FROM CAPTIVE TO CONQUEROR – PART 1

ARE YOU A SLAVE?
 
Thanks to Allison Sylvester-Conliffe for this series of articles.

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

When we fall into habitual sin (going against the will of God), we bring ourselves into captivity….

Then the children of Israel did evil 

in the sight of the LORD. 

So the LORD delivered them 

into the hand of Midian for seven years, 

and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. 
Because of the Midianites, 

the children of Israel made for themselves 

the dens, the caves, 

and the strongholds which are in the mountains. – Judges 6:1-2

While practicing sin we toil in vain, because the Scripture says that God is the One who gives the increase. God cannot tolerate sin and therefore He is unable to bless.  Sin is a stench to His nostrils.  Therefore we keep ourselves from prospering in the things that we put our hands to. According to Judges 6:4, because of the Israelites’ sin, they lost all of their blessings…. 

So it was, whenever Israel had sown, Midianites would come up; 

also Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them. 

Then they would encamp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, 

and leave no sustenance for Israel, 

neither sheep nor ox nor donkey. – Judges 6:3-4

However, God showed mercy after the Israelites cried unto Him….   

And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried out to the LORD because of the Midianites, that the LORD sent a prophet to the children of Israel. – Judges 6:7-8a

As we read on, we observe that God always seeks to reconcile, and so He woos us into repentance….

I said to you, 

“I am the LORD your God; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” 

But you have not obeyed My voice.’” – Judges 6:10

Is there some unconfessed sin in your life? Have you been experiencing frustration because of it? Have you been feeling guilty? Sad? Out of sorts? Unfulfilled? Anxious?

Just as He did with the Israelites, God is wooing you back to Him. If you call to Him He will answer. If you confess your sin, He is faithful and just to forgive you and to give you a brand new start.

To be continued….

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: PART 6

ENTER THE HOLY PLACE

There are three portals in the Tabernacle of Moses. The first is the Gate – the only entrance into the enclosure. We have already discussed how beautifully the Gate portrays Jesus Himself. He is the only way in – the only way to the Father.

You have presented your body as a living sacrifice at the Brazen Altar. You have washed your hands and feet at the Brazen Laver, ridding yourself of the impurities and influences of the world. Now you stand before another portal – the door that separates the open-air Outer Court from the covered Tent of Meeting.

Note that only priests could enter through the Door of the Tabernacle and into the Holy Place – the first section of the Tent. The same is true today. It is a place reserved for those who have committed their lives to drawing ever closer to God by meeting with Him regularly and often, and by living a life of prayer, worship and service to Him and to others.

THE ENTRANCE

“You shall make a screen for the door of the tabernacle, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver. And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold; their hooks shall be of gold, and you shall cast five sockets of bronze for them.” Exodus 26:36,37

This door, like the Gate, is another encounter with the Lord Jesus Himself. Whereas in the first encounter at the Gate, you experienced Him as Saviour, now you are about to interact with Him in a more intimate manner.

This new transition is seen even in the materials used in the pillars that hold up the screen of the Door. Notice that they are made of acacia and overlaid with gold, and that they sit in bronze sockets. You have seen acacia before in the Bronze Altar. It is that durable wood that reminds us of Jesus’ indestructible body which was scourged, pierced and flogged for you and me. You have also seen the bronze fence posts, Bronze Altar and Bronze Laver. Bronze represents judgment.

For the first time, however, you see a new metal – gold. Gold represents divinity. Not only is Jesus represented in the blue, scarlet and purple screen, but in the supporting pillars we also see Him – perfectly human (acacia) yet perfectly Divine (gold), and taking upon Himself the judgment (bronze) that was due us all. Once more you are reminded that in order to get close to the Father, you must come through the Son.

From this point on all the furniture you will encounter will be made of gold. No bronze is allowed in the Holy Place or beyond. You see, there is no such thing as pure bronze. Bronze is an alloy – a mixture of copper, tin and other trace metals. As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual. There can be no mixture in you as you enter the inner enclosure of your spiritual Holy Place. Do you see why it was important to wash first at the Brazen Laver?

