Comfort and Exhortation...

1 Thessalonians 5 - For comfort, exhortation and hope...

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Brethren, pray for us.

Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

HIs Presence Goes With Me...

Then Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.’  Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.”

And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.”

So the Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.”--Exodus 33:12-17

Reading through Exodus 33:12-17 again this morning and praying it fervently for myself as well as for the people whom I love.  

Father, 

I am Your beloved daughter and by Your matchless grace have found grace in Your sight!!  I have been chosen in You before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame before You.  I want to know You more!!  Please show me now Your ways  and teach me Your paths so that others would see the evidence of Your grace displayed in my life and desire Your Presence, also. 

In my flesh I can do nothing good.   Without Your Spirit I am helpless and hopeless!! You provide me with wisdom and guide me continually. You have prepared works for me to walk in.  You deal with my enemies round about me...I am never ashamed because You are my Father who fights for me and never turns me away!  I want my life to be an expression of my utter gratitude for what You and You alone have accomplished.   I want to live always to the praise of Your glory!  This cannot happen unless Your Presence goes with me for I am like a child before You.  I do not know how to come in or go out.  

Lift up the light of Your countenance upon me, Father, and give me peace.  You are the glory of my strength and in Your favor I am exalted. The Holy One of Israel is my King, my strength and my shield...He hears the  voice of my supplications.  My heart trusts in You and I am helped.  Therefore, I greatly rejoice and with my song I praise You!  Let me never glory in anything or anyone but You, Lord.  May I live, Father, in utter dependence on You and may it be to the praise of Your glory!

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--that, as it is written, "He who glories, let Him glory in the Lord."--1 Corinthians 1:30-31

The Earth is the Lord's

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.--Psalm 24:1


In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.--Genesis 1:1

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.  Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so.  Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.--Genesis 1:26-31

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.--John 1:1-5

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.--John 1:14

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. --John 1:17

The Title Deed to the Earth belongs to Jesus Christ...

But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”--Revelation 5:5

Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.  And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”--Revelation 5:7-10

He Answered Nothing...

Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.

Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”  But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.--Matthew 27:11b-13 (emphasis mine)

He answered nothing.  Jesus held His peace.  What a wondrous example of wisdom...SILENCE.  

But I, like a deaf man, do not hear;
And I am like a mute who does not open his mouth.
¹⁴ Thus I am like a man who does not hear,
And in whose mouth is no response.

For in You, O Lord, I hope;

You will hear, O Lord my God.--Psalm 38:13-14

You, my Jesus, was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, You opened not Your mouth.  You faced so much unjust suffering and were accused of so many things and answered them nothing!  You knew they could have no power against You unless it had been given to them by Your Father in heaven.  Your surrendered completely to His will for the joy that was set before You and endured the cross...You died because You had set Your love upon ME!! before the foundation of the world!! You desired me and chose me as Your peculiar treasure to be with You always and forever...AND YOUR CHOOSING HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME BUT EVERYTHING TO DO WITH YOUR MERCY, LOVE AND COMPASSION.  

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: --1 John 3:1a

It is written in Your word that no Man spoke as You spoke, but silence was Your answer to Your accusers and Your to Your persecutors.  You bore it all, speechless and said not a word in Your defense...not a word to stop Your slaughter. You were the perfect self-sacrifice. You, who knew no sin, bore our sins for us and took the punishment we so rightly deserved!  Our sin is defenseless.  Nothing can be said in excuse of human guilt and no one can save us but our God and it was to Him that You committed Yourself!  Such a beautiful and perfect example You left for us in the face of suffering.  Silence is so very often the perfect response to an opposing world.  Quiet endurance answers so many questions so much better than words often can.  Thinking on the martyrs who spoke volumes as they gave up their lives for what they believed.  How utterly awesome, Father that in Your Son's silence He proved conclusively that He was the true Lamb of God by fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy!

He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.--Isaiah 53:7

Oh Father, may silence be my wisdom as I face an opposing world who hated You without a cause and because I follow You, will hate me, also. 

May I consider my Jesus, who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself and may this keep me from becoming weary and discouraged in my soul knowing that I have not yet resisted to bloodshed striving against sin.

May I do as Your precious Son did in the face of persecution and oppression:

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

 “Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;--1 Peter 2:21-23

When I suffer according to Your will, Father, I pray that I do not take offense; but instead commit my soul to You in doing good...You are my faithful Creator. You have seen and observed both my trouble and my grief and will repay it by Your hand.  The helpless commits himself to You...Into Your hand, then,  I commit my spirit.  You have redeemed me.  You have abolished death and brought immortality to light through the Gospel.  May I live for You unashamed for I know whom I have believed and like Paul am confident that He who has begun a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.  May my last words be as my Jesus:

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last.--Luke 23:46

Eyes on Him...

