The Lamb Rules

“After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:‘Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!’

And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. And they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God, saying, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever! Amen.’

Then one of the elders addressed me: ‘These in white robes,” he asked, “who are they, and where have they come from?’ ‘Sir,’ I answered, ‘you know.’ So he replied, ‘These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

For this reason, they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. Never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat.

For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” Revelation 7:9-17 Berean

Think about this: it is the Lamb who rules with God in the center of the throne. The Lamb is the shepherd who leads us to those springs of living water. And while He is doing this, God Himself will wipe away all tears! In the Old Testament, the lamb signifies a sacrifice to God, a blood sacrifice that is the only sacrifice acceptable to Him. When the Israelites were to be led out of the bondage of Egypt, they were directed:

"Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs…

Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household…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.” Exodus 12:3;7;13 ESV

The lamb typifies Christ, a pure, innocent sacrifice Who is gentle, forgiving, and meek. When God sees the blood of the Lamb, He passes over us. He is the only sacrifice slain to make an end to all other sacrifices. And He is worthy!

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."  Peter 1:18-21

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing" Revelation 5:12

In Christianity, the lamb symbolizes Christ as both suffering and triumphant, as well as the Lord’s gentleness, innocence, purity, sweetness, forgiveness, and meekness. There are so many aspects to the nature of Jesus Christ—King of kings, Lord of Lords, conqueror, the great High Priest, Immanuel, the Redeemer, the Living Stone, the Alpha and Omega, the Lion of Judah, the Son of God. Consider this passage in Isaiah:

“For a Boy is born to us; a Son is given to us, and the chieftainship shall come to be on His shoulder, and His name is called ‘Marvelous.Counsel to the master shall He bring, to the chief of the future, welfare.’

To the increase of the chieftainship, and to the welfare shall be no end. On the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to prepare it, and to brace it with judgment and with justice, henceforth and in the future eon.

The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will do this”. Isaiah 9:6-7 Concordant Literal

In Biblical times, the name of a person described his or her nature, the qualities of the character of a person. John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God, knowing that Jesus was to be sacrificed for the sins of all:

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” John 1:29 NIV

Jesus never called Himself God. He was the Son of God, the Son of man, the Bread of Life, but, unlike some of us were taught, He did not call Himself God. He made a distinction between Himself, the Firstborn Son, and Father God. Yes God was in Him, but would God ever say, as Jesus did, that He could do nothing by Himself?

 “By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” John 5:30 NIV

Why is it significant that the Lamb rules, rather than all the other aspects of Christ? It’s important because of the many aspects of His nature. The word could say that the Lion rules, or the Redeemer rules, or any of the other names that reveal Who He is. But it is the nature of the Lamb that rules! And with the rule of the Lamb, God wipes away all tears. What a contrast to what many are taught about an angry, vengeful ruler intent on eternal punishment for all who do not know Him! 

We are promised that as we see Him, perceive who He really is with discernment, we will be like Him. What would the qualities of a Lamb be as they become more of our nature? One thing we know is that the sacrificial Lamb of God went willingly to be crucified.

“See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we would be called children of God; and we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not been manifested as yet what we will be. We know that when He is manifested, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”  John 3:2 Legacy Standard Bible

How difficult it is to go willingly to the many ways God allows the flesh to be crucified as we follow our Lord! We struggle and complain, questioning unfair treatment, betrayal and unjust accusations, yet God’s sacrificial Lamb did not do so:

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth [to complain or defend Himself];

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before her shearers, so He did not open His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7 Amplified

Unlike most of us, every single act of suffering and affliction Jesus experienced was unfair, unjust and undeserved. When similar things happen to us, we are suffering with Christ so we may reign with Him. This is how He teaches us to conquer, to overcome all that comes against us. Some resist the idea that God brings suffering, that satan is a tool God allows in the world to come against His own. But, what spirit do you think was those leaders who led the charge to crucify Him?

“But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2: 20-21 NIV

We are called to suffer! And is this somehow good news? Well yes, if we want to be like our Lord! It’s all the unfair, undeserved suffering and affliction, caused by other humans or by nature, that refines us, presses us, working the glory He had into our very nature, so He may be seen. And when is Christ manifested, when does Christ appear? Is it just those few times He appeared to the disciples after His resurrection? Or does He not appear in us, the saints, as we follow on to know the Lord?

Such is the goal of every sincere believer: to become more and more like our Lord. We know that He is not yet fully manifested within His children but we have this hope as we submit to Him for purification from our Adam nature. If we were already fully like Christ, we  would only speak what the Father gives us.

“For I have never spoken on My own initiative or authority, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment regarding what to say and what to speak.” John 12:49 Amplified

What a glorious manifestation of Christ would that be, to only speak what the Father tells us to speak. Too often, I find myself speaking from the Adam nature rather than speaking from the mind of Christ. Paul said we have the mind of Christ, but we need to learn how to allow this mind to rule instead of our own. Our soulish nature from that earthly man still rules in many aspects of our lives, including our speech, rather than the nature of the Lamb: gentle, forgiving, meek.

When we speak from our Adam nature, we usually find ourselves talking to the Adam nature in another. It may seem normal and natural to do so, but the spirit knows the difference. The Adam nature is much more likely to call forth the same in another, in sharp contrast to speaking only Father God’s words from the Christ nature. The Adam nature, our soul realm of mind, will and emotions, has fear, not faith, hate not love, resentment rather than forgiveness, and endless concern about the things of this world.

These are the things our Adam nature constantly rehearses, in our hearts, minds and thoughts, revealed in what we talk about. God’s plan is to have a purified people, a church with no spot or blemish. Committed Christians are on a quest to become like the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our everything as we long for His nature to not just be in us, but take us over. To be the light of the world, to make a difference in the lives of others and all the suffering around us, we need His nature. He promised we could be like Him, so it is no pipe dream!

No matter how much we want these changes, we cannot achieve them by fleshly effort. It has to be God’s work in our hearts, writing His word and His ways within us as we submit to Him in all things. Is it pleasant to submit to affliction and suffering? Well, no. Do you think Jesus enjoyed knowing that one of His closest friends would betray Him? That all of them would abandon Him out of fear when He was arrested? That one of His staunchest and strongest followers would betray Him three times out of fear?

“Now all discipline, indeed, for the present is not seeming to be a thing of joy, but of sorrow, yet subsequently it is rendering the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those exercised through it.

Wherefore stiffen the flaccid hands and the paralyzed knees, and make upright tracks for your feet, that the lame one may not turn aside, yet rather may be healed.

Pursue peace with all, and holiness, apart from which no one shall be seeing the Lord…”  Hebrews 12:11-14 Concordant Literal

The key to this passage is the phrase “rendering the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who are exercised thereby.”  This means we go through times of discipline to grow righteousness…or not! If we are not exercised by it, if we do not grow stronger and more like the Lord, if we do not learn His ways through it, these times of discipline do not result in righteousness, but bring even more suffering.

Those who do not realize this may rail against satan, believing God would not have them suffer. But suffering is God’s plan for us to learn. Read the powerful words of the Psalmist (author uncertain) in Psalms 119:

“Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.

Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word.” Psalms 119:66-67 BSB

If suffering was allowed for Jesus why would we be spared? Read the bible and you will not find saints who did not suffer unfairly, who did not experience sorrow as well as joy in serving God. That it is not easy is revealed in the encouraging words of the author of Hebrews, above, who goes on to exhort those under discipline to grow better, not bitter!  We need strengthening in our walk so that we are able to endure as He endured, to win the prize of the High calling in Christ Jesus of which Paul spoke:

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 KJV

This is a prize that is won by pressing in, looking to “Come up hither, in the Throne realm.”. God’s love is free and without limit. His salvation is free, taken care of by the debt Jesus paid for us.But this is a prize for which one must run the race to get. The apostle Paul endured much suffering and affliction, even recording how God denied him relief from the “thorn in the flesh.”

“Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me,

a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself!” 2 Corinthians 12:7 Amplified

Consider this: God allowed one of His best, the great Apostle Paul, to suffer through a messenger from satan that tormented and harassed him. Paul knew, he believed that God could deliver him from this satanic messenger tormenting him. Paul said this was sent to him as allowed, even necessary in his life for God’s purposes. Whatever this thorn was, Paul sought God and God told him “No.” 

God refused to deliver Paul from this thorn, to keep him humble rather than puffed up and proud because God had revealed Himself and His ways to Paul in such extraordinary depth and greatness. Do you know saints who have sought the Lord for years for deliverance from an affliction, without relief? There are those in the kingdom, on this side and the other, who are living through just these circumstances, with many acknowledging that God has chosen to let these afflictions remain so the glory is His.

Some are born unable to function in mind or body in the way the rest of us take for granted. In the world’s eyes, these are disabled, less than, looked down upon and even bullied by others who do not know or practice the Lord’s ways of love and mercy. God allows many to stay in these afflicted circumstances because His nature, the nature of the Lamb, shines more brightly through them. Many of us have not suffered like this, but we all have the opportunity to allow the nature of the Lamb, that meek, gentle, and forgiving Lord, to work in us.

Such is not the nature the world glorifies and desires to emulate. The strong and powerful, the able-bodied and smart, the rich and successful seemingly without opposition or obstacle in their way: these are whom the world runs after. And there are those who preach that these circumstances are a sign of God’s blessing—but are they truly? Has God really called His own to a life of prosperity and success rather than suffering with Christ?

It is not that God does not bring such things to the saints, but it is not evidence of godliness when He does. Reveling in all we have while others are in poverty and want is not His way. He longs to wipe all tears from all eyes—not just His own. There are no tears in heaven—this is His ultimate plan for the earth when He appears, comes back in His saints. God has specific plans for each of us, providing just what we need to fulfill our calling. Here is Jesus’ admonition to us:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 ESV

What do we treasure? Is our earthly focus on earthly treasures or on lasting, eternal treasures? It is not the outward appearance of success by wealth, stature, or position in society, but the attitude of our hearts about all of this. Do we, as outwardly successful appearing believers, recognize and honor God for all we have, knowing it has come by Him? Or do we think ourselves better than others because of unearned favor by the Lord?

The Lamb’s nature is never to exalt Himself but to serve, recognizing that all good things come from the Father. Are we in the US better than those suffering unjustly in more and more places in the world? Do we think it is by our own efforts when we escape poverty and war, struggle and loss that is a part of daily life for many? Hear what Jesus went on to say:

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6: 31-34 ESV

Jesus told us the world would be full of trouble and affliction, but not to worry because He has overcome the world, including that world within our own hearts. Our focus, our priority, our commitment, is to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, that righteousness being worked out from within us through the refining of affliction. What better to seek than the attitude, the nature that Jesus demonstrated in all that He suffered on this earth?

Yes, the Lamb rules. He continually allows circumstances in our lives to work His Lamb nature in us. This nature accepts all as from Father God, Who does all things well. Satan is the source, but we learn to immediately look to Him, praising Him in all things. How difficult this is when one bad circumstance follows another and we start to wonder, “Does God really love me? Doesn’t He see what’s happening? Why are my prayers not heard?” Here is what Jude said in such circumstances:

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. 

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,.” Jude 20-24 NIV

Keep and wait. Love and mercy, not condemnation and judgment. Our God, through Jesus Christ the Lord reigning from the kingdom within, is able to keep us from stumbling when affliction and suffering becomes too heavy. We are to “keep ourselves in His love.” meaning to “guard, keep the eye upon, hold fast” in His love. Nothing tests a person’s faith in God and His love as affliction and suffering do, particularly undeserved suffering.

This is when we anchor ourselves in God’s nature of love. We must determine in our hearts whether God is like He says He is..or not. Being without affliction is not a sign of blessing, but of misunderstanding His ways. Circumstances that bring suffering and distress can strengthen us in our determination to follow the Lamb, becoming a part of His rule and reign within and without. Consider the words of John the Revelator:

“And I perceived, and lo! the Lambkin standing on mount Zion, and with It a hundred forty-four thousand, having Its name and Its Father's name written on their foreheads.

And I hear a sound out of heaven as the sound of many waters and as the sound of loud thunder, and the sound which I hear is as lyre singers playing on their lyres.And they are singing a new song before the throne and before the four animals and before the elders.

And no one was able to learn the song except the hundred forty-four thousand, who have been bought from the earth. These are they who were not polluted with women, for they are celibates.

These are those who are following the Lambkin wherever It should be going. These are bought from mankind, a firstfruit to God and the Lambkin. And in their mouth falsehood was not found, for they are flawless." Revelation 14:105 CLV

Here righteousness is worked fully in a people, a symbolic 144,000 who only plant the seed of God, not of the soulish “female’ realm. These are set apart for a special service for God and the Lamb. Through all things working for their good, these are blameless, spotless, clean and pure.

Consider this beautiful song learned long ago amongst the saints:

“They follow the Lamb wherever He goes;

Been washed in His blood, washed whiter than snow.

An offering to God, consecrated and pure,

they follow the lamb wherever He goes.

They sing a new song before the throne.

They sing a new song, not sung before.

And no one can sing this song except the redeemed.

They follow the Lamb, wherever He goes.”

Author unknown.

Let it be so in the power and holiness of the Lamb who rules.

Part 2: New Beginnings

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

Darkness and Light

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 ESV

Our God is a God of contrasts: darkness and light, death and life, hate and love. Each is necessary to highlight the other. If all was light and good and life and love, what a different world that would be! There would be no distinction nor need for God. God desires that we learn the difference, to be wise in what is light and what is not. Coming to the Lord is coming to the Light, and is much used in scripture to describe what believers experience.

God set it up this way:

“I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.” Isaiah 45:7 ESV

He forms or shapes light to illuminate as well as creating or making darkness and calamity. It is difficult to accept that God set it up this way, but He did. God separated the light from the darkness, sentencing satan to rule in the earth, in the dark realms of the earthly minds of humanity. He sent Jesus to overcome all darkness to bring us into the light of God.

Isaiah states these acts in a present, active way, showing that He still creates light, He still makes peace or well being—even in the midst of calamities that are part of this life. Where? Well, in the hearts of people! His work continues as He fills us with the light and love of His presence:

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” Ephesians 5:11 ESV

Think about this. There are no dark places, no threatening surprises, nothing hidden that He cannot choose to reveal to us. He has secrets, as the prophets said, but they are not dark secrets.   He is willing to reveal these secret things to those He loves as we search for Him, spirit to spirit. There is purity, visibility, clear vision, transparency in Him. Father God is completely trustworthy, and Jesus Christ shows forth the light of the Father.

Here’s another gem from the scriptures that speaks to this:

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”  James 1:17 ESV

Night and day, shadow and light. That is variation but God never changes. Every good and perfect gift, all that we receive, all of creation, is given to us from the Father. He is the Father of all the light there is, now to be shining forth within us. We are to be like our brother, Jesus, Who said that if the people of His day saw Him, they were seeing the Father. Isn’t this now what we are to show forth in the world today?

What higher, more critical and necessary goal for a Christian is there than to pray that others see the Father in us? We are to be the light in the world! God is love, this agape love that shines its light to dispel all darkness. That God is love is a foundational principle taught from childhood on through adulthood, but it can be so hard to fully believe and trust. Love is pure light, the life of this world, and there is no darkness, no division in love. Love unites, it does not divide.

The Lord has called us to be like Him and that means there is to be no darkness in us.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession,

that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Matthew 4:16 ESV

Darkness in the scriptures is always in areas of the soul—our mind, will, and emotions that lead to sinful acts from the hearts of humans. Until Jesus came to call us out of this darkness that dwells within, we had no way of escape, no deliverance. When He comes to dwell within us, there is cleansing and renewal as He swallows up our darkness by His presence. The more we look into the light of the Word, the face of Jesus Christ, and the love of the Father, the more His glorious light overtakes the shadows in our hearts that bring death and harm.

Some teach so much against the darkness that it is magnified in our eyes, using fear instead of faith to provoke change. These scriptures redirect us to God and His light. We are focusing upon the Lord, gazing at Him, learning about Him, seeking to understand the light that is His nature. He expands within us, taking over more rule of our character. This is what causes the darkness to lesson, the mind to be renewed, the thoughts purified, along with a will that is surrendered to His will.

“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.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2 NIV.

We are to offer our bodies, our entire beings, to Him as the most holy and pleasing worship we can offer Him. This allows God to transform us by the renewing or renovation of our minds. A renovation is a makeover, and God’s tools are all spiritual. We are gradually being taught His thoughts, His way of looking at things, His heart in any matter that pertains to us. He is a jealous God who is not satisfied with part of us, with lip service, with postponing radical change in who we are until a later time, including after we die.

Rather than railing against the darkness and evil in this world—and it is most evident—what if we turn our focus to the light? What if we look for the light in others, even that glimmer of God placed in every being waiting for Him to illuminate them? We can speak and pray light, life, love into others as we ourselves are enlightened to learn the difference, gaining discernment to see as He sees:

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” 1 John 2:9 ESV

The process of God’s cleansing within us teaches us what is good and what is evil. Gross evil acts are obvious, but recall your early days walking with the Lord. Contrast those times to now and—if you have been growing in the Lord—you recognize many things—thoughts, feelings, behaviors—that you thought were perfectly fine but now know by the spirit are not God’s perfect will. Our desire to have these former aspects of life no longer is present. There are those things that are okay for others, but the holy spirit has taught us that they are not for those of us serving the Lord.

But if you need voices to support you in focusing on the darkness, the world supplies plenty. There is always a chorus of earthly minded people willing to tell you that evil is good. Because of their own earthly choices, many will reassure you that what you are harboring in your heart is not that bad, it is normal, it is human. And it is, but that does not make it godly! Our Lord brought a higher standard to His own and what He asks of us, He empowers us to be and to do.

It is His standard of righteousness for each of us, not the opinions of others, that matters. The darkness is misunderstood and misrepresented with so much of Christianity focusing on the darkness of behaviors, creating rules and laws to control these outward signs of what is really a sickness in our hearts. We cannot help it, we were subject to it, but not without hope:

“The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it,

in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.…” Romans 8:19-21 Berean

We did not ask to go this way, we were subject to this futility, this frustration of never being good enough or able to defeat the enemy in our own flesh, by our own efforts.

The theme God gave me for these writings is that it is about the heart. It has always been about the heart of man, which is deceptively wicked and hard to understand. But God discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. What an amazing God that He knows all about us and loves us just the same! This is true freedom that the heart of every man and woman longs for!There is hope in His plan for the ages to set all creation free, bringing the Lord’s victory over death and hell at His resurrection to every being.

But it will not suffice to name His name while still living in darkness, tolerating, excusing, and even believing that our fleshly, “normal” human behavior can meet His standard of righteousness. The Lord’s gracious work within us is to clean us up so we shine forth as lights in this darkened world. How can we shine forth if we do not show a contrast to other humans who do not know or follow our Lord?

We are to be known and recognized by our love. Our contrast comes from His love and there is absolutely nothing like it. God’s love loves the unlovable despite knowing every single thing in every person’s heart.We are to be known by God’s love as John, the great apostle declared:

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 1 John 2:8-11 ESV

It is about the heart! It has always been about the heart with God. The list is too long of the darkness that dwells in the hearts of humanity, but are summarized by the works of the flesh:

“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you,

that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

Paul does not say that God does not love us as He continues to shine His light within. He does not say we cannot be saved with these things in us. He knows that these things in human beings are exactly why we need salvation, which He freely gives to all who ask. The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life are the root of all darkness. Satan used all of it in the garden and continues to use these aspects of human nature until he has grown from that snake into the great dragon of the book of Revelation that is ruling the world.

Satandoes this through the hearts of men and women who remain deceived about good and evil, who even name His name but their thoughts and emotions are far from Him. How many of us Christians justify and excuse being angry, causing division and dissention when our beliefs differ, along with the immoralities associated with our bodies? Paul puts them all together, not separating the sins of the flesh from the sins of the heart.

What John does say is that we cannot inherit the kingdom of God with darkness still remaining. This inheriting of the kingdom is not about sitting with Jesus and Father God in some far off heavenly throne. Oh, no, it is a much more specific reality to us now. An inheritance is something received upon the death of another.  As we qualify to be His heirs, we are dying to self and granted rulership over that which belongs to Him. An heir is allowed to be in charge of the Father’s business.  Do you think He will give this to us when we still have darkness in our hearts?

Jesus died once for all, so that we could inherit the kingdom He brought. It is this kingdom within us, as Jesus said, a kingdom of peace, love and joy. These are the qualities of His nature that we are to inherit. It is available now but we must allow God to overtake our bodies, our beings, to cause His light to shine and overcome all darkness. We cannot stay in peace, with  love and joy within and flowing out, as long as any areas of darkness remain. They are robbers and thieves in our hearts, where satan attempts to retain his rule.

This is a massive project but our Lord is more than capable of doing it within us. He never gives up and He never leaves us throughout it all. In every area where His light shines to swallow up the darkness, in that area we are ruling and reigning with Him. We are changed to inherit His kingdom, ruling with the mind of Christ. He has conquered the world, the flesh, and the devil already. He empowers us to walk in the way He has created for us, right back to Father God!

He is capable of ruling over our entire bodies as we yield to Him, destroying those dark things in our hearts that keep us from the Kingdom of His marvelous light and presence.

“Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV

We are taught how to expose the unfruitful works of darkness, first allowing the spirit to do so within us, then speaking truth in love, as God leads, to others. And the very best sermon is the way we conduct our lives! We can learn to change our focus, to have that single eye the scriptures talk about, gazing at Him and all His wonders. It is not by speaking much about how awful this world and its people are. It is not forever correcting others for their behavior when we have that ‘moat’ in our own eyes. It is not always ministering with righteous indignation against those who practice sin instead of looking at the source of all sin.

Do we want to have the light grow within us until it overshadows, swallows up the darkness within, showing forth the glorious light of the Lord to others? He is the only pure, good, peaceable, loving being that never changes and is always light! Oh,yes, He is in the darkness with us and only He can show the way of escape. We become His beloved children of the day, showing forth the light.

“For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.” 1 Peter 2:9 ESV 

Peter wants us to remember who we are, Whose we are! We have been born into His kingdom of light and that is how the darkness is exposed. We belong to Him and we are His workmanship. This is not some mysterious secret that cannot be understood. It is as simple as what is in our hearts toward one another. Jesus brought this new kingdom of light into the darkness of this world. He established a new commandment of love, in which there is no division.

“At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” Romans 1:21 ESV

Jesus always knew what was in the hearts of others. He exposed the hearts of the religious leaders of the time. He revealed to His disciples what He knew they were questioning, wondering about, even would do at His betrayal. He knew, yet He still loved.

What swallows up the darkness, what is pure light but love, that love that God is, that love that only He can work within our hearts so we have no hatred, no animosity, no judgment against another. Darkness deceives and unforgiveness is a most powerful darkness. Vengeful bitterness and hatred seems justified when another severely wrongs us, whether someone we love or not, but it is a destroyer of individuals and families.

Unforgiveness is a most powerful darkness within that is capable of wrecking havoc with our physical and mental health. It is extremely costly and yet many justify it, using the carnal reasoning of our own hearts. But it is not God’s way. He is love.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” John 4:7-12 ESV

John states several very important facts here. The love of God is love that is extended to others before they love us, before they have done anything to deserve love, before they are lovable and full of light. God loves the unlovable. As parents, when our children have disobeyed, done foolish things, made poor choices, that is when they most need to know they are still loved.

This is true for all of us, so that when we, as children of God, do the same things, not pleasing our Father, we learn to run to Him, not avoid Him! He still loves us, He will still help us, He never never gives up on us. And it is all through His book!

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 IV

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Isaiah 43:2 NIV

“What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else?

Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39 NIV

Now we are in His kingdom of light because He so loved us, He sent his only Son to take care of the darkness in us all. This is the reason we are to love one another, because He first loved us. And He keeps loving us! His love is perfected in us. No person can really promise they will never leave you. People walk away, leave, die, change. They do forsake us, willingly or not. But God never does. And we are to be like Him in this most precious quality of the love of God.

If you believe as a Christian that you can love anyone, just wait. Wait until He brings more people into your life who are more difficult to love. He is the Master Teacher and well able to bring unlovable people into our lives to teach us more about His kind of love. We all know that He allows us to live with unlovable parts of those we love, to whom we have made commitments to love. In this He teaches us His kind of love and forgiveness.

His love makes no demands, never saying that He won’t love us until we change. He may withdraw the sense of His presence for a time, but never His love. He did not demand one thing from any of us before loving us—before loving the world. He gave His love freely, without merit or favor, and we are learning to do the same. It is a most challenging process! His purpose is to continually refine that love, the outshining of His light within, to such an extent that no darkness remains.

The world gives us endless experiences of darkness coming at us, trying to take root and grow an evil crop within, but this is not our homeland. This earthly life is just a training ground for us, as it was for Jesus. He overcame all and tells us that we can too. This is the path we are on, where light exposes and continually swallows up darkness. These are not just fanciful or spiritual sounding words. This is His processing within us.

Have you not felt that illumination from His word when the spirit of life vividly highlights what we need to discern? When He reveals any darkness within us, we learn to submit it to Him before it is planted and begins to grow a crop we do not want. We are learning to speak words of light to others so their light grows and can have its way within their hearts. His words, His ways, are all light, always working a change from darkness to light so we are truly known as the children of the light.

He becomes who we are, not just what we talk about! God sees the heart, He always has. He knows exactly what each of us have within and makes a way of escape as we run to the Light. His love has no limit, it is not measurable, it is infinite. Think of how much of His nature of love there remains to learn about! How vast it is, how all inclusive, how marvelous! He is a continual feast within us, bringing us all the good things of His kingdom of peace, love, and joy.

Meditate on this.

“You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” Psalms 18: 28 NIV

Adversity and Evil

The question of why evil is in the world is an age-old one that mankind has always struggled to understand. It is so difficult to see others, especially those we love, struggling with adversity, often more difficult than when having such times ourselves. It is easy to lose focus on how God works out character and maturity in them, as well as us, when someone we love is going through hard times. It is painful to see others we love suffering and afflicted with the many challenges of human existence, but Jesus said:

These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you will have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NASB

While we deal with the adversity in this life we are given, particularly through evil allowed to grow in the hearts of men and women, Jesus Christ our Lord reassures us that He has overcome the world in us. He is with us to give us peace and courage through all Father God allows to come our way. We accept His way of using redemptive justice, His corrective discipline, as an agent of change in our walk with Him.

Adversity brings growth when you are spiritually educated by it. The bigger challenge, for unbelievers and believers alike, is recognizing that, since God created everything, He created our adversary, satan, as well. The God of the universe has never lost control of any of His creation. Consider the scriptures, below, that clearly—and perhaps shockingly—state that God created evil:

“Former of light and Creator of darkness, Maker of good and Creator of evil, I, Yahweh, make all these things.” Isaiah 45:7 Concordant Literal

“The One forming light and creating darkness, causing peace and creating disaster; I am the Lord who does all these things.” Isaiah 45:7 Amplified

The word, “ra” translated “evil” from a Hebrew word that means “adversity, affliction, calamity, distress, misery.” It is variously translated as “disaster” (NIV, HCSB, Amp), “calamity” (NKJV, NAS, ESV), and “woe” (NRSV). Many Christians, including Christian ministries, settle this question of evil by denying the truth of this scripture. There is no darkness in God, so how could He create evil?

Yet it is clear that God created all things:

“Yahweh has made everything for its outcome, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” Proverbs 16:4 Concordant

When we view the outcome of evil from our human understanding, there is no easy way to comprehend a good God creating it. How is it possible that wickedness has an outcome, a purpose in God? Is it all due to man having his own will, because God has allowed human nature to do whatever? Yes, man has a choice, but God has been prepared for that since that time in the Garden when Eve chose self over God and Adam followed her. Our almighty, omnipotent God was not caught unprepared for that to happen!

We know that our God is a God of contrasts: light with darkness, life with death, good with evil. Through these contrasts, we see the true nature of our Lord. His ways are above our ways and His thoughts higher than ours, but it is much easier to bring God down to our human reasoning, to deny or explain away these scriptures that clearly state our God created all things, including our adversary, satan, for His purposes.

Jesus said that satan was not a fallen angel, as is often taught, but was a liar, a murderer and the “father of all lies” from the beginning. He stated this to the scribes and Pharisees who were opposing Him and John confirms it:

“‘You are doing the works of your father.’ ‘We are not illegitimate children,’ they declared. ‘Our only Father is God Himself.’

Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message.

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 Berean

“The one who practices sin [separating himself from God, and offending Him by acts of disobedience, indifference, or rebellion] is of the devil [and takes his inner character and moral values from him, not God];

for the devil has sinned and violated God’s law from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8 Amplified

Satan appears in the heavens but was never an angel who fell, bringing other angels down to earth with him. He is the serpent in the Garden, condemned to operate in the earthly realm of human life. Peter warns against satan’s rule over the earthly, fleshly lives of humans:

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 ESV

Given this, the question we must settle in our hearts is this: “Is God who He says He is?” Does He remain a God of love and mercy, creating everything and ruling over all of His creation? He is omnipotent, all-powerful, and therefore has rule over satan. Back in the Garden, He limited satan’s authority to the earthly realm of our flesh. By the book of Revelation, satan has grown to be a devouring dragon, defeated in the heavens, but still able to operate in our earth along with his evil spirits—angels or messengers of evil:

“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them!

But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” Revelation 12:7-12 ESV

Our adversary the devil is the ruling spirit influencing the minds of men through deception and lies. And the worst that satan does is to deceive us into accusing our brethren in the Lord. If you want to see satan’s nature revealed, see the ways he tempted Jesus in the desert. If the father of lies is allowed to come to test God’s most precious Son, why is it so hard to accept that God will use him to test us too? Jesus Chris was tested in His mind, in the sinful thoughts that came to Him to do something in self rather than full obedience to God His Father. He overcame, showing it is possible, making a way for us to overcome.

“Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days He was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He was hungry.

The devil said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.’ But Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’

Then the devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.

‘I will give You authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory,’ he said. ‘For it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish. So if You worship me, it will all be Yours.’

But Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ Then the devil led Him to Jerusalem and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple.

‘If You are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard You carefully; and they will lift You up in their hands so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’

But Jesus answered, ‘It also says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.” Luke 4:1-13 Berean

Three times the devil presented ideas to our Lord that were selfish, soulish, and sinful. He was hungry and vulnerable to using His spiritual authority for self, creating food to satisfy the lust of the flesh. When that did not work, satan went on to tempt Jesus with the lust of the eyes, to grant authority over the kingdoms of the world. He states that all Jesus could see would be his if He worshipped him.

The earthly realm is satan’s domain and he has been granted authority by God to rule and reign over the earth, having power and influence, stature and authority over humanity, Jesus refused, again quoting Father God’s word which He knew well. Satan then appealed to the temptation to put God to the test, to prove God’s faithfulness according to the pride of life—who Jesus was as the Son of God.

How many of the Lord’s people have and are doing this very thing, settling for what earthly, perishable gain there is while forsaking a higher spiritual calling? There are those who know key spiritual truths but won’t preach them because they would lose their followers, their position, and their income. Think what a show some would have made of Jesus’ ministry if any carnal thoughts had been allowed to dominate the heart of our Savior. Satan misused God’s word to deceive through appealing to the pride of life, tempting Jesus to show everyone who He is as God would not allow Him to be hurt.

Jesus used the truth of the word to rebuke him. Are these not familiar thoughts that are conceived in the heart of every man and woman who sins? God does not tempt us. Instead, it is in our own hearts, in the fleshly, selfish realm of the soul—our mind, will, and emotions—rather than under the rulership of the holy spirit, that is tempted:

“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” James 1:13-16 NKJV

Satan was tempting our Lord by appealing to His own human desires, just as He continues to do with all of us. This passage ends with satan leaving Jesus “until an opportune time.” Satan had many opportune times from then until the cross. Did not Father God allow satan to work in the hearts of the Jewish leadership of the time? Satan thought he had won as Jesus hung on the cross, but the victory was the Lord’s when He rose from the dead. Is that not revealing Who was in charge of this time of trial and temptation Jesus experienced for 40 days and 40 nights? Jesus always did what the Father showed Him to do. Jesus was led by the holy spirit into this experience and it did not end there, it had just started.

