...but Jesus sent him away

Reading Luke 8:26 - 40 to the children tonight and this passage really jumped out at me.

Here we have this dear man tormented of devils and in bondage and finally healing and deliverance comes. People are amazed and in fear as he sits with Jesus "clothed and in his right mind". Then all the people beseech Jesus to leave the country because they were "taken with great fear". So as Jesus starts to leave, this beloved man who was now delivered beseeches Jesus that he might go with him, but instead of taking him into the number, Jesus sends him away.

In looking at this from our perspective it seems wrong. Really, who would tell someone that just came to Christ today to go away and stay with family that has just rejected Jesus Christ. This man was the only man in the whole country that got it. Everyone else was afraid of Jesus and they sent Jesus away. You would think that Jesus would have told the man, "Hey, come with me, I will get you established in your faith and teach you all the things you need to know so that you can go back and be an effective minister to those people back there". But no, that is not what He said. Notice that Jesus told him to "Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee." Is there any better foundation than that to tell anyone. We are always looking to find something better to tell people intead of just telling them the wonderful things that God has done for us. Sometimes I wonder if this is the case because God really hasn't wrought wonderful things in us. I don't say that to be harsh or critical. God knows. But we should desire reality with Christ and a reality of a changed life, something that people will take note of. This is to me that I ask these things but we should all consider them.

Consider finally, the work that this man does with just a testimony of a changed life. The Bible says that he "published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him". And what was there the next time Jesus came back? "And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were ALL WAITING for Him." Amazing!

Jesus knew the pefect plan for this man. He knew that His testimony would change the hearts of those people and He knew that if He removed him from his home, these people would still be afraid of Jesus. There are some many things to consider with this but let us just consider this one for tonight, that we can shine in a place where Jesus is not wanted and by showing forth the true testimony of a changed life we can help people come to the place where they too will be waiting for Jesus when He returns. And, hopefully it will be ALL of them that