Delight in the Lord!

“Delight thyself also in the LORD and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Ps. 37:4

I began this week sharing two choices I faced as a young adult and the quote, “Follow me.” Through the second quote, “Be Ready”, I shared how the Lord taught me to follow Him. Today finishes my 3 Day, 3 Quote Challenge, Psalm 37:4, penned by David the shepherd king,  the fruit of the first  and second quotes.

“Delight thyself also in the LORD…Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee… That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead…(Ps. 73:25;Phil. 3:10,11).

Do you delight in the Lord?  Is He your number one pleasure? Do you seek Him above all else? If so, He gives you this promise in Matthew 6:33.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

The choice I believed lost to me by choosing one direction in life became the path of God fulfilling the choice forsaken. I only needed to follow Him, sanctifying Him in my heart and He would give me the desires of my heart because the desires were the very ones He put there.

“…he shall give thee the desires of thine heart…He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them…If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him… For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Ps. 145:19;Matt. 7:11;Ps. 84:11).

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The Lord showed me the desire of my heart to be Himself, His word, His plan to use me for His glory. He did this through seeds of desire He placed in me as a young woman; the desire for a family and the desire to take the gospel into all the world.  The first desire He fulfilled in the traditional way with a family filled with blessings. The second desire He didn’t fulfill as I had foreseen it but as He planned through summer camps, mission trips, and even now through those around the world who read the words He gives me to write. I don’t want to leave you thinking my life has been without trials, for if it hadn’t been for the losses and the hard times I wouldn’t know the joy of the Lord as my strength.

To borrow from a chorus, “The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.”  Jesus is the only One to satisfy a longing heart.

How has the Lord fulfilled the desires of your longing heart?

Personal Note:

Thank you, txjessy for throwing this challenge my way. I do hope you all will visit her site for more encouraging words.

I have been blessed to think on these scriptures and how God has used them in my life. I pray each of you have been blessed and encouraged as well.

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What Would You Say?

“Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.” Deut. 10:15.

Deuteronomy, a book of remembrance, review, and renewal, contains Moses’ farewell messages to the new generation literally sitting on the edge of the Promised Land. It is an end of wandering, and a beginning of entering the Lord’s abundance, a remembering the past so as not to repeat it and a hope for the future, a review of what the Lord required of them, and a renewal of a covenant broken by their parents. The time had come.

“And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them…On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount: Turn you…take your journey, and go…” Deut. 1:3,5-7a. Is it your turn, your time to quit wandering and start living? Our Father God shows you how and empowers you to do so. The decision is yours. It’s time to turn from the world, take your journey with Him and go forward.

Unlike Numbers, which spanned forty aimless years, Deuteronomy covers a period of approximately one month, similar to the time of Leviticus. The audience in Deuteronomy, the congregation of a new generation, differs from Leviticus’ priestly audience. Deuteronomy is for the congregation, us.

In Deuteronomy, Moses, the Lord’s called savior of Israel, the priestly intercessor for the wayward children, the leader of a new nation and the prophet of God to a new generation, finishes the work of the Lord. Now it’s time for him to go.

• “Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt,”(Ex. 3:11).
• “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.”(Lev. 20:7).
• “Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.” (Num. 14:19).
• “These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness…And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee…” (Deut. 1:1;30:1). “So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD…And the children of Israel wept for Moses…thirty days…” (Deut. 34:5,8).

 “And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;” Heb. 3:5. When do you find it hardest to be faithful? Will you hear the words, “…Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”  Matt. 25:21.

For You:

• What would your last words be to the generation following you?
• Moses’ epitaph reads faithful. What do you want your epitaph to read?

Personal Request: Our friends received news in the night of their son’s going home to be with the Lord. He has entered into the joy of the Lord. Even as we rejoice in hope, our hearts are broken for their pain in a life that to us was cut short. Whatever word of the Lord you would like to say to the next generation, don’t wait to say them, and please, would you pray for our friends and their family. Thank you.

 

 

 

Do You Want to See Him?