In the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah expresses the same questions we have about evil flourishing in the world, expressed in the familiar words of The Message:

“You are right, O God, and you set things right. I can’t argue with that. But I do have some questions:

Why do bad people have it so good? Why do con artists make it big? You planted them and they put down roots. They flourished and produced fruit. They talk as if they’re old friends with you, but they couldn’t care less about you.

Meanwhile, you know me inside and out. You don’t let me get by with a thing! Make them pay for the way they live, pay with their lives, like sheep marked for slaughter.

How long do we have to put up with this—the country depressed, the farms in ruin—and all because of wickedness, these wicked lives? Even animals and birds are dying off because they’ll have nothing to do with God and think God has nothing to do with them.” Jeremiah 12:1-4 The Message

Jeremiah talks it over with God by first establishing his belief and trust in God’s righteous nature. But therein is the dilemma! He knows that God is righteous, so how come the wicked prosper? Haven’t most of us considered these questions, with some of us going on to ask God about it? The literal translation states that Jeremiah “contends” with the Lord, from the Hebrew word “riyb,” additionally meaning “to toss,: grapple, wrangle, hold a controversy, chide, complain, debate, plead, strive.” It is a strong word that is used here for Jeremiah’s discussion with God.

As Jeremiah did then, so should our first actions be now. We ask God about it, presentgin our dilemma and lack of understanding to the Almighty, stating our case. He already knows it anyway and Who will be more wise in answering this controversy of the heart? Jeremiah really wants to know and God does not turn away those who sincerely inquire about His ways. Jeremiah also clearly acknowledges God’s rulership and authority over all when he states that God has planted the wicked and allowed them to grow and prosper, but the question remains: “Why?”

Jeremiah knows the hearts of those doing evil are far from the Lord while God knows Jeremiah’s heart, his innermost being, and, further, God has tested it. He asks God to deal with the wicked, particularly as they deny God in their hearts, thinking He knows nothing about what they do. Jeremiah points out that the wicked are destroying God’s creation, the animals and the birds. Avarice—the extreme greed for wealth and material gain—rules within them, directing their actions.

Isn’t this our present 21st-century condition as well, as we choose ways of living in this world that gravely harm the earth’s atmosphere and the habitats of other living creatures? When given a choice, human flesh decides to serve itself at the expense of others, including this earth where we all, as well as future generations, must live. It’s challenging to imagine that we humans will get our act together to save the environments so essential to all creatures, including us. But God Himself promised He would not destroy the earth.

“Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: ‘I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you--the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you--every living creature on earth.

I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.’

And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come:

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind.

Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

So God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth." Genesis 9:8-17 NIV

God has promised to sustain and restore all of creation, including mankind. He is the ultimate rule of our earth, now our temporary homeland. He will take care of it all as we and all else are His creation. Do you think God Almighty will return to dwell in His people without regard for all creation who cries out to Him, as Jeremiah stated. Consider this passage in Romans:

“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8:19-23 NIV

The creation did not choose to be subjected to death, awaiting and longing, even groaning for the redemption and restoration of all things as God has promised. God set it up this way and He is the only One who can fix it. This provides a different understanding of God’s ways when undeserved evil comes into our lives though we are righteous. This is why many Christians avoid the account of Job, a righteous man who suffered because God allowed him to be tested by satan.

But there are lessons to be learned about adversity and evil in the account of Job. Here was a righteous, blameless man in God’s eyes, and he lost everything. God allowed satan to take all of his prosperity, his family, his health, everything but his life. It was a test of Job’s faithfulness to God, not just in the wonderful, abundant times of blessings but when deep hardship and loss is allowed to happen.

If God allows this for a blameless man, what can the rest of us anticipate? It is most uncomfortable to consider what God Himself consented to happen to His faithful servant:

“In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.…

One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the Lord, ‘From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.’

Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.’ ‘

Does Job fear God for nothing?’ Satan replied. ‘Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.’

The Lord said to Satan, ‘Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.’ Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.” Job 1:1; 6-12 NIV

Job was like no one else on the earth, blameless and upright before God, fearing (reverencing) God and turning away from evil. Satan comes among the sons of God, just like he always has. He is not a son, but a servant of God. His domain is the earth realm, the fleshly realm of humankind, as he was sentenced to do in the Garden of Eden. That’s why he reports roaming around as the ruler of this earthly domain. And God allows satan to test Job, just as God allowed satan to test Jesus, His only begotten son.

While Jesus had nothing, Job had much prosperity in family and possessions. Job’s so-called friends try to comfort him, saying he must have done something to cause his distress. This is human reasoning, assuming that when bad things happen, we must have done something to deserve it. Job knows better because he did not deserve the multitude of afflictions God allowed to come upon him. He does not rail at the devil because Job knows with Whom he has to deal:

“Is my complaint directed to a human being? Why should I not be impatient? Look at me and be appalled; clap your hand over your mouth. When I think about this, I am terrified; trembling seizes my body.

Why do the wicked prosper, growing old and powerful? They live to see their children grow up and settle down, and they enjoy their grandchildren. Their homes are safe from every fear, and God does not punish them. Their bulls never fail to breed. Their cows bear calves and never miscarry. They let their children frisk about like lambs. Their little ones skip and dance. They sing with tambourine and harp. They celebrate to the sound of the flute.They spend their days in prosperity, then go down to the grave in peace.

And yet they say to God, ‘Go away. We want no part of you and your ways. Who is the Almighty, and why should we obey him? What good will it do us to pray?’ (They think their prosperity is of their own doing, but I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking.)

Yet the light of the wicked never seems to be extinguished. Do they ever have trouble? Does God distribute sorrows to them in anger? See, their well-being is not in their own hands. The wisdom of the sinful is far from me.” Job 21:7-17 NLV

Job is contending with God, just as Jeremiah did. He is asking the Lord why he is having all this suffering and affliction, when those who are not righteous, but wicked, are doing well. He acknowledges that he does not understand the sinful nor why they prosper, seeking to comprehend all this adversity sent his way that he does not deserve. The answers his friends provide sound familiar because they are from human reasoning, neither enlightening nor comforting to him.

When God arrives to speak to them all, He first chastises Job for thinking he can understand the Almighty God of the universe, Who created all things and established the known world in all its glory and splendor. Job then repents in sackcloth and ashes, admitting that God is God and he is not; that he has spoken of things too high for him to understand. God then defends Job as an honorable and upright man to his friends, chastising them for their errors in addressing Job’s afflictions.

So, consider how often we, as modern-day Christians, are “Job’s comforters,” providing neither comfort nor wisdom to those struggling with what God allows for His own, precious people who serve Him? Casual explanations from the mind of man, blaming them for their own undeserved sufferings, are not comforting in these dark times of the soul. Sometimes the only thing we can tell another who has suffered unspeakable things is that we do not know why but we are confident that it is not because God does not love them.

God does answer, though we may not understand or even agree with the answer He tells us. One response from the Lord in comprehending the horrors of this world:

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 Berean

Most of us have not gone through atrocities, only hearing about it rather than living through it. Many others have and do live through this, including those who serve the rest of us by callings that involve danger and disaster on a daily basis. As Job teaches, God’s saints are not spared. Instead, it is a part of God’s plan to make us like Him, bringing future glory to God. The verse right before that statement in Romans states:

“And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.” Romans 8:17 NIV

God commands us not to take another’s life, so even in serving one’s country in war and in keeping the peace and safety of the nation. It nonetheless is breaking God’s laws, no matter how justified and necessary. It takes God to settle this in the hearts of those who have been called to do so, to keep the rest of us safe. Such things are far beyond my understanding, but I have seen the struggles of damaged souls who had to kill in order to stay alive as well as to protect the rest of us. This is just the beginning of answers.

Each person has to resolve the issue of adversity and evil as a believer as they walk with the Lord in their experiences. We can look to the Psalmist, who states:

“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.

Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.

Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, ‘How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?’ This is what the wicked are like—always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.

Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.

When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.” Psalms 73:1-20 NIV

The author of this Psalms struggles with the same issues, deeply troubled in his soul, until he enters God’s presence. He is stating a familiar lament: “Why bother doing right, pleasing God? What’s the point when the wicked are doing better that I am as Your servant?” Then God gives him understanding, that the end, the destiny of the wicked, is different from their beginning. The appearance of prosperity and ease is swept away by God’s hands, either on this earth or as they face judgment when their rank is called upon to face the Almighty.

We are stuck in time, but God has an eternal plan that will bring all to a conclusion that glorifies Him. The great prophet, Jeremiah, the righteous servant Job, and the writer of Psalms 73 all had the same issue: dealing with the outward prosperity of those who do evil while the righteous suffer and are afflicted day and night. What did they do? They talked it over with God, not accepting the reasoning of their minds, their fleshly view of the external rather than the heart.

Each knew it was God’s business whom He chose to prosper, and none would choose the way of the godless sinner over the path of affliction and sorrow with God. Many testify that painful adverse experiences have made them stronger, often equipping believers specifically for the work of their calling. These experiences include excruciating loss and devastation that have been surrendered to God for His will to work in us.

Which lives testify more of our Lord: the one who is blessed and always prospers in serving Him or the one who continues to serve Him despite trouble and affliction on every side? Not all God’s people are called, chosen, and faithful, going all the way with the Lord, but some surrender to suffering as our Lord was required to do. He strengthens us through every adversity as we seek to live in the realm of the spirit rather than remaining “earth dwellers.”

We are enabled to yield to God, see the eventual good the Lord creates, trust Him through it all. And as the song says, it will be worth it all when we see Jesus. Called to be a son of God is a call to endure discipline through trials and testings, times of adversity that can be hard to endure. God states very clearly:

“And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: ‘My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you’.

For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.

Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?” Hebrews 12:5-7 Berean

We desire to follow the Lord, to be like Him. Adversity and suffering will come on this earth, including our eartt. It is a critical part of our growth. We may wish it weren’t so as this life brings so many things very hard to bear, but He promises comfort, healing, peace so that we will be like Him. We are empowered to glorify God the Father in spite of, as well as because of, what He allows in our lives.

Eagle Saints

“But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power; they will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not grow tired.” Isaiah 40:31 Amplified

We all grow weary in this path of life, needing to wait upon and put our expectation on the Lord to renew our strength to continue walking His way. We need Him to lift us up into the spirit, to cause us to gain power to overcome all of life’s obstacles. We look to the God of all salvation to send us the wind of His spirit to cause our wings to be lifted upward. Then we are enabled to run without weariness, walk without growing tired as He renews our strength.

This is what eagles are enabled to do. God uses eagles as an example of how He causes us to rise up above our earthly troubles to soar in Him. God refers to eagles many times in the scriptures as a way to show us how He lifts us up into the heavens of His spirit, enabling us to soar high above earth’s troubles and adversity.

Eagles use their speed to rise up until they can soar by catching the thermal winds to fly long distances with little effort. Saints rise up to catch the wind of the spirit to find the higher, deeper, more holy ways of the Lord. Eagles are admired as symbols of power, freedom, and transcendence, just as the Lord’s people should be. As we are free in Him, we so long for everyone else to have that same freedom.

Oh, it is not just freedom from sin. To be free in the Lord is to be free from self, from our earthly minds, earthly concerns, earthly ways. Eagles can teach us much as we watch them effortlessly fly through our skies. Rather than flap their wings, eagles soar by relying on rising air currents, saving considerable energy. What a beautiful parallel to what the spirit of the Lord enables in His saints to do!

This is soaring far above our earthly troubles, with little effort or labor on our part. The spirit lifts us as we worship, praise, and adore our Lord. We can learn to rest in Him as His spirit lifts us up into the heavenlies. Years ago, God gave me a song about this, and these words still teach me:

There’s a place in the Lord that brings His rest

There’s a place in the Lord that brings holy communion

There’s a place in the Lord that brings righteousness

There’s a place in the Lord: that’s His rest.

No struggle, no strain, no labor in vain

No worry, no blame in His rest.

Fear is cast out, along with it doubt

Torment is out in His rest.

There’s a place in the Lord that brings His rest

There’s a place in the Lord that brings holy communion

There’s a place in the Lord that brings righteousness

There’s a place in the Lord: that’s His rest.

B. Mikelson 1999

This song parallels a picture of God’s rest that an illustrator created, with a person relaxing on a leaf while the wind blows it gently wheresoever it will. This rest is being with the Lord, the love of our life, perfectly relaxed and at peace. It is His place of rest while we are serving Him. We seek for it as we seek Him, our wonderful amazing God of the universe who actually loves us and wants to be in communion with us.

Our “eagle eyes” are to be fixed on Him and His ways, our vision becoming increasingly acute on the things of the Lord while our earthly focus fades in importance. If we want to soar in the heavens by the spirit, far above all the challenges and difficulties of this world, our eyes are to remain fixed upon the Lord. There are many scriptures encouraging us to do just that and here is a favorite:

“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.” Psalms 34:3-5 KJV

The word “magnify” is a powerful illustration of what happens when we focus upon, seek, and look to the Lord. It comes from the Hebrew word “gadal,” meaning “to make large in body, mind, estate, or honor; increase, magnify, nourish, promote.” When we look through a magnifying glass, what we see is revealed in more detail and seems closer. Our magnifying glass is the holy spirit within, ever drawing our being to the spiritual things of God and His kingdom. This literally changes our countenance, lightening it or causing it to “beam,” as the Concordant Literal translates it.

What we focus on grows, thus it matters a great deal what we allow our eyes to gaze upon. As God is our meat and drink, His essence is absorbed into our being, as surely as the food and drink we have in the natural is absorbed into our bodies. The apostle Paul told us what we are to think upon, to remain mindful about, to be focused upon in our lives:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8 KJV

What is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report—all the time and in all ways— but our Lord? These are the qualities of His kingdom that live within us. It is ever increasing as He nurtures and feeds the seed of His word into the crop producing the fruit of His nature. There is a way to live in this world and not be of it. It is God’s way and He makes the path straight before us. We can “mark” or ponder this path before us and keep our eyes upon it, forgetting the past:

“Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.

Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” Proverbs 4:25-27 NIV

As we learn to keep our gaze, our hearts, our focus on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, we learn to keep this focus as we look upon others. What if we all focused on the good things, the glimpses of God’s nature in others, commenting upon, magnifying, keeping our gaze on what is worthy of a good report? Consider a child who is continually told good things about themselves, things that are true, qualities that can be nurtured for growth in this life? When we focus on a child’s strengths, they grow in confidence and shine as they grow.

This is the Lord’s way but contrast this to the child who is constantly told what is wrong with them. Some children are reminded frequently of their failings and mistakes, even by well meaning caregivers and others responsible for nurturing a child’s growth in this life. That child shrinks into defeat and despair, with discouragement growing into resentment and rebellion. It’s a very sad way to nurture young lives and yet many of us do it, even being well meaning in our focus on what’s wrong rather than what is strong in another.

There’s another proverb that speaks directly to this:

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 KJV

What you focus on will be what’s attracted to you. When we become defeated and discouraged in this life of adversity, how we need someone to speak a good word to us, an encouraging word, a word that builds up our faith and hope. God’s word is just that and the power of His love is stronger than anything! Oh that we could remember and live this way with those we love, let alone all others God tells us to pray for and extend our hearts of concern to in the world.

It’s harder for some Christians to do this than others, depending on how they were taught and the nature God gave them in their mother’s womb. Some people are just naturally more critical and negative, even believing this is the way to “help” others around them become better people. Many a preacher does this when they focus upon sin, rail against the evil ways of this world, and predict doom and destruction to those who do not listen. More than one Christian reports more about what the enemy is doing in their lives than what the Lord is accomplishing within them, particularly through adversity.

Are we the Lord’s or not? Is He in charge or does the enemy have more power than He does? Did He or did He not defeat the enemy on the cross, rising again and bringing Himself into our hearts so that we may live in His sight? Yes, we do have an enemy. Yes, there is evil in this world. Yes, others, including those we love and with whom we live intimately, have faults, make mistakes, do things wrong, sinning, missing the marke. We are not blind to these things, but that should not be our focus.

Is this what you want to attract to your life? Are these the seeds you want to plant and nurture in others, especially those you love, including our precious children God has given us to raise? We cannot help but plant these seeds as they are in us, just as the world is in us. But God is more than able to change our fleshly nature into His nature as we keep our eyes fixed upon Him. That is the way to soar in the heavenlies with the Lord, like eagle saints. Then we plant the pure Word, which is a positive, life-enhancing word, even the word of correction He brings.

What we focus upon, grows. Absolutely, irrevocably, inevitably. What is in our hearts comes out of us, whether good or bad. This is how we learn and grow. As eagle saints in God’s school, He continually refines our vision from earthly to heavenly things. His word and His ways are seeds that always brings forth a crop, maturing into His nature of love, peace and joy. Thank God our wonderful amazing brains are able to learn new things all of our lives.

The chorus of the hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, says what we are to do as saints of the living God.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in his wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of his glory and grace.”

Helen Howarth Lemmel, 1918

Did you know that this hymn is also called “The Heavenly Vision”? Written in 1918 it was inspired by a tract entitled Focused composed by the missionary Isabella Lilias Trotter. Please take time to read the entire pamphlet as I just did! The holy spirit led me to this at the end of this post, and, truly she said it all much better than I have. Here’s several sections of her pamphlet that continue to speak to us more than a century later:

“…Gathered up, focussed lives, intent on one aim – Christ – these are the lives on which God can concentrate blessedness. It is ‘all for all’ by a law as unvarying as any law that governs the material universe…What does this focussing mean? Study the matter and you will see that it means two things – gathering in all that can be gathered, and letting the rest drop.

The working of any lens – microscope, telescope, camera – will show you this. The lens of your own eye, in the room where you are sitting, as clearly as any other. Look at the window bars, and the beyond is only a shadow; look through at the distance, and it is the bars that turn into ghosts. You have to choose which you will fix your gaze upon and let the other go….

Turn full your soul’s vision to Jesus, and look and look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him, and the Divine ‘attrait’ by which God’s saints are made, even in this 20th century, will lay hold of you.

For ‘He is worthy’ to have all there is to be had in the heart that He has died to win.” Focussed, A Story and a Song, 2018.

Thank you, Lilias Trotter for these wonderful words that echo through time into our hearts.

The Golden Rule

This is one of the first verses many of us learn. Just as I was taught this truth, I taught my son that we should do to others as we want them to do to us. He was about 8 years old and some of the kids at school were treating him unkindly. We talked about it and I told him about the Golden Rule, treating others like you want them to treat you. And he said, “But, Mom, that doesn’t work!” Of course I followed up with my understanding that the reward comes from pleasing Jesus rather than other people necessarily changing.

I have believed the truth of this verse and tried to live by it for years and years. Yet, for the first time, I think I finally do get it! Oh I believed what I was saying and realize that it is a valuable principle to live by. Regardless, God has shown me that I have consistently, in my secret heart, treated others like I wanted them to treat me because I wanted them to treat me the same way. I have talked it over with God as well as spent time shoveling out sadness and resentment from my heart about it. Yet there that desire lurked.

When God reveals something like this in me, I am humbled as well as grateful to yield to further refining. As we mature enough in our hearts to love as God loves, we are enabled to treat others like we want them to treat us without any personal expectation of reward. That’s what I want in my heart. I cannot do it but He can. He can deliver me—and others—from doing what is right in hopes that humans will reciprocate.

We are to do what is right because it is what God wants and we do want to please Jesus more than anything. This is foundational to Christian living. Jesus said that we are not to do right only to we get a reward. Oh, no, His standard is higher than that of men. When we are wronged or mistreated, when no one will see or know, when He shines forth in the darkness.

We willingly, and eventually, joyfully share the sufferings of Christ, suffering unjustly, being unfairly treated, accused and condemned for who we are and what we do, without any fault or guilt on our part. These sufferings we bear up under in the nature of Christ, Who made the way for us:

“And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” Romans 8:17-18 NLT

Has our Lord every demanded we do certain things so that He will love us? Does He withdraw that love when we do not treat Him like He treats us? Does God contemplate how to punish us and get back at us for letting Him down over and over, day after day, year after year, century after century? There’s a song that has this line: “Perfect love makes no demands.” There is no self demand, even self-expectation in love like God loves.

We miss the mark, we even sometimes absolutely refuse to obey Him and yet He never, ever, ever changes His nature of love toward us. Here’s how the writer of Romans said it:

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NASB

And this was said at the end of Romans 8 when he had just lamented for all of Romans 7 how impossible it is to make this flesh do what the spirit truly wants to do. Think of it. Let the truth of it wash any guile, any deception of doing what is right in order to have gain from people, or even to earn points with God, out of our hearts. The joy comes from pleasing Him. The Golden Rule does work, but not as a rule, as a nature!

Only God works His nature within us so He can show forth Himself to others. As we are all changed into His image and His likeness, the world around us changes too. Not because we want a reward for living this way but because God is love, and love is the most powerful force in the universe! God’s focus is on our hearts, the only part of the equation we can impact through yielding to Him.

“Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven…

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:1;33 NIV

In this passage of scripture, Jesus describes all the ways we are not to do right— for the sake of others to see and commend us for it. If that is the case and we get human praise for it, He says we have our reward. But when we do it before God alone, He will ensure we get what we need from and through Him, as we seek first His kingdom and righteousness. We are to live with Truth operating in our lives, influencing others as they see our godly ways, but this should not be our motivation.

Humans will disappoint us, just as we disappoint others. Instead, we are learning to be joyful in being obedient to His ways, feeling the Father’s pleasure as He alone knows of our good works done in secret. We may never know what impact we have on some lives. No matter, as our joy is in Him and His reward is with Him. There are rewards for the overcomer, as listed so clearly in Revelation. Yes, these rewards are earned, but that is not the same as behaving well so that we get them.

Love fulfills the law, even the rule that says to love your neighbor as yourself. This is the same message as the Golden Rule: what you want for yourself, you come to want for others. We grow until we want for others more than for ourselves, even before we have what we want. God is working an increase in His type of agape love so that we want life for all of creation. We want His life to flow not just to those we know, not even just to humans, but to the flora and fauna of God’s great earth, given as our temporary home.

We no longer want our spirituality to be like an exclusive club, where only the elite are admitted. God cleans out of us any self-righteousness from knowledge or position or education or honor or wealth or any other factor. If you think He does not know how to do this, listen to Paul:

“Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself!

Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me; but He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.’

Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].” 2 Corinthians 12: 7-12 Amplified

There is debate about just what this thorn in the flesh was that God allowed to keep Paul humble. He was severely beaten so may have become crippled, with chronic pain in his body. He was said to have poor eyesight. If not a physical “thorn in the flesh,” we know he had to deal with opposition to his ministry, from the Jews and Christians, to the extent that he was no longer welcome in some of the very churches he had founded and nurtured.

Nonetheless, God could have but did not take whatever it was away. Paul continued to minister a powerful word, obeying the Lord through his time in prison and remaining life. He even listed all of his religious qualifications, which were at the pinnacle of Jewish faith, which Paul came to consider as meaning nothing. He did not exalt in all that he had achieved, but continually humbled himself under God’s sovereign hand, regardless of the abundance of revelation given him by God.

Paul knew the qualities of character that God held in high regard, desiring that the Christ be formed within rather than seeking or retaining honor and esteem among men.

“My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!” Galatians 4:19-20 NIV

He did not want to chastise the Galations who had not progressed in Christ as Paul had hoped. He is an example of this life with God, full of blessings and also a life of unfairness and mistreatment. Paul could have testified to that, but his focus, like others called to suffer with Christ, remained on what God was working out within him and others called by His name. Jesus our Lord had such a life, even pressed to the shedding of blood over what He faced in the future.

Are we better than the Son of God, that we should escape what Father God allowed His only begotten Son? What does He say when others mistreat us, treat us poorly in spite of our mercy and kindness to them?

“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.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1 NIV

The renewing of our mind changes our attitudes, our thoughts, our perspective on what we are going through. What is the pattern of the world where kindness, mercy and forgiveness is extended but not returned? Don’t most of us get weary in well doing and begin to question the benefit, if not the wisdom, of doing so? Some among us begin to think about “how they’d like it if we treated them like they treat us?!” Yet, as faithful servants unto Him, we quickly have our hearts pricked by the spirit to be reminded that is not His way. Even thoughts of revenge are not worthy of those called and chosen for His purposes.

This Golden Rule, this high standard of God’s, fulfills the law and all that the prophets said. It is turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, giving with no thought of return, all in the name, the nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. The ways of our human nature ways cannot stand in this higher way of God. All through the centuries, Christian martyrs have been empowered by the love of God to not return evil for evil, blessing for cursing, showing God’s unmerited favor as we have received it, without earning it, from our Lord.

What then, shall we say of these things:

“Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:10 NIV

The Wisdom of Fire

Have you ever deeply explored familiar words that God chooses to use in the Bible in order to describe spiritual things? As each are studied, the wisdom of our God is more deeply evident. Just like the parables Jesus told to the crowds, explaining their deeper meaning to the disciples, common words of the time were used to help them understand and relate to His words of wisdom and teaching.

Such symbolic language used by God is certainly mysterious, particularly from Old Testament prophets like Daniel and Isaiah. Even Peter said the apostle Paul’s deep sayings were hard to understand, and many just leave John the Revelater’s writings alone. God’s words are meant to be unfathonable by the mind of man—unless we seek by the spirit to know Him.

A relationship is needed to know God in order to understand the meaning of His words. To know God is to know wisdom through the holy spirit. The disciples did not understand Jesus’ parables because they did not yet have the holy spirit within them. They had to wait until the Day of Pentecost, but He reassured them about this:

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” John 16:13-15 NKJV

Ever since that holy day in the Upper Room when believers gathered, the spirit within guides us to God’s wisdom and truth. It is absolutely relevant to our lives today as we search out by the spirit what He is saying to us.

Many commonly used spiritual symbols are more easily understood by further spiritual examination to reveal deeper meaning, such as the many words He uses from our natural world. The riches and knowledge of the greatest Teacher of all, the Lord Jesus Christ, becomes available and understood. God has no intention of keeping His wisdom from us as we seek Him, but we do need to get closer to Him to comprehend His ways.

Isn’t it wonderful that God wants us to know and understand Him? Jesus Christ came, rose again, and returned within us through His indwelling spirit, to teach us all things. When the light of His understanding dawns upon us, it’s so often simple. We do not need to stay baffled by what our Lord says in the Word! We can say “Oh! So that is what you mean!!”as He provides us these “keys to the kingdom.”

Paul’s teaching to Timothy about the study of scripture encourages seeking the Lord’s wisdom and understanding in order that Timothy’s way be upright and holy:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

Considering all of this, let’s examine the word “fire.” The word fire is used more than 600 times in the Bible, most oftan as an apt description of God’s presence bringing judgment for change. Fire was a part of worshiping God from the beginning as God’s people had need of purification and transformation to approach His presence. The Israelites traveling in the wilderness saw God’s presence as a cloud during the day and a fire by night.

“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.” Exodus 13:21 NIV

What an amazing illustration of just how His presence guides us today. When the path before us is in the light, clear and discernable, the cloud of His blessing is with us. When darkness comes to our lives, bringing challenges to our spiritual walk, He shows us His presence by fire. In His love, Father God has always brought the fire of His presence to burn up our fleshly ways, so that we can be like Him. God’s judgment, therefore, should be sought and embraced rather than feared and avoided.

What else can we learn from God’s use of this powerful word, fire? In our natural world, fire is often devastating, rapidly spreading to destroy all in its path. Fire brings death and destruction to plants, animals and people. Once ignited spontaneously, accidentally, or purposefully, fire spreads rapidly and is extinguished by three ways: 1) the source of fuel is taken away 2) the oxygen is removed, smothering the fire, or 3) the heat is removed by smothering it with water.

And did you know that forest fires move uphill more rapidly than downhill? We now know that fires are necessary to sustain life, to create new growth. Without fire to thin out the ecosystem, a forest floor is overtaken by shade-loving plants, becoming less diverse as the sun-loving plants are overtaken by materials and debris that give no life. This buildup of dead wood and litter from trees and animals becomes fuel for a future fire, particularly when conditions such as heat without moisture is constant.

Planned fires are now used purposefully to rebuild forests, creating and restoring flora and fauna needed for a healthy environment for all. Naturalists and scientists now realize and make use of fire’s cleansing properties to renew and sustain our forests. Yes, we know a great deal about fire in nature that we did not know in past years of ignorance. In just these few words about natural fire, we begin to see the manifold wisdom of God in using fire to describe His presence.

When we are in the darkness of our spiritual nights, we search for God, requiring the fire of God’s presence to burn up the debris of accumulated human waste in our hearts. Adversities bring change, just like forest fires purify. Without the fiery presence of our God, the light of His life becomes obscured by the darkness of our humanity, our fleshly ways that cannot enter into His presence.

And the higher we climb, the hotter the fire burns as we overcome every obstacle to enter fully into His dwelling place. Thankfully, God has made a way for us to be purified, cleansed by His presence so that we see the light!

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ,

keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.” 1 Peter 4:12-14 NASB

Peter is illustrating the purpose of the many afflictions those of us who love Him must go through. These trials and testings are “fiery,” clearly beyond the suffering caused by our own sinful nature. Jesus suffered without cause, undeservedly, and these same undeserved sufferings come to His overcomers. There’s no glory in suffering because of what we have done, but to suffer unjustly as He did, we can emerge with more of His nature, sharing in His suffering so that we might reign with Him.

We are not to think that suffering in this way is somehow strange or surprising, but to expect undeserved suffering as we go on to know the Lord. Further examining the use of fire as God’s presence, we see fiery swords appearing in Genesis, after Adam and Eve had disobeyed God by eating from the tree of good and evil. God cast them away from His presence, using these fiery swords to prevent them from returning to that former intimacy they had with Him before the fall.

“After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.“ Genesis 3: 24 NIV

We cannot partake of God’s life in our present fallen condition, be in His presence, without going through flames of fire! We must be purified by His presence, becoming holy as He is holy. Fire symbolizes the requirement of change, for new growth, for entering into the presence of God more and more fully. Who but God burns up our dross, all the dead, useless things we drag around that cannot nurture new life, let alone flourish in the light of His presence?

Surely we have times, seasons, areas of self that are “dead wood,” the life-robbing growth of our sinful nature that must be burned up by His fiery presence. God’s judgment, therefore, should be sought and embraced rather than feared and avoided. The great prophet, Isaiah, spoke this word to God’s people who had strayed:

“I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.

I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City. Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness.” Isaiah 1:25-27 NIV

God’s natural people, the Israelites, did not reach this righteous state. In fact, no one was able to even begin the return to Father God until Jesus came to make the way. These words are for us, now, whether Isaiah realized that or not. When God’s hand is upon us, He refines us. He takes away anything that does not produce His life within, bringing right judgment to show forth His righteousness in His people.

Malachi expands on the use of fire to refine and purify, as the Lord comes again, over and over within us, to work righteousness in our fleshly hearts:

“‘I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,’ says the Lord Almighty.

But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.

So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Malachi 3:1-4 NIV

Do we realize that God cares about whether workers receive fair wages, widows and the fatherless who have no means of effectively making a living, the foreigners who come to our countries to find a better life? He is not just against sin such as sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers commit. The Day of the Lord that we so anticipate, His glorious return, brings fire within us, not a luxurious cloud where we play our harps while others burn. He comes to deal with lies, selfishness, lack of concern or care for others who suffer.

Do you long to have the Day of the Lord, His full return, for Him to come quickly? Then you are longing for the judgment of His presence to be upon you, as the house of God is judged first. He intends to have a purified people, using the example of how gold and silver are refined, purified in the fire. When we learn of His ways, that His thoughts are higher than ours, we come to embrace the fiery trials He allows to ready us for His full residence in our beings.