As you look around you notice that the Holy Place is encased by several coverings. Let us examine them.

LINEN

The innermost coverings are linen curtains interwoven with cherubim. Linen represents rest. You may remember that the first time cherubim were mentioned in Scripture was in Genesis 3:23, 24.

“…therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.”

Cherubim are guardians. They kept Adam and Eve from returning to the idyllic Garden of Eden where they had enjoyed sweet intimate fellowship with the Lord. I believe that these cherubim, being on the inside of the Holy Place where you are, symbolize how God wants you to guard the treasures that you receive in your spirit during your communion with Him; treasures that enable you to come into a deeper state of rest in Him.

GOATS’ HAIR

“You shall also make curtains of goats’ hair, to be a tent over the tabernacle.” Exodus 26:7

In Moses’ day the goat was a sacrificial animal, used on the Day of Atonement. The High Priest would lay his hands on the goat’s head, after which it was led away out of the camp and into the wilderness. This scapegoat signified God’s taking away the sins of the Israelites. What a wonderful symbol of Jesus who is our Sacrificial Scapegoat!

RAM’S SKINS

“You shall also make a covering of ram skins dyed red for the tent, and a covering of badger skins above that.” Exodus 26:14

The ram reminds us of a substitute sacrifice. After Abraham willingly took Isaac up to the mountain to sacrifice him as God ordered, the Lord provided Himself a ram caught in the thicket.

The red ram skins are a reminder that Jesus’ Blood was the Perfect Substitute given in sacrifice for our sin.

BADGER SKINS

Badger skins are tough and coarse, shielding the precious items in the Tabernacle from the onslaught of rain, wind and sand. Jesus is our Covering, shielding us from the onslaught of the enemy.

These badger skins were also unattractive. Again we see a picture of our Saviour whom Isaiah describes this way…
“He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him there is no beauty that we should desire Him.” Isaiah 53:2

Jesus commands you to come often to this secret place, The Holy Place, in Him – away from the noise and clatter of daily routine. It is here in this glorious seclusion that He meets with you and imparts His precious treasures into you.

Don’t rush. Stay a while, and walk with me to the first piece of furniture in the Holy Place – the Golden Lampstand.

….to be continued.

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: PART 5

 THE BRAZEN LAVER

Before a priest could enter the Holy Place from the Outer Court, he had to wash at the Brazen Laver. It was a requirement of God that could not be overlooked. He had to remove any defilement before going before the Holy God.

The Laver was made of bronze mirrors donated by women, and was filled with water. It stood between the Brazen Altar and the Holy Place.

Blood was shed at the Brazen Altar symbolizing the sacrifice of a life through death. Water was the focus at the Laver, symbolizing the giving of life through cleansing.

At his initial consecration the priest was washed all over his body at the Laver. This was a type of baptism. After that he had to wash himself – his hands and feet – before entering and after leaving the service to the Lord in the Holy Place. The priest was able to see his reflection both in the water and in the bronze mirrors that made up the Laver. A priest who did not wash before entering the Holy Place, or upon exiting it was considered to be ceremonially unclean, and therefore unfit for service and worship to the Lord.

This is a reminder to us that, after presenting our bodies as living sacrifices (the Brazen Altar experience), we must wash ourselves before entering into intimate communion with, or service to the Lord. How do we do that washing today, since there are no more Brazen Lavers for ceremonial washing? Jesus gives us the answer.

In response to the woman at the well, He said that He had living water that would cause her never to thirst again. This was not physical water to quench natural thirst, but rather the spiritual water of the Word of God that would revive and sustain her. (John 4:1-13)

In John 15:3 Jesus tells His disciples, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.”

Paul admonishes husbands to, “love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word…”

It is clear, then, that our “Brazen Laver” today is the Word of God. Just as the priests were able to see their reflections when they washed at their Laver, we too can see ourselves when we look with honest hearts into the Word. It shows us who we are, and what defilement needs to be removed.