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” The Lord God gives us both to reveal Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. Do you want to see Him? Look in the book. You will find His portrait being painted in Genesis’ Seed of promise, Exodus’ Passover Lamb, and Leviticus’ High Priest.

What will the book of Numbers add? Some familiar pictures…

“But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes…Num. 11:6; I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of the bread, he shall live for ever and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world…From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him … He is despised and rejected of men….” (John 6:51,66 Isa. 53:3a;).

“And Moses lifted up his hand, and with the rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also…Num.20:11; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” 1Cor. 10:4.

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived…Num.21:9; And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:14,15.

And a couple of not so familiar pictures, one from Numbers 19.

“This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke…

a red heifer without spot…Why a heifer-“ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel… For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham… made in the likeness of man…(1Peter 3:7;Heb. 2:16;Phil.3:7).

…bring her forth without the camp…”Wherefore Jesus also that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.” Heb. 13:12,13.

…and one shall slay her before his face…”And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him…And the people stood beholding.” Luke 23:33,34).

…sprinkle her blood… “And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words… And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling…” (Ex.24:8; Heb. 12:24).

…burn the heifer…her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn…”For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” Heb. 9 13,14.

And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer… “And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel… Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (Num. 19:17; Titus 3:5,6).

Cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet cloth are all used in the purification of a leper. Our sin is as vile as this disease. Cedar wood is a lasting, durable wood and some see it as a symbol of the “once for all” sacrifice of Christ on the tree. David pleaded for the Lord to cleanse him with hyssop, Ps. 51:7. It is considered as an agent for healing, as well. The scarlet thread and the red of the heifer may symbolize the blood atonement of Christ.

The last picture from Numbers, I will use, is found in chapter 24:17 by one we would consider an unlikely artist.  Balaam, described by Peter as leading others astray and loving wages of unrighteousness, painted the glory of the One to come.

“I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel…” Num. 24:17.

He is our bread of life, our Rock, and our brass serpent wrapped in the body of a red heifer, who is the Star of Jacob, who after being offered for our sins, ”shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” Heb. 9:28.

Do you want to see Him?  If not now, in faith, whether you want to or not, you will see Him.

“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” Rev. 1:7.

Which picture speaks to your heart?

Walking With Jesus in Genesis

And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep…” Gen. 1:2.

What lay behind the darkness of the deep?

The throne of God: “In the beginning God…the throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like jasper and a sardine stone; and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.” Rev. 4:2,3.

Retrieved from Pixabay’s free images.

The Spirit of God: “In the beginning…And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters…

The Light of life: “In the beginning…one like unto the Son of man…His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace: and his voice as the sound of many waters, and he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength… All things were made by him…In him was life: and the life was the light of men… “(Rev. 1:13-17; John 1:3,4).

And there was a plan: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things…But with the precious blood of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God…1Peter 2:18-21;

God began unveiling the plan after He revealed himself as creator, sustainer and provider and man became disobedient to the revelation given him, bringing death upon all creation.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin: and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned… For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” ( Rom. 5:12; Rom. 8:22).

The first glimpse of Messiah: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Gen. 3:15.

Messiah would step into time born from the seed of a woman to defeat the evil that robbed people of their dominion over the earth and destroyed life, bringing death.

The Lineage of the Seed revealed: Messiah would come through Adam’s son, Seth, Noah’s son, Shem and then to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and from the tribe of Judah. Clothed in flesh and blood, Messiah would redeem what Adam forfeited, life and an inheritance.

“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord… In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”(Rom. 5:21; Eph. 1:11,12).

The flood, the ark, Noah who did all the Lord commanded, the judgment, the cleansed earth, all point to the big picture of the fulfillment of God’s plan. It would take too much space to include the scriptures here. You can read the account in Genesis 6-9. But the way of God’s plan is revealed in the door.

Who enters: And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation…to keep seed alive…and the Lord shut them in… I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture… These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, HE THAT HATH THE KEY OF DAVID, HE THAT OPENETH, AND NO MAN SHUTTETH; AND SHUTTETH, AND NO MAN OPENETH.” (Gen. 7; John 10:9; Rev. 3:7).