In Jesus’ day, precious metals were refined by fire in a crucible (a container that can withstand very high temperatures) placed in a furnace heated up to almost 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Gold melts at such a high temperature, then is transferred to another container, leaving the impurities and other substances floating to the surface. Similarly, silver is refined by melting it in a furnace along with a reducing agent to oxidize the impurities which are absorbed by the reducing agent, leaving behind pure silver.

Is not our Lord the “reducing agent” within our hearts? When Jesus Christ appeared to two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus, they did not recognize Him until He joined them for supper. Then they realized Who had been walking and talking with them:

“When He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, and He disappeared from their sight.

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24: 30-32 NIV

They felt their Lord’s presence, the power of His words, as a burning in their hearts, though their human understanding hid Him from them. When their eyes were opened, they recognized Him, and recalled that inner burning they had felt walking with Him and listening to His teachings. Have we not had times when God’s word burned within our hearts, both in delight and in discipline? Oh, the wonder of His ways, past finding out with human eyes and ears, but revealed by our spiritual eyes and ears of understanding!

Since fire requires a source of fuel, it becomes abundantly clear that our fleshly ways, our human nature, is God’s source of fuel! He “sits” within us to refine us, to clean us up, also using soap to further scrub us up! The treasure of the Lord’s Life within us is revealed as we continue entering into His presence until He is more and more seen within us. We need the blood of the Lamb, covering us so that we are acceptable in His presence.

Our blood is 95% oxygen, vital to us and all living organisms, so here is the metaphorical “oxygen” that fire needs to do its work, coming directly from the presence of God. It’s in the blood, the life of the body:

“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29 NASB

He is a fire that consumes our dross! He always, always loves us, but face it: some things just cannot enter in to His kingdom of righteousness. The writer of Hebrews names them, making it quite clear that it is our flesh that cannot enter in. We cannot beat it, will it, determine it to be good, make laws to create or sustain it, as it cannot be changed. It must be destroyed, burned up, replaced by the gold and silver of God’s holy character appearing in those with pure hearts.

“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you,

that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5: 19-21 NASB

So, how do we endure, going thru these fiery trials necessitated by God? First we need to recognize that it is God at work in our lives, rather than thinking it is something strange that should not happen to us believers. Peter admonished us:

“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:12-19 KJV

This is even more clearly and simply stated in The Message:

“Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.

If you’re abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It’s the Spirit of God and His glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they’re on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that’s a different matter.

But if it’s because you’re a Christian, don’t give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name! It’s judgment time for God’s own family. We’re first in line. If it starts with us, think what it’s going to be like for those who refuse God’s Message!” 1 Peter 4:12-19 The Message

Some fiery trials come deservedly when we sin, missing the mark, as well as undeservedly, bringing God’s judgment first to His own. The fire of God’s wrath—His passion—comes to those He loves and disciplines. We are washed by the water of the Word, so that spiritual water gradually extinguishes the flames of our own fleshly ways being burned up, consumed by the indwelling presence of the Lord. His coming is ongoing within us, not a one time event accomplishing this great work within each of His own.

This then, my brothers and sisters in Christ, is the entrance into His kingdom. It is the way back into the presence of God, past those flaming swords to the throne of Jesus Christ and His Father. This is the way God made for us by the sacrifice of His only Son, so that we are enabled to enter into His Kingdom of love, peace, and joy more precious than gold and silver. The signs of His kingdom coming are internal, shown forth externally when the presence of God has thoroughly refined and purified our hearts:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5: 22-23 NASB

Do you begin to comprehend the manifold wisdom of God in using this powerful example of fire? Can you begin to see how fiery trials are preparing us for dwelling in His presence and bringing the kingdom to others here in this earth? Such are the white garments that John the Revelator told us about:

“The one who overcomes will be clothed the same way, in white garments;

and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Revelation 5:22 NASB

We cannot earn our way into the Book of Life. This is the only way, to endure the fire of His presence. What a wonderfully powerful, symbolic lesson God is teaching us through the wisdom of fire as we continue to learn of His ways.

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?

For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11:33-36 NIV

The Seed

The Lord’s seed is His word. We can trust Him when He is leading us to plant the precious seed of His word by the spirit to hearts that are ready to hear. As we walk on to know the Lord more deeply, we are enabled to share His longing to be compassionate to all. His seed takes root aswe are led by the Holy Spirit to only speak as the Father speaks, just as Jesus did.

“So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.” John 8:28 NIV

Rather than waiting to correct and judge us to do right, the purposes of His heart is love, compassion, and mercy forever:

“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Psalms 33:11 NIV

The Lord knows whose heart is receptive and ready to hear what He might have to say. Jesus certainly did not speak directly to every sinner around Him. We need discernment to know that time and place while being ready and prepared in our hearts to speak the truth in love when it’s time. Paul taught Timothy, instructing him how to conduct himself in what he was called to do.

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2 excellent

Interesting that Paul puts reproof, rebuke and encouragement all together as part of patient instruction to others. When reproof and rebuke are needed, it is a part of encouraging others in their spiritual lives through patient instruction. Those of us who desire to share God’s word and ways are to always be ready to do so when called upon. We are to be prepared in season, when we would anticipate having opportunity, and out-of-season when the opportunity to speak of God and His word arrives unexpectedly.

When speaking His word of life as we are led by the Lord, He will check our spirit on many occasions, showing us when ears are closed, and hearts are not ready to hear. When God speaks a Word “in due season,” however, we can be sure that Word does its work, throughout all generations.Those used to speaking this word may not witness the crop that grows, but that’s God’s business.

“Jesus replied, ‘Have faith in God (constantly). I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and does not doubt in his heart (in God’s unlimited power), but believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him (in accordance with God’s will).” Mark 11:22-23 Amplified

Ours is to fully believe, being obedient to speak or not to speak, to share the truth in love when the heart is open to receive. We can then trust the Lord to do His will with that word, bringing forth the crop He intends. We can learn how to speak according to the condition of the heart rather than our religious zeal to do good works for God. God teaches us to follow Him through the promptings of the holy spirit, preparing our own hearts to do so.

We are to be like Him, learning to speak as Jesus did, only what the Father instructs us to speak. We will eventually be empowered, changed into His image and likeness, so that we do this naturally and effortlessly just as He did. As God once said to me, “Don’t tell all you know.” Many know so very much of God and His ways yet we hold all truth in God closely, being ready to speak truth in love whenever and wherever the heart conditions are right.

How is this different from preaching daily on the street corners or knocking on doors with the message of salvation? The key is often in our heart’s motivation for doing these things. When we act for God motivated by zeal, as a part of a program or duty, or to please others, we risk sharing with many who are not prepared to hear it. Doing such things of our own accord or at the direction of another human does not bring forth the fruit of the kingdom, no matter how sincerely done. It becomes a fleshly activity that can never produce the righteousness of God.

Our actions and activities may be the same, but the heart of obedience to God’s spirit leads us to assist others in ways that are productive of righteousness. When it is God’s idea and not the fleshly plans of man:

"For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.” Isaiah 55:10-11 Berean

When we become God’s mouthpiece, sharing the Word of God as He directs, His word will always prosper when and where He sends it. We may plant the seed, and another reap the harvest, but He will have a crop. There are plowmen and there are reapers, both busy in the kingdom. God is always preparing the ground of our earthly hearts for the planting of His seed.

The religious world has had many programs and plans, many ways motivated by good intentions to reach the world for the gospel of Christ. We good hearted humans have many ideas for projects and assistance to help God’s project along. Though much good has occurred through these efforts, most have not produced fruit equal to the labor and investment. It is not what is said and done, but whose idea it is to begin with. The world is far from reaped for the Lord in spite of centuries working at it.

The power is in His word, proceeding from His mouth through those called to be His mouthpiece. All else is lacking, just who Paul warns Timothy to avoid:

“… [those who are] having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5 KJV

Jesus knew who was able to receive. He was aware that, for some, His word will prosper and grow, and for others not. We are the earth in which the seed of His word is planted for growth:

“And He told them many things in parables, saying, ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Some fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil.

It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seeds fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings.

Still other seed fell on good soil and produced a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold. He who has ears, let him hear.’” Matthew 13:3-9 Berean

Jesus ministered to very large groups in parables, knowing that the seed of His word would fall on all kinds of ground. Why did He further speak about letting those who have ears, to hear? They all had ears, after all! He was speaking to those with spiritual ears to hear, ready to receive the Word He was sharing. He was planting the seed of His word into hearts prepared and called of the Father to receive it. These had good soil, their earth already plowed rather than rocky or hard from the elements of life.

Why would our Lord speak in parables that many of his followers would neither hear nor understand? Do you think the heart of our Lord did not desire to have everyone hear and understand so He would heal them? We can almost sense the longing that they would come to Him so He could heal them but He already knew who would and who would not. For some, it was their time; for others, it would come later in God’s plan. Anyone ministering to large gatherings knows the same truth: not all have hearts prepared to receive.

Jesus also knew the disciples who readily received the seed of His word, including Judas, who ultimately rejected His word and ways. Can you imagine choosing someone to follow you when you already know that person will betray you? Jesus knew what each level of reception would be because He knew the condition of their hearts. After ministering to the multitudes, His disciples asked “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

“‘He replied, ‘The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.

Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.’

For this people's hearts has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'” Matthew 13:10-15: NIV

Jesus already understood that, for some, it was not given to understand. It was not their time to receive what He was teaching and their hearts were too calloused to allow the seed to be planted within them to grow. He knew that His own Jewish people would reject and crucify Him rather than believe their Savior had come. The “earth” of their hearts was hardened, not broken up, plowed to soften it, prepared for the seed of His truth.

Like Jesus, it is not wise for us to assume that everyone around us is ready, prepared to receive what we have to share. Jesus did share more deeply with those in intimate relationship with Him, His disciples, so they would catch His spiritual meaning. It was time for His disciples to learn and grow, to really know what He was teaching, and to understand the spiritual message of His words. All heard the same words but a deeper message was shared for those with the ability to comprehend by the spirit, who had spiritual ears to hear.

Jesus Christ was realistic, knowing He could teach more to those whose hearts were ready, including His disciples who loved Him. In God’s kingdom, not every seed planted produces the same crop. It not only depends on readiness but God’s purpose and plan for each one. Jesus ministered to many people in the crowds who would not hear Him. Since Jesus discerned the differing preparedness of hearts to hear, is He not able to provide us with the same discernment?

When it is God’s timing, with hearts ready to receive and a teachable spirit, the Word is received as a good seed the person hears and understands. This “word seed” grows a crop, producing the fruit of the spirit. It will always prosper where He sends it, whether we are allowed to witness this or not. The seed in the one who hears and understands always grows a crop, but some crops take longer to grow and some yield more than others. It’s all good, but not at the same level.

Those who all heard Jesus at the time of His earthly ministry surely reveal the difference in each crop from this same seed. There really are many mansions or dwelling places in His heavenly spiritual house. The promise is this:

“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.” Romans 10:9 NIV

Just as with the early believers, power and authority is given to do God’s work on the earth. We need the guidance of the holy spirit within now, just as Jesus’ disciples and followers did then. We most certainly do not need to hinder others’ openness to receive by judging ourselves better or worse, presenting truths from the common human viewpoint of the “haves and have-nots.” Callings and experiences are in God’s hand and in His timing, with Him in charge of the outcome.

Many a fellowship has been torn apart by such divisive and self righteous attitudes about position and power that limit God’s plantings. Can we not leave all of this in God’s hands and His timing while we remain His humble servants? We learn from the saints in the bible as experiences unfolded according to God’s plan, empowering each generation of saints to do what is needed for that age.

Where would we be without Passover being fulfilled in Him? What of the beginning of the early church would have occurred if those gathered in the Upper Room had not been empowered by the Holy Spirit coming upon them, emboldening them to fulfill their destiny in Christ? And the third feast, the Feast of Tabernacles, was the one Jesus attended at just the right time in His earthly ministry:

“Therefore Jesus told them, ‘Although your time is always at hand, My time has not yet come. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify that its works are evil. Go up to the feast on your own. I am not going up to this feast, because My time has not yet come.’

Having said this, Jesus remained in Galilee. But after His brothers had gone up to the feast, He also went—not publicly, but in secret.” John 7:6-10 Berean

“On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’ 

He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.” John 7:37-39 Berean

Jesus did not go to this gathering because others were attending or told Him to go. He waited until His Father directed Him to attend. Jesus then ministered at this Feast in a way that astounded, confused and offended His listeners. His teachings were in a spiritual language they did not understand. He stood up to bring the seed of His word. Is He not preparing to stand up in His people as He is coming to dwell within, to lead us to gathering that He has called us to, in the right season when at least some hearts are prepared to hear what He has to say through us?

Now it is needed. Now is the time for the Feast of Tabernacles experience, when Jesus Christ our Lord comes to tabernacle in us. Now is the promised time of judgment for the restoration of all things.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying:

‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.’” Revelation 21:1-4 Berean

A new heaven and a new earth! Does this sound like God will allow us humans to destroy the earth as we seem to be doing? Though it takes ages to complete, the time of God's tabernacling in His people is upon us and will eventually unfold for all. He is preparing to come down from heaven to us on the earth, establishing His holy government to judge and redeem everyone. And how we need Him!

The intent of the heart of those who carry the message of Passover, salvation through Jesus Christ is excellent. The teachings about the Feast of Pentecost are vital, showing God’s desire for Christians to have the holy spirit within to lead and guide us into all truth.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:13 ESV

All three of the Old Testament feasts are a type and shadow of spiritual experiences available, needed for spiritual progression as we walk with our Lord. Those of us believing for Tabernacles to happen trust His word that He will have a people united in love, with clean hearts, prepared as the habitation of God Himself.

What a day this will be when God fully tabernacles in His people as we show forth His nature of mercy and justice! His seed continues to grow, to mature, and to bear forth a crop, the fruit of the kingdom. The Day of the Lord is unfolding now. He planted His precious seed in His called, chosen, and faithful, to minister Who He is to this world that so desperately needs Him. There’s hope for our human condition of the heart, now and through eternity in God.

Amen and amen. So be it.

Overcoming the World

When we see the utter disaster that the world of humans has become, it’s difficult to see what we, as Christians, can do. What are we to even think, how are we ever to take godly action to address all that is wrong in our earthly existence? There are internal and external calamities everywhere we look. There are overwhelming manmade and God-allowed afflictions and suffering everywhere, whether known and visible to us or not. Though it has been said through the centuries, and even centuries of darkness and incredible struggle, it truly is worsening everywhere in the world.

What is it that God would have those of us who follow Him do about any of it? Are we to just bury our heads in the sand and proclaim the whole thing impossible? Are we to throw ourselves into every cause, giving the work of our hands and the fruit of our labors to address all the ills around us? Can we merrily enjoy our own comfortable lives while ignoring what others are dealing with on a daily basis? What can one lone Christian really do?

J. Preston Eby (paraphrased) says we are not to sit with idle hands and complain that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, but invest ourselves in prayer, love to all, righteousness, faith, spiritual understanding and maturity, with spiritual warfare through the mighty work of the Spirit of God within—until we can fulfill the word of God in Isaiah to His own:

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you.” Isaiah 60:1-2 NIV

For the bondslaves of Christ to whom Revelation was written, and as Paul called himself, the work of this age for God’s called, chosen, and faithful is to gain ground in Him. Our highest calling right now is to allow God’s processing of all we have submitted to the Father’s will. As we allow the fires of change He brings to each of us to do His work, He also brings a Word of power and authority that will change the hearts of men.

How we long for this and how difficult to wait when we hear the cries from others, seeing so many living in hellish conditions on this earth! And the darkness surely is increasing as the days, the years, the centuries pass. It is useless to try to change the world of outer appearances, to focus on what we visibly see that is sin, that misses the mark of godly living. It is there, but we require spiritual eyes of Love to address sinful behaviors.

The eyes of the spirit within have the Lord’s wisdom and revelation to discern what the root and source of any issue is. Then we can be used to intercede, to speak to, to address the source of every issue as God gives the grace to flow to others in powerful ways. Consider the prayer of a righteous person:

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16b ESV

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16b NIV

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16b KJV

For a nation of doers, it’s good to meditate on the incredible power of prayer by those called to righteousness. Such prayer by the saints has great power, is effective, and accomplishes much. But it must go past the surface of human behavior to look at the heart, the root of the matter. We are given spiritual eyes to see and understand the words God has said all throughout the Bible:

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9-11 NIV

"…[Jesus said] ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.’” Mark 7:21-23 NIV

To have power and authority to actually make the world a better place, we must have wise discernment. Man’s heart is mortally ill—destined for death. Who can know this desperately wicked, evil heart within humans? It is truly a bottomless pit, as Revelation states. God investigates the heart where evil dwells, is nurtured, and grows into evil actions visible to others.

As we gain wisdom in God’s school, we are enabled to discern by the spirit, so that our prayers really are effective and powerful. No longer will we rail against the visible sins of the world. We are learning to be like Him, looking inside, as God does, to address matters of the heart of humans.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

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.” Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV

The battle is not with people but with spirits that rule within their hearts. The earth is satan’s domain and he operates in the hearts of men. All that falls short of God’s righteousness as shown in the live and character of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ—the lust of the eyes, the sins of the flesh, the pride of life—all come from hearts that yield to it.

What is an effective, powerful prayer of intercession regarding the path into oblivion that humans seem to be on? It must be much more powerful and effective than the do’s and don’ts of religion, the laws attempting to correct sin.

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.

They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: ‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.

Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.” Colossians 2:16-23 NIV

Freedom from rules! Whether it’s our own or another’s, Jesus declared us free in Him from external rules. He was pointing out how worthless the Jewish rules were in actually restraining the fleshly ways of man. It may seem like godly wisdom when we follow rules and laws, but it does not work righteousness within. Rules are laws that require the application of will rather than submission to God for change. It is the heart change that God requires and only He can do it.

We submit to rules and laws from childhood through adulthood, but they do not result in the character of Christ being created within us. They are necessary to teach us, but cannot change us. Those who put decrees on believers have forgotten that we died with Christ in order to live in Him. It may look good, seeming godly in outward appearance, but falls short of pleasing the Lord, with no power to change the flesh.

So then, what does? The love of God is the most powerful force in the earth! There is no situation that God’s love and mercy cannot conquer. It behooves us to become the love of God in this earth!

“The commandments ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:9-10 Berean

It’s not the commandments that we are unable in our humanity to fulfill, it is the love of God that brings the change as well as the freedom in Christ. Satan continues to work in the hearts of men to oppose the rulership and authority of Jesus Christ within us. He won that battle for us, but we are required to walk out His victory over satan in our earthly lives. Rather than focusing on rebuking the devil, let us look to God, the author and finisher of our faith, for the work needed to change the world.

There are so many things humans consider important to show forth a righteous life that are truly not important to God. When Jesus and His disciples were judged for eating on the sabbath from the fields of corn without washing their hands, He had to explain to them:

“Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man `unclean.'

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. These are what make a man `unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him `unclean.'" Matthew 15:17-20 NIV

The people of Jesus’ time, as it is now, held up religious rules and behaviors as the standard of righteousness. In contrast, Jesus held up the condition of the heart. Some carnal-minded Christians assume experiencing adversity means we did something wrong, in some way deserving the adversity that comes upon us. They do not realize that we are to share in Jesus’ sufferings in order to qualify to reign with Him. He did nothing to deserve these tests from the adversary and many people are also innocent though suffering.

Much of the world’s woes of adversity—illness and death, natural disasters and wars, poverty and deprivation—are not the result of individuals impacted by it, except in a collective way as part of their community, their country, or the decisions of those in power and authority. These are just a part of what all humans go through while living here, which He overcame for us. We are subject to these things while we are here, but Jesus has already overcome the world.

Of course, we make choices that influence the outcomes in our lives for good or bad, but God’s word is immutable. What we sow, we will reap, unless God’s mercy and grace makes a way of escape. More than one scriptural passage reveals the struggle of God’s servants to understand the flourishing of evil leading them to question why evil within men and women seems to prosper:

“You are always righteous, Lord, when I bring a case before you.Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts.

Yet you know me, Lord; you see me and test my thoughts about you. Drag them off like sheep to be butchered! Set them apart for the day of slaughter! How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished. Moreover, the people are saying, ‘He will not see what happens to us.’ “Jeremiah 12:1-4 NIV

We can talk it over with the Lord as He teaches us to overcome the world in us. It is a certainty that we cannot do it in our own strength. We need spiritual discernment to even recognize what is worldly and what is righteous in our own hearts. But God will have a people without spot or wrinkle, fully prepared to intercede on behalf of others in this most difficult of times—whatever comes, filled with the power of His life and love:

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:1-20 ESV

This a an excellent recipe for overcoming the world within us so we are equipped to strengthen our brothers and sisters in Christ. We expose the darkness by bringing the light of God into this world of darkness. All the peoples of the world are in desperate need of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who will take all back to our wonderful God, Father of us all.

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 KJV

The Pearl of Great Price

In Matthew, Jesus is explaining the kingdom and its value. He shares the parable of the pearl of great price, this “very precious pearl,” worth disposing of everything else in order to obtain it. This ideal, perfect jewel is the Christ within us, forming the kingdom of God in the His Body of believers. The kingdom is not a literal place to be found externally. Jesus was very clear about this:

“Now He was questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, and He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with signs that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.’”

And He said to the disciples, ‘The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look there,’ or, ‘Look here!’ Do not leave, and do not run after them.’" Luke 17:21-22 NASB

Now, more than ever in such days of worsening trouble and turmoil in the earth, Jesus continues to say that He is here. He is right here, right now, ever within us. He never fails nor forsakes us. His kingdom is a spiritually attainable place of dwelling with Him. His kingdom is not seen in terrestrial signs of prosperity, wealth, or goodness. This is a kingdom of peace, love and joy, the very most precious of heart qualities of great price to purchase.

God’s presence is purging out such contaminations as judgment, religious rules about eating or drinking, external behaviors that discount or ignore the heart issues He makes top priority. We desire to speak the word of God to others, to share His truth and wisdom. But when we do so with the wrong attitude of heart, with judgment or condemnation, with pride or ego, or even with fear, this is what offends, creatiing stumbling blocks and snares in others.

Here it is particularly spoken to all brothers and sisters in Christ, with an attitude of compassion and love which gives understanding to the listener:

“Therefore let’s not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this: not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to the one who thinks something is unclean, to that person it is unclean.

For if because of food your brother or sister is hurt, you are no longer walking in accordance with love. Do not destroy with your choice of food that person for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ” Romans 14:13-17 NASB

It really is about these qualities of the heart as birthed by the spirit. Oh, if we all could truly hear this so that our judgment, our religious rules are not the primary display of our Christianity! The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the holy spirit working within. Yes there is right living to be seen, along with peace and joy, embedded in the God of love. These qualities do not cause others to stumble or to be snared by false beliefs and representations of our Lord.

Such are the qualities of the Christ within, the “ideal pearl” of His kingdom which He fully represents. God does everything purposefully, including the careful choice of the words Jesus spoke in His earthly ministry. He only spoke what the Father gave Him, so the parable of the pearl of great price is God’s word. What can we learn from how a pearl forms within the oyster? What is the deeper understanding we can gain from this metaphor for the kingdom within?

“Pearls are made by marine oysters and freshwater mussels as a natural defence against an irritant such as a parasite entering their shell or damage to their fragile body. The oyster or mussel slowly secretes layers of aragonite and conchiolin, materials that also make up its shell.” (Natural History Museum).

A short video clip from NatGeoWild further edifies us:

“Any mollusk with a shell can produce pearls, but the best come from oysters… A substance called nacre, the same that forms the inside of the oyster, covers any irritant, creating a most beautiful pearl after several years. This substance is both lighter and stronger than concrete!

Even the scientists call this miraculous! The irritant can be a tiny organism that disrupts the natural growth of the inner shell.

Just so, Father God allows the irritants of adversity to bring about the kingdom within us. Satan may initiate but God turns it for our good, for the inner growth of His character inside of us. Such pearls come from pure waters, not polluted by man. Do you catch that parallel in the spirit? The most rare and costly pearls occur in pure waters, with only 1 in 10,000 of the most valuable pearls formed by oysters produced. It takes a long time, many workings within that pearl to truly cover the irritant or intruder with mother of pearl, forming the most beautiful and highly valued jewel of all.

Now we see the parallel of how long it takes for us to overcome the irritants and intruders into our hearts, robbing us of peace, love, and joy. Now we see more clearly of what the Father is speaking when Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is the pearl of great price. It is costly, it must be prioritized and protected, allowed to grow up into Him. Jesus Christ Himself is the Ideal Pearl, a planting of the kingdom within us. His purpose is to make us like Him, overlaying our nature of flesh with His precious iridescent covering of love, peace and joy, luminescent for all to see.

Catch this key point: it’s the irritants that form the pearl! Anything that irritates us, anything that disrupts our pure growth, is creating this Pearl! Adversity brings growth, yet how difficult it can be to endure what He allows to come into our lives as we desire to become more like Him. One of the things that has to go is judgment of others and my particular challenge is the judgment I have for others who are judgmental!

After all, it’s a matter of the heart within all of us. Why do humans judge one another—sometimes mildly or not verbalized, other times viciously and loudly with words and attitudes that hurt our fellow man, let alone our brothers and sisters in Christ. What is the judgment that the Lord desires to purge from us so that we do not cause a snare or a stumbling block for others in finding their way to God?

Here’s a sample of common judgmental thoughts and attitudes that may rise up within, needing to be purged by God’s holy spirit: “Why can’t they see the truth? How can they be so blind? We must chastise and challenge them for not meeting the righteous standard set by the Word. How can they do that [name a sin that we don’t understand or could ever imagine doing]? What a disgusting person to [name sinful behavior such as drunkenness or fleshly entertainment or sexual immorality or…]?”

In such areas of the heart, we may be very right in the truth but very wrong in the judgment and condemnation of others. It is truth in love, not one or the other. When God allows us to see within the heart of mankind, we see the wounds that create such behavior, the lack of knowing the Lord as we know Him.

God has chastised me before for “beating a blind man,” when I continued to challenge an unbeliever in my life. Oh, I wanted him to change for himself and for me, but the way I was going about it certainly did not draw him to Christ. That is the Father’s job and only He knows whether this was accomplished before this person’s death. To put it bluntly:

““Do not judge, so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, the log is in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye! Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.’” Matthew 7:1-6 NASB

These words spoken by our Lord are carefully chosen by God to teach us, bringing us into all truth. When we throw righteous principles before unbelievers, we may be wasting our precious holy words on “dogs or pigs” who will eat anything. We all do it with believers as well, seeing the mote in another while ignoring the beam in our own. The mote in their eye that we see may be their failure to follow the rules of our religion. But the beam in our eye, coming from our heart, is the judgment, the condemnation we have for others who don’t know the way or refuse the truth.

Holy things are not for dogs, representative of those who will bite and devour one another over a scrap and follow anyone who will feed them. We are not to cast our pearls of wisdom in front of hogs, a powerful metaphor for those of us who know about them. Hogs will eat anything without discrimination, lacking discernment of what is precious and what is vile. When we are not being led by the spirit, we are sharing our pearls of godly wisdom with those who are unable to receive it.

Others’ hearts must be prepared, just like the fields that are plowed to receive a planting for growth. How many words we can waste with those not prepared or even called (yet) to hear them! It is so important to be taught of the Lord what to speak and when to speak it. And it is so very hard when we truly do have so much to say!

“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God.

For God is in heaven and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:2 KJV

We are to be neither rash nor hasty to utter anything before God. Everything we say and do is before Him. Strong’s translates to be “rash” is “to be alarmed or agitated, to hasten anxiously, be dismayed, to make haste be speedy, thrust out, trouble, vex,” with “making haste” similarly clarified in the original Hebrew. This truth appears in many places in His word:

“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” Proverbs 10:19 KJV

“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4 KJV

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:18-19 KJV

Those of us gifted with many words easily said (like me) need the holy spirit to continually cut back on our unnecessary, untimely, ineffective—and yes, useless—flood of words. How often when faced with opposition, our words multiply while our hearts become contaminated with agitation, fear, and anger. We miss the mark with perverse, distorted, even vicious words from our mouths, crushing the spirit of those we are to elevate and educate.

And how sad when this happens with little ones we are raising. Children truly do not know to do right and often have not the spiritual or physical development to follow through. This type of parental tongue has crushed many a child’s spirit, while attempting to correct and teach. It’s the self-will that needs to be crushed by loving godly discipline, not that precious spirit within that God created and nurtures in little ones.

We also can crush the spirit of babes in Christ and unbelievers when they miss the mark. Sin is when we know to do right and don’t do it, translated as “missing the mark.” How many religious words have been spoken through the centuries and how much has the world changed because of speaking to those who lack the wisdom and maturity to know what is right in God, let alone be able to do it?

Jesus changed the world with His words, yet the hearts of mankind are slow to hear, believe, and understand Him, to walk in His ways. Those of us who desire before God for others to see the Christ within us long for the day when the fruit of His kingdom will be seen in us. That is when this Pearl of great price completely overlays our fleshly nature with His essence of love, the most powerful force in the universe.

God delivered a powerful and humbling lesson about this to me when I asked the Lord to truly stop me from saying anything that was not led by Him. I am well known as a talker so this is a long confessed need for change that I hold before the Lord. I so desire a conversation with others that does not bring regret afterward. It’s not necessarily inappropriate or gross things so much as unnecessary chatter, unimportant information, words that I want to say but the listener does not need to hear.

God answered this sincere prayer of my heart in a recent visit from our son. He granted deep peace while I hardly said anything over the few hours we were all together. I was amazed at myself and knew it was His intervention. It was a humbling lesson in how often I have uttered wasted, “rash” words my wandering, undisciplined mind has said. It wasn’t my time to be heard, to be contributing, even spiritually, to this conversation. Amazingly, I sat quietly and prayed, loving the peace and rest I felt, being led of His spirit rather than my own flesh. And no regrets afterword!

Yes, the Lord gifted me with words resulting in a calling that led to teaching, training, and assistance for others in the mental health profession. I have been most blessed through the many years of my career, but what was used requires ongoing refinement for personal growth. I do not desire more regret from having offended people I care about with too many words, spoken in haste, while ignoring guile in my heart. I do not desire to be careless so that I cause others offense or pain. Along with Jabez, I am most serious about this:

“And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!’ So God granted him what he requested.” 1 Chronicles 4:10 NKJV

I desire to enter in to His kingdom with all my brothers and sisters in Christ. I desire to be an avenue for others to enter in as well, don’t you? Who among us in the Body of Christ has not tasted of the Lord’s graciousness, His “kindness,” as the Concordant Literal states. Even the challenge to speak only what He speaks, like our Lord Jesus Christ, shows forth His kindness toward me more than any public chastisement, much less condemnation.

He corrects us in private, with Him, redirecting us kindly to His ways rather than ours. When there has been offense, He allows repair along with forgiveness. Often He is the only one who knows, as mankind does not set the same standard that the pearl of great price illustrates. Others may think many things Christians struggle with along our path of life are no big deal. God thinks the inner issues are the biggest deal, the inner workings of the heart. Peter said:

“Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” 1-3 KJV

Oh how we miss this in our love affair with church rules and regulations, the outer forms of religion, the establishment of external laws, instead of the condition of our hearts! From beginning to end, God’s word speaks of the heart, how deceitful it is, how He is the only one Who sees our hearts clearly, while none of us can truly see our own. We miss the mark over and over, yet He knows our desire to be righteous, to please Him Who is our life.

Only the holy spirit can illuminate what we need to see about our own hearts and He does this so very kindly and graciously. He knows we are “but dust,” unable in any way to purify our hearts without yielding to His spirit.

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust.” Psalms 103:13-14 Berean

Thankfully, Jesus Christ is intent on having a church without spot or wrinkle, hearts with no guile, brothers and sisters who are made into His image and likeness so the world will finally know Him, as Paul says, in the power of His resurrection as we share in His sufferings.