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you, through the Word…

• an attitude that needs to be corrected – is there pride, selfishness, jealousy, unforgiveness
• a sin that you have become desensitized to
• any worldly values that have infiltrated your lifestyle

The priests of Moses’ day had to wash their hands and feet. This was a foreshadowing of what we are to do today. Our hands represent what we do – our work, our service, our assignments. Our feet represent our daily walk – our mindsets, ways, lifestyles.

Today God is too often approached with casual familiarity and taken for granted. Too many believers have adopted an air of entitlement, thinking that because they do x, y or z God must reciprocate. The Sovereignty, Majesty and Holiness of Almighty God has, to a large extent, been excommunicated from the church, and replaced by “God, our good Buddy”. God has been brought down to man’s level, rather than man aspiring to come up to His.

More than ever before, we must look at the Brazen Laver as it relates to us. Although Jesus’ sacrificial death paid the price for our sin, we must still be cleansed daily from its influence. We must ask the Lord to show us, through His Word, what mindsets, attitudes, habits etc need to be removed. Without it we would be in danger of coming before the Holy God with unwashed “hands” and “feet” – defiled priests.

Have you been meeting God’s requirement to wash daily at The “Brazen Laver”?

But as the One Who called you is holy, 

you yourselves also be holy 

in all your conduct and manner of living. 

For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. 

1 Peter 1: 15-16

to be continued…

THE CROWD, THE CALLED AND THE CHOSEN – PART 3

The Chosen

Out of the crowd that stood on the seashore Jesus called many, and from that group He chose a few.

There are some commonalities between those who are called and those who are chosen.

• They were both separated from the masses. See Mark 3:13-15

• They were both given the same authority and the same instructions. See Luke 9:1-3 and Luke 10: 1-2, 4, 9

• They all heard His teachings about the Kingdom of God. See Matthew 5:1,2 and Luke 8: 9. 10

What, then, is the difference between the called and the chosen? The answer, I believe, resides in part in John’s gospel.

His disciples had just witnessed the miracle of Jesus feeding 5000 people with five loaves and two fishes. Now they were about to hear Him make an astounding statement about Himself.

“I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?” Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, 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 food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.” John 6: 51-55

Continue reading and you will see the distinction between the called and the chosen…..

Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” John 6: 60-61; 63-64

Jesus had just made the first of seven “I AM” declarations. The called were unwilling to accept it, so they didn’t stick around to hear the other six. They knew his acts, and they learned His teachings, but they never really got to know Him. This decision separated them from the chosen.

From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6: 66-69

Many of those who were the called walked away because they took Jesus’ words literally. Even after He explained that the words He spoke were Spirit – which is the language of the Kingdom of God – they were not willing to follow through and learn that new language.

By contrast, Peter recognized Jesus’ speech as being of the Kingdom and spoke on behalf of the twelve, committing to follow Jesus.

In Mark 3 we read that the twelve were chosen so that they might be with Jesus. This was not said of those who were called. It is only when you walk in close union with the Lord that you will hear and learn His language, and therefore come to know His heart.

In summary:

• The crowd today is made up of those who come primarily because of a need that needs to be met. They are not necessarily interested in having a relationship with the Lord. They just want Him to be available when they call on Him in times of crisis.

• The called often are those who have accepted Jesus as their Saviour. They may be involved in ministry and even do mighty things, but stop short of becoming fully engaged in Him. They can become intoxicated with the pride of public acclaim, power and popularity of their ministry. Jesus simply becomes a means to an end.

• The chosen are those who forsake everything for this blessed Saviour. They sacrifice their own desires for His. They learn the language of the Spirit – the language of God’s love – and they have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying. They are willing to trust the Lord and abide in Him even when they don’t always understand His ways. They eat His flesh – enabling Him to infiltrate and change every part of their lives. And they gladly drink His life-giving Blood. This is true intimacy! It is the chosen ones who will manifest the image of God in the earth!

He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 

John 6:56

Are you part of the crowd, the called or the chosen?

THE CROWD, THE CALLED AND THE CHOSEN – Part 2

THE CALLED – MOUNTAIN LEVEL
 
And He went up on the mountain 

and called to Him those He Himself wanted. 