I have been reading "One Perfect Life" by John MacArthur which is in essence a harmony of the four Gospels.  Reading it brings Christ to mind often during the day and with Christ in mind I am no longer thinking on me and my circumstances. (This in itself is such a good thing)   I am thinking on His wondrous attributes.  Thinking great thoughts of my Jesus which are as Spurgeon would say...such sweet savor...truly a fragrance unequaled!  In His life of ministry here on earth Jesus makes every one of His Father's precepts shine like the sun! He is the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person.  In His life you see truth, love, perfection, obedience, surrender, the beauty of holiness and unending grace.  As I read, I see how far short I fall of the glory of God and yet I am not discouraged...for I see that this battle is not mine...I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me!  He is with me and He fights for me!

As I read I also see that my God cares for me, that His grace is sufficient, that His will is best and that in Him is my safety.  My Jesus was Man of Sorrows, well acquainted with grief.   He was despised and rejected of men and not received by even His own people.  My Jesus understands all that I go through and sympathizes.  Despite what He faced He loved until the end...He did nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of mind regarded others as more important than Himself.  He set His face like flint and endured it all for me...for each of us who would believe.  His love was constant, self-forgetting and faithful.  I so very much want to be as He was and is!    He is my help...my strong habitation...my God fights for me.  Praying that my life can be a reflection of His glory and that I would honor my Father always during my time here on earth.  May my eyes and my thoughts be ever toward Him and may my trust be demonstrated by my praise of faith!

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.--Colossians 3:1-4

His Peace...

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.--Ephesians 1:2

God gives peace...His true peace to those who love and obey Him.  The Bible says that man on his own cannot know this peace because he is alienated from God.  True peace is only available through our Father in Heaven who is the God of all Peace and from the Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace.  

Beloved, may both His grace and peace be with you today and every day.  His peace is a gift of His grace!  Take hold of what you have been given!  Grace is God's unmerited favor or kindness to us in His Son...to us who are so undeserving but by faith believe!  

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.--Romans 5:1-2

How beautiful is that...our access into this grace is by our faith. (which is also a gift from Him)  Apart from Christ we are aliens in this world without hope, but now in Christ Jesus we have been brought near. 

The Spirit of God who makes His home with us when we believe and bears witness with our Spirit that we are His children...it is He who leads us and speaks His peace to our hearts even in the midst of very difficult circumstances.  He also convicts us of sin and wrong focus that weaken us and lessen our devotion to God.   His Spirit assures us that our God is sovereign and that whatever comes our way must first go through His hand of love.  We are thus comforted that despite how things look or feel our God has it all in hand and is working it all together for His glory and our good.  This is the peace that is talked of in the book of Philippians...the one that is surpasses all understanding.  God does not give peace as the world gives peace...the world's peace is fleeting and dependent on circumstances...our God's peace is total and eternal in the heavens.

Praying today that His Spirit would show me those things that discourage His peace from ruling in my heart.  Try me Father...search me...show me my sin and know my anxieties.  Help me to step out of the way and allow your peace and comforts to be the delight of my soul.  The work you want to do in my heart is good!!  Oh, that the following command from the Book of Philippians would be the antidote today for all of my anxious, foolish and prideful thoughts.  May I receive Your word with meekness (no argument) and allow them to root, ground and grow in my heart.

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, brethren, 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.  The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.--Philippians 4:6-9

Notes on True Success...

Was outside running and thinking on some things I had read this morning in the word of God.

Run the race with endurance...Press forward and look to Him

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us 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.--Hebrews 12:1-2

Herein lies true success....

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.--2nd Timothy 4:7-8

The Reward...

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

Salvation is the path to glory...live being faithful to the will of your God.  Remember the goal...think on the reward...finish well.

The Book of Jude

The Book of Jude always reminds me of Dave Hunt...one who contended earnestly for the faith. Posting it in his honor.  

http://www.thebereancall.org

Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,

To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:

Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.

Desiring the Praise of God...

But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God--Romans 2:29

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

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.--Matthew 23:25-28

Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.--Luke 17:21

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.--John 4:23

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.--Philippians 3:3

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.--Colossians 2:11-12

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?--John 5:44

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.--John 12:43

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.--1 Corinthians 4:5

For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.--2nd Corinthians 10:18

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.--1 Thessalonians 2:4  

APPLICATION:  God looks at our hearts...He sees all.  There is NOTHING hidden from his sight. His judgment reaches the secret places of our hearts and it is according to truth.   He desires truth in the inward parts and renders to each one according to his deeds.  

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.--1 Peter 3:4

Psalm 51

Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight—
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.

Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.

Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem.
Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,
With burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

Preeminence Belongs to Him...

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”--Revelation 11:15

His name shall endure forever;
His name shall continue as long as the sun.
And men shall be blessed in Him;
All nations shall call Him blessed.--Psalm 72:17

Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.--Isaiah 9:7

For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no form or comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no beauty that we should desire Him.
He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.--Isaiah 53:2-3

Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,
And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,
Because He poured out His soul unto death,
And He was numbered with the transgressors,
And He bore the sin of many,
And made intercession for the transgressors.--Isaiah 53:12

John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.--John 3:27

So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. --1 Cor 3:7

APPLICATION:

He must increase, but I must decrease.--John 3:30