

Deuteronomy 4:36 NIV

[36] From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire.

** God has a purpose for each of us and provides the ability to accomplish His will

Exodus 31:1-5 NIV

[1] Then the Lord said to Moses, [2] “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, [3] and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills--- [4] to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, [5] to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.

Exodus 31:6 NIV

[6] Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you

** Moses, as current leader of the Israelites, was to encourage and instruct Joshua as leader of the next generation

Deuteronomy 3:28 NIV

[28] But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.”

** God required Aaron and generations of priests be consecrated by Him to prepare them for priestly duties; consecration also allowed priests opportunity to meet God at the entrance to the 'Tent of Meeting'

Exodus 29:1ff NIV

[1] “This is what you are to do to consecrate them, so they may serve me as priests:

Exodus 29:18 NIV

[18] Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord, a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord.

Exodus 29:35 NIV

[35] “Do for Aaron and his sons everything I have commanded you, taking seven days to ordain them.

Exodus 29:42-43 NIV

[42] “For the generations to come this burnt offering is to be made regularly at the entrance to the tent of meeting, before the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to you; [43] there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory.

Exodus 29:44 NIV

[44] “So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests.

** God was to be the inheritance for the Levites while other tribes possessed part of the land; acknowledgment in God alone was echoed by David later in Scripture

Numbers 18:20 NIV

[20] The Lord said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites.

Numbers 18:21-23 NIV

[21] “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting. [22] From now on the Israelites must not go near the tent of meeting, or they will bear the consequences of their sin and will die. [23] It is the Levites who are to do the work at the tent of meeting and bear the responsibility for any offenses they commit against it. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites.

Psalm 16:5-6 NIV

[5] Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. [6] The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

** God appoints Joshua as the leader successor to Moses; the transition was to happen in front of the entire assembly so they will obey him

Numbers 27:15-20 NIV

[15] Moses said to the Lord, [16] “May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community [17] to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” [18] So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. [19] Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. [20] Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.

Numbers 27:22-23 NIV

[22] Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. [23] Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the Lord instructed through Moses.

** God designated all boundaries (north, south, east and west) of the Promised Land when His people went in to occupy

Numbers 34:1-2,12b NIV

[1] The Lord said to Moses, [2] “Command the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter Canaan, the land that will be allotted to you as an inheritance is to have these boundaries: [12] ... “ ‘This will be your land, with its boundaries on every side.’ ”

** Joseph recognizes and makes it clear to those around him that God is the One who has the power and ability to interpret

Genesis 41:16 NIV

[16] “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

** The Lord was with Joseph in Egypt and blessed him with a position in Potiphar’s household

Genesis 39:2-4 NIV

[2] The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. [3] When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, [4] Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.

Genesis 39:5-6a NIV

[5] From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. [6] So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph's care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

** God did not abandon Joseph despite how the circumstances appeared!

Genesis 39:3,21 NIV

[3] When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, [21] the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden...

Our difficult situations may seem insurmountable to us but God ALWAYS has a purpose for them — in Joseph’s case he endured slavery, imprisonments, abandonment, and testing for 17 (?) years all for God to get him to Egypt and on the throne

Slavery

Genesis 37:28 NIV

[28] So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

Imprisonment

Genesis 39:13-15,20-21 NIV

[13] When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, [14] she called her household servants. “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed. [15] When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.” [20] Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, [21] the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

Abandonment

Genesis 40:23 NIV

[23] The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. [until Pharaoh had a dream that needed interpreting]

Testing

Genesis 41:33-39 NIV

[33] “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. [34] Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. [35] They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. [36] This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.” [37] The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. [38] So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God ?” [39] Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.

** God continues to provide protection and what is needed to accomplish His will

Exodus 12:13,23 NIV

[13] The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. [23] When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

Exodus 12:31-33 NIV

[31] During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested. [32] Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me.” [33] The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. “For otherwise,” they said, “we will all die!”

Exodus 12:35-36 NIV

[35] The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. [36] The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.

** Moses and the Israelites praised God for delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians, recognizing His power, strength, defense, salvation; they put their praise to song

Exodus 15:1-2ff NIV

[1] Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:

 “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea. [2] “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Exodus 15:6,11 NIV

[6] Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy. [11] Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you---majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?

** There is no 'age limit' when God decides to include us in His plans; we must be obedient to His call regardless of our age