And they came to Him. 

Mark 3:13

Out of the crowd who were gathered at the seaside, Jesus called (invited) many to come up higher to Him. Those who responded to the call had a mountain level experience.

I believe these were the same disciples whom Jesus spoke to when He gave the Sermon on the Mount. These were the same ones who learned the principles of the Kingdom of God.

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven….” – Matthew 5:1-3

The “called” were the ones whom Jesus sent out, giving them power and authority they never thought they could wield.

After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. …heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ – Luke 10:1-3, 9

They returned, excitedly reporting to Jesus the results of their mission, and He in turn confirmed their authority.

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” – Luke 10:17-20

Just like the people in that day you may have started off at ground level, so to speak, on your journey with the Lord. Maybe there was some crisis in your life – an illness, a broken relationship, a financial crisis or some other dilemma. You reached out to Jesus and He was there. Then you heard His invitation and you responded, entering into the mountain level experience. But is that all there is? Does this level guarantee you a place in heaven?

In John 3:3 Jesus told Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Soon afterward the Lord tells him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

Is it possible to see the Kingdom of God and yet not enter it? I believe it is very possible, just as the children of Israel saw the Promised Land, but were denied access to it because of their disbelief and disobedience.

When you accept Jesus as your Saviour you are given the same power and authority that the seventy of that day were given, and it will work. However, note Jesus’ stern warning at the end of His Sermon on the Mount….

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ – Matthew 7:21-23

Remaining at the level of being “called” puts you in grave danger of

• Double mindedness. You are still too close to the ground level and could “fall off the mountain” if you allow your senses to control you.
• Being lukewarm. There are so many who sit in churches Sunday after Sunday and in weekly Bible studies. They hear the Word of God and are aware of the principles of the Kingdom, yet they fall into the sin of familiarity. The Word becomes so common to them that it loses its relevance, and therefore its potency. They become hearers and not doers of the Word. Jesus said that if you are like the lukewarm Laodicean church of Revelation 3 He will spit you out of His mouth!
• False assurance of your position in Christ. You can be called to be an apostle, called to be a prophet, called to evangelize, pastor or teach. You may have the gift of healing, faith, tongues or interpretation of tongues. You may give liberally or serve faithfully in your local assembly. You may have the title of Bishop, Minister or Reverend. However, as the passage in Matthew 7 indicates, none of this guarantees your entrance into heaven.
• Judgmentalism and a Pharisaical spirit. This happens if you apply the letter of the Law of the Kingdom without understanding or applying the spirit of the Law.

Scripture records that Jesus gave the same authority to the seventy that He had given to the twelve apostles (see Luke 9:1-2). Yet the end results were so different.

“….many are called, but few are chosen.” 

Matthew 20:16

To be continued….

THE CROWD, THE CALLED AND THE CHOSEN (Part 1)

There are 3 types of people who interact with Jesus, and the gospel of Mark gives an illustration of who they are. We meet them at three different levels – both physically and spiritually.

THE CROWD – GROUND LEVEL

 
But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him. So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. Mark 3:7-10

Here are some characteristics of the crowd:-

• They often initiate the contact with Jesus because they have specific needs that they want Him to meet
• Many just want to get a “word from the Lord” or a touch from Him to relieve their discomfort
• They are not necessarily interested in committing themselves to have a relationship with Him
• Included in this group are those who will heed the call, those who are to be chosen, the curious and those are there to plot against the ministry
• People hide themselves within the crowd so they can remain unaccountable
• The crowd can be influenced by opposing voices, and can change quickly from “Hosanna” to “Crucify Him.” Therefore the number in the crowd is not an accurate measure of one’s effectiveness in ministry.

The demands and momentum of the crowd have the potential to take a minister off the focus of his/her primary calling. Jesus was always aware of what His primary mission was, and He kept His focus.

When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” Mark 1: 37, 38

Notice, also, Jesus’ wisdom in telling the disciples to get a boat ready for Him to get into. This was His way of making sure that:

• the crowd didn’t wear Him out
• He was able to focus on His primary purpose – preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom

If  you are a minister, don’t allow the crowd to dictate what you do, how you do it or when you do it. Be like Jesus and listen to the Voice of the Father only.


If  you are a part of the “crowd” in your congregation, please know that this ground level interaction with the Lord will not get you anything but temporary fixes, and even those will run out after a while. Hear Jesus calling you to come up higher – to elevate your relationship with Him. Will you answer His call today?


to be continued……

LIKE A LION

The lion – the king of the jungle – hunts only when it is hungry. After it kills its prey, feeds and is full, it leaves the rest of the carcass for other animals to dine on.

The lion will only go out and hunt again after it has digested its last meal and has used the energy that the meal provided. It consumes only what it needs and puts it to good use.

All animals, birds and plants in their natural habitat do like the lion. Have you ever seen an overweight kangaroo, or ostrich? Have you ever seen leaves on a tree storing up extra sap while others go without?

The Body of Christ can learn two important lessons – one natural, the other spiritual.

THE NATURAL
We have become a culture of hoarders. We build bigger homes to house just a few. We drive larger vehicles for our own singular comfort, disregarding the detrimental impact on the environment. We demand larger closets. Do you really need all those shoes? All those outfits?

Are you depending on the Lord to provide your daily bread or have you, like the world, been relying on your own intellectual and material resources? When the global recession hits home personally can you continue to provide for yourself, having not developed a total dependence on the Lord for all of your needs?

The Body of Christ has succumbed in large measure to the spirit of mammon. It is a mindset of greed and selfishness that is never satisfied with what it has. Mammon has influenced believers to focus on prosperity, and has redefined the word prosper to make it fit in with the world system.

In the Old Testament prosper means to be prudent, to have insight or to wisely understand. In the New Testament it means to have a successful journey. No wonder the Lord told Joshua that if he obeyed His Word, then, and only then would Joshua prosper! Joshua’s obedience would ensure his success.

What is your measure of success in the natural? Is it the same as the Lord’s? Is it your obedience to God’s Word, or is it simply your accumulation of material assets?

THE SPIRITUAL

How many sermons have you heard in church? How many messages have you heard via Christian television or radio? How many Christian books have you read? How many teachings have you listened to on cd?

Now…how many of those messages have you actually eaten (absorbed mentally and spiritually), and digested (meditated on), and then put into practice in your life before listening to another one. I have asked this question before, but it bears asking again….

Have you done the last thing that God told you to do? Have you obeyed His Word?

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 

Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” Revelation 3:14-19

Be like the lion. If you have been hoarding (naturally or spiritually), use it or lose it. Don’t be caught overweight!

ABIDING IN HIS LOVE – Filled with His Joy

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 

John 15:11

The word “joy” comes from a root word meaning to rejoice exceedingly, be well, to thrive.

Think about this…even though Jesus was “despised and rejected by men; a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” He talked about His joy more than His sorrow. It is because He knew that any sorrow He felt was short-lived compared to the everlasting joy that He had within. Moreover, His sorrow was not a self-pitying one, but rather was for those who were still lost and without a Savior.

In the world today joy and happiness are used interchangeably. The truth is that the world can only offer you happiness which is a temporary feeling of euphoria brought on by some external factor – a raise in salary or a good time out with friends, for example, or some other pleasant event that appeals to your senses.

Joy, on the other hand, is not dependent on external influences or your sense realm. It originates within. It is understandable, then, that Jesus, even though He was hated and reviled by so many, maintained His joy. Not only that……..He wants you to have His joy.

Jesus’ joy originated from the intensely intimate relationship that He shared with the Father. Because of this, He was able to maintain His joy even in the face of terrible persecution and rejection. He did not allow temporary situations to permanently affect Him. He remained focused on His mission and His continuous communion with His Father.

For Him to be moved with such compassion for those who were afflicted, Jesus had to know the joy they were missing. When He saw that they were like sheep without a shepherd, He knew they were missing the joy of having the love of the Great Shepherd to guide them. He knew the joy they were missing when their bodies were afflicted with disease or the minds were tormented. He also knows the joy you miss when you don’t abide in Him completely.

John chapter 15 details Jesus’ final commands to His disciples before His crucifixion. The last words that are spoken are usually the ones that you remember most vividly. This is why I believe He took the time to expound clearly in this chapter on His two commandments – love God by abiding in Him (verses 1-8); love your neighbor as Jesus loves you (verses 9-17).

Jesus described the joy that awaits a good servant. When you are a faithful steward over the things that the Father has assigned to you, you can be assured of the right to enter into the joy of the Lord.

• His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Matthew 25:21

Joy and peace go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other.

• These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
• “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11

Everything on this earth – interpersonal relationships, challenges, triumphs – comes to pass. The only thing that is permanent in your life is your relationship (or lack of it) with the Lord, which determines where you will spend eternity. Therefore…

• …lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrew 12:1,2

The following Scripture summarizes what you do to maintain your joy…

• Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally, (insert your name here), whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:4-8

Friends will disappoint you; family will fail you, but the joy of your intimate relationship the Lord will always continue to be your strength. Abide in Him and enter into the joy of the Lord!

ABIDING IN HIS LOVE – All Things

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
John 15:9

Before you can abide fully in the love of Jesus Christ you first have to understand

1. how the Father loves Jesus and
2. how Jesus, in like manner, loves you.

THE FATHER LOVES THE SON

Perfect, intimate love is a love that shares everything. This is the kind of love that is demonstrated between the Father and His Son, Jesus the Christ. Everything that the Father is, and everything that the Father has, is also the Son’s. The Father, in His love, gave all things to His Son with nothing lacking.

In the beginning of time God had said, “Let Us make man in Our own image, and let them have dominion over….all the earth” Genesis 1:26. The first Adam had all things on earth, just as the Father had all things in heaven. The only exception was the tree of knowledge of good and evil. When Adam disobeyed God’s command, the consequences were loss of intimate communion with the Father, and dispossession of all things that the Father had so freely given to him. However, Jesus, the Last Adam, came to earth and regained for us all that was destroyed and lost when the first Adam sinned.

• The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. John 3:35
• The Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does… John 5: 20a
• All things have been delivered to Me by My Father… Matthew 11:27a
• And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church…Ephesians 1:22

THE SON LOVES YOU

1. Everything that is in a vine flows freely into its abiding branch so that the branch has the same DNA – and therefore the same attributes – as the vine. The vine gives the branch everything that it needs to sustain its life. In the same way Jesus, the True Vine, gives you all things when you abide in Him…

• He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32
• If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7

2. Jesus has made provision to take care of all your essential daily needs.

• Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:25, 33

3. The Father, through Jesus, gives you everything you need for your spiritual, emotional and material success throughout your entire life.

• Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue… 2 Peter 1:2-3

4. Before Jesus left the earth He made sure that you would have access to everything that you need to know.

• But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26
• 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. John 16:13
• All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He (the Holy Spirit) will take of Mine and declare it to you. John 16:15

Pause for a few moments and take inventory of your life. Are there areas in which you are not experiencing the “all things” that Jesus promises? Could it be that you have not yet fully accepted the love of Jesus in those areas? For example, is there dis-ease that has been plaguing your body for some time? Are there ongoing problems with interpersonal relationships? Are you experiencing continued lack in a particular area?

If a branch is not completely embedded in its vine source it won’t receive all things. Similarly, if there is a crimp or a disconnect in your soul caused by fear, unbelief, indifference or disobedience, then you will not receive all things that Jesus wants to give you out of His overwhelming love! There can be nothing blocking the flow of the Lord’s love to you – a love which comes in myriads of ways….healing, protection, reconciliation, provision….the list goes on and on. 

Receive all things the Lord desires to give you. Abide in His love!

ABIDING IN HIS LOVE – Continuous Communion

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; 

abide in My love. 

John 15:9

Before you can abide fully in the love of Jesus Christ you first have to understand

1. how the Father loves Jesus and
2. how Jesus, in like manner, loves you.

THE FATHER LOVES THE SON

The Father was in constant communication with Jesus. He showed His beloved Son all the things that He, the Father, was doing in heaven, so that Jesus could manifest those things in the earth.

Remember that Jesus had to learn how to live as a human being. He grew in wisdom, and He learned obedience through the things that He suffered. The earth life was completely different from what He knew in heaven.

As such, Jesus dared not start His day without first seeking the Father’s will concerning it. He would not go out on a mission unless it was directed by the Father. He would only heal those whom the Father directed Him to, and He would only speak the words that the Father gave Him to speak. He didn’t do things just because He felt like it, or because He was moved by His emotions. Since He was in constant communion with the Father, Jesus manifested the Father’s will perfectly.

• Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.” John 5: 19,20
• But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”  John 5:17
• I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. John 5:30
• Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” John 4:34

THE SON LOVES YOU

Jesus is in constant communication with you. He sent His Holy Spirit to show you what the Father is doing in heaven, so that you could manifest those things in the earth. That is why He taught us to pray that God’s Kingdom would come, and that His will would be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Without the Father Jesus could do nothing; without Jesus you can do nothing.

• “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5

David knew the importance of God’s word. In Psalm 138:2 he declared, “You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” ‘Word’ here is translated as ‘utterance, speech, saying, promise or command’.

It stands to reason, then, that when satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, Jesus quoted the Word of God.

It is imperative that you know what God says to you personally through the Scriptures, so that with every temptation you face you will give an appropriate response from the Word of God.

• But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

Jesus Himself is the Word made flesh. When you abide in Him, and He in you, then He, the Living Word, gives you all that you need. Jesus Himself is your daily Bread.

• And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:35
• Give us day by day our daily bread. Luke 11:3

It is also imperative that you know how to discern the voice of God as He speaks directly to you, Spirit to spirit. He also speaks through you, spirit to Spirit.

• But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2: 9-10
• Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26

Jesus never had a bad day and He never experienced failure. I believe it is because He remained in constant communication with the Father who was His closest Friend. The Lord, in His love, desires that you have that same kind of success each day. He sees the big picture and He also knows the intimate details, so He has a specific plan and strategy for you to follow every day. 

Learn to discern when He is prompting you to come to Him. It is different for each person. Don’t get stuck in repetitious prayer! You wouldn’t want someone saying the same thing over and over to you would you? Why, then, should Jesus accept it from you? He wants intimate relationship, not routine.
 
Observe how young children communicate. They are constantly asking questions, talking about what they observe and how they feel. Jesus wants you to come to Him with that same kind of innocence and openness. 

Too many believers commune with the Lord when they awake in the morning, but leave Him out of the rest of their day. Best friends are in constant communication, and Jesus wants to be your best friend. I believe that He also wants you to be His best friend. We’ll discuss this further in an upcoming article.

At the beginning of your day ask Him what He would have you think, say and do. I even make it a habit of asking the Lord what He wants us to wear when I’m preparing to go out. I am aware that He is in me, and I am in Him, and that everything should be a reflection of who He is, including my apparel.

During the day be sure to keep tuned in to the Spirit’s frequency so that you can discern what He is saying to you moment by moment. He will guide you into all truth, and will show you what you need to know. Talk to Him, even about seemingly unimportant things. Practice communing with Him while you are going through your day. Tell Him what you are thinking about. Tell Him when you are anxious or angry or excited. Learn to thank Him promptly. Ask for His help when you’re uncertain. (When I’m doing a sudoku puzzle and can’t find the answer, guess Who I ask!) He is interested in every aspect of your life. You aren’t required to assume a religious posture and close your eyes. You can be in a crowd and still commune with the Lord intimately. I enjoy having silent, secret conversations with the Lord when others are around. That’s what best friends do!

Before you go to bed commune with the Lord again. Thank Him for being with you, and be specific about the things that He did for you on that day. Evaluate your day with Him. Practice open, honest sharing with Him……….after all, He already knows! Talk with Him about the successes you had, the challenges you faced, and the changes that still need to be realized. He loves this kind of interaction and it will build greater intimacy between you.

Practice continuous communion with the Lord and you will abide in His love!