The plan reveals Messiah the path of entrance into life: “And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb… For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord… Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world… Worthy is the Lamb that was slain…” (Gen. 22:8; Rom. 6:23; John 1:29; Rev. 5:12).

The plan reveals the Messiah King: “Judah is a lion’s whelp…The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be… THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD, ARE BECOME THE KINGDOMS OF OUR LORD, AND OF HIS CHRIST; AND HE SHALL REIGN FOR EVER AND EVER.” (Gen. 49:9,10; Rev. 11:15).

The seed promised in Gen. 3:15 began with one, gives birth to the nation, Israel, whereby Messiah would be born, live, die and be resurrected and the plan fully extended to the Gentiles, thereby fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham to bless all nations through his seed.

Jesus, Messiah, is the seed of Abraham, the door to salvation as the Lamb of God, the promise of life and our coming King all glimpsed in Genesis to be revealed as we travel with Jesus through the scriptures to eternity. Be sure to join us next week as we travel through Exodus.

So many scriptures fill in the blanks to the identity of Messiah, his character, name, purpose, and final glorification.

• What picture or character of Genesis speaks to you concerning Jesus our Messiah? Why?
• What correlation do you see between the flood and the fullness of God’s plan?
• What one question would you like to ask God about the book of Genesis?
• What does it mean to you that God foreordained this plan?

Please leave comments to one or all of the above that we may all learn from one another. Hope to see you Monday, here or in the air!

 

A New Series

“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1Cor. 10:11.

Our world is in a chaotic mess. Who among you wants peace to reign in your life even when life is out of control? It can be done. I hope you will join me for the journey of a lifetime as we discover the Lord God’s plan from beginning to ending to beginning.

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“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable, for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son…We have also a more sure word of prophecy: whereunto ye do well that ye take heed…Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:1,2a; 2Pet. 1:19-21).

“Not in the old testament,” challenged the freckled face youngster.

“Yes, even in the old testament,” I answered. “Every book of the Bible shows at least one truth about Jesus.”

My site, Meeting Jesus, introduces the unknowing reader to the truth of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. To the reader established in this truth, its purpose endeavors to encourage and challenge you in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Redeemer, Savior, and coming King. I hope you will join me as we walk hand in hand with Jesus, meeting Him, and the many who walked with Him, in every book as we move through this new series. The best place to start in any book is the beginning. It introduces the main characters and lays the foundation for the rest of the book. So, that’s where we begin.

GENESIS: THE BOOK REVIEW

Authored through the inspiration of God and believed to be spoken to Moses, His servant, Genesis answers the oldest questions of mankind: How did all this come to be and where did we come from?

Image courtesy of Pexels.

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth…And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him: male and female created he them.” Gen. 1:1, 26-27.

Genesis consists mainly as a book of beginnings; the beginning of time, earth, man, sin, war, a revealed plan for victory, and a nation. But another facet exists within these pages not often looked at, the fellowship of the Lord with man, man walking with His God.

“And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” Gen. 3:8.

Before this fateful day, the Lord freely walked with Adam and Eve speaking with them. We have to imagine what that was like as the Bible doesn’t tell us. But this time, exposed by sin, they hid from God.

As Genesis unfolds, the Lord introduces others who walked with Him and weren’t defeated by sin, but received the blessing of the Lord.

“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not: for God took him… Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God… he{Jacob} blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk,” (Gen. 5:24; 6:9; 48:15,16).

Genesis is the account of the beginning of God’s pursuit of a people to call His own and to love throughout eternity. The men and women filling its pages know sin and forgiveness, doubt and faith, death and life. They knew what it meant to walk with God and to be separated from Him. Their story continues in us today.

How does your life story read?  Are you walking with God or against Him? What can you do to walk closer to Him?

Throughout the week I plan to delve into some of the characters of Genesis, some who walked with God, others not so close and ending with Jesus who was from the beginning. Won’t you walk with me as we discover life walking with God?