Here is the way of wise words leading others to understand the call, come up to the heights, to meet with others while staying on track. Then we are partakers of that “Pearl of great price” that is worth letting go of everything else. Then we are enabled to share God’s chosen words within us as pearls of His wisdom, formed within by Him and shining out to others:

“Does not wisdom call, and understanding raise her voice? On top of the heights beside the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, at the entrance of the doors, she cries out:

‘To you, people, I call, and my voice is to mankind. You naive ones, understand prudence; and, you fools, understand wisdom! Listen, for I will speak noble things; and the opening of my lips will reveal right things. For my mouth will proclaim truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverted in them. They are all straightforward to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.” Proverbs 8:1-9 NASB

Is this not our strongest desire? This is what God sees in our deepest heart, that we want to be like Him, to please our heavenly Father, to cause no offense to His holy spirit, to truly have hearts pure, holy and without guile. This is why Solomon said how important wisdom and understanding is rather than knowledge alone.

“Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not abandon her, and she will guard you; love her, and she will watch over you.

The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; and with all your possessions, acquire understanding.

Prize her, and she will exalt you; ahe will honor you if you embrace her. Ahe will place on your head a garland of grace; she will present you with a crown of beauty.” Proverbs 4:5-9 NASB

We follow on to know the Lord, seeking the wisdom of His kingdom so we will truly have His heart replacing our stony heart of flesh. Then we are able to forget the past, having no regrets about the words that come out of our mouths, because He has purified them, overlaying them with the precious Pearl of great price that is His nature. We overcome this flesh and all its ways, including wordy ways, through Him. He has done everything for us. making the way and showing us the path of life.

Then we can be a living example of those able to obtain this precious jewel worked within from all life’s irritants that come our way. We are enabled to speak an “apt” word, one that communicates what God wants to say. His word always accomplishes what He sent it to do. There is no lack, no failure in Him. What is not done yet He has allowed, what is done is only by the power and authority of His word of truth spoken as fully centered into His nature of love.

Proverbs speaks to what is precious, words that are most pleasing to Him, effectively used by His servants to change the lives of others. Let us celebrate every irritant that is created within us, knowing that we shall be covered over by His nature as we submit to His ways in dealing with it. We are growing ever closer to having a precious word that is a gift, even in reproof, to others!

“Apricots of gold in pictures of silver is a word on its aptly spoken.

A pendant of gold and an eardrop of certified gold is the reproof of a wise man upon a hearkening ear.” Proverbs 25:11-12 Concordant Literal

Truth in Love

Every bit of wisdom and truth about people and how to be with each other comes from God. Every valid and accurate scientific finding from neuroscience, social psychology, human development, and other aspects of research on humanity is rooted in God’s wisdom, revealed by Him. Whether He is acknowledged as the source is immaterial, it is still from God. It is only the foolish who deny it.

Sometimes we don’t recognize God’s truth in these findings and how they are used because the Bible uses different words. Nonetheless, it is all through His word, the Source of all creation. All of humanity’s amazing discoveries are the revelation of God’s truth and wisdom, His holy knowledge and ability given as gifts to us. Social scientists and relationship experts may think they have come up with these principles but any truth revealing wisdom about how we are to relate with others He has already stated.

We Christians ought to be the experts in how to relate with one another but clearly, we are not very good at it! We have not been perfected in our walk nor has He revealed the vastness of His knowledge of us and the universe. But we are on the path and willing. One useful example is the skill of assertiveness, a most valuable skill for people to have. God is our expert, our model, and He talks about assertiveness as “speaking the truth in love.”

“…speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head.

From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.” Ephesians 4:15-16 Berean

Love is the principle thing in the lives of all Christians. It covers all and never fails. So when we have to assert ourselves with others, we can count on God enabling us to do so in love. Truth alone can be hurtful when it should build up the body effectively. There are many times when the power of truth is necessary for being able to grow together, when shared in God’s love.

This truth is in the power of God’s word that corrects all of us:

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Ephesians 4: 12 KJV

God’s truth has no deceit in it when it is spoken from a heart without guile. Humans do rely on much more than words to understand what is being communicated. Nonverbal communication encompasses a diverse range of signals such as facial expressions, body language, and vocal nuances like tone and rhythm. We can speak many words to one another, but nearly every culture, to varying degrees, relies on what is not spoken.

To be sure, what is in the heart will come out, exposed to others even when we are trying to hide it. All words, our verbal communication, are housed in subtle, nonverbal cues that provide critical meaning from the heart. The smile seems to hold a universal meaning but can be altered to communicate a different message than what we usually associate with a smile. The lips may be stretched in the same way, but if the eyes are cold and the expression closed, humans are wired to pick up the underlying thoughts, feelings and emotions—all those soul messages—hidden behind it.

“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.” Matthew 15:19 Berean

Thus it is that God desires a people without guile, speaking the truth in love without dissembling. So many Christians behave as if our faith depends on rules and laws, when Christ came to fulfill the law, not have us try and fail to do so. If we follow all the dictates we are encouraged, even directed to do with only our fleshly human behavior and interactions, without the right attitude and motive for each, there is little difference with us from those around us.

We are to be different, distinct, a unique holy people called by the name of our Lord. The writer of Romans exhorts Christians to do many things, but always with the correct, godly attitude of heart:

“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; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 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.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:6-18 NIV

Do you see the attitudes with which we are to conduct our affairs, most especially in the Body of Christ? If we cannot do it with other believers, from a pure heart made clean by God, we are not going to show this to those who do not know and love our Lord like we do. Look past the “dos and don’ts” in the above passages to the qualities of love we are to have in the doing.

Because of God’s grace, His unmerited, unearned favor toward us, we are to behave with others with generosity, diligence, gleefully merciful (!), fondly affectionate, honoring others, diligent, fervent, enduring and persevering in expectation, pursuing hospitality, rejoicing and lamenting with others who are doing the same, in humility and egality, pursuing peace with all men as much as God makes possible within us. What a word!

God always, always looks at the heart, and if these motives, these attitudes are not present behind our words and behaviors, they are hollow and without merit. Knowledge alone just puffs our flesh up, making is prideful rather than humble. Paul says:

“ If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction].

And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing.

If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body [b]to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all.” 1 Corinthians 13;1-3 NIV

To put it bluntly, what is spoken and done without love is a waste of time, no matter how dedicated and religious one may appear. Doing for God is not the way, doing in love is! Oh how much of our religious activity is just that, done to please men or even thinking to please God when our hearts are so very far from Him and His ways. It is not the doing, but the being that God is working within us. He works to create in us a clean heart that David asked God for in the Psalms, changing us from glory to glory into who He created us to be.

It is a long path and we all fall short, but, with Paul, we pursue after that prize of the high calling, to be found like Him. Do you think Jesus ever spoke without truth and love in His word, even those blunt, corrective words He used to chastise the religious leaders of His time? In the passage from Romans 12, verse 9, above, love must be genuine and sincere, not fake or shallow. Even animals sense when there is authentic love being extended to them. They don’t know our words, but they quickly pick up the attitude of our hearts toward them.

And so do children! Years ago, I was correcting our young son, around age 3 or 4, and Chris sadly said to me, “Why are you being mean to me when I am not being mean to you?” Out of the mouths of babes! I had corrected him with sharp, unkind words and his sensitive spirit picked that up. It’s significant that he focused much more on the attitude of my heart than the correction to his behavior I was attempting to provide.

It is not that much different with us adults. We miss the main message entirely when it is given in a harsh, impatient, and unkind tone of voice, negative expression, and unloving attitude of the heart. It’s also discouraging and disheartening to be corrected or chastised in this way. This is far from what the Lord told us in so very many places in His word. We need correction that comes from our sisters and brothers that God brings, cutting away the darkness of our soul and all its error. When it is required, may it be shared in a way that we can hear, understand, and change our minds—repenting of what misses the mark.

Our mind, will, and emotions are revealed as the holy spirit exposes the thoughts and intents of our hearts. We are to build each other up in love as we speak God’s word to one another. Speaking words with loving intent is God’s standard for us in Christian relationships. We learn to speak truth with kind and gentle intentions, from pure motives, in order to edify, to build one another up. God’s truth does not have to be thundered intensely from the heavens, nor delivered with agitation rather than peace:

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV

The need for assertion in human relationships occurs when there are misunderstandings, confusion, or offenses that must be addressed for love to thrive. Standing up for your rights and not being taken advantage of is one definition of being assertive. But what is “standing up for your rights” for Christian taught to turn the other cheek? It does not mean vigorously defending ourselves or going to great lengths to explain what we did or why we are in the right.

For believers, the ultimate is to be led by the holy spirit in what we say and do. His spirit is never wrong, but our ability to led by it surely can be! The holy spirit leads us to communicate what we want and need in a clear fashion, respecting our own rights and feelings while respecting the rights and feelings of others. My spiritual mother, Rev. Maxine Plowman, once told me “You do not have to lie down and ‘play rug’ to the devil!” Passivity was not Jesus’ nature, though men misunderstood His refusal to defend Himself as such.

Christians are strong in godliness, allowed to set limits with others where necessary. God has limits, things he does not tolerate, ever. Such it is with us. Godly assertion is truth in love put into action. The Concordant Literal translates the Ephesians passage about truth in love in the following way, following Paul’s urging to attain the unity of the faith unto maturity:

“Now, being true, in love we should be making all grow into Him, Who is the Head—Christ—out of Whom the entire body, being articulated togehter and united through every assimilation of the supply, in accord with the operation in measure of each one’s part, is making for the growth of the body, for the upbuilding of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:15-16 Concordant Literal

There is no further, deeper original Greek translation for “truth” and “love”, both foundational to our faith. Assertiveness among Christians is needed when we are led to speak up, clarify, set limits, or further educate another when there are misunderstandings that cause harm. In common culture, being assertive can be is self-serving, but when we are led by the holy spirit, it is about speaking truth in love to edify, build up another in this most holy faith.

And did you know God needs no defense? Often when I thought I was speaking up for God, I was only defending my own position, clarifying who I am, rather than speaking the truth in love as directed by His spirit. There may or may not have been a heart prepared to hear what I was saying. Speaking as God leads has power to change things, rather than empty words leading to arguments. We do have to be true to what we know about God and what is in our own hearts.

Then, as led by the holy spirit, in love, we do say and do what is needed. It is for the purpose of growing in Him, not out of concern for our own reputation in the eyes of man. Self-righteously justifying ourselves by saying, “Well it’s the truth,” does not qualify as edifying our brothers and sisters in Christ! Through these words of Paul’s and other scripture, God has joined truth and love so they are inseparable, united as His standard of righteous communication.

As with all of God’s creation, there is balance here. Too much love, and there are no limits, a sure way to spoil a child! Too much truth, without love, and the ears shut down, hearing what is in the heart—judgment, condemnation, even disgust and contempt—rather than the truth of what is said. An aggressive response comes out when our hearts are angry, leading to an attack on the other’s person, rather than the words or behavior that caused issues to arise.

And some of us stuff our anger down, only to have it eventually erupt another way, including harm to our bodies. Passive responses, not saying anything, often evolve into passive agressive behavior. Our true feelings leak out in tone of voice, expression and how we interact. Watch a child who is told to go to bed and does not want to. They drag their feet, inching their way to obedience.

Such a child knows he or she has to do as told, but the heart is unwilling. This can eventually erupt into behavior that punishes, an intent of getting back at those in authority resulting in subtle disobedience emerging later. Mere outer obedience to God’s commands, particularly out of fear, will never please Him. It’s a start but without faith, we cannot please God. Paul talks about this progression from outer compliance to a heart of faith:

“In fact, the Law was to be our teacher until Christ came. Then we could have faith and be acceptable to God.

But once a person has learned to have faith, there is no more need to have the Law as a teacher. All of you are God's children because of your faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:24-26 CEV

When raising children, we appreciate a child being obedient, but most of us appreciate even more when a child actually wants to obey us, to please us out of love and respect, not fear of punishment and loss of love. That works but only temporarily, until a heart to obey is created within. Just so, the law works as our teacher until Christ comes within us. Then what we do stems from faith, without which we cannot please God.

Oh how we err when withholding love for another until they do what we want, child or adult. This is not God’s way! If it were so, none of us would ever be loved by our Father through His son, Jesus Christ. Can we remember that He died for us and rose again to redeem us back to Himself before we could ever please Him? Fear is a most powerful motivator, but, despite those preaching fear and torment to come, it is not what God uses.

Humans seeking power use fear all the time, and the ultimate power is of fear of death—effective but most costly. Look at any dictator in our present world, and you will see how the fear of death is the ultimate means by which they seek to remain in control. They may pretend to themselves and others that they are loved and revered, but without the use of cruelty and punishment, they lose their position at the top.

Fear is a strong opposition to love and yet Christian leaders have used messages of fear throughout the centuries to gain obedience to God in their followers. How much fruit has resulted from this, given the world is far from reaped after centuries of fear-based ministries? Listen to what God says about fear:

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 KJV

What an interesting, significant, even surprising sequence of these words! Fear comes first and is fully connected with unbelief, the exact reason the Israelites of old could not enter in. All the other words, behaviors that we Christians surely condemn, come after that. The first requirement is to come in faith, trusting that God loves us and gave His life for us. The apostle John affirms:

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18 ESV

Perfect means complete, so fear is a sign that we are not yet complete in our love for God. God’s love is already perfect, having the correct balance between truth and love. It is our love of God that shows lack when we fear, not His toward us. Our fear for our lives, our future, our world, reveals the shortfall of our trust in God, coming directly from unbelief. We all fall short of this, though some cover their fear by anger. Yet God says we cannot be perfected, cannot enter in where fear is present.

Love swallows up fear:

“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. For this, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”’Love does no wrong to a neighbor;

therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.” Romans 13:8-10 NASB

Here we have it, as clear as it can be: love must be our motive. Note that it is to be the same love we have for ourselves. Here is the balance in God’s pure, sincere love: we love others as we love ourselves. Even when we are loving but miss the mark out of ignorance or even foolishness, the Lord honors the motives of our hearts, covering our sin until we learn more, know more, realize His ways in matters before us. His perfect love makes no demands, drawing us to Him in love, not fear. Awe and respect, yes, but fear from mistrust and unbelief..no. That is not God.

Just as with little children whose parents are teaching them how to live in this world, Father God is teaching us, His children, how to do so. It starts with obedience when we do not understand what He is doing or, sometimes, disagree with it. Our Lord Jesus Christ, speaking to the religious leaders in opposition to His ministry, gave this parable as an illustration:

“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and went.

The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, ‘I will, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’

Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you.’” Matthew 21:28-31 NASB

There is no use pretending to God that we are obedient, willing to surrender our will to His, if we are not. But He is able to change our hearts as we yield our will to His. The first son did so and the Father was pleased, The second son gave the appearance of obedience, but his heart was not in it and disobedience followed. When we are to speak truth in love to another, our words and behaviors should match, be parallel. Truth is to be lived, not just spoken about, and unbelievers note the difference.

We are still under the refining hand of the Lord to have this accomplished within us. He is able to change us from unwillingness to willingness. It is best to be honest with God—He already knows—that we do not want to do what we know He wants us to. Submission and time works that willingness so that we are enabled by Him to do all He directs us to do that will bring delight to Him:

“ So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.

Do all things without complaining or arguments; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding firmly the word of life, so that on the day of Christ I can take pride because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.” Philippians 2:12-15 NASB

Such fear of God is not fear of punishment, but of failing to please Him so as to bring Him delight. As our love of God is perfected, our errors in pleasing the Lord more deeply grieve us. We have a healthy fear of not carrying our own salvation into reality, that it may be seen in this world of darkness. We desire more and more to become the Living Truth as the Christ resides within us. Speaking the Truth, in Love, means fully being and doing as He would in the earth. Jesus said:

“For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.” John 12:49 NIV

Do we want to be fully like our Saviour? Then we must be under the instruction of the Holy spirit, minute by minute, hour by hour, day into year into eternity. Then we shall speak the truth in love always, only speaking what the Father tells us to say. What a reconciliation this is!

Feed My Sheep

“Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above them; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen!’ while lifting up their hands; and they knelt down and worshiped the Lord with their faces toward the ground.

Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, explained the Law to the people, and the people remained in their places. So they read from the Book of the Law of God, translating and explaining it so that the people understood the reading.

Then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the Law. Then Ezra said to them, ‘Go [your way], eat the rich festival food, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be worried, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and your stronghold.’

So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, ‘Be still, for the day is holy; do not be worried.’ Then all the people went on their way to eat, to drink, to send portions [of food to others] and to celebrate a great festival, because they understood the words which had been communicated to them.’” Nehemiah 8:5-12 Berean

Nehemiah was sent to rebuild Jerusalem after many, many years of Jerusalem laying in ruins. When the work was completed, the people then asked their leaders, Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levitical priests, to read and explain the scriptures to them. They had longed for and were missing God’s word so much that they began to be very sad and to cry upon hearing and understanding His word again. But God had the leaders tell them instead to “eat, drink, and send portions” for the others who were not there. They were not to worry, for the joy of the Lord is their strength.

What a word for today! Paul tells the Philippians that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. The joy within that comes from the Lord’s presence in our hearts is literally our strength. Without His joy springing up alive from understanding His word and His ways, we lose our strength, our ability to handle our lives. The Israelites were God’s special people, His sheep, and they had lost much strength without their ways of worship to hear and understand the Word of the Lord.

After His resurrection, when He appeared to the disciples, Jesus Christ fed them and then told Peter:

“Jesus, then, is coming and taking the bread and is giving it to them, and the food fish likewise. Now this is already the third time Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after being roused from among the dead.

When, then, they lunch, Jesus is saying to Simon Peter, ‘Simon of John, are you loving Me more than these?’ He is saying to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, Thou art aware that I am fond of Thee!’ He is saying to him, ‘Graze My lambkins!’

He is saying to him again a second time, ‘Simon of John, are you loving Me?’ He is saying to Him,‘Yes, Lord, Thou art aware that I am fond of Thee!’ He is saying to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep!’

He is saying to him the third time, ‘Simon of John, are you fond of Me? Peter was sorry that He said to him the third time ‘Are you fond of Me? and he is saying to Him, ‘Lord, Thou art aware of all things! Thou knowest that I am fond of Thee’ And Jesus is saying to him, ‘Graze My little sheep!’”

John 21:13-17 Concordant Literal

“Graze my lambkins, shepherd my sheep, graze My little lambkins.” Thus was Peter directed to do after Peter affirmed three times that he did, indeed, love the Lord. Like Peter, those who deeply love the Lord are told to feed the flock of God. Our love for our Lord is to be manifested to others He is raising up in His body of believers. The Greek word translated as “graze” comes from “bosko”, meaning “to pasture, graze or keep.” “Shepherd” comes from “poimaino,” meaning “to shepherd, supervise, or feed.” Both imply a close, caring, and committed relationship of support and protection of the Lord’s flock.

A shepherd is responsible for guiding the sheep, protecting and attending to their needs. Shepherds such as David was for his father’s flocks make sure the sheep have clear fresh water, green pastures on which to feed, and protection from predators. When we are called to feed the Lord’s sheep, we are to have a close watch over others who belong to Him and for whom He cares deeply. This calling is for lambs all the way to mature sheep that require all of God’s word, wisdom and protection.

Sheep are an excellent metaphor for God’s people. Sheep cannot graze on the same pastures nor are they always safe from predators, the storms that come. Sheep cannot, on their own, find new pastures or watering places. When the current pasture is grazed to the roots, the shepherd must move the sheep to new pastures. When the sources of water change or dry up, it is the shepherd’s responsibility to move the flock to a new source of water so they may drink in peace.

With the shepherd’s watchcare over the flock, he or she moves them to new pastures. How we need our Shepherd!

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” Psalms 23:1-4 KJV

When you are called to shepherd His sheep, you must stay close to the Lord and His leading, to know how to feed, care and nurture the flock of people He has put in your care. People need a fresh word from “green pastures” in order to grow. The clear, still water of the word of life must continue to flow to, in, and through us for others. Water is needed without to wash the outer and within, to refresh the inner man.

Our Lord is so precise in the metaphors and symbols He uses in His word to help us understand Him! David well knew what sheep needed from his own years of shepherding his father’s sheep. It was his training ground, the way he was prepared to lead God’s people as their future King. We can learn much about the directive to “feed my sheep” from the lives of sheep and those who raise them. For example, what happens when sheep are not moved to new pastures?

Those who raise sheep telll us that sheep don’t thrive without a shepherd. Sheep get into lots of tr, trouble without a shephard, eating things that could hurt them, and easily falling prey to predators. “The condition of the sheep is directly related to the care of the shepherd. Sheep need constant care.” Don’t we know it?! Without our Shepherd, we do get into all kinds of trouble, ingest things from the world and from evil that hurt us, and are vulnerable to attack.

No wonder the Lord has chosen some to be shepherds of His spiritual flock, under the leading and direction of the Great Shephard. When those who raise sheep move them to new pasture, it is not as easy as it may seem to those of us inexperienced in the tending of these animals. Indigenous shephards in many countries must know the terrain around them intimately, becoming familiar with every peak and valley in that area. In mountainous areas, the sheep go higher to avoid predators.

While the valleys of green pastures make for great feeding, the sheep may need to be moved to the higher areas in order to avoid predators. What wisdom is required, just as David spoke further about in Psalms 23:

“He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalms 23:3-4 NIV

The word “valley” is literally translated as “a ravine of blackest shadows.” It is a place of darkness and danger. The Greek word is “gay,” a narrow gorge, taken from the root word “gevah” meaning “exaltation, arrogance, a lifting up, pride.” Hmmm….One of the dark valleys we can wander into, bringing darkness and the threat of evil is a place where God’s light, His way, becomes hidden from us. This valley is a place where we are relying on our own strength, being arrogant and prideful instead of humbly submitting to our Lord.

How we need our Shepherd and those He has called to lead and guide us out of such places! God leads us through many places of darkness, showing us the path of life so that we need not be afraid. As with David, we do not need to fear because our Shepherd is constantly with us, able at a moment’s notice to lift His club and His staff to protect and comfort us. When we need new pastures, He leads us to new, life-giving growth, green and lush.

Those who raise sheep know that while newborn lambs need the same food daily, the “milk of the word,” maturing sheep need to be moved to greener pastures. If they are not moved. they develop parasites and problems with digestion. What does that say to Christians who settle for hearing the same word year after year, eventually lacking the refreshing water of the spirit as well? We can learn a lot from exploring God’s use of shepherds and sheep in His word!

Spiritually, the parasites and problems in digesting the Word are described this way by Peter:

“Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:1-3 Berean

Expanding our understanding of this passage of scripture, consider the Concordant Literal’s version:

“Putting off, then, all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies and all vilifications, as recently born babes, long for the unadulterated milk of the word that by it you may be growing into salvation, if so be that you taste that the Lord is kind:

Whom approaching, a living Stone, having been rejected indeed by men, yet chosen by God, held in honor, you, also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, into a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, most acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:1-5 Concordant Literal

Parasites: malice, deceit, guile, hypocrisy, envy, slander, vilification—how they “adulterate” the milk of the Word fed to His lambs. It is always a matter of the heart, and, as God’s living stones, we are to be built up through this pure milk of the word. All of these evil, parasitical attitudes of the heart begin to hinder the digestion of His word, until it simply does not “digest” any more! There is no life left in these dark places of the heart hidden from the light and life of the Lord, so there is no nurturing and growth to maturity.

But how we love a fresh, new word, a delightful outpouring of the presence of God through His holy spirit! Those raising sheep tell us that they love going out onto pasture in the spring, after a winter of dry hay and fodder. The grass is sweet, growing so quickly in the spring, and the sheep are happy to eat and over-eat. Learning more from the raising of sheep, we find that sheep cannot switch quickly to easily digest this new, luscious food.

“We also follow the old-timers’ adage, ‘Never put dry sheep onto wet grass.’ If the sheep are dry and the grass is wet, it isn’t wet due to rain (otherwise, the sheep would be wet!), but instead is wet because of the morning dew.

Putting sheep onto lush pasture in the early morning will mean that they will get all of their nutrition that day from the new pasture – which is asking for trouble [creating digestive upset, with the grass going right through them instead of building them up]…

Instead, we let them fill up in the early morning on what is left in the old pasture (the less palatable and lower nutrition plants that they have left) before moving them later in the day to the new field…

[Eventually] they are no longer eating the hay in the barn, even if we offer it. They are fully on the lush pasture...” Adapted from Pine Knoll Sheep and Wool 2020)

What wisdom God is teaching with the use of these references to sheep! As the Great Shepherd, He is teaching us called to feed His sheep! Just as the shepherd starts out with the familier barn hay he knows the sheep can digest, a wise teacher does not rush the sharing of the new Word, the deeper Word. Instead the feeder of God’s flock introduces it along with foundational truths the believers have already been able to “digest.”

New-born spiritual lambs need the pure milk of the Word. They cannot be nourished yet on the lush pastures of deep revelation, as they simply cannot understand or digest it yet. They need to grow and develop on the foundation laid by Jesus Christ through His word. Sheep cannot grow and thrive on the same pasture, the same Word, but must also be led to move on, no matter how much that current pasture fed them and caused them to grow.

It takes a wise shepherd of His sheep to know how to be led by the spirit to nurture, grow, and protect His flock. A wise and skillful teacher of God’s word knows how to speak to the people where they are at while lifting them to higher and higher places in God. Throughout our walk with the Lord, we may be called to shepherd many of His own, directly through interaction in fellowship and worship, and indirectly, even invisibly, through prayer and intercession. God moves people into our spiritual path where we walk together as fellow believers, then moves them—or us—onto new pastures where they must be fed.

It is all the doing of the Lord, to continue to fulfill His directive to Peter: “Feed My Sheep!”

Flesh Cannot Enter In

God is very clear that our earthly, fleshly life cannot partake in His kingdom of peace, love, and joy. It is not capable of it nor does God want us to enter into our allotment—our promised land— in our present fleshly human condition. What can we really do anyway? ALL things are in God’s hands. Does God condemn us for what we truly are unable to do?

There is so much deception when we reflect on our life experiences and accomplishments. Hindsight reveals even more clearly that we were led, doors were opened to us, opportunities to be blessed in our calling, even our adversity was balanced by the loving hand of the Father. This is a promise of freedom and rest, not a condemnation for failure. Romans makes it very clear that we are unable, we cannot please God by any fleshly activities, including fleshly religious activities not led by the Lord.

“Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.

And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” Romans 8:7-9 NIV

That’s good news! Here lies a secret to entering in to His rest, to stop our fleshly efforts to please God. Which part of us are we living and drawing from—the natural man who is capable of good and of evil or the spirit of God within us that creates in us a new man, born of the spirit, rebirthed by God by writing His words and establishing His ways within us?

When we realize it is truly impossible for our flesh to get cleaned up enough to be spiritual, we turn to the One who makes all things possible, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Does the spirit of God live in you? As a believer, our answer should be a resounding “yes”! Jesus states emphatically that the kingdom of God is within us, not out there somewhere in the sky or on this earth. We must have the spirit within to lead, guide, and change us into the incorruptible realm of the spirit, able to live with God forever and know we are God’s project:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV

There is a difference between giving up our struggles with the flesh in defeat or despair and truly surrendering to God. Giving up bring resignation, even resentment and despair, as this process continually fails. We end up wondering how to do the impossible, to be obedient to what the scriptures tell us to do, while not trusting the Father will do it. If we could beat our flesh into submission, we would, because our heart so desires to please the Lord.

There may be times when we think we are doing well, pleasing God and living the holy life promised to us, only to have this fade as adversity and trials reveal what is still there. Somehow we need to be brought to the place where we realize and accept that the flesh cannot please God and never will. We stop trying to do what only He can do. We accept that He made it this way, so all the glory is His and it is good news!

We lay down the heavy burden to trying to please God in the flesh, knowing it is impossible in us. All things are possible with God, however, and the way is up, into the realm of the spirit. When surrender of our own will to God is complete, there is no more struggle. Many of us have lived years in the frustration of trying to be good enough, to make our flesh die in order to please God.

When I received the word to “die to my flesh,” I really tried! It’s like I had a big mallet that repeatedly beat on my flesh to get it to submit and do right according to God’s principles. Godly change was the “big carrot” that God promised but kept being held in front of me, never to be reached. No matter how hard and fast I raced after it, it was always, always out of reach. And as I knew more and more of His will and ways, this mountain of true obedience from the heart to obtain righteousness got higher and more unattainable.

We truly want to be obedient, to please our Lord, but find ourselves unable to do so. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is not only weak, it is incapable. If it were not so, there would be no reason for Jesus Christ to do what He had to do for us. So, we remain stuck in Romans 7:

“We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Romans 7:14-15 NIV

How difficult it is to rest and trust in Him rather than trying to do it ourselves. As we mature in Christ, we learn to know this truth deep within, but often still try to do rather than be. It is the way of human nature, even though well-meaning. That is why “being good” is not exclusive to Christians. There are many who truly do good, who are not evil, just natural human beings. But to be in Christ, to overcome with His nature within, that is the rare gold that God is working in us.

God set it up this way and such is the promise only He can fulfill within us. He can and does what we cannot and do not do.

“For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” Romans 8:20-21 NIV

Knowing this, however, we still have need of patience—to endure waiting while He is doing this work within us. We turn and turn and turn again to our Father God, through Jesus Christ our Savior, looking to Him who is the author and finisher of this great work in humanity. There are many trials, many struggles we go through on our way to truly living in Him. One of the biggest remaining is the battle of time. We know He is able, we do trust that He will take us through to victory, but when?

“For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise…” Hebrews 10:36 KJV

The promise is sure, but endurance is needed to receive it. We must sustain faith in what God says rather than judging our own or others’ progress. The psalmist says the afflictions of the righteous are many, but He delivers them out of them all:

“This wretched man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” Psalms 34:6 NASB

Now why would we, the righteous, have so very many afflictions? Is this not in contrast to those who promise an externally good life for walking in God? Afflictions do not come because God does not love us or else He is a complete liar in His word. So, how far do we want to go? Are we willing to be crucified with Him, so that we are enabled, elevated in the spirit to to reign with Him, sharing in His victory over flesh?

Many things are free through the grace of God, including our salvation, but rewards are earned and cost us deeply. They cost us our flesh as we learn to surrender to what He wants when He wants it, often in sharp contrast to our own desires and what we see as our earthly needs. Look around the world and you will see deep and costly suffering everywhere. Some suffer in silence while the suffering of others is broadcast to everyone.

For some, only the Lord knows, while others cry out for mercy and justice that only God is able to bring. How God delivers us from all of our distress also differs from the way we would have it. Do we consider it a deliverance when our loved one dies rather than is healed? When the answer to our prayers of desperation seem to fall on deaf ears? When the answer is “wait”or “no” rather than “yes” and “amen”?

This, my dear friends, is the struggle of an overcoming Christian, one becoming more and more desirous to be truly like our Lord, looking to God alone to make the necessary changes to enter in. It becomes the truth of our lives as we walk on to know Him as Paul states:

“But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish,

so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:7-12 NASB

Who can say they have attained? Who is not sharing this same struggle with the rest of us? These are the concerns of our hearts if we truly want to know Him, yet many shrink from the suffering part. They want or even believe that only the blessings are what He is to grant us, blaming the devil for every bad, evil thing that happens to us. And surely the enemy of our souls is most active when we are suffering! Oh, the words he whispers in our minds, the attacks on our faith and trust in God through our mind, will, and emotions!

Sometimes we think we are suffering so much, we cannot take any more, yet God, in His infinite love and purpose for us, allows more. At those times, I find myself saying to Him, “Really God? Really? Do I need all this happening to me, when I love you so much and am trying so hard to follow You?” And He answers, “Yes, my child, you do if you want to be like Me.” Oh. Well, in that case, what can I do but endure unto the end?

It is too late to turn back, to say no more, to stop part way up the mountain of my flesh. And for many of us, there is nothing to go back to. There’s only God. Would we come this far, only to turn back to the old fleshly ways He has delivered us from? One of the truths of life is that we learn so much more from the pain we suffer than the blessings He gives along the way. We most cherish His blessing and comfort during these times of suffering. Is this not what He does?

And as Jesus Christ overcame, He already made the way for us to do so, too. There is always someone, somewhere—and often many people—who are suffering much more than we are. As we shed earthly desires for things and experiences that formerly were important, He continually refines the desires of our hearts so that what we want is what He wants. We begin to see the value of His kingdom of love, peace, and joy within rather than the happiness or momentary escape from troubles, along with fading love that always brings loss.

Do you, along with me, wish you were easier to convince, to change? It gets very old walking around the same mountain of our flesh rather than climbing higher in Him. Even with surrender of our will to His will, there remains challenges to our flesh in yielding patiently to His work within us. Flesh must be burned up by His fiery presence within while ee, like our Lord, walk it out. Earlier in Philippians, Paul talks about this:

“And this I pray, that your love may overflow still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may discover the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ;

having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11 NASB

Salvation is free, but righteousness is costly. It cost Jesus Christ His life, with unimaginable pain of the death that was set before Him. We are to take up our cross daily to walk with Him, each of us facing suffering and affliction that only He chooses. When we have asked to be like Him, we suffer many unfair situations and experiences to enter into His kingdom, to reign with Him. This is not some heavenly throne we imagine showing up in the future. This is reigning with Him over our flesh, conquering it through the spirit, just as He did, through Father God within.

Overcoming is not a popular message and some try to bypass it altogether, one way or another. But consider all the scripture about overcoming, particularly in the book of Revelation, surely a word for such a time as this. The Lord made many promises to His own in this symbolic book, each with requirements to receive this reward “to those who overcome.” The Revelation is the unveiling of Jesus Christ, to be seen in His purified people through overcoming, to conquer all:

The Ephesians are to repent, particularly of embracing the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which places the priesthood over the people. The Nicolaitans put leadership in between the people and God, replacing God’s direct relationship and spiritual communication within believers. That’s why they are told to return to their first Love.

“Yet you have this [to your credit], that you hate the works and corrupt teachings of the Nicolaitans [that mislead and delude the people], which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.

To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege] to eat [the fruit] from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.” Revelation 2:6-7 Amplified

The believers in Smyrna, martyrs who died for their faith, are told that they will not suffer from “the second death”, that death to the flesh we’re addressing here:

“Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested [in your faith], and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life.

He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will not be hurt by the second death (the lake of fire).” Revelation 2:10-11 Amplified

The body of Christ at Pergamum is told that the Lord is not pleased with the teachings of Balaam, including prophecy for hire, and also putting leadership, rather than God, over the people:

"He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.

To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], to him I will give [the privilege of eating] some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone with a new name engraved on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.’” Revelation 2:17 Amplified

Those in the church in Thyatira are chastised for tolerating false teachings from the “harlot system of Babylon,” prioritizing religious organizations above their Lord. God predicts “death to her children”—that is, no life to those who are birthed in these dead systems. He reminds them that He searches hearts and minds, so He knows what is within them. But to those who have not embraced the doctrine and teachings of satan, He has a different message: .

“But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not explored and known the depths of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you, except to hold tightly to what you have until I come.

And he who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] and he who keeps My deeds [doing things that please Me] until the [very] end, to him I will give authority and power over the nations;

and he shall shepherd and rule them with a rod of iron, as the earthen pots are broken in pieces, as I also have received authority [and power to rule them] from My Father; and I will give him the Morning Star. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 2:20-29 Amplified

To the saints in Sardis, the Lord bluntly states that their reputation for spiritual life is false. They are to wake up spiritually and repent so as not to be surprised when He returns in His saints. Yet there are those who have “not polluted their garments”:

“These are the words of Him who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds; you have a name (reputation) that you are alive, but [in reality] you are dead.

Wake up, and strengthen and reaffirm what remains [of your faithful commitment to Me], which is about to die; for I have not found [any of] your deeds completed in the sight of My God or meeting His requirements.

So remember and take to heart the lessons you have received and heard. Keep and obey them, and repent [change your sinful way of thinking, and demonstrate your repentance with new behavior that proves a conscious decision to turn away from sin]. So then, if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.

But you [still] have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes [that is, contaminated their character and personal integrity with sin]; and they will walk with Me [dressed] in white, because they are worthy (righteous).

He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will accordingly be dressed in white clothing; and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess and openly acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels [saying that he is one of Mine]. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."' Revelation 3:2-6 Amplified

The church at Philadelphia, has “a little power” through brotherly love. They are the only group of believers who are not told to repent like the others. They have an “open door” to enter in to His Kingdom of Life, and are commended for enduring patiently:

“And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, He who has the key [to the house] of David, He who opens and no one will [be able to] shut, and He who shuts and no one opens:

‘I know your deeds. See, I have set before you an open door which no one is able to shut, for you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not renounced or denied My name. Take note, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet and make them know [without any doubt] that I have loved you.

Because you have kept the word of My endurance [My command to persevere], I will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial, that hour which is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world, to test those who live on the earth.

I am coming quickly. Hold tight what you have, so that no one will take your crown [by leading you to renounce the faith]. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God; he will most certainly never be put out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends out of heaven from My God, and My [own] new name.

He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:7-13 Amplified

The Laodicean church is strongly chastised for their ambivalent faith, “neither hot nor cold.” Believing they are rich, already having it all, they have stopped growing. God is not happy with this and is no longer allowing them to speak for Him. They are so far from Him so that He is knocking to get back in to the center of their hearts. Discipline is coming for such as these:

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust].

Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have prospered and grown wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked [without hope and in great need], I counsel you to buy from Me gold that has been heated red hot and refined by fire so that you may become truly rich; and white clothes [representing righteousness] to clothe yourself so that the shame of your nakedness will not be seen; and healing salve to put on your eyes so that you may see.

Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will].

Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me.

He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne.

He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:15-22 Amplified

Here it is most astoundingly clear: Those He loves, He chastens and disciplines, like any good father does to His beloved sons and daughters. We are to expect it as part of overcoming the flesh. God Himself exposes us to ourselves, so that we repent. How much higher are His thoughts than ours, how difficult to understand His ways! Oh, the unfathomable riches of His wisdom and power!

The promise of great reward are given to the overcomers, those who conquer as He has conquered. Just what did Jesus Christ conquer but His flesh, His own human will and ways? Is this not what He struggled mightily with in the Garden of Gethsemane? And He knew we would need the Holy Spirit, His coming again within us, to overcome, to conquer all things as He did.

Consider this passage from John:

“Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.’

Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’ ‘How can someone be born when they are old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!’

Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.’” John 3:1-8 NIV

No, flesh cannot do it—never could and never will. Oh, to work this deep within our hearts so that we may endure to the end, knowing He is with us through it all. We must be born again, not in a one time yielding to Him through confessing belief—not if you want to be like Him, desiring to overcome all, to rule and reign with Him in His kingdom. Oh, no, when we are given much, much is required of us.

We say “Yes, Lord” long before we know what we are committing our hearts and our will to become, to experience as we follow on to know Him.

The old hymn, “Are Ye Able?” says it well:

“Are ye able," said the Master,"To be crucified with me?" "Yea," the sturdy dreamers answered,”To the death we follow Thee."

“Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine. Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance above us shall be a beacon to God, to love and loyalty.”

“Are ye able to remember, when a thief lifts up his eyes, that his pardoned soul is worthy of a place in paradise?

“Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine. Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance above us shall be a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.”

“Are ye able when the shadows close around you with the sod, to believe that spirit triumphs, to commend your soul to God? “

“Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine. Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance above us shall be a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.”

"Are ye able?" Still the Master whispers down eternity, and heroic spirits answer, now, as then, in Galilee.”

“Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine. Remold them, make us like Thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance above us shall be a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.”

Earl Marlott (1926)

An Understanding Heart

With all of your getting, get understanding. Wisdom and understanding are the thing! What is an understanding heart and how important is it in the kingdom of God? This is what Solomon requested of the Lord when he was called to judge and rule over all the great people of God. After Solomon had dedicated himself and the house of God he had built, God asked Solomon a most amazing question after he was worshiping in the new temple he had built for God:

“That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you.’

Solomon answered God, ‘You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth.

Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?’ God said to Solomon, ‘Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you.

And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.’” 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 NIV

Think about it! How would each of us respond to God asking what He could give to us? It’s an important question to ponder. God knew what was in Solomon’s heart, what He most desired, before He asked. He knows all things and is the discerner of hearts. He knew the longing of Solomon’s heart, that his greatest desire and need was to obtain wisdom and knowledge. Solomon well knew that he was not equipped to lead, rule, and judge the kingdom of God in that era.

Solomon was incredibly honored by God for his priority, as well as blessed materially beyond measure. His awareness of his own lack and reliance on the Lord make Solomon an excellent model for other leaders. Anyone given responsibility for others in the kingdom of God, called to make difficult decisions and have godly advice, deeply needs God’s wisdom and understanding. Solomon asked for God’s wisdom and understanding for the people, with the intent that he would be equipped for this great calling his father, David, passed on to him. Inherited rulership does not require qualifications, but God always qualifies those who serve others in His kingdom.

The phrase, an “understanding heart” comes from the Hebrew word “shama,” variously translated from Strong’s Concordance as “to hear intelligently, with attention, obedience, carefully consider, discern, listen, give ear, perceive.” The Concordant Literal translation uses “hearkening heart,” meaning “to listen with intent to obey.” Clearly the meaning is far beyond hearing the words or looking at the surface issues. It is far different than just a measure of intelligence or skill needed to serve others in God’s house.

While education may open doors, this is one type of work that has to be learned by the doing of it. When called to be one of God’s counselors, professional or personal, the only way to acquire the depth of wisdom and knowledge is through time and experience. An understanding heart for others and their difficulties is an excellent foundation while God teaches how to handle this calling. A sincere commitment to helping others through life’s difficulties, knowing God is with you, is essential. When we are inexperienced in life or in our calling, God covers a lot done with a sincere heart!

We may be led to obtain the required education from human institutions so that doors are open to us, but God’s school is the more important. Skills can be learned but life teaches how to truly offere wise counsel to others as God gives us the heart to do His will. Lessons from Him are written deeply within our hearts, embedded there by the Holy Spirit. Only God teaches His servants how to be led by the spirit in every situation. There are many believers with understanding hearts all over the world who are neither professionally trained nor paid for it, whom God uses to offer wise and godly counsel to those who ask.

These are people that others go to and trust when dealing with their troubles. They can count on the listener paying attention, discerning the root of issues, and feeling understood even if they are missing the mark. Advice or counsel may not even be given as the person gains clarity and finds their own answers through skillful spirit-led intervention by a loving ear. Those who receive this counsel may not name His name or sometimes even know that the Lord is the source of this assistance. God also raises up professional helpers who are healers among us to help the people of God. Without Him many are just technicians following an educated formula—and there are plenty of those!

God’s way has always been to look at the heart. He is a Master at choosing those who have the heart-desire to do what He calls them to do. When we are with a troubled heart, including those who are deeply suffering in their distress, a discerning heart gets past the surface issues to the root that needs to be addressed. Godly wisdom increases as more issues and situations are brought to the counselor’s heart while we walk in His path for us.

God chose King David because of his heart. It is His way throughout the Bible. God is all about the heart! Saul was the king the Israelite people had demanded and chosen to be like all the other nations around them. They chose Saul to fit in, to avoid being different, to be like others in their world. Well, they got what they wanted and it became disastrous. God chooses differently, which is most clearly stated when the prophet Samuel was told by God to tell King Saul that he had lost the kingdom for disobeying Him. Samuel told Saul:

“‘You have done a foolish thing,’ Samuel said. ‘You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.

But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.’” 1 Samuel 13:13-14 NIV

This time, God was making His choice, someone who had the same heart and values that God had. Samuel was directed to go to Jesse’s family of eight sons to identify God’s chosen and anoint him as the next king. God told Samual how to approach Jesse and his sons by bringing a sacrifice:

“‘Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.’ Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, ‘Do you come in peace?’ Samuel replied, ‘Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.’ Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.’ 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.’

Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, ‘The Lord has not chosen this one either.’ Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, ‘Nor has the Lord chosen this one.’ Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, ‘The Lord has not chosen these.

So he asked Jesse, ‘Are these all the sons you have?’ ‘There is still the youngest,’ Jesse answered. ‘He is tending the sheep.’ Samuel said, ‘Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.’ So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.

Then the Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; this is the one.’” 1 Samuel 16:3-12 NIV

David had a heart for God and a willingness to do His will. He had a good appearance but so did the other sons. That is not why he was choson. His brothers looked to Samuel to also be of good appearance, outwardly seeming to meet the criteria to be king, but God always chooses by the heart, not by the outward appearance. As with David, God seems to choose the least likely candidates without external qualifications. Here’s David, the youngest, least likely to be chosen, such that Jesse did not even have David in the line up for Samuel’s consideration. Though shepherding his father’s sheep was a lowly task, it was God’s training ground for David.

There are other striking examples of God’s choosing that appear like a very bad idea: Saul, the great persecutor of the Christians, chosen to bring the Gentiles into the kingdom of God; Rahab the prostitute, chosen to hide the Israelites in their battle, later to be in the lineage of Jesus Christ through Boaz. Others include the great leader, Moses, the murderer who stuttered, the victorious leader, Gideon, of lowly stature and requiring more than one test to be sure it was God’s calling, and many more. We are the clay, He is the potter, and well knows how to shape us into a vessel to be used in His honor.

What a powerful foundation for never choosing by outward appearance, a lesson some of God’s own seem to forget. God sees past the outer, the lack of obvious skills fit for the work, even past those who are currently opposing His ways! God knows the end from the beginning. He looks at the deepest core of humans, having created and then prepared some for such a time as this. God knows who has a heart prepared to obey Him and put His will first.

God also uses the weaknesses of those He calls by turning them into strengths. What an amazing Lord we serve!

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22 Berean

The highest wisdom is God’s wisdom and that is what we seek. His thoughts and His ways are clearly higher than our thoughts and ways. First and foremost, seek the wisdom of God. Though wisdom is enhanced by experience, some are born with it. There are children who seem to be born with wise souls. Knowledge is just information unless one knows how to skillfully apply that knowledge in life.

Not surprisingly, Jesus was one such child:

“And the child [Jesus} grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.” Luke 2:39 NIV

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52 NIV

Jesus progressed continuing to learn from the religious leaders and studying the Jewish texts of His day. He gained knowledge, but beyond that, wisdom which gave Him stature and favor with God and men. Wisdom builds on knowledge but goes beyond that. All of us know many things we could never effectively apply in life circumstances. Yet it seems some humans, young and old, come equipped with wise hearts. You can see it in their eyes, sense it in their responses, observe it in their interactions with others.

“A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment,but a man of understanding walks a straight path.” Proverbs 15: 20-21 Berean

In modern times, an understanding heart may be called “emotional intelligence,” the ability to manage and understand your own and others’ emotions. Someone with this kind of intelligence is self-aware, motivated to understand and empathise with others in order to skillfully interact with them. All cultures require some understanding of the emotions beneath words and behaviors, though the degree in which various societies emphasize this type of “smarts” varies. God, however, prioritizes intelligence from the heart, wherein He dwells.

The highest wisdom is God’s wisdom and that is what we seek. First and foremost, seek the wisdom of God. Then we are to get understanding. We are to gain understanding to comprehend what is going on and what to do about it. Understanding is required alongside wisdom and knowledge. Understanding speaks to knowing what to do with the knowledge one obtains. We all know others whose IQ’s are off the charts, but their ability to navigate with humans is sadly lacking without wisdom and understanding.

“For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.” Ecclesiastes 7:12 Berean

So, wisdom is a defence, protecting us more than financial wealth might. But nothing, nothing is higher and more valuable than the knowledge of God. He teaches and nurtures the understanding heart to fulfill His calling. After all, our calling is His idea, though we are to make that calling certain and secure:

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10-11 KJV

We are to be diligent so that our calling and election are confirmed, established, secure—providing an abundant supply of all God requires for entering into His Kingdom. God’s directives in the scriptures examined here would have us apply diligence to obtaining His wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Biblical scholars and those trained in ministry have an abundance of knowledge about God and His word, but they may not have the understanding to apply what they know to their own and others’ lives. Paul experienced such in his ministry to the Greeks:

“While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply disturbed in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those he met each day.

Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, ‘What is this babbler trying to say?’ Others said, ‘He seems to be advocating foreign gods.’ They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.

So they took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, where they asked him, ‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.’ Now all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing more than hearing and articulating new ideas.” Acts 17: 16-21 Berean

Here is a clear example of the distinction between knowledge and ideas and the wisdom of God. The Greek philosophers admitted they did not understand Paul’s teachings about Jesus Christ and His resurrection. Paul skillfully began teaching them from where they were at, using their worship of an “unknown god” along with their demonstrated interest in religious ideas to teach them about Jesus Christ, the Living God:

“Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, ‘Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.

Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands.

Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.

God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’” Acts 17:22-28 Berean

Paul used godly skills to speak to this audience “where they are at.” He did not start out with all he knew, but connected them to the Living God by appealing to their interests. Then God could begin to deal with their hearts. What God is all about is bringing change in the inner man, something that no amount of discussion or exchange of ideas and knowledge can create.

An understanding heart is certainly needed in the troubled world of today. Those of us who serve the Lord need to allow God to create and grow such a heart for all, and most especially His own people.

“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your headand present you with a glorious crown.’” Proverbs 4:7-9 NIV

What is Good?

“With what shall I come before the Lord [to honor Him] and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? Will the Lord be delighted with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my acts of rebellion, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), and to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?” Micah 6:6-8 Amplified

Be just. Love kindness. Walk humbly. This is what is good in the eyes of our God.

To be “just” comes from the Hebrew word “shaphat,” meaning “to judge, pronounce sentence for or against, vindicate or punish.” In any matter in which we are called upon to judge, personally or officially, we are to be just about it, deciding what is morally right and fair. If we are to have righteous judgment, as God has, we need to look at and consider the heart of the person, the deeper issues impacting the situation that God sees. It takes holy wisdom to have righteous judgment in all matters.

To “love kindness” is to love being merciful with others, obtaining joy in an act of kindness, being willing to do good, sympathizing with others in their life struggles and situations. It comes from the heart but also can be magnified and increased by turning our focus to every opportunity to extend kindness to another. This is in sharp contrast to our all-too-human enjoyment of seeing another’s faults, judging by outward appearance, being harsh and critical while focusing on the negative. We are to love kindness and embrace it just as God is kind and merciful in His nature. He is able to grant us hearts of kindness as we go on our way of becoming more and more like Him.

To “walk humbly” is the opposite of the pride of life, one of the three groups of sins that satan used to tempt Jesus in the wilderness and how Paul describes fleshly ways. Some Christians seem to focus on condemning and making laws against the sins of the flesh while minimizing their own attitudes of the heart preventing them from walking humbly before God. Arrogance and pride are not pleasing to God. Even when we are right, speaking truth, in our judgment we can miss the mark God has set for us.

It’s not just our words but the attitudes in our hearts that requires purification. All of these are heart matters, not outward behaviors. Religion has held up so many things that are good, ways to please God such as rules and traditions, acts of service, yes, even doing good works, But when they come from wrong heart motives, such as to be seen as godly, to please one’s fellowship and leaders, or to add to our income and stature, we are missing the mark.

So, what is good, what does God require? Many of the things religion teaches can be good when they come from a heart that is just, loving, kind and merciful, humbly following our Lord. What is good in God’s eyes is done from the right heart motive and led by the holy spirit. His love makes no demand, it is not earned. Love is a freely given gift, with the intent of good given without any spoken or unspoken requirements from the other person.

“These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and proclaim as you go, saying, ‘‘the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.’” Matthew 10-5-9 ESV

We do the good we do as the Lord leads, looking to please Father God, not to receive back. And there is a reward from the Lord for those who generously give the heart gifts of fair justice, kindness and humility:

“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” Proverbs 11:24-25 ESV

What if we do good to get, rather than to give, in our hearts hoping for a reward from others rather than looking to God to reward us? It is part of human nature to hope we will receive in like manner to what and how we have given, even if we don’t realize that expectation is part of our loving actions. Inevitably, we are disappointed. Doing good in order to receive back from others is a natural expectation that is often unmet. It may increase the other’s favorable response in kind, but there is no guarantee of reward from others.

When we look for a reward from man, we may receive it or not, but God rewards the humble with the jewels of His nature. Would we rather have a human being’s mercy than God’s loving kindness towards us? He sees the heart and knows what we do in secret. It’s about what God considers good, not what humans value or take notice about what we do.

“But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right-hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:3-4 KJV

The rewards God provides are the highest, most valuable, and only lasting rewards there are: spiritual ones! There are many Christians who do much good, all the time, by the spirit and with sincere hearts, remaining unnoticed by others. Their motives are pure, and they are serving God, not man, in the doing. God sees all who give in secret, including secret kindness and compassion, and rewards each with more of His kingdom jewels of peace, love, and joy.

This is the lasting reward of inner character, most pleasing to God. The accolades of men are fleeting, but God sees the heart and rewards accordingly. Such saints are living this word Paul spoke to the Ephesians:

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 ESV

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.” John 15:13 ESV

Forgiveness is freely extended to all through our Lord Jesus Christ. We give others kindness, keeping our hearts tender toward others, forgiving them as we are forgiven. Our forgiveness is without condition. We do not earn it nor can we. Only what Jesus Christ has done for us makes the way to the Father. It pleases God when we sacrifice by sharing what we have, whether it be little or a lot, words or possessions, time or other gifts freely given.

We lay down our lives—what we have, what we want, what will bless us—for our friends.

“Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.” Luke 6:30 ESV

Several years ago, my husband lived out this last passage much better than I did. He planted, pruned, and nurtured a pear tree in our backyard, by the street, bordering our neighborhood’s walking and bike path. Every fall, we enjoy tree-picked fresh pears as well as giving many to others. That year, it was a bumper crop, with ripening pears hanging heavy on the branches. One day we got up, looked out, and saw that our pears were all gone! Every single one had been stripped from the tree.

One of our neighbors later told us that, on an early walk, they saw someone drive up, take out a ladder and a bucket, and proceed to take all of the pears from our tree. Well, I was righteously indignant. The audacity! The greediness! I could not believe someone would do that. I certainly never would do such a thing! They were probably going to sell them at a market. Our pears! We were waiting for them to ripen before we had any. Not one taste of our pears was left. No pears to enjoy or freeze for pear crisps.

I wanted to put up a sign for next year, saying, “Private property. Taking pears from this tree is stealing!” My husband, the gardener who had done all the labor to produce such abundance, was not in favor of such an action. He had a holy and humbling response: “Maybe they needed them more than we do.” I had never thought of that in my automatic response about my rights. That surely convicted me right on the spot, though that was not his intention. It came from his generous heart. Freely he had been given pears from the bounty of the earth. He was neither possessive nor stingy with that crop.

Pears are a small thing, not required for our existence. But if I have that attitude of heart about the small things, what about other ways people steal the “crops” that I grow? There are other, more vital, things that necessitate a better response consistent with God’s nature. The people of God, from the beginning, are held to a different standard regarding others’ needs, particularly those in poverty.

The Israelites were taught to be generous and giving, most especially with their brothers and sisters in the camp:

“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.” Deuteronomy 15:11 ESV

There was no concept of the deserving vs. undeserving poor as we see operationalized in many laws and rules of the land. These are often made even more restrictive, to ensure those receiving assistance in their poverty actually “need” it. Instead of making systemic changes that pave the way for all to be free to earn a living, individual restrictions increase for those in poverty, to prevent them from getting more than they “should.”

It is even said by some that we don’t have poverty in our greatly blessed country because they don’t see it, yet there continues to be an appalling and grievous number of children here in the US who live homeless, are food-deprived, and go hungry on a daily basis. Am I advocating for allowing anyone to take the money and resources others have earned? No, that’s not the point. I am concerned with the attitudes of our hearts in doing good in God’s eyes.

The comfort of our own blessings may blind us to the needs of others. It’s easy to be generous when one has a lot. It’s also common for those who have not suffered lack in any great way to remain unaware of the struggles and limitations of those who do. It’s easy to pride ourselves in what we have achieved without recognizing our own many unearned and unrecognized advantages, such as where we were born, natural gifts and talents, nurturing for success by one’s family, and open doors to choices others do not have because of the many societal barriers in their way.

Sometimes it is the wealthy who came from great poverty that are condemning of others who live in poverty. The heart attitude here is one of “Well I got out of poverty by hard work and so should everyone else.” It is so very difficult, however, to apply one’s own achievement to others lives about which we know little.

But that is exactly what we do, far to often, in our plans and programs to assist others, often without any education or input from those actually experiencing living in poverty. Life is challenging for families who do not have their needs met except by others who do not understand how they got there nor what they need to move out of poverty.

God said:

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15:1 ESV

“For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall.” Isaiah 25:4 ESV

As believers endeavor to be like Father God, yielding our hardened hearts to the holy spirit, we, too, are a stronghold to those who are poor, needy, in distress, caught in the storms and heat of daily life challenges. God sees when ruthlessness is in our hearts, tainting the good that we might do. Yes, it does say to be openhanded with other Israelites, their brothers and sisters in God’s eyes. When Jesus, came, He broadened the directive to give to others, to the least of them:

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” Matthew 25:44-45 ESV

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 ESV

When what we do is as unto the Lord, He sees it as done—or not done—to Him. It matters to the Lord not only what we do, but the attitude in our hearts in the doing. God sees a generous heart and is pleased. Is that not the whole point of our Christian walk, to please the Lord? And only He can change our hearts to be without guile, to give freely and lovingly, in kindness sharing what abundance we have, and, more so, when we share what little we have with others in need.

“Jesus sat down opposite the place [in the temple] where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’” Mark 12:41-44 NIV

Then there arises a question with which I have personally struggled before the Lord. How much is enough? How much giving of our wealth and resources is sufficient when there is need all around us? Are we all called to give everything away and live in poverty with those in need? With all the information on the suffering around the world, let alone in our own neighborhood, where does the giving end?

No one is able to answer that except the Lord God Himself for each of us. We must be led by the spirit in all things, to please God with what is good in His eyes, generously and freely giving as God prompts us to do so. Jesus did not minister to all who came His way. He saw many in need, walking among the rich and the poor without condemnation.

His judgment, however, was severely aimed at the attitudes of the exalted religious leaders of the time. They loved the honor of men and laid heavy burdens on others while not applying them to their own lives. Is this not happening yet today? It’s easy for me to say I am not ambitious for material wealth when all my needs are met and I have enough for the future. Perspective is radically changed, however, for areas in which we experience lack and deprivation.

What is good? What does God require of us, in our own hearts before the Lord? Consider the great prophet Isaiah‘s words as he chastised the leaders of the land for fasting to get rather than to give, to look holy in the eyes of others:

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?…

If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” Isaiah 5:6-7; 10-11 NIV

Once again, God is dealing with the attitudes of our hearts. It is so easy to point the finger at another, whether it is judging those in poverty or criticizing the rich in how they handle their wealth. There is a blessing from God who sees the hearts of all and rewards those who do not participate in oppressing others. This includes the judgmental talking about and condemning of others when we have not had to walk the same paths.

God counts on His own to give what they have:

“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, ‘Look on us’. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.’

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” Acts 3:1-8 KJV

Peter said, “Such as I have I give thee.” He gave this man the ability to walk, something he had never been able to do. When we faithfully walk with our Lord, He shows us what and when to give to those who have not, to take action on behalf of those who are oppressed and carrying heavy burdens. Then our light shines in the darkness and others will see the Christ in us.

What is good? God shows us what is good and just as we walk humbly before Him.

Is God Unfair?

“The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His inheritance!

The Lord looks down from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From His dwelling place He gazes on all who inhabit the earth. He shapes the hearts of each; He considers all their works.” Psalms 33:10-15 Berean

God’s plan and purpose often seem unfair in the eyes of humans. Certainly suffering in this world is unequally distributed among the people of the earth. Not all are drawn to the Father or enabled to comprehend the depths of His nature and wisdom. For example, Jesus told His disciples that it was given to them to understand the kingdom, but it wasn’t given to those outside their group, much less those not of the Jewish community.

Jesus chose twelve men whom He wanted to minister and teach more deeply than the crowds of people who followed Him for a time. Is this prejudice from our Lord and Savior? Jesus had His inner circle sitting at His feet, close to Him, even having special times with just a few, like Peter, James and John. Think about this. Many a believer today would be loudly objecting to what appears to be exclusivity, a division of those who were good enough to be chosen and those seemingly less worthy.

Yet this cannot be true in the heart of Jesus, Who loves all and is no respecter of persons. God is clear that He knows no partiality in His love and mercy. So, how shall we understand this? Consider the purpose and plan God has for each person, knowing He will have favor on those He chooses. It is His business whom He calls. Many are called who go on to become chosen, and then faithfully continue to their calling.

“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered everyone they could find, both evil and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless.Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

For many are called, but few are chosen.’” Matthew 22:8-14 Berean

While His love extends to all without partiality, we are to make our calling and election sure. He has different ranks, different callings, and differing eras of His plan that in no way come from the “better than/less than” mentality of humans about such things. Did He not say, “In my house, I have many mansions,” many dwelling places for various ones by His choosing?

“For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: ‘I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’ Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.

One of you will say to me, ‘Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?’

But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, ‘Why did You make me like this?’ Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?” Romans 9:17-21 Berean

The idea of unfairness is a human concern, not that Jesus cannot relate. He absolutely had many unfair things happen to Him that He might have complained about, but He knew better and trusted His Father. God’s calling and election is sure, so we accept our lot because the Potter has the right to form us as He chooses. It is only our own fearful human hearts that see another’s calling and believe it is a negative reflection of our own status and position.

Our callings differ, just as our paths do. Differentness is not badness, nor is it a sign of one being better or less than another. When we are envious of how another believer is used by the Lord, we need to consider that much will be required—has already been required—for many used in His ministry. God has a path and purpose for each. When we are in the center of His will for us, we are able to be satisfied and content.

There are ranks in God, with the overcoming sons of God being the highest Zion rank in the kingdom of God within. Calling is translated “invitation” from the Greek. All were invited to the wedding feast in Jesus’ parable, but not all came and at least one that did was without a wedding garment. This guest came unprepared, not clothed with the pure nature of Christ, described as a gown of white linen in Revelation.

Many are called and, like Paul, are determined to go higher, as far as God would have. God is in charge of the invitations and the callings! While we admire another’s gifts and callings, would we really want to have what they have if we knew the price they paid to get it? When I first heard my future husband ministering the word during a meeting of the saints, I recognized the powerful word Rich had and wished I had something similar. God told me, “My child, would you want to go through what he has to get it?” I did not know what Rich had gone through already, and what a correction!

This is another way we Christians can unwisely judge by outer circumstances, seeing the results of God’s hand on another without knowledge of the tests and purging that brought about that gold we so admire and even covet. Jesus told His disciples:

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows.

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:47-48 NIV

We are held accountable by God for what we know spiritually. When we know but do it not, that is sin. Are we to revel in any superior knowledge, holding it over others as if we, ourselves, gained it rather than it being of God’s choosing? Would God allow any son He called to enter into His highest calling, to be among the kingdom priests destined to change the world, to rule and reign with Him, if that person had one speck of “I’m better than, superior to, closer to God, more in the know, than you?”

In Revelation, we see just how important those qualifying for the highest calling are. When the enemy of God’s people makes war against the saints, Jesus and all those who have qualified go to war spiritually, together:

“They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.” Revelation 17:14 Berean

Jesus clearly said that the mark of a son is to be a servant to all. To minister is to serve, not to rule over the people. Kingdom authority is granted to those who have overcome all within them so only the Christ rules. There’s the qualification, the price to pay for further steps in God. Paul called the high calling a prize and that is something that is earned. It is not a free gift. Those who are called, chosen and remain faithful must be refined into wise and loving servants of God’s own precious people.

This is not a calling to be grasped at nor demanded. Like it or not, it is God’s choice who is called to this order in Him. Some who have the knowledge of this sonship message have filtered it through their soulish realm, letting the pride of life draw them to a better-than attitude amidst self-congratulatory proclamations of their own sonship. No wonder their listeners resist this message or even search for a way to deny it when they see such fleshly behavior revealing soulish arrogance.

It behooves anyone called to spiritual leadership to learn humility. God will teach it to you, willing or not, as part of your calling. God never promised equality of position or to match the calling samongst us, but He certainly desires us to be like Him. We are to be confirmed into His image and likeness. This includes us becoming no respecter of persons, honoring all parts of the Body as necessary for the operation of all, love and peace toward all men, even our enemies, preferring others over ourselves and our needs.

I like how The Message says it:

“But I also want you to think about how this keeps your significance from getting blown up into self-importance. For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. An enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn’t be a body, but a monster.

What we have is one body with many parts, each its proper size and in its proper place. No part is important on its own. Can you imagine Eye telling Hand, ‘Get lost; I don’t need you’? Or, Head telling Foot, ‘You’re fired; your job has been phased out’?

As a matter of fact, in practice it works the other way—the ‘lower’ the part, the more basic, and therefore necessary. You can live without an eye, for instance, but not without a stomach. When it’s a part of your own body you are concerned with, it makes no difference whether the part is visible or clothed, higher or lower. You give it dignity and honor just as it is, without comparisons.

If anything, you have more concern for the lower parts than the higher. If you had to choose, wouldn’t you prefer good digestion to full-bodied hair? The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t.

If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.” 1 Corinthians 12:19-26 The Message (MSG)

How clear this is, setting a standard for how we are to regard one another, our differing requirements and callings! Without these characteristics of the Lord’s nature, we Christians may appear holy and righteous while our hearts are not yet purified by fire. Consequently, very little real kingdom fruit is produced. We see this lesson most powerfully illustrated in Jesus’ death when all hope appeared to be lost. The wonderful times of fellowship the disciples had in learning from our Lord were most difficult to leave.

It is hard to leave the pleasant places we have so loved spiritually whether they end suddenly or gradually dry up. We, His people, have often become comfortable, settling on a lower, familiar plane that is less than our full inheritance. Our Father, in His wisdom, allows the discomfort of a thorn in the flesh to move us on. If we don’t move, He moves on anyway while we remain in our comfortable place of our former learning, our past rituals and traditions.

We then miss His new beginnings unfolding in this third thousand-year Day when all things are being made new. Early on the third day, He arose! Jesus Christ is alive and ruling in the heavens with our Father, soon to rule the earth also, because God will tabernacle openly in His people. This third day is the Feast of Tabernacles, the celebration of harvest, now upon us. It’s time for reapers to gather what God has sown in the hearts of His people.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9 KJV

What are we reaping? Why, the fruit of the kingdom, the full character of Christ Who descends with a shout. God’s called, chosen, and faithful wait with patience, along with the saints in spiritual Zion, for the full redemption to be completed as promised. Two thousand years of the church age have passed, and the third day, the new day, the Day of the Lord, is beginning to shine upon us. Now Jesus and His Father come to be within us to dine with His own.

He has prepared a great Feast for all:

“And Yahweh of hosts makes for all peoples, in this mountain, a feast of oils, a feast of lees, of oils from marrows, of filtered lees. And He swallows up on this mountain the face wrap wrapped over all the peoples, and the blanket blanketing all the nations.He swallows up death permanently.

And my Lord Yahweh will wipe every tear off of all faces, and the reproach of His people will He take away off all the earth, for the mouth of Yahweh speaks. And they will say in that day, ‘Behold! This is Yahweh, our Elohim. We expected Him, and He will save us! This is Yahweh! We expected Him, and we will exult!’” Isaiah 25:6-9 Concordant Literal

Hear the word of the prophet: all people, all nations will be able to see Him. This has not yet happened, but it is foretold by Isaiah and confirmed in Revelation. There are no “nations” in heaven, only nations on the earth. He will wipe away tears from every face. There are no tears in heaven to wipe away. We have tears and sorrows here, on this earth. The disgrace of our sinful nature is ruling, evident in the earth, not in heaven.

These promises for the ages to come are clearly for us on the earth while we live as God fulfills His plan here. We have every right to hope in this promise even if He does not fulfill it on this earth until we are gone. He is returning within a people, where His kingdom is found. Though it takes ages, He will do so because He said so! Sin is missing the mark, but you need to know what the mark is!

It is sad that we, His people, have never been able to fully become what He created us to be. We all fall short of showing forth the Christ nature within us. Without the Lord bringing the mind of Christ, the fullness of all He has done for us, into each person’s heart, we continue to fall short of His glory. But He promised to take our ways that continue to produce death away, wiping away anything that causes tears—and this is for every face! This is the great Hope and Promise of our God.

Jesus Christ our Lord will not stop until He has returned all to His Father and we are together in the Lord. Some will consider His plan unfair after all they’ve done for God. Why do the last become first? Why is God allowing their work, their ministry to come to an end, to be burned up into stubble and waste? Why can’t things continue as they have been, with prosperity and honor in the eyes of others? Many wonder how satan’s power and authority have caused all these woes and begin to question God about it.

When you absolutely know that your life is in God’s hands, no human can take from you what God wants you to have nor bless you in anything that God has not destined for you. God has brought many powerful ministries to an end when their season is over. He will continue to bring more to a close as we move into this kingdom age. God firmly closes some doors in our faces when we serve Him with a willing surrender.

There are seasons for certain things, times of ministry and fellowship that come and go. There are ages in God, one closing out when another begins. The more quickly we recognize it is God, whom we serve, bringing about an end to something, rather than satan attacking our ministry, the easier surrender becomes when God closes a season for us. This is the way of peace when we have the maturity of obedience. In God, endings are new beginnings for those who love and serve Him. We can stand upon that!

There are multiple reasons why we cling to what God is ending, but often it’s because we do not think it is Him! Those who continue to eat the fruit of the Tree of Good and Evil see all good things as from God and all evil from satan. Study the word and you quickly see that this is not the way of it. Without the holy spirit, such study is not enlightening. With the holy spirit, God reveals that his thoughts and ways are different from our human understandings:

“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.

‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your waysand my thoughts than your thoughts.” Jeremiah 55:8-9 NIV

As Job said when God chastised him for his complaints, we often speak of things too high for us. Yet God promised He would reveal his treasures to those who love Him and are called for His purposes. Paul spoke of this to the Corinthians, also quoting from the Old Testament:

“Rather, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 Berean

What a powerful scriptural passage! Do we want to know God, even His very heart? We long to get past God’s actions that we can see and understand His ways, as He showed His faithful servant, Moses:

“He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel.” Psalms 103:7 Berean

Moses came to know God intimately. He had to, in order to fulfill God’s calling to lead His people, the Israelites, out of bondage. There were Israelites who envied Moses without understanding the weight of responsibility and, yes, the grief of their continual rebellion that Moses often carried. The leadership of a people is an incredible gift as well as a weight only to be carried by the Lord within.

Moses even dared to disagree with God, advocating for the people when God wanted to destroy them all. He also told God about his frustration and distress concerning these rebellious people he had to lead. He even destroyed the 10 commandments wrought in stone that God had given him on the mountaintop, angry and devastated that in his absence and on Aaron’s watch, the people had created a false idol, a calf to worship. Yet Moses still interceded for the people he had loved and was serving as leader.

Read about it in the book and you will see that many of God’s saints were intimately acquainted with Him and endlessly real in their conversations. Nothing is hidden from the Lord, so why not bring our struggles to Him rather than avoiding or running away? When we struggle with the portion God has given us, either wanting more or wishing for less, God is not surprised. Our Lord is never caught unprepared to respond, though it does matter how we approach Him and what our hearts are prepared to receive in understanding His ways.

God said some would not ever do this, because they try to use fleshly ways and human understanding to approach a spiritual God. There is more of the fiery presence coming to such as these and that’s a good thing! God is spirit and we must learn to understand His ways by the spirit, higher than human ways, His plans and designs differ from what we’d design with our human understandings.

Then we come to worship Him in the way that pleases Him:

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24 KJV

If we do not learn this lesson, truly coming to know God and understanding more of His ways, including those that seem unfair to our human eyes, we miss out on a great deal of peace and rest. We can have faith even though we lack understanding of all His ways, as we continue to seek Him above all. Or we can waste our religious energy on works when God looks at the heart. We can wonder why we do not obtain mercy while being reluctant to offer mercy and compassion to others. We can rebuke the devil all day long without turning our focus to God and asking what He is teaching us through it all.

When you read the Old and New Testaments, seeking truly for spiritual understanding, it is impossible to sustain some of the false beliefs about God and His word. How long will we be distracted by outward appearance, judging by what we see rather than learning God’s way of looking at the heart?

God help us all!

The Fires of Change

When we fully commit to walking with our Lord, we are committing to a spiritual process of growth. We believers should be seeing change in our hearts, our walk, our worship, and our service to God. The more we know Him, the more we love Him and want to be like Him. He is the changer of our hearts, bringing the evidence of Him, alive within, into visibility. If you are still doing the same things in the same way or reserving God for certain times or gatherings, you are not growing up into Him.

When we read the New Testament, it is full of what and how we are to progress into Him. Much of God’s refining is as the Old Testament says, “here a little, there a little.” We need God to make us new, so we are able to shed old habits and behaviors, including religious ways that lack the power of the holy spirit to bring about change. Jesus Christ did it all on the cross, where we lay our burdens down. Now we are learning to walk in all that He accomplished, to have the Christ within develop us unto maturity.

The hardest period in major change is moving from the old to the new. Times of transition are unsettling as they take us from the familiar to something different from what we’ve known. God is more than able to do all that we cannot do to create us anew, to become whole. But we need to be willing to leave our comfortable, familiar places, even those dwelling places in God we’ve enjoyed and prospered within while there.

Sooner or later, He tells us to go further, keep growing, rise up into those higher places in the spirit. God’s truth is that He always makes a way for us to go through:

“...No trial has taken you except what is human. Now, faithful is God, Who will not be leaving you to be tried above what you are able, but, together with the trial, will make the sequel [escape] also, to enable you to undergo it. “ 1 Corinthians 10:13 Concordant Literal

This translation uses “trial” rather than “temptation,” as most other translations do, giving a more accurate understand of the meaning of this passage. Temptation connotes something we want that we should not have or do. Trials, however, are tests, and the core temptation centers in our attitudes during the test. Are we tempted to give up, get upset, resist, complain, lose hope, question our faith? Trials that bring significant change to our lives, particularly those that are not of our choosing, test us in all these ways.

We are all tried in our faith, just as Jesus was in His while on this earth. Our way of escape requires us to “come up hither,” in the spirit, to see as He sees. He always knows the end from the beginning, providing His strength and comfort through our difficult times. There is much remaining to learn and explore with our eternal Father. He spoke to John the Revelator about just such things for our time in God now:

“After this, I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said,

‘Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.’” Revelation 4:1 KJV

We have to leave what we have known to continue to build upon that sure foundation He has established. How can God build a holy habitation for us if we only know about the foundation? There must be walls of salvation, pillars holding up this house not made with hands that Abraham longed for. As we trust and praise Him in each difficult situation, He refines the attitudes of our hearts, freeing us through the application of His Holy Spirit. He faithfully writes present truth on the fleshly tables of our hearts.

God also tears down our refuge of lies so we live in true freedom in Him. We are His temple and as He tabernacles in us, we are enabled to forget the past—to “Manasseh” it, both good and bad. Each of Jacob’s sons became the 12 tribes of Israel, and their names bear significance in our path to maturity. Manasseh means “to forget,” foreshadowing Paul’s directive in the New Testament to forget the past:

“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 Berean

We Christians can’t seem to agree on much but we probably can agree that we have yet to arrive at the full prize God has promised. Meanwhile, the testimony of those who survive fiery trials meant for evil reveal our Lord, the God of the universe, in most holy ways. When others witness Christians going through fiery trials, eventually emerging victorious in Him, they realize only God could accomplish such things in human beings! We emerge from the fires of our afflictions with our fleshly nature purified into the gold of God’s nature.

“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the Lord of Hosts.‘

But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the Lord in righteousness.” Malachi 3:1-3 Berean

Consider what is said here. He is coming to His temple, suddenly, after we have waited and waited for Him. We are His temple and the Kingdom of God is within, just as Jesus says in the gospels. The kingdom is not external to us. It is within us, where He sits as a refining fire. It is God with whom we have to deal. It is our loving Father Who allows events and experiences that try our flesh in this world. Mature Christians embrace the refining process of God, those fiery trials He uses as His tools to bring about the change we so desire.

“Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. For our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29 Berean

He is that fire that consumes our dross. God is about the business of creating within us more of His character. None of us, in our flesh, can endure the day of His coming. None of us are able to stand when He appears within us. He is coming to judge us and we, His people, are the first to be judged. Malachi states that God will sit, not just visit, for this refining process. He may take us away, hide us in the wilderness as He did Jesus, so others cannot see what He is doing—or we may be exposed if necessary.

Is this not the judgment of God beginning in His house? We are His house, He said so. His return to sit in our house brings judgment, often from the fires of change through suffering, just as Jesus Christ was perfected. What is He doing sitting within us, His temple? Why, He is cleaning us up just like the refiner of gold and silver used fire to burn out the impurities of these precious metals in Biblical days.

A refiner’s fire must be extremely hot in order to eliminate all the impurities in gold and silver. The process of fire causes all that is not pure gold to rise to the surface to be eliminated. By God describing His process as like the refiner’s fire, we are to understand His very coming as judgment in us for good. His purpose is to continually cleanse us from the fleshly impurities that mar the beautiful gold of His nature within, meant to shine out to others.

Fleshly things within us must be exposed, rising to the surface of awareness, in order for true change to occur. Anything that is not Him, anything that is anti-Christ, known or unknown within us, is yielded to His fiery presence, burned up by Him. There is nothing like adversity to show forth our true nature, which the Lord burn away when revealed, yielded to Him.

Just in case we don’t get the message Malachi delivers, the prophet adds “like a launderer’s soap.” He is sitting within us to clean our hearts up, inside, where all the trouble and sin begins. Soap is a more gentle process of cleansing—of course, depending on the scrubber! We often do not really know what is in our hearts until the Lord reveals it to us through our challenging life experiences.

He has been and continues to refine those who serve Him until we shine like lights in the darkness. Peter said:

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray. Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins…

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory…

For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? ” 1 Peter 4:7;12-13;17 Berean

First, Peter says the end of all things is near. For centuries Christians have thought, hoped, prayed for, and even predicted that the end of all things is near. We long for the end of all things to be close to the completion, the fullness of Christ! While we realize it was not near in years for Peter, the end of all things was as near to Peter then as He is near to us now. Peter well knew that Jesus Christ had come to change everything! He is in our hearts as soon as we accept the truth of His death and resurrection.

Jesus Christ our Lord came to save us to the uttermost. Peter also knew, more than most, the power of all his Lord and Master had accomplished. After bragging that he would never do such a thing, Peter was forgiven for his crushing betrayal of Jesus on the night of His arrest. Peter was a changed man after that trial, revealed in his powerful sermon on that first Pentecost, the day in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit descended on all who were gathered. Peter was the first recorded to minister to others following this holy experience that empowered them all.

Did not the baptism of the holy spirit change hearts, making new people of the frightened disciples who all left the Lord when He was betrayed and arrested? Jesus knew they needed the holy spirit, typified as flames of fire, in order to have His presence eternally within to change them from fear to faith.

Our Lord made His followers bold and wise, able to fulfill their commission to spread the gospel without fear or favor. After this fiery trial came upon Peter, the holy spirit filled Him with boldness. Then Peter was able to strengthen his brethren. He was given keys to the kingdom and Peter’s faith is foundational for Christians in a way Peter could not have known.

God’s own are destined to have such a nature, pure and malleable in His hands, always doing His will. Pure gold is soft and malleable. Love softens hearts; anger and hatred hardens hearts. It is no accident that Peter admonishes us, above all, to have love because it covers a multitude of sins. Peter prioritizes love above everything, just as Paul did in 1 Corinthians 13. God is love. It is the love of God that Peter is urging us to pursue, covering our and others’ sins in love while God cleans us all up.

We are not admonished to chastise and condemn, to threaten doom and death, to cause fear or dread of eternal punishment in hell, as so many do.

“Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandments, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely,

Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:8-10 KJV

Romans says it so beautifully. When we have the love of God fully growing within our hearts, we will not carry out any of the “thou shalt not” commandments. These commandments of Moses have been established and known forever, but none of us humans have been able to fulfill them perfectly. We cause harm to others when we lack a heart of love for others, and it is not the best thing for ourselves, either. It surely is not the way of joy and peace we are promised.

God did not change the law when Jesus came. Jesus fulfilled it. Only Jesus has completely fulfilled these lawful requirements. He showed us that the way to the Father is through Him and in Him we are to be perfected, to be just like Him! He became the Christ, the Anointed, sharing this anointing with others. We have the privilege in this Day of the Lord to speak the good news to all people. He has always been speaking the good news, bringing good tidings of great joy to us.

God is continually refining the sons and daughters who belong to Him.The priesthood of this day is to be prepared to show forth the glory of God as His purified saints of gold and silver. If we are to grow, we need to go through these fiery trials that may require intense times of adversity and unearned suffering. Though often unpleasant and painful, God takes us through rather than out of these adverse experiences to change us into His likeness and image. Satan means them for evil, but God turns them for our good.

We really should not be surprised or think it is strange, that He is somehow mistreating His own or that satan is having his way with us. No, this is good news! It means He is coming to sit—stay, dwell—not just visit us, His temple. He said the kingdom of God is within us:

“Now being inquired of by the Pharisees as to when the Kingdom of God is coming, He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with scrutiny.

Neither shall they be declaring, ‘Lo ! here’ or ‘Lo! there,’ for Lo! the Kingdom of God is inside of you.’” Luke 17:20-21 Concordant Literal

This is another passage more correctly understood from the Concordant Literal that draws from the original Greek. Scrutiny means “critical observation or examination,”something we can see or perceive by closely and critically looking. Strong’s Concordance translates scrutiny as “inspecting, ocular evidence, observation, note scrupulously” from the original Greek.

The kingdom cannot be seen by just looking with our human eyes, just like we cannot hear God without spiritual ears to hear. Thus, the kingdom is not coming to a certain city or region or outer atmosphere in the clouds that we can see with our natural eyes. This issue is so very clear: if it does not come with scrutiny, it’s not coming where we visibly see with our eyes a certain place nor is it in a specific location in the earth.

With His kingdom coming inside of us, we are able to see God revealed more and more in His saints who show forth their Christ-like character. In this passage, “inside of us” is alternately translated as “in you” (KJV) or “in your midst” (Berean). It has always been so for His people. The kingdom of God was already in their midst when Jesus spoke those words. He was there, in their midst, bringing that kingdom to the earth, though those with only natural eyes and ears did not see it at all.

Jesus is saying He is already here, already in the process of coming inside of us when we invite Him in. In this Day of the Lord dawning upon us, fiery trials are heating up all over in this world. Such are signs of His coming. When He comes, He sits as a fiery, purifying presence to burn up our dross, making us like Him, complete in Him, brought to the reality of the maturity of His perfection. Already, judgment has come to His house and is it not a great and terrible day?

“For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17 NIV

Judgment has begun at the House of God. And if it is this difficult for us, the people of faith, how is it for those who do not obey? This does not have to be read as a threat, but a concern, a compassion. Going through times of trial with the Lord definitely increases our compassion for the many others in the world who do not know or obey Him through these same times.

God is putting us earth dwellers through times of suffering and loss, purifying those of us determined to follow Him, creating sons of God led by His spirit. He will have a people with no guile. Jesus said Nathaniel was such a man:

"Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, 'Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!'” John 1:47 NKJV

No deceit, no hypocrisy, no manipulation, no dishonesty, no self! The Lord has been forming His spiritual government, the chosen government in spiritual Zion where each is perfected, becoming a people wherein there is no guile. Here’s how John the Revelator wrote it down:

“These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. And no lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.” Revelation 14:5

The spiritual language used here about virgins means that they only have the God-seed, to follow the Lamb. No “female” or soulish defilement or impurities dominating them, planting fleshly seeds from human leadership within, just the pure word of the Lord. Thus we are being prepared to rule and reign with the King of kings and Lord of Lords. As we suffer with Him, we are fulfilling our ultimate destiny to reign with Him:

“Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:110-13 KJV

We endure all things through Christ to be a part of His Kingdom, to conquer all, to overcome all as He has done. What does it mean to reign with Him? It’s more than our mental image of a huge throne where we sit down with Father and Son. It is absolutely not an invitation to rule over others like earthly kings have done. Jesus reigned over His own flesh while being a servant to all. He completely defeated the power sin and death over Him when He rose again, making a way for all others. Will He not have a ruling government who also reigns over the flesh man such that only the Christ remains?

Because we have yet to see it in its completion does not make it untrue. That’s what faith is, believing for things we cannot see. We learn to go through it as our destiny to live only in Him. He remains faithful to His word regardless of any unbelief, shortcomings, or span of time it takes. Heart impurities float to the top to be skimmed off as with the refining of gold and silver, burned up by Him who dwells within.

Only God knows how far we can grow on this side of heaven, then on into eternity with Him. Under God’s hand, we believers go through trials for His purpose, to win the prize, as it is not a free gift like salvation:

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and returned to life. I know your affliction and your poverty—though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan.

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.'

‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death.” Revelation 2:8-11 Berean

The church of Smyrna had martyrs who already had suffered great tribulation. He does not ask more of these precious saints, promising them the crown of life as they remain faithful. They have already gone through their “second death,”that death to self that is required of all who love and serve Him. These are the called according to His purpose, running after the prize, the reward of His highest calling. This is an incredible promise: to not be harmed by any of the fires of change that come upon God’s own.

Lest you think it is possible to avoid all of this by being swept to heaven by a rapture, search the scriptures again. It’s hard to find just one Bible story that reveals any of God’s people who are taken out of their battles rather than facing them through to the victory God promised. Fires of change come to overcome every challenge, every adversity through the victory He has already won. Even in Noah’s day, the chosen people experienced the flood and lived through it.

We go through great earthly events, purgings and shakings, with Jesus Christ our Lord, victorious in Him. God’s plan is purposeful and effective. After all, how are we to learn that He is faithful in all things and always provides a way of escape? These saints in Smyrna represent those wounded with deep affliction and suffering, experiencing persecution even unto death from those opposed to our Lord and His reign. The devil has been and continues to be allowed by God to throw some in prison and on into martyrdom because of the name of Jesus.

Who but our Creator knows just what refining fires we each individually need to shine pure with His presence? Fiery trials came then and continue to come now. And there’s no way by observation that we can understand another’s trial in number and severity. On occasion, another’s trials seem easier, lighter than what God is allowing in our lives. Others may be having much more suffering than what God has allowed in our own lives.

We do suffer with other Christians as they experience trials that are much, much worse, severely oppressive compared to what we have to endure. God is no respecter of persons. He is bringing the same on the just and the unjust in this world until it is time for His harvest.

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:44-45 Berean

Everyone goes through trials and suffering, but some of us have a different outcome. Because Jesus is in us, His seed is producing the growth of His kingdom, planted within us, in our hearts. It can be a hard truth to face when we learn that He really will allow us to go through difficulties, just like Jesus did, rather than deliver us out of them immediately!

This does not seem like good news, does it? No trial is pleasant, but we endure with His strength, looking for the outcome of more of Him within us. It may feel overwhelming, like we won’t be able to get through all of the many trials that come our way, but He promises and He never lies.

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears; He delivers them from all their troubles.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” Psalms 34:17-19 Berean

Psalms 34 repeats over and over how God delivers His own. The Lord delivers us from all afflictions. It may seem we will never recover or heal from some things that happen to us in this world, but that is not true. Yes indeed, we are forever changed by some things, but God is always, always faithful. He is the healer of hearts and the restorer of what was lost internally, that precious fruit of the spirit that seems hard to come by during these times.

The Lord restores our souls, as David’s most beautiful Psalm states:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalms 23:1-6 Berean

David was a shepherd who know how to keep the sheep from evil and danger that he tended for his father. He knew where the green pastures and still waters needed for restoration were to be found. Our souls become weary during times of suffering and affliction, but He restores, renews, refreshes with His very presence, His leading even with rod and staff. He is very near to us when we are broken-hearted, regardless of whether we feel that or not.

While we cannot have loved ones lost through death be restored to us, we can be comforted by God that they are delivered from further suffering. We will endure by walking with Him. God rarely excludes Christians from things that come upon this earth, but He always hears the cry of the righteous, delivering us from all our troubles, comforting us and strengthening us. H sees the condition of our hearts when we are brokenhearted and overwhelmed. That is a heart He will not turn away.

The wounds of our hearts are healed by Him over time, in His way, so that we may go on. His restoration is not into that former life, the one we had before that fiery trial came upon us. Who can say their life is the same as it was before some trials? Some things change us forever, as we suffer with others all that is allowed to come upon mankind in this world. We learn to accept that the healing we have been praying for is brought through the death of the physical body of those we love. Though some are free now, in the spirit on the other side, they are not restored to us.

It’s hard for those of us trapped in time to understand and accept that death as an eternal deliverance. Yes, our lives are forever changed by tragedy and loss, trauma and pain, but the wounds or scars do not have to remain. He is able to cleanse the deepest wounds of the heart, compassionately healing and restoring the most severely wounded of His own beloved people. Many of us have seen Jesus Christ do just this with the deepest of wounds humans are known to suffer.

And then we are able, as Jesus said to Simon Peter;

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail.

And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 NASB

Jesus the Healer is present, near even those who do not acknowledge belief in His name. God raises up Healers to be used by Him, often strengthening others who are going through similar experiences they have overcome. Many are called to serve the saints of the most high God in this great work of His refinement, healing and restoration. God’s healers are often those who have experienced such fiery and undeserved wounding, to eventually emerge anew, stronger, more steadfast, with more intimacy with our God.

We recall what happened or go on to forget, not speaking of it unless it is edifying to others, but we no longer dwell on these times. We are enabled to forget the past in internal and external ways through His spirit. We are no longer surprised by a sudden bad memory popping up in our daily lives. God has taken away the pain and cleaned out the wounds of hurt, anger, and loss.

Then we may do what Job says:

“Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear.

You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.

You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid and many will court your favor.” Job 11:13-19 NIV

Here again is a heart without guile. God first requires that we prepare our hearts, beseeching Him for change. We put lawlessness and iniquity far from us as we look to Him. We are then set in our place without fear. We forget the misery of it as something that came and went, like waters from a flood. We are enabled to trust because we have hope—an expectation in Him to provide a safe place we can trust Him, bringing rest and peace.

“So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” Isaiah 59:19-20 KJV

Consider this expanded passage translated from the original Hebrew:

“And they from the west shall fear the name of Yahweh, and those from the rising of the sun, His glorious name. For the foe shall come as a stream. The spirit of Yahweh makes him flee. And there comes to Zion the Redeemer, and He shall turn back transgression from Jacob,’averring is Yahweh.

And I--this is My covenant with them, says Yahweh. ‘My spirit, which is on you, and My word, which I place in your mouth, shall not remove from your mouth, or from the mouth of your seed, or from the mouth of your seed's seed,’says Yahw eh, ‘Henceforth and till the eon.’” Isaiah 59:19-21 Concordant Literal

What amazing promises these are! The standard of the Lord is faithful and true. God uses many methods for this healing process as healers from all walks of life do this work in His saints. He promises to wipe away all tears and shame now, on this earth, not later in heaven when we no longer need it. What a wonder He is! Who is like our God, doing the impossible in the fleshly heart of humans? Multitudes of His saints, the called, chosen, and faithful, are testimony to this truth.

Change does take time, taking longer—sometimes many years—before the fruit of what God allowed becomes evident in our lives. It does seem like forever we have been following hard after Him, longing for Him. This process of inner heart change seems only to happen bit by bit, inch by inch! But, like Paul, we pursue the prize of the high calling available to overcomers. We go on in Him, knowing we have impurities, “spots on our garments” that He has yet to clean up and destroy, using that soap in His hands to cleanse, as well as the fires of change.

We are an unfinished work, each one of us! But oh, how we shine with His light and glory as we emerge from the fiery furnace of affliction and suffering! How those saints, past and present, shine with God’s glory as they emerge from the crucible of fire that God allowed to happen. How remarkable are the faces, the countenance of the many saints who have come through excruciating trials and tests, coming forth as gold!

There’s a most powerful account in the book of Daniel of three young saints who emerged victorious from a literal fiery furnace of affliction. King Nebechednesser reached a point in his reign when he forgot Who had exalted him as ruler and thought he was God. He sent out a decree that all should bow before him. The three Hebrew children, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refused to do it. They would bow down only to their God, whom they had worshipped openly all during their captivity.

Because of their obedience to God rather than the King, they were thrown into a fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not escape the King’s decree. They had to experience the literal fiery furnace that the King ordered his servants to throw them in. They were even directed to make the furnace seven times hotter! Yet these three servants of the Most High God steadfastly held to God.

They remained determined to do what was right in God’s eyes without any assurance that their Lord would deliver them from this severe trial. They sought no escape by denying God. As a result, they were thrown into the fiery furnace that the earthly King’s servants had prepared for their punishment. Here’s how these three faithful young Hebrews responded when told of the King’s decree:

“... Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 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. 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’…

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king [watched and] was astounded and stood up in haste; he responded and said to his high officials, ‘Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?’ They answered and said to the king, ‘Certainly, O king.’ He answered and said, ‘Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” …

and when the satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisers had gathered around, they saw that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men. Not a hair of their heads was singed, their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them.” Daniel 3:16-18; 24-25; 27 NIV

“Even if He does not…”! What steadfast faith! Wow, could we do that?? They emerged not only victorious but with no outward evidence that they had been in such a trial! King Nebuchadnezzar saw a fourth person, “like the son of the gods,” our Lord Jesus Christ, in their midst in the furnace. Whether we know or can feel it or not, Jesus is most close to us in our suffering. He is most certainly in the fires of change with us, just as He appeared with these servants of the most High.

What does emerging from a fiery trial with “not even the smell of smoke” mean for us in our trials today? This is what others who are observing will see in us as we allow the fires to do their work. They will not see the evidence of being in the fire, but the Lord within Who got us through it. Often, the fires of affliction that come upon us are directed by the earthly kings of our day, inside of us as well as external evil, selfish rulers with power over people.

Though we may not be thrown into a literal fiery furnace, it can sure feel like it! Remember, our God is a consuming fire. He will shake anything that is not of Him, anything that can be shaken. What the enemy brings our way, He will use for our good. The kingdom He builds within us is unshakable. He allows others to bring adversity meant for evil as part of our process of change. If you do not believe it, read about it in the Bible as well as in numerous accounts of the lives of His saints through the centuries.

These three young men of God knew their God was able to deliver them, but their faith in God goes further. They left the final decision up to God, knowing it was His business. They made sure the King knew that even if God did not deliver them, they would not worship the King’s idols nor follow his decrees. In their hearts of faith, there was nothing this earthly King could do to force them to worship other gods. They glorified God, not the fiery furnace throughout, emerging with no harm.

This is so much more than a short story of three Hebrews in bondage. Their trust in their God is absolute and they came out with no physical, outward evidence that they had even been in this fiery trial. When we face severe circumstances, when we are allowed by God to experience life-threatening adversity and hardship, we might be tempted by doubts and fears. We might murmur and complain during and after such difficulties. It is human but it is not God’s highest. We may reveal the evidence of the fiery trial we have been in.

Our Lord experienced this in the wilderness when He was tempted by the devil. He had to pass these tests to be what His Father had sent Him to be for all of us. We want to be like Him but are any of us glad and rejoicing when such experiences come up in our lives? We all much prefer the pleasant, peaceful times of our walk in God. But when circumstances come that shake our very foundation in God, when the unthinkable happens to us or those we care about, our faith truly gets tested as God ordains.

We may cry out in pain and confusion: “Why did you let this happen? Don’t you care, Lord? Why did you not show forth your deliverance? I know you are able.” We think if we were in charge, we would have done things differently in this old world! We may begin to doubt God’s love, if not His purpose, in all of it. Some even take it a step further and conclude that our God is not, after all, all-powerful and loving.

It certainly does not appear, to our way of thinking, to be loving when God allows suffering and affliction for His own as well as the innocent in the world around us. Some even have such a separation of good and evil in their understanding that it is as if the battle against evil was not already victoriously completed in Christ. This is “eating of the tree of good and evil,” rather than from the Tree of Life. Such believers see satan as solely responsible for bad and God for good despite the battle having already been won on the cross by our Savior.

There are many good people who do not know the Lord, showing forth mercy and compassion in this world. Evil is all around us, dwelling in the hearts of fallible men and women walking on this earth. The same event meant for evil God uses for good. Did not the religious leaders of Jesus’ day persecute Jesus, instigating His crucifixion, driven by evil satanic forces? And did God not work this to the good of all mankind?

Evil is in this world, working through people driven by forces of darkness, even in high religious places. We learn obedience through suffering just as Jesus Christ was taught obedience. He had much undeserved suffering, and so will we as we follow Him. There’s no glory in suffering we bring on ourselves, but the unfair, undeserved, most difficult fiery trials, are not what we deserve but what God allows for our good. We pass our tests as He passed His, standing on the word of God as well as knowing His Father’s heart of love and mercy.

There’s no escape from it, but we can learn to rejoice during it, as the Word directs us to do, though it’s no easy task! We all go through adversity, it is part of this life on earth. When we serve the living God, however, it brings struggles with a purpose to the pain. Such fiery trials bring about change within us as we submit our will to Him. It works the fruit of righteousness in us. We can draw upon His strength to turn our will to His, to determine, like these Hebrews in bondage, to do what God wants regardless of what He allows the outcome to be.

This is the highest and most difficult surrender we can offer. As we bow in submission to Him, we are surrendering any right to live affliction-free in this world. Yes, what satan means for evil, God means for and uses for good. It has always been so, revealed throughout the Old and the New Testament. This plan of God is often far beyond our understanding as believers. His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. Many times, our human minds cannot comprehend God’s eternal plan and purpose.

Our troubled souls cry out with Jeremiah, the prophet:

“Righteous are You, O Lord when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You:

Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?” Jeremiah 12:1 Berean

Jeremiah struggled with how God allowed evil to continue, the wicked to prosper, despite the words of God this faithful prophet was bringing, over and over. To our earthly way of thinking, the righteous should be prosperous and have success, living at ease, not the wicked! Where is the reward for living a godly life if that is not so? Jeremiah was speaking from a place of discouragement, looking at what was happening in the earth around him. God’s people were in bondage, suffering because God had abandoned them to their own ways.

So why do the righteous suffer? Consider King David, the forefather of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was given exceedingly great and precious promises, including the promise to rule and reign as King over God’s people. God proved faithful to David in all He had said to Him. Yet David faced much opposition, experiencing many fiery trials and afflictions. He even had enemies in his own household. When David served King Saul, he did nothing but good to him. Later, David had to be “on the run” as Saul tried to kill him. During one of these many times, David cried out to God:

“How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?

How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me?” Psalms 13:1-2 NIV

We are in saintly company when we struggle with what God allows in our lives. We often cry out with David, “How long, Lord?” Our souls struggle to endure these times of seeming defeat, when the enemies within and without dominate. We surely cannot think about these things as the world does, as if a peaceful, externally trouble-free, prosperous life is a sign of godliness. We can see that these were the very experiences that prepared David for rulership, building his faith and trust in God. And is this not often God’s way?

We have a multitude of blessings from God’s work in us, bringing the kingdom of peace, love, and joy within. What is more blessed than these intangible and incredible gifts we are given? Yet if our faith is not tested, refined by fiery trials, how strong is it within us? What if our peace, love, and joy disappear in an instant with opposition and adversity, large or small? He is surely preparing us for ruling and reigning this way, just as He did with David.

We can talk with our Lord just as David did, seeking answers to settle questions in our hearts as well as comfort in our sorrow and pain. We may not be able to fathom, with our own understanding, God’s purpose in allowing what is happening to us, to others, to all the suffering people of the world. At these times of wrestling in our own souls, we draw close to God to understand. He is eternally able and willing to reveal more of His thoughts and ways by His spirit.

Oh, how we need His spirit to understand His thoughts and ways, so different from ours! God is spirit, He is everywhere, and we connect and relate to Him in spirit. Notice that many of David’s psalms start out in anguish, but end up in the surrender of worship, praise and thanksgiving. So it is with us. We are comforted in our afflictions, reassured in our troubles that He is there, in that fiery furnace with us, and that we will come forth shining in the gold of His nature. Not even the smell of smoke shall be around us!

We need to take great care in not offering easily spoken words of religious advice to others who are going through their trials, particularly when they are going through things we have never faced. I’ve done it in my zeal, even during a trial, before I have even gone through the trial onto victory. Then I struggle and stumble, showing forth that I have not yet overcome. Jesus told Simon Peter to strengthen his brothers after he, himself, was strengthened.

Some things that happen in this life on earth may never be understood or explained to us by God. Sometimes there is no answer that comes to the question of why. We must reckon with the issue of who God really is. Is He a God of love and mercy or not? Is He true to His word or a liar? These three Hebrew saints, long ago, were convinced in their hearts that God was in charge and His intent towards them was good regardless of circumstances. They did not doubt or question what had come upon them, complaining about the situation and looking for a human way of escape as we often do.

With some circumstances, we can only conclude that He is God and we are not. Either He is who He says He is and we stand on it or we continually wrestle with doubt and fear, even walking away from this life of faith we do not understand. We may not know why, but we can know why not. The fires of change have not come upon us because God does not love us or we have displeased Him in some way. In fact, it is because He loves us that He is taking us through these times.

Such is the way of change, for our Lord Jesus Christ as well as for ourselves. He learned obedience through the things He suffered and so do we. These are trials that bring pain, loss, and confusion, yes, but they work His glory in us. We wish it were not so, but it is His truth:

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NKJV

Light affliction? For a moment?? It surely does not seem that way in the midst of the fire! But our Lord makes Himself seen and known to unbelievers when He shows up in the midst of His saints going through such trials. Unbelievers notice our faith more when there is no earthly reason for it, not when we are in periods of wonderful blessing and peace. In the midst of fiery trials, God gives peace that goes beyond our understanding:

“And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].” Philippians 4:7 Amplified

When there is no visible reason to have peace, He gives it. It is above our understanding, transcending all human comprehension. His peace stands guard over our hearts and minds because we belong to Him, we are His eternally. God does it now just as He did it then when the King and all the unbelievers around him saw the Lord in the midst of the flames. He is here to show forth His great majesty and power —not just to us but to others who are observing what we are going through.

We have the gold of His nature worked in us through His refining fires as well as a pile of ashes from our fleshly ways and reactions that He has burned up in us. Let’s look further into the outcome of this literal fiery trial the three Hebrew children endured:

“Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, ‘Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.” Daniel 3:29-30 KJV

No other god can deliver in this way! Not only was their situation much better than before all of this, but the King reversed His decree because he knew there was no other God like our God! He became a believer and they got a promotion! Who would have anticipated that?!

God is the perfect “sifter”of wheat and chaff, taking what is not needed to burn it up, leaving the wheat (gold) that He has refined through the fire of our experiences. Think of it! Hallelujah! He turns all for His purposes in those who are called, chosen, and faithful. Just like the three Hebrews, it is possible that no one eventually even sees evidence that we are in or have just come out of a fiery trial.

Many, many saints through the centuries have made the same determination that these three young Hebrews did. No matter what God allowed, they were determined, they had made up their minds to serve the Lord. We cannot know what was in the hearts of those saints, past or present, who are victorious through the fires of change. But we can see and hear about how they came out. These are ones who emerge not even smelling of smoke. There is no outward evidence remaining of their afflictions except the peaceable fruit of righteous character in them.

The fiery trials are not their focus nor the key part of their ongoing narratives unless God makes a ministry of it, as He often does with specific sufferings. Unless it is to testify of the greatness and majesty of our God after times of testing and trials are concluded, we may never speak of it. Yet many have had great ministries founded upon God taking them through incredible, traumatic, even horrific events.

These ones, precious in God’s sight, are allowed suffering just as Jesus had, for the purpose and plan of God. As these saints are strengthened, they are able to strengthen the rest of us, their brothers and sisters in Christ.

“But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:9 NIV

We will have adversity in this life. We may wish it weren’t so, but the fires of change are most important in our walk. We comfort ourselves and learn not to fear because the Lord of heaven and earth is with us. He is not only our Comforter but our Savior to the uttermost. The assurance that God is in the fire with us provides what we need to endure. We too can come out with no damage, not even the “smell of smoke” through all the trials and tests God allows for His saints to be perfected.

God is more than able to turn all for good for those who love Him, bringing healing and restoration to our wounded souls. If you are a Christian who thinks life as a believer should go smoothly and the devil is totally responsible for any obstacles in your path, consider this:

“The Lord will give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but your Teacher will no longer hide Himself—with your own eyes, you will see Him.

And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: ‘This is the way. Walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21 Berean

God is our teacher, revealing His faithfulness and power in times of adversity and affliction, more so than in times of plenty and prosperity. We know saints whose godly natures have been so refined by life that the sweetness and purity of the Lord is visible in their daily interactions with others. They need not speak of what they believe or have gone through. The work God has been doing in them lights them from within. Many of our elders who have passed on had His shining light visible on their countenance, reflecting the maturity gained as the character of Christ.

Time after time, all through the centuries, God takes His people through, rather than out of, adversity. All of us experienced this in 2020 with the worldwide pandemic. There were very few who escaped consequences. Many more God brought through the stress and loss of this worldwide affliction that continues to impact the peoples of all nations. There was no way to escape it and only our God to strengthen us and our faith as we endured it. He proves Himself to be our High Tower:

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psalms 18:2 KJV

Oh, what a God we serve! How His words reassure and inspire us during such times! How He holds us lovingly in the palm of His hands! With our spiritual eyes, we saw what He is accomplishing within people when this horrible virus came upon all. Many became much more clear about what is really important in this life, through this truly frightening time of global suffering and loss.

We encourage each other as we walk through the fires of this life, knowing that even when meant for evil by our enemy, God turns all for good for those who love Him. We can praise Him for His answers before we can see them, demonstrating our faith.

Allow these words of Psalms 91 to sink into your hearts:

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’

Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly plague. He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings, you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the calamity that destroys at noon. Though a thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, no harm will come near you.

You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your dwelling—my refuge, the Most High—no evil will befall you, no plague will approach your tent.

For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent.

‘Because he loves Me, I will deliver him; because he knows My name, I will protect him. When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. With long life, I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.” Psalms 91 Berean

Such wonderful words of assurance of His love and protection! But wait. This horrible plague did come upon many of us. Many Christians became ill and many of us lost loved ones during this time. Thousands certainly did have this disease “approach our tents” where we dwell. Do these facts make the above scriptures untrue?

Surely not, as where we dwell, our homeland, is not on this earth. These are times that test men’s hearts and trouble our souls. Those who do no know the Lord and His ways can’t see it, but the more He returns within a people, the more disruptive He is in the earthy, carnal places of mans’ dwelling. God surely is the only safety now and in the day to come.Let His word be truth and all people liars!

We can believe what we do not yet see. He is coming to those who love Him, a second time appearing. It is possible to walk through such times in peace and rest as we yield our will and walk in His paths. It is the “not my will, but Thine be done” time of our lives. Many Christians were gifted with these qualities of His kingdom as we endured the pandemic. No, God did not take many of us out of it, but He surely was with us throughout.

God also does not look at death like we on earth do. Death is a deliverance for some, especially His saints. Their suffering is ended and there is no more suffering of adversity for them on this earth.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalms 116:15 Berean

God is surely mindful of the deaths of those we love, what we humans consider the ultimate loss. The death of those who believe and serve Him is “in His sight.” He is neither uncaring nor distant when this happens. If it is precious, of concern to Him, He clearly views death in a much different light than we dwellers of this earth. He does not consider physical death as the ultimate loss.

God is always after our hearts, cherishing our spiritual growth more than our earthly comfort. Meanwhile, more disease, famine, and dangers—fires, floods, storms, drought, and wars— continue to wrack the earth with their power to destroy. Regardless of this — and more— coming upon our earth, God is amazingly able to bring the “peace that passes (is beyond) human understanding” to those who serve Him.

Because our God is Who He says He is, a God of mercy and love, comfort and deliverance, He will deliver our hearts from ultimate destruction. The Spirit within us takes us through, lifting us above earthly events into the spirit of His kingdom. He is able and gracious to grant it. Surrender to His will with faith in His word and confidence in His nature. This is the path of life in God, an He makes us to rejoice in and through all things:

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12-13 KJV

Repentance

“‘Even now,’ says the Lord, ‘turn and come to Me with all your heart [in genuine repentance] with fasting and weeping and mourning [until every barrier is removed and the broken fellowship is restored]; Rip your heart to pieces [in sorrow and contrition] and not your garments.’

Now return [in repentance] to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving kindness [faithful to His covenant with His people]; and He relents [His sentence of] evil [when His people genuinely repent].” Joel 2:12-14 Amplified

What is true repentance? It is surely more than just being sorry. Joel speaks the words of God to us in this passage of scripture describing the repentance God requires, what God considers to be genuine repentance. Not surprisingly, it is a matter of the heart. His nature is not as some preach, quick to anger, ready with severe punishment and condemnation for sin, error, and unbelief.

God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving kindness, and easily entreated to relent His judgment when there is true repentance. We can count on the nature of the Lord when we have drifted from Him, erring on our spiritual journey, distracted from spiritual things long enough to be out of fellowship with God. This psalm of David, written after he sinned against God and repented, reveals what true repentance is:

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalms 51:17 ESV

Any parent who has dearly loved children who err and get caught learns to look at what is in the heart of the child. We look past any outward acts of contrition to discern whether they are sincerely sorry for what they’ve done. We look for evidence of true sorrow and repentance as we are dealing with them. We don’t want just words, said to placate or to minimize the consequences. We are looking for a change!

We know that some children are soft-hearted, easily broken when facing their errors. These children have a nature to please their parents and are sorrowful that they have not done so. When the child is strong-willed and determined, however, with rebellion in the heart, they may only comply outwardly to avoid worse punishment. Consequences may be similar, but the hoped-for turnaround in attitude and behavior is different, longer to be worked within.

Father God also knows His children well and what each of us needs to bring us to repentance when required. He, too, has both soft-hearted and strong-willed children, loving us all. He knows how to deal with us so that we truly repent—have a heart change when it is needed. It’s not just when we first surrender to the Lord that we need to repent and confess that He is our Savior who forgives our sins. Repentance is an ongoing condition of any heart belonging to God.

God knows the condition of our hearts, often exposing our own hearts to us. Just like our children, we try to hide certain things from God that we know are not His way. When we get offended by another, we may harbor this offense in our heart rather than letting it go. We want to go over it, justify ourselves, indulge in what we’d like to say or do, and even act upon it. We know it is wrong so do not take it to the Lord.

When we want what we want, we distance ourselves from God so He doesn’t deal with us about it. But He always knows, as evident in how God directed the prophet Samuel to choose the shepherd boy, David, to be King Saul’s replacement:

“….But the Lord said unto Samuel, ‘Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:7 Berean

And when David’s son, Solomon, was anointed King after Him:

”…then may whatever prayer or petition Your people Israel make — each knowing his own afflictions and spreading out his hands toward this temple— be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place.

And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of all men.” 1 Kings 8:37b-38 Berean

He knows all about us and loves us anyway. When we turn back to Him, we turn back to His nature of love and mercy, truth and redemptive justice. Humans have difficulty putting all these aspects of character together, but God does not. He has the perfect balance so we will be dealt with, disciplined as His children for the purpose of redeeming us. His mercy and love is never separate from His truth and justice. His compassion is always present in full measure as He deals with His own.

God will have us become more and more like Him. He said so. As God is writing on the fleshy tables of our hearts, He exposes all that we think we have hidden from Him, including things we hide from ourselves. Layer by layer, He exposes and burns up all of our soulish ways while writing His ways within. He proves to us daily that He is compassionate, slow to anger, merciful and kind when we miss the mark.

As He is building His kingdom within, the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life must stop ruling our desires and actions. He has the power to change our hearts’ desires as well as convict us of wrong thoughts and behaviors. He is about the business of redeeming our souls—our thoughts, will, and emotions—to be righteous and pure in Him. Our part is submission, surrender to Him. He knows it all, as David says:

“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought[s] from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways.

Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all.” Psalms 139:1-4 Berean

He knows us in ways we do not even know ourselves. Once we absolutely know, or if necessary, reacquaint ourselves with Who God is, we can easily go to Him, trusting that only He can work a lasting inner change. We learn to rest in His love for us, demonstrated through Jesus Christ our Lord. This is true repentance.

Repentance is beyond the words we use to confess to our Father. We need to see a change in our character and habits as we go on with Father God. We should begin to see that what is inside of us matches our words of repentance and subsequent actions. Words are only as powerful as our heart’s commitment. Sometimes God gives us something to do as a consequence or we may still have to bear up under consequences unless He mercifully makes a way of escape.

But there is always, always a way of escape:

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;

but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

God’s way of escape is spiritual much more often than natural, taking us through times of struggle rather than out of them. He lifts us up by the spirit to soar above the issues as if we had eagle’s wings, whether dealing with the need for repentance or with other trials. Our trust in God Almighty grows as He displays His faithfulness and wisdom within and without. How we love Him more when we see how carefully He tends to us, His creation.

God promised to deal with us in mercy and compassion when we repent. The steps of true repentance listed in Joel are worth further exploration. Here’s that scripture from the Concordant Literal:

“Yet even now, averring is Yahweh, return unto Me with all your heart and with fasting and with lamenting and with wailing; tear your heart and not your garments, and return to Yahweh your Elohim, for gracious and compassionate is He, slow to anger and with much benignity, and regretting over the evil.” Joel 2:12-14 Concordant Literal

This directive is to those who have begun to know His ways, as the Israelites did in the Old Testament. The first and most important step is to turn to God. Come back, return to the Lord. When we have distanced ourselves from God, lost our way somehow, the first step is just come back! We misunderstand our God and His heart if we believe we have to straighten up, fix ourselves and the situation, before we can restore intimate fellowship with Him.

Jesus Christ solidified the redemption we so need at these times. He purchased us, bought us back, ransomed us with His obedient death and resurrection. This is not to unbelievers who have yet to sense the direction or conviction of the holy spirit. Turn, go back, reconnect with God. Start again in turning your eyes, the focus of your life to God, away from self and the world. It is your choice to do this or not, but God will continue to draw you.

Do this by coming to Him with all your heart, as best you can. When our hearts are completely yielded to the Lord, He is able to turn us to the intents and actions He desires, His path for us. Being in the center of His will becomes pure joy because we only want what He wants. What unity is then restored in our relationship with our Lord! When true repentance flows from our hearts to God’s heart, we may fast, weep, and mourn as we accept the reality of our sin against God.

God says to rend the heart, not the garments. This is a challenge against the old external ways of cutting up one’s garments, repenting in “sackcloth and ashes” as Job did when confronted with God’s majesty. God is not focused on our outward sacrifices or behavior. He looks to see if our heart is repentant, not if we are literally on our knees. It won’t matter what position we are in when we pray if our hearts remain far from yielded to His spirit. There’s no outward show of religious behavior that will please Father God.

As an excellent, most perfect Father, He knows the hearts of His own. God absolutely is a jealous God, “You shall have no other Gods before me.” The Israelites failed this commandment over and over and so do we! Most of us do not literally create idols of gold and silver and call them God nor do we worship beasts and mythical figures as God. But we have our idols nonetheless. All God has to do is show us what (or who) we cannot live without that has somehow become more essential than God is to us.

The idols for modern day Christians are typically good things, enjoyable experiences, what we love to spend our time and focus upon, people we love and with whom we spend our time. Of course God knows we need love and connection with others. It’s not that Father God does not want His children to enjoy themselves. Far from it! We should be the most joyful people around! But nothing should take top priority in our hearts, the seat of our affections. He is the One we are to adore.

And sometimes our idols are sinful behaviors that we cannot shake, often based upon a strong need to feel good, to be loved, to forget pain, all the ungodly solutions we come up with to deal with our problems instead of running to the Lord. Many of the world’s sins and failings come from unmet needs that are addressed in ways that create more problems, leading to bondage instead of freedom.

But nothing is to take priority in our hearts above the Lord. We know this to be true, and yet we need the Lord Jesus Christ and His in-workings to make it so. We cannot do it in our flesh, any more than the Israelites could in their day. This is God’s job, already accomplished in Jesus Christ, who dwells within us, the temple of God. Faithful prayers come from the heart:

“The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) is able to accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].” James 5:16 Amplified

God says to look at our own hearts first. We know true repentance is shown in the evidence of a changed life. It matters not how many times we fall, because He lifts us up over and over again. God has never changed His mind about us. He loves us and came to save us, not condemn us. He is guiding us continually, spiritually holding our hands as we walk.

“The steps of a man are ordered by the Lord who takes delight in his journey.

Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the Lord is holding his hand.” Psalms 37:23-24 Berean

We are His beloved children, sons and daughters of God, and He cares for us. He wants us to make it, to get to the point where we can enjoy our allotment, our promised land of peace, hope, and joy in His kingdom. So, of course, our hearts become broken and shattered before the God of all glory and majesty when we miss the mark. This is inevitable after having sinned, most especially grievous sin. God is not accepting outward acts, only the sorrowful heart that is truly sorry and regretful.

All sin is “missing the mark” and God is able to restore us to continue pursuing His mark of righteousness. We return to God to be established in His favor and grace once again. We are cleansed from any wrongdoing and in relationship with our heavenly Father, restored to fellowship with Him. God is our life—truly the life that pulses through our bodies is from Him.

We continue to honor Him, live in and for Him, look to Him to complete this work He has begun in us. There is no path, no other way for humans to earn God’s forgiveness and restoration. Jesus Christ has done it all for us. We are on our way back to restoration and reconciliation with God, planned from the foundation of the world and lost in the Garden of Eden. He promised and it is unfolding now.

Deeply consider these words:

“Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones; praise is becoming and appropriate for those who are upright [in heart--those with moral integrity and godly character]. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with the harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully [on the strings] with a loud and joyful sound.

For the word of the Lord is right; and all His work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the loving kindness of the Lord. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all their host by the breath of His mouth.

He gathers the waters of the sea together as in a wineskin; He puts the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear and worship the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.

The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He makes the thoughts and plans of the people ineffective. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts and plans of His heart through all generations. Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen as His own inheritance.

The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of man; from His dwelling place He looks closely upon all the inhabitants of the earth--He who fashions the hearts of them all, Who considers and understands all that they do.

The king is not saved by the great size of his army; a warrior is not rescued by his great strength. A horse is a false hope for victory; nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear Him [and worship Him with awe-inspired reverence and obedience], on those who hope [confidently] in His compassion and loving kindness, to rescue their lives from death and keep them alive in famine.

We wait [expectantly] for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For in Him our heart rejoices, because we trust [lean on, rely on, and are confident] in His holy name.

Let Your [steadfast] lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion as we have hoped in You.”

Psalms 33 Amplified

Amen and Amen, so be it!

Promise of Eternal Life

Are we believing for all that God has promised His called and chosen people? There are secrets in His word that promise more than many realize or can accept in faith. Just because it has not happened yet—or moreover, just because it has not happened to us, does not mean that God is not planning to completely fulfill His words of promise. May all get their portion from God, that which is required to fill up the inner man with the kingdom. Christians who have faith to receive are filled with the spirit beyond their initial salvation, as many have experienced through the centuries.

“I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.

For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.” John 16:12-13 Berean

When God’s truth is filtered through our carnal mind, far below the mind of Christ, deception, distortion and deceit occur. If Jesus’ words were to be understood literally, without spiritual understanding, He would not have told His disciples that they could not bear it now. There was much truth in what He ministered to them but they could not grasp it until He made the holy spirit available within them after His resurrection.

Jesus said His words are spirit and life. God is a spirit and desires us to worship Him in spirit and truth. When we desire to understand what is to come, we need the holy spirit to reveal it, along with all truth, spirit to spirit. In this manner, God bring His life to a fullness within through His presence and of our King, the Lord Jesus Christ. While all have a measure of the holy spirit, not everyone has the evidence of speaking in tongues in their own prayer language.

We seek for all that He has for each of us and what God gives His business. We ask in faith for all He has made available, trusting the Lord to equip us as He chooses. Having our own prayer language, which differs from the gift of tongues used as a prophetic utterance to a group, is a wonderful and precious gift. With this gift, we can always know that we are praying according to God’s will:

“But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.

And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:25-27 Berean

When we pray in our prayer language, we have confidence we are praying for God’s will. That is most valuable! We are to hope for what we have not yet seen, and there is much we have yet to see of God’s unfolding plan and purpose. How sad to limit what is possible to only what we ourselves have experienced, witnessed, or heard about and been taught. It’s like saying the vast ocean can be contained in one jar of water that we are able to hold in our hands.

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit in corruption.” 1 Corinthians 15:50 KJV

Flesh and blood cannot enter into His kingdom, but the spirit within us is joined to Him and learning His ways. We have eternal life in the spirit, and our souls (mind, will, and emotions) are being purified as we follow on to know Him. He is writing His truth on our hearts so that we can actually do His will. When we are completely and fully redeemed, our bodies will follow on into life. This is another promise remaining to be fulfilled that we long to witness,

We who believe know that we will live forever, eternally with the Lord. We are born of that incorruptible seed, planted by God in our hearts. As that spiritual body within us is being fed by the word, watered by His spirit, it is growing in strength and stature to be like Him. We already know that our spirits go back to God when we physically die. Paul spoke to those who were saying there is no resurrection:

“..we are also exposed as false witnesses about God. For we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead, but He did not raise Him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised.

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men.” 1 Corinthians 15:15-19 Berean

We have confidence in life after death, believing that Christ raises all from death into His life, each in his own rank and order. His work surely continues on the other side of the grave. We know our loved ones who have perished are alive in Him in the spirit, each in their own place. But what about the promise of God for the full redemption, without dying, of our earthly bodies some are to receive?

Where is that full victory over death, our last enemy that Jesus Christ conquered for us, not thru His death only, but also through His resurrection from the dead? We do not yet show forth God’s complete victory in our earthly bodies. Many have been healed and even the dead raised back up through the centuries, yet all faced physical death. It is obvious that death continues to work as we grow older. Aging, sickness, and disease remain the evidence that death still rules.

Our last enemy is death and Jesus has gained the victory over it, be we have not…yet. When He rose from the grave, He had the keys of death, and hell. He told John the Revelator when He appeared to Him:

“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last, the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever!

And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.” Revelation 1:17b-18 Berean

To hold a key to something is to symbolically have entrance into it, authority over unlocking, accessing, and changing it. Jesus has the victory over death in His hands, yet we continue to suffer under the dominion of death in this world. God subjected humans to death beginning with the disobedience of Adam and Eve. We long for the full reconciliation of our spirit, soul, and body, the promise of eternal life that will fully restore us to intimate fellowship with the Father.

The entire creation is in bondage to sin and decay, waiting for our full adoption as sons and daughters of God. His word states that all creation longs for the full promise of eternal life.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.

For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:18-25 Berean

The full redemption, the sign of being fully adopted as sons of God is not complete until our bodies are redeemed. Paul hoped for this full redemption, ministering its truth to the people of his day. Centuries later, the enemy’s work continues to show up in our bodies daily as we age. We do not have the same bodies we lived in when we were younger. As far as we know, there has yet to be a Christian believer who has overcome death in spirit, soul, and body.

This is truly a mystery, with much yet to be revealed and understood. Nonetheless, we are to “hope for what we do not yet see” in the promised change of these fleshly bodies. This earthly temple is destined to be swallowed up of life just as His spiritual body was resurrected from the dead. Our spirit is fully alive to Him, our soul is being changed, converted into His thoughts, His will, His emotions. When this process is complete, the body in which we are housed will finally be swallowed up in victory.

Hear the promise of God.

“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.” Romans 8:9-12 NIV

Several things are crystal clear in this passage. We are completely and totally unable to make our flesh, our carnal, earthly mind, behave and become righteous. It does not matter how much some of us might flail at our own or others’ flesh, quote the scriptures, or lay down the law. God said it is impossible to please Him in our flesh by our earthly ways and practices. The flesh may be willing but it is weak and destined to die.

But wait! We are not of the flesh but of the spirit if we allow God’s spirit to dwell within, making His home in us. This is God’s qualification, repeated twice. God’s spirit is moving in, making its home, tabernacling in His people. This, my Christian brothers and sisters, is the Feast of Tabernacles being fulfilled. This Feast is when Father God and Jesus Christ the Son comes to dwell, to tabernacle or make their home in us, dining with us in the kingdom.

We have had two Feasts fulfilled on the earth for at least in some of God’s own: the Feast of Passover through the sacrifice and blood of Jesus and the Feast of Pentecost where He grants His Holy Spirit within His saints. Finally, it is time to reveal the secrets of the Feast of Tabernacles, the third feast as typified in the Old Testament as a spiritual pattern required of God’s people.

The Feast of Tabernacle has been hidden from most of God’s people until this Day of the Lord. There are those, such as ourselves, who celebrate this feast annually, waiting upon God to complete this work within us in reality. God began the work of tabernacling or making His home, His dwelling within us with Jesus, His Son, coming inside of us. We are the temple of the Lord and collectively those called out to represent Zion on this earth.

Jesus said the kingdom of God is within us, not out there somewhere.

“Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.’” Luke 17:20-22 NIV

“Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16 Berean

We are where the spirit of God resides, His holy habitation, He desires to take rulership in His kingdom within us. His kingdom is love, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Jesus had the Father’s kingdom within Him, when He said the kingdom was already in their midst. Now, He is in us, coming more and more to take up His rulership. We hope and wait patiently for when this dwelling within us is complete. When someone makes their home in you, they have fully moved in to stay!

As the Lord is coming within us, He swallows up death in victory as He has promised but we’ve yet to witness. When the fullness is come, no sin or death can be there. The only sinless Man was Jesus Christ our Lord, but He is the firstfruits of many brethren:

“For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.” Romans 8:29-30 Berean

We have yet to see all God will accomplish in bringing His kingdom to this earth within us. His return is imminent and will be seen in the saints of the Most High. Then we will be glorified as He was glorified. Is there any greater glory than having the God of the universe seen in these earthly tabernacles?

The disciples saw His resurrected body, recognized Him as Jesus their Master and Savior. Yet His spiritual body was not like our earthly bodies. He could come and go at will, being seen visibly in a body and even eating with them, then disappearing into the spirit. We are to become like our Lord Jesus Christ, the Firstborn of many brethren, but so far, we are still dying. We have yet to truthfully claim, as our Lord did:

“…Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” John 5:19 NIV

Which of us can say we only do what we see the Father doing, only speak what the Father gives us, as Jesus did? Can we truthfully claim that any of us are glorified as He is, being completely like Him as He has promised is our destiny? It can seem almost blasphemous to believe that we can be just like Him, but He has said so, over and over. We are on that path but most days, we seem so very far from being like Him!

There are those who have claimed to do so, to be sons of God fully led by the spirit, but their lives do not show it. And they still die. While we pursue this prize, along with Paul, we have yet to see this promise fulfilled. Not knowing God’s timetable of certainty, we may not see it in our lifetime or even for ages to come. If we can only have faith for His promises that we have seen fulfilled here, that is not faith. Some have proclaimed it, but we are waiting to attain it!

I honor my spiritual mother Rev. Maxine Plowman, who was gifted with the message of the Feast of Tabernacles early in her ministry at the Gospel Center in Tama, Iowa. Sister Plowman held an annual eight day Feast of Tabernacles meeting starting in 1949, following the time and pattern established in the Old Testament. Once I joined her fellowship, I rejoiced in annually attending this Feast gathering, listening, learning and even sharing the good things of God in these gatherings of ministry and believers from all over.

Later, Sister Plowman passed the Feast of Tabernacles on to my husband Rich and myself, who brought it to Vine Street Gospel Chapel in Des Moines to host until we continued this on our own. Many other elders believed in this truth, though they were not allowed to see it on this side of heaven. Sometimes these faithful ones were considered foolish to believe their bodies could live forever. But, they had faith in the redemption of the body because it is in the Word of God, faith for what they had not yet seen.

Read the foundation of this lesser known Feast of Tabernacles set as a statute forever, as set in the Old Testament pattern:

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the Lord. On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it.

For seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it.

These are the feasts of the Lord which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the Lord, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day—besides the Sabbaths of the Lord, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings which you give to the Lord.

Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the Lord for seven days; on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a sabbath-rest.

And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.

You shall keep it as a feast to the Lord for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month. You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.’” Leviticus 23:33-44 NKJ

It is a statute forever! This Feast is Sukkoth on the Jewish calendar, honoring all of God’s provision throughout the year. Then the Israelites brought an actual sacrifice by fire to the Lord; now we offer the sacrifice of ourselves, all our fleshly ways, which He burns up in His holy presence. We bring all the fruit of the kingdom that the Lord has worked within us to Him.

The Lord is our consuming fire and Jesus made the eternal sacrifice for all so that we have a way in. We believe the promises of God revealed in His word by the holy spirit. God will continue to come within us, changing us to be made in His likeness and image. We have plenty to go through, and much to accomplish while we believe in this final completion of the full redemption promised. However, these same scriptures are understood by some to mean that we will all be raptured off the earth, while the sinners burn in hell forever.

Instead of this carnal interpretation, these passages actually speak of this coming fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles:

“… For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:52-55 Berean

There is no evidence that death has been swallowed up in victory yet. But there is a time when the sons and daughters of God, led by His spirit, are so changed that they become His spiritual government on the earth. We have a spiritual body now that is being built, along with others called and chosen for this Day. We are to be a habitation of the Lord.

We are eligible for the redemption of the body, when our mortality is swallowed up with life, becoming immortal, imperishable, though we may not receive it in our lifetime on this earth. We will continue to believe all He says to us while we wait and pursue Him with our whole hearts. For a deeper understanding of this passage, consider the Concordant Literal:

“Now, this I am averring, brethren, that flesh and blood is not able to enjoy an allotment in the kingdom of God, neither is corruption enjoying an allotment with of incorruption. Lo! a secret to you am I telling! we all, indeed, shall not be put to repose, yet we all shall be changed, in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump.

For He will be trumpeting, and the dead will be roused incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal put on immortality. Now whenever this corruptible should be putting on incorruption and this mortal should be putting on immortality, then shall come to pass the word which is written, ‘Swallowed up was Death by Victory.’

Where, Oh Death is your victory? Where, Oh Death, is your sting? Now the sting of Death is sin, yet the power of sin is the law. Now thanks be to God, Who is giving us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 Concordant Literal

Someone who “trumpets” something is giving a strong, clear message to pay attention. God always has His messengers for the age trumpeting His word. It is clearly stated here that all will be changed, but not everyone through death. That’s the secret! Some will be changed without being “put to repose.” The word “repose” is translated from the Greek as “sleep, to slumber, to decease, death”.

Most assume that we cannot be fully changed, made perfect while on this earth. But the scriptures talk about being perfect as He is perfect without adding “when we get to heaven.” This is a deception that the enemy of our souls has planted, an assumption because we have never seen anyone accomplish this except by the report that our Lord accomplished it first. What better way to stop our growing up into Him than but telling us it is not achievable here and now?

Even if you cannot believe in the redemption of the body, you can keep growing, keep overcoming, keep learning and just leave that up to God. I mean, really, what do we have to lose?

“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:46-48 Berean

“Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2 Berean

Do you think that God will not accomplish what He is confidently stating to us? Redemption of our bodies must happen and we can believe for it because it is in His word. Though we do not know when or if we will be a part of this company, we have faith in His word of promise for it to happen, in His time, to at least some of His people. We are not to demand or insist upon it. Only God knows when it is to be fulfilled and in whom.

We believe in many promises for which we have no visible evidence without spiritual eyes to see and spiritual ears to hear Him. The life of the spirit, our true homeland, can become more real than our earthly existence while death still has so many victories. It stings us and all those we love with sin, destroying our mortal bodies. Sin brings death and those who sin will surely die unless Jesus saves them.

Jesus died for all, but read again the secret, plainly stated by Paul: we will not all have to die to be changed! God changes our bodies in an instant (His instant, not ours!), at the time of the last message, the last trump sounding. Those “dead in Christ” rise in the spirit first, where Jesus went and is now in the spirit. We are to consider ourselves dead in Christ, our flesh fully taken over by His rulership through the mind of Christ, which we have. We are eligible to be among those who remain on this earth, changed without dying, as He fully tabernacles within us:

“For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God.

So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:10-11 Berean

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Romans 6:11 Berean

Search the scriptures to “see if these things be true” and God will faithfully show you His truth by the spirit. If you are trying to understand His spiritual words literally by your carnal mind, you will not see or understand all truth. Jesus used spiritual language in His ministry. He spoke many things that can only be understood spiritually. He said we are the “temple” of the Lord, to be understood as the place of His kingdom within, where He dwells.

His kingdom is spiritually within us, not a literal place in the earth that we must identify or go to see, as Jesus said it can’t be found by scrutiny.The time of the end is to be like the days of Noah. All went through the flood, but the righteous were preserved on the earth. The faithful people of God, Noah’s family were those who remained, not the sinners. Sinners were taken from the earth, perishing in the flood God brought.

He promised He would not do it again, with the visible sign of the rainbow as a reminder of this covenant.

"I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you--the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you--every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you:

Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.’

And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind.

Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.’

So God said to Noah, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth." Genesis 9:9-17 NIV

God has a plan for all creation, all living things. He has covenanted not to bring destruction to the earth, specifically not by another flood. All creation is groaning more and more, as man’s dominion brings more death and destruction to all, often through greed and carelessness. It’s one thing for a habitat to be destroyed by people who need it to live. It’s quite another to do so by poisoning the environment to support a lifestyle that costs others their for financial gain, and then lying about it, as many have.

God knows and is about the business of tearing down the refuge of lies we hide beneath:

“You boast, ‘We have entered into a covenant with death, with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement. When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.’

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.” Isaiah 28:15-16 NIV

Those who habitually lie always think they can keep doing so and not be exposed or found out. Our thoughts may first go to others in this world who wield great power and authority, causing pain, suffering and destruction by their lies. So many lies have been told through the centuries that have caused many a battle, so much death and destruction. It continues to this day, with those who are threatening annihilation because of their desire for power and control.

May God break that stronghold in the spirit that allows leaders to continue their search for personal gain covered by lies and deception. But we also rejoice as the lies we all hide in our hearts are washed away. God has laid this Foundation, the precious Cornerstone of Christ within our hearts. Jesus Christ is the right judgment, the only straight and true plummet line. Hail is hardened water and quite destructive, so a strong word will expose what is concealed.

All of the lies that men and women are hiding within will be revealed and exposed, stripped away. Then the water of spirit can flood in and wash away the earthly lies and deceptions written within us. It won’t harm those who belong to Him. This is good news! How could it not be when the result is that our covenant (agreement) with death is annulled?

Any agreement with death is to be canceled or pardoned, any secret fatalism, any way we have deceived ourselves that we can sin and still enter in, is cleansed from our hearts. Any lie based on past expectations contrary to His word of life is dealt with, any behavior stemming from the lie that it’s okay though it works death in us, is taken care of. Yes, our destiny is to be made perfect in Him.

The power of death over us is broken forever, canceled by our Lord Jesus Christ. It can no longer rule over us! We welcome Him as our King, returning to conquer all in us and others. He is now working to create true hearts in His own, from which no guile will flow into words. We are to be free from the bondage of death, fully restored, drawn to Father God and supping with the Son and the Father in spiritual Zion, where is the throne of God’s Kingdom, yet to come. Hear it again:

“Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”1 Corinthians 15:55-57 Berean

Yes, He has already given us the victory over death. Now we must learn to walk in all that He did. While we patiently await this, God promised to restore our health speedily, also yet to beroutinely evident. So many precious saints, including those who are given great revelations and understood much truth, have died. Sin brings death and no one can argue that it is still working in our bodies even though Jesus Christ defeated both sin and death.

Jesus Christ is not still fighting satan or death, but we are. We have yet to grasp the promise of the healing for our bodies. We long for more miracles that heal and restore the body. Here’s just one of many scriptures that promises healing from God:

“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:7-8 NIV

We do believe in and pray for healing in the body for all those who are suffering illness and death. God still does miraculous healings but it is neither automatic nor routine. Oh, that it would be more fully manifested so that death really had no victory! In the spirit, this is so. We are confident we will never die in our spirits, but our souls and bodies still need some work and we cannot deny this.

We have moved past the ministry of the law, and place no confidence in following rules and regulations for deliverance. God’s people have been following the law in one way or another for centuries and what change have we seen? No one but Jesus could fulfill the law. He did it for us so that He is making His victory part of us, written on our hearts. It is the only way we can please Father God. He loves us and sent His son to save, not condemn the world.

But to actually please Him, cause His heart to sing because of our love and submission to Him—what a privilege that is!

“Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?

For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness! “ 2 Corinthians 3:7-9 Berean

Who can say they have seen the full glory of the Son in a people, the lasting presence of God dwelling within, swallowing up our death completely through His victory? The ministry of death is the law, which was fulfilled with the ministry of the Spirit that Jesus Christ our Lord brought to us. Yet many still walk in the law of religion while seeking God Who is spirit. We have yet to walk in all that He has accomplished, but we surely can hope for what He promises though we have yet to see it.

What is this ministry of righteousness? Is it not the very life of our Lord taking up residence within us? He is the only way for us to be righteous—to be right in His eyes. What a glory we have already seen as we gaze into His eyes, hear His words, and seek to live in His presence daily. It is here, on this earth, that we need our tears dried and death to be no more, as it is already in the spiritual heavens of our Lord. What a day to come!

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.

They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘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.’” Revelation 21: 2-4 NIV

Jesus and His Mother

Have you ever wondered what Jesus was like with Mary, His mother? Any mothers who have sons, particularly as the eldest, may be curious about how this holy mother/Son relationship unfolded. He was her firstborn Son and the Son of God. What a calling she and Joseph were given! After Jesus’ birth, we continue to hear about Mary but little about Joseph. Perhaps it is because the disciples clearly knew Mary and could record more about her and her experiences.

As a mother of one precious beloved son, given to me by the Lord after years of longing, I am most interested in what can be learned from Mary’s relationship with Jesus. I trust some of you share my curiosity and potential from learning about this most critical mother/Son relationship. Any mother who cherishes their child, as she did, has a great influence on them.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was human, and by her own account, not at all noteworthy nor a person of stature. She was living an ordinary life when God called her to be the mother of our Savior and Lord. Mary’s humanity was given to our Savior so that He could overcome all, going through all life’s struggles with the rest of humanity. Those who deify Mary do away with Jesus’ ability to connect with us as God in a human.

Let us explore the unfolding of Mary’s parenting of Jesus and her ongoing relationship with Him. There are glimpses in the scriptures, but not a great deal about Jesus’ ongoing relationship with Mary. The account begins when Mary gets the heavenly message that she will become pregnant by the Holy Ghost, with the long-awaited Savior of the world:

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.’

Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’The angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.’

And Mary said, ‘Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:30-38 NASB

Mary believed God’s word about the baby He would place in her womb. She really was His first convert! She knew from the beginning who Jesus was, bowing in obedience and worshiping God. The angel encouraged her by reminding her that He does the impossible, such as her aging, barren cousin, Elizabeth who had finally conceived and was now six months pregnant.

Mary immediately surrendered to God’s word to her, even though there was much she did not understand. Mary then visited her cousin, a wise decision as they were able to encourage and support each other with what God was accomplishing in both of them. Mary also received a further strong word of confirmation from the holy spirit through Elizabeth:

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice, she exclaimed, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.’” Luke 1: 41-44 Berean

Elizabeth and her unborn baby, the future John the Baptist, recognized their Lord was in Mary’s womb. The spirit flowed out of Elizabeth with excited confirmation of the word of God Mary had received, blessing Mary for her faith in believing God. Both were to give birth to sons with holy callings, with both sons destined for great work. Both died tragic and painful deaths because of their ministry. What a privilege, along with the incredible pain of losing their sons, both Mary and Elizabeth were given by God.

Wise men came to worship the newborn baby, also confirming what the angel of the Lord had spoken. Mary had a lot to think about concerning this precious Child.

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him’…

for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel’…

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight. On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.After they {the wise men] had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him. And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:1-2; 5b-6; 10-11;19 Berean

Can you imagine all she might have wondered about with the magi coming to honor her Infant, sharing what God had told—and foretold—about Him? She held the memories of every word said about her Son, still a wee babe, in her heart. She pondered these wonderful things, keeping precious words close within. Most Christian mothers do cherish any word from the Lord about our children, holding them in our hearts, watching and waiting for how God chooses to fulfil them.

Then Mary and Joseph, as was the Jewish custom, took their firstborn infant, Jesus, to be circumcised and presented to the Lord. The firstborn son is an important position in any family and no doubt He held a significant place in Mary and Joseph’s family as well.

“And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord:

‘Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord’ and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.’” Luke 2:22-24 Berean

At this baby dedication, Mary and Joseph heard more amazing words from two of God’s prophets. Mary and Joseph were so honored with these words from God’s messengers. One of them, Simeon, had been promised by God to see the salvation of his people before he died. God fulfilled this promise to Simeon as a witness to Jesus’ dedication in the temple. While His parents were dedicating Jesus, Simeon was anointed by the Holy Spirit to speak powerful, confirming words about the destiny of their Son:

“Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.’

The Child’s father and mother were amazed at what was spoken about Him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: ‘Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be spoken against so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your soul as well.’” Luke 2:28-35 Berean

It’s interesting that Simeon spoke of Jesus being a light to the Gentiles as well as a glory to His people Israel. This was long before Paul brought the gospel to those who were not Jewish, a true word, though years passed before it came to pass. From infancy on, Jesus was set to reveal the thoughts of many and He is still doing that to this day. Simeon prophesied to Mary that while her Son, Jesus, would do great things, He also would face adversity and it would pierce her soul—her will, thoughts, and emotions.

Anna, a prophetess of God who was always in the temple, also came forth to affirm that Jesus was the salvation of Israel, the promised Savior they had been waiting for.

“There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four.

She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:36-38 Berean

Like any Christian mother, Mary remembered these words from God about her Son, cherishing them in her heart as she and Joseph raised Him. How marvelous it is for parents to receive a word from the Lord when their child is dedicated to Him! She surely wondered at what was predicted as well, how and when God would bring these prophetic words into reality. Regardless of not knowing how all these words would unfold in fulfillment of God’s promises about her Son, she remembered them, believed them, holding them in her heart.

She must have particularly considered the prediction that her “heart would be pierced.” This is the first time something is recorded that hints at His suffering and crucifixion. Such words had to be overwhelming, concerning as well as joyful. Mary is forewarned that many will come against this precious One laying in her arms. So, Jesus’ mother and father took these words with them as they returned to their home in Galilee to raise the Son God had given them.

As Mary cared for first, the baby, then the toddler, then the little boy, she knew who He was. She surely could see God in His eyes as well as the wisdom beyond His years that He displayed. Jesus grew up differently, showing forth His Father’s nature even as a child.

“… the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.” Luke 2:40 Berean

Jesus, the God-man, was different from the beginning. There are not many young boys who display wisdom and grace as they grow, but it is not surprising that our Lord did. He surely was wise beyond His years because of Father God, though wisdom usually comes with age. Having a Child who displayed grace and wisdom from His heavenly Father made Him unique among His siblings and friends.

As time went on, the next occurrence of Mary’s involvement with Jesus is as a precocious twelve-year-old being taken to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. The family did this every year, so the trip was nothing new to Him. What Jesus did there could sound like an independent twelve-year-old going his own way instead of following His parents’ directives, but that was not His intent:

“Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast. When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware He had stayed.

Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day before they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends. When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. Finally, after three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. ‘Child, why have You done this to us?’ His mother asked. ‘Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.’ ‘

‘Why were you looking for Me?’ He asked. ‘Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?’

But they did not understand the statement He was making to them. Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:41-52 Berean

Can you picture Mary and Joseph leaving for home and not realizing until a day later that Jesus was not among the group with whom they were traveling? Apparently, by this age, Jesus was not expected to be by their side at all times. This time, however, they could not find Him for three days! Think of how frantic any parents would be if their child disappeared in a city they were visiting for this long. He surely did not intend to cause them distress and never did it again.

How “astonished” Mary and Joseph were when they found Him in the temple, asking questions and understanding the teachings of His Father! He was equally surprised that they would not know where He was. Of course, He had to be in His Father’s house! Mary again treasured these things in her heart. She remembered, she thought and prayed, going over them before God, recalling and seeking to understand. Like any mother with an astonishing child, she was amazed and puzzled by all that was said and happening concerning Him.

After this, Jesus reassured His earthly parents with His obedience. It was not an intentional rebellion nor a habitual behavior. He had never done anything like this before and there’s no account that He did anything like it again. But Mary…she was continally putting all of this together. She did not know the details, but she knew Who He was and that He was destined for great and powerful things. If His entire future had been revealed to her at the time of these events, she would not need to ponder their meaning.

There are many significant events in the life of Jesus recorded after this before Mary appears again in the scriptural accounts. He grew up and went into the family business, being the eldest of the family. He worked with His father Joseph as a carpenter while living His life as a young adult in the Jewish community. It was an ordinary life, much like any other young Israelite males, raised in all the Jewish traditions and laws.

But unlike most pictures of Him, He was not likely a blue-eyed, blond-haired handsome man who stood out in the crowd. The prophet Isaiah said:

“He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him.

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” Isaiah 53:2-3 Berean

We know very little about the years from age 12 until He was 30 though Isaiah seems to say Jesus was not a “standout” among the people. We don’t know if Jesus talked with His mother during these years about what God was doing in His life. We don’t know when He left the carpenter work with Joseph. We know little of his relationship with his brothers and sisters. It is just not provided for us in the scriptures.

As time grew close to the revealing of His ministry, however, He passed the temptations in the wilderness and was baptized by John. John’s words confirmed that this One is Jesus Christ the Savior:

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.

And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.’” Matthew 3:13-17 NIV

After this, Jesus began to call His disciples to leave their daily work and follow Him. There is no account of Jesus talking with His mother during these events, though that may have occurred. Some also speculate that Joseph died during these years, but there is little to go on about Joseph’s fate. It is nice to think that Jesus stayed close to His mother, particularly if Mary was widowed, but we just do not know.

Jesus did have siblings so Mary was busy raising her other children, making it less likely she was with her Firstborn in His later adult life until His ministry was revealed. But Mary reappears as the central figure in the beginning of His ministry unfolding in the sight of others. There came a wedding in Cana, to which Jesus and His disciples were invited. His mother, Mary, was also attending this wedding.

“On the third day, a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, ‘They have no more wine.’

‘Woman, why does this concern us?’ Jesus replied. ‘My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever He tells you.’” John 2:1-5 Berean

This is a significant passage worth pondering in our own hearts. There are several key things implied by this short exchange between Mary and her Son, Jesus. First of all, Mary knew He could turn the water into wine when she asked Him to do it. Even though He said it wasn’t their business and it was not yet His time, she told the servants to do what He said. Was this her considerable faith in the One God had allowed her to birth? Had He done these things before in private?

Mary asked and was completely confident that Her son would answer her request. Even though Jesus mildly chastised her because it was not yet time for God’s glory to be revealed through miracles, His mother ignored His protest by turning to the servants to direct them to do whatever He told them to do. They did as He said and the wine was the best that the wedding guests had consumed!

As the gospel of John states, Jesus “thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.”

“Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ So they filled them to the brim. ‘Now draw some out,’ He said, ‘and take it to the master of the banquet.’ They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.

He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, ‘Everyone serves the fine wine first, and then the cheap wine after the guests are drunk. But you have saved the fine wine until now!’

Jesus performed this, the first of His signs, at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.” John 2:6-11 Berean

Jesus did His first known miracle, turning the water into wine, at His mother’s request. Her absolute faith that He would do as she asked is obvious. Mary had confidence that her Son, Jesus, would listen to her and that all would unfold as the servants did what He told them. How she must have anticipated the day that the rest of the world would know and believe, as she knew and believed all those years.

What a waiting period to see the fulfillment of God’s great promises for Her firstborn! Jesus and His mother appear to have remained close despite His age and independence. Because she had cherished all that had already been said and happened in her heart, her faith was complete. In several writers’ exploration of the meaning of this passage, however, they suggest that Jesus, the Son of God and man, was rude to His mother, rebuking her.

But we do not know the tone of voice, the look on His face as He said this to His mother. Jesus would not be the first adult Son to mildly protest at a mother’s request but, regardless, she pays no attention to her Son’s response. She proceeds as if He had agreed, confident that He would do what she asked. She seems to know and count on her Son’s heart, a closeness where she fully expected Him to grant her request.

Mary was the first to know who He was, with an intimate knowledge that His earthly parent, Joseph, did not have. It seems fitting that she was at the beginning of His ministry, when His glory was revealed. In the days to come, the gospels record how she was able to follow His ministry. How her heart must have rejoiced at the miracles and the acclaim, the growing belief of others that Jesus Christ is the Savior. These were wondrous, precious times.

The disciples knew her as a fellow believer who followed Jesus as her Lord, right along with them. Then we begin to see more than one sign of the changes to come. The crowd of followers who thought He was to be their earthly King became disillusioned. They did not understand His spiritual kingdom. His teachings in parables had deep spiritual meaning that they had no “ears to hear.”

The Hebrews of that time were looking for a literal restoration of the Hebrews as rulers of the age, someone to free them from Roman domination. There was growing resistance and rebellion in the crowds around Him, fueled by the jealousy and fear of the established Jewish religious leaders of the time. Many could not see past their earthly hopes, rejecting the ministry Father God had given Him and its importance for the future of all mankind.

Jesus’ words are spirit and truth, and most did not have a heart prepared to hear Him by the spirit. The Jewish leaders knew He had no respect for them and was a threat to their authority and leadership. Jesus never rebuked sinners, but He spoke often and bluntly about the hypocrisy of these leaders, revealing their heart motives. We begin to see, following the miracle of feeding the 5,000, many falling away.

Jesus had ministered this word about being the bread of life and the wine, His blood, shed for all. Most did not understand what He meant, not having spiritual ears to hear.

“So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink.

Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your fathers, who ate the manna and died, the one who eats this bread will live forever.’

Jesus said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. On hearing it, many of His disciples said, ‘This is a difficult teaching. Who can accept it?’ Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this teaching, Jesus asked them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?

The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. However, some of you do not believe.’ (For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him.)

Then Jesus said, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.’ From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.” John 6:53-66 Berean

Jesus had gone too far in the estimation of many of His followers. Indeed, the further we walk in the things of God, the less other religious people understand us, the greater the price—and the eventual reward! They did not comprehend His words were spiritual rather than literal. It was not what they were hoping for.

But Mary and one of His brothers, James, continued to walk with Him and soon witnessed further betrayal, this time coming from Judas. Though Jesus always knew what was in the hearts of His disciples, it had to hurt deeply to have those with whom He walked so closely fall away, one of them betraying Him. He turns to the remaining disciples and asks if they are going to leave Him, too:

“So Jesus asked the Twelve, ‘Do you want to leave too?’ Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.’

Jesus answered them, ‘Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!’ He was speaking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. For although Judas was one of the Twelve, he was later to betray Jesus.” John 6:67-70 Berean

Here’s the beginning of sorrows, a heavy, burdensome time for our Lord. What a sad statement He makes here about whether the others would leave Him, too. It came from His human heart as He anticipated what was to come. The human part of our Lord feels all the feelings that others feel when those they love, their closest friends, betray and abandon them. The multitudes left Him and many no longer followed Him.

Jesus knew the time for His death by crucifixion was drawing near. How many with great ministries need to know that Jesus understands about changes like this, when God moves on and their former work for Him is done? God did not lift humanity from His only Son. He required this humanity so we would absolutely know Jesus was like us in all things except sin.

His earthly work showed that a man with God fully in him could overcome sin to be united with His Divine Father. He had to suffer as all humans suffer, so He understood what it is like for the rest of us. We need to know that our High Priest has gone through what we do on this earth.

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16 Berean

God is not tempted but Jesus was. Jesus knows. He knows! He does understand what we are going through because He has been there. And now Mary’s heart was beginning to be pierced with what Her son was experiencing also. We can identify with her mother’s heart aching for what Her Son was suffering, even though she knew it was for the highest purpose in God. It would be most difficult to bear to watch your beloved Firstborn be rejected and betrayed, suffer and die young, even with knowing God’s plan for Him as the Messiah.

Any parent who knows their child is destined to die for any reason can particularly relate to the heart of Mary during this time. Christian parents have children born with a condition that will take their lives far too soon to know what this is like. Others watch their beloved children suffer and die in multitudes of ways on this earth. Parents whose children are called to dangerous occupations live with the heightened risk of losing them on a daily basis.

Jesus is able to comfort all through each fear, sorrow, and trial of this life because of what He experienced. We can go to our Lord with great confidence, knowing that He really does understand. Though Jesus had God the Father with Him, He was not spared any of the suffering humans go through. He was also denied many things most of us have: a spouse, children, a family home. It was for this very purpose He came through the womb of a woman. God could have sent Him without this, but it is essential that He had a human side from Mary so we can connect with Him.

God so loved the world that He gave His son to save us! Think of it! Though He was divine, Jesus knew what it was like to be tired, to be hungry, to be weary of unbelief, to lose fellowship and companionship, and to grieve at close relationships changing. He knew what it was like to have no spouse, no children, like many others had to enjoy. We cannot limit or excuse our lack of growth and change by saying, “Well, that was Jesus and He was God. We don’t have what He had.”

We do not yet have all that Jesus had, the fullness of Christ within to be face to face in intimate fellowship with the Father as He was, but He made the way for just that. If He did not know the sufferings humans go through, the scriptures would be false. Through His humanity born of Mary, Jesus is the Firstborn of many brethren. His work is to bring us back to the Father Who is to dwell among us.

“And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:28-29 Berean

Mothers often feel deeply about what their children are going through. Mary, a faithful follower as well as His mother, went through it all with Him. How she must have cried with dread and feared for her Son in the coming days before His arrest. Certainly, she prayed for Him. Mary had to bear up under all that was unfolding in Jesus’ life. Many parents say they would rather suffer pain, affliction, and illness themselves than watch one of their children do so. As His mother, Mary bore the pain and suffering He was going through along with Him. It had to be very difficult, regardless of faith in the plan of God and the outcome of all the suffering He was to experience.

Jesus did tell His disciples that He would be crucified at Passover but their reactions when it happened reveal how little they understood what was destined to unfold. How could they know? No human had seen such events unfold for an innocent man. Understandably, they wanted Jesus here on the earth with them. They loved Him and the days of His ministry had been glorious.

Perhaps, too, some of them thought He would use His power to avoid any actions that would come against Him. But even Peter did not understand that Jesus must be crucified. He did not comprehend that the Jewish leaders and community, wrongly blamed as a people for centuries for His death, were being used by God to accomplish His salvation of the world.

What the Jewish leaders influenced the people to do was evil. They truly were “of their Father, the devil.” But God had a higher plan, crucial for all of us, meant for good, defeating the evil intent of the Jewish leaders and the crowds of that era. Mary was aware of this but what a devastating witness to His horrific sufferings she had to endure. After our Lord’s ordeal in prayer to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas, His betrayer, and the Roman soldiers came:

“Friend,’ Jesus replied, ‘do what you came for.’ Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him. At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

‘Put your sword back in its place,’ Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?’

At that time Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? Every day I sat teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.’

Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.” Matthew 26:50-56 Berean

Jesus calls Judas “friend” despite knowing the betrayal to come. Jesus was not forced to go through the arrest, torture and crucifixion. Jesus knew Judas had to do what he was to do. He tells his disciples that it must happen this way, it’s the Father’s will that events unfold to fulfill the scriptures about Him. What an overwhelming and painful time when Jesus could not even expect His closest companions, His disciples, to stay with Him. He knew His Father could save Him but would not, because of the higher purpose He was to fulfill.

Jesus chose obedience unto death, submitting His own will to fulfill all that was required of Him. How this speaks to us when we are suffering, facing a painful future, knowing God could save us from it but chooses not to do so. He enables us to endure, to submit our will to God’s, to be obedient through our sufferings. We are not alone, but Jesus was truly alone in the spiritual preparation of the greatest event in history.

All desert Him as He is arrested, every single one. It was a fearful time and, really, what could any of them do against the power of the Roman authorities? Jesus knew they would abandon Him, He understood, and yet it still hurt.

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘This very night you will all fall away on account of Me. For it is written: I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’” Matthew 26:13 Berean

Jesus endured the cruel treatment of the Chief Priests who directed soldiers to whip Him. He was stoic before the crowd who demanded His crucifixion. He said little as He was mocked, ridiculed, stripped and whipped, then put on the cross to die. The disciples were around but there is not an account of Mary being specifically present, though she likely was nearby. She had been a part of His ministry, one of His followers from the beginning.

Think of the anguish she went through as she had to helplessly witness her Son being so cruelly treated and dying painfully on the cross. Surely Mary recalled the words of Simeon about her soul being pierced as these events unfolded. This speaks to the hearts of every Christian parent who has had to watch undeserved suffering and death happen to their children.

Even though Mary knew the prophecies, and knew what Jesus said would happen, she did not know, likely could not imagine, the details of all He would endure for our sake. This had to be more than most of us could bear. Mary was at the foot of the cross, watching her beloved Son dying a painful death, as recorded in the gospel of John:

“Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’

Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” So from that hour, this disciple took her into his home.” John 19:25-27 Berean

Our Lord Jesus Christ was mindful of His mother, Mary, even while dying on the cross. He had concern and compassion for her, asking her to see John as her son and John to accept her as his mother. He knew His mother would want to stay with those who also believed and followed Him. If she was a widow, she may no longer have had a home to which she could return or anyone to care for her. She had other sons, but other than James, none were disciples.

Mary is not mentioned at the time of His appearing before He ascended into the Spirit. But she was there, along with Jesus’ brothers, in the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell:

“When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” Acts 1:13-14 Berean

What can this relationship between Jesus and His mother teach us today? It reminds us that our Lord Jesus Christ was really a man, born into a family, raised by a mother who loved and nurtured Him, taught religious principles and trade by His earthly father, Joseph, later working in the family business. As we look at these accounts, the reality of flesh and blood people going through this time comes into sharper focus.

Mary was a mother, like many of us, and Jesus was her Son. Their earthly relationship is something we can understand and identify with as parents. We also recognize the people of Jesus’ time did not have the holy spirit to guide and direct them through these difficult days, to illuminate their understanding of such momentous spiritual events until after His resurrection and return to them by the spirit.

Those who have children who suffer and even die though innocent of wrongdoing, know that this is what Mary, too, experienced. We are in awe of what God required of Mary and respect her obedience and faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.

Consider the words of this beautiful and powerful song:

“Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm the storm with His hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God?

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know? Did you know?

Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak. the praises of the Lamb.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

That sleeping child you're holding is the great, I Am.

Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)

Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)

Mary, did you know? Oh…)”

(Mark Lowry / Buddy Greene / William Barclay / Wayne Buchanan / Courick Clarke / Savory Lamont).

We wonder, today, asking our Lord Jesus, “what did Your mother know?” We who are mothers especially ponder this before God. Though there is only a little revealed in the word, we can glean from what is there that she was a most important person to her Son, an incredible woman of faith.

May God bless us in our contemplation of this mother-Son relationship.