I need your help to make this series relevant to you and your walk with the Lord. Would you  leave in comments some characters from Exodus you would like explored next week as we travel through the ages? What fascinates you about the choice of character, or what question would like answered about him/her? Thanks for your help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are You Among the Blessed?

It’s rainy here in So. Illinois and supposed to rain all week. But every day is a beautiful day if you are among the blessed of the Lord. So, join me in starting the week out right recognizing your blessed state in Christ.

“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.” Ps.65:4.

“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest…Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love;” Eph. 1:3,4.

“…and causest to approach unto thee…Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Rom. 5:1,2.

“…that we may dwell in thy courts…Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” Ps. 92:13-15.

“…we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple…And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not…Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Isa. 58:11; Matt. 5:6).

• What are the blessings of the chosen?
• Are you among the blessed?
• What makes you blessed, or not?
• Finally, in the comments, would you share what you believe it means to be blessed?

Father, thank you for those you bring here today. May each know the blessedness of being your child and walk in your blessing throughout this week as we walk in your Spirit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coming to the End

“And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace…we desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding…” (John 1:16; Col. 1:9).

If you have stayed with me through the month of January, you may remember we started walking together seeking to be filled with the fullness of Christ. We walked through His comfort and compassion, goodness and mercy, joy and hope, and His abundance. The past couple of weeks we traveled through being filled with His knowledge and wisdom, which brings us to our destination for today, spiritual understanding.

“…we desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”

“…the knowledge of his will…” This carries us beyond the facts of who God is to experiencing who God is. “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing…” Col. 1:10a.

“…in all wisdom…” The next step is applying to our lives what we know, choosing to live it out. “…being fruitful in every good work…” Col. 1:10b.

“…and spiritual understanding…” This, Lord willing, is our route for tomorrow and probably the week.

As we walked through this prayer as our guide to knowledge and wisdom, it has not only been my prayer for you but me, also. Coming to the end of this path, I give God thanks for answering that prayer in you to the extent you have heard his voice. And I thank Him for answering it in me. Through the scriptures He has spoken to my heart, giving me understanding for this, unexpected to us but known to Him, hard road we travel with our loved ones. Verses of comfort and compassion, hope and mercy echo in my mind, filling me with the goodness of my Heavenly Father. What He gives to me, He offers to you.

Since our Father, has brought you to walk with me through his word, I believe He did so to strengthen you and bring forth in you the abundance of fruitfulness in patience, longsuffering and joy, preparing  you for the trials of life you face now or will face. Cling to truth and you will know His will, walk in wisdom and spiritual understanding.

As we walk to the end of this path of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, not that what I have shared even begins to complete this path but at least, gives you a place to start, I encourage you to review some of the posts from January. Which one has God used to speak to you? Answer a need in your life?

Praying, in thanksgiving, for you, who walk this way with me for your prayers and encouragement. May you continually grow in the knowledge, wisdom and understanding of our Lord.

 

 

Why Would You Do That?

Who Is Faithful And Wise?

The teenager cocked her head full of brown curls to one side and asked with a smirk, ”Are you wise?”

Every eye in the class waited for me to answer the challenge. “I’ve asked the Lord for wisdom. He says He gives it liberally when we ask. So, yes, I am a work of wisdom in progress.”

“Why would you do that? Now, you’re responsible for what you know.”

The Lord’s answer, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction… Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” (Prov. 1:7; Acts 17:29,30).

Jesus answered this in a parable. He asks, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?” Matt. 24:45.

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant…” I give you two examples: “Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he… And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after… I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him… consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him…Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm until the end… My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work… I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do…”( Ex. 40:16; Heb. 3:6;Deut. 18:18; Heb. 3:1-2,6; John 4:34;John 17:4;).

Back in the parable, Jesus simply states the faithful and wise servant, “…is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”  Doing what?

• As Moses, all the Lord has commanded him.
• As Christ, finishing the work given him.
• Both, giving testimony of God’s word.

And finally, the faithful and wise servant acted upon the authority and responsibility left him until the lord’s return.

“Who…is a faithful and wise servant whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season…lovest thou me…feed my sheep… Take heed…unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood… ye are an habitation of God through the Spirit… And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding… For we are labourers together with God…ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ…” (John 21:17; Acts 20:28; Eph. 2:22; Jer. 3:15; 1Cor. 3:9-11.)

The flip side of this parable is the servant who is unfaithful and ignorant, by choice, of the authority and responsibility given him by the lord. He lives his life to please himself and ignores the need of the household, even to the tearing down of it.

The faithful wise servant is blessed with reward. The evil servant shall be, “…cut asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt. 24:51.

Why seek wisdom? When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee… we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless.” (Prov. 2:10,11; 2Pet. 3:13, 14).

Ignorance is no excuse.

How would you answer the teen’s question? Are you a faithful and wise servant?

 

 

The Answer is God

Who Is Wise? Of course the  answer is God.

“…Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his… …Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God…In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Dan. 2:20; 1Cor. 1:24b; Col. 2:3).

Those filled with the knowledge of Christ, having experienced the new birth in Him, and being filled with the fullness of God, have this wisdom within their grasp, simply by the asking.

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ…for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you…If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (1Cor. 2:16; John 15:15; James 1:5.)

If knowledge is, as stated in my posts last week, experiencing the truth of the facts before us, then wisdom is living according to knowledge. Wisdom is to knowledge what works is to faith.

The scriptures use the words wisdom and wise 590 times in the KJV, in 459 verses. This doesn’t include all the pronouns used, especially in Proverbs, to describe the wise. The Father has made known our need for wisdom and has supplied it to us out of His abundance.

The wisdom we are to seek is: “…the wisdom that is from above…James 3:17; For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND WILL BRING TO NOTHING THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRUDENT…for after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe…But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory…God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit…”(1Cor. 1:18,19,21; 2:7,10).

“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?”  The next part of this verse says, prove it. “Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.” James 3:13.KJV & NASB)

“…Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom…Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation…For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”  (1Peter 2:12, 15, NASB).

Wisdom from above is, “…first pure…Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God…ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth…see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently;” (Matt. 5:8; 1Peter 1:22)

Wisdom from above is, “…then peaceable…”Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall see God…If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men…avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, VENGEANCE IS MINE; I WILL REPAY, saith the Lord.” (Matt. 5:9; Rom. 12:18,19).

Wisdom from above is, “…gentle, and easy to be intreated…speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men…Titus. 3:2.

Wisdom from above is, “…full of mercy and good fruits…Be ye merciful, as your Father also is merciful…For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Luke 6:36; James 2:13; Gal. 5:22,23).

Wisdom from above is, “…without partiality… If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin…” James 2:8,9

Wisdom from above is, “…without hypocrisy…Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.”Rom.12:9,10.

When you examine the list of wisdom’s traits, what do you excel in? Where do you need to ask for more wisdom?

Wisdom is a gift from God given, “That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1Cor. 1:29-31.

Praying we would all be filled with the gift of wisdom from above to the glory of God.

 

 

Have You Heard & Do You Know

“…for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” John 4:42.

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Have you heard?  “…hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” 1John 2:3-5.

Have you heard? “…it is the last time; and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.”1John 2:18.

Have you heard? “…ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I  have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and no lie is of the truth.” 1John 2:20,21.

Have you heard? “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.” 1John 2:29.

Have you heard? “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1John 3:2.

Have you heard? “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1John 3:4-6.

Have you heard? “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”1John 3:14,15.

Have you heard?  “Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren…And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him…Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”( 1John 3:16; 4:16; 5:1-3).

Have you heard? “…he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us…Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” (1John 3:24; 4:13,14).

Have you heard? “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God…We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”1John 4:1,2,6.

Have you heard? “…this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1John 5:11-13.

Have you heard? “…this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1John 5:14,15.

Have you heard? “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” 1John 5:18-20.

Have you heard? A blessing waits for you if you take the time to list all the Father has made available for you to know. You can be filled with the knowledge of Christ and what you see here is from only one of the sixty-six books of the bible. Think of what you will hear and know studying the other sixty-five books.

What have you heard? What do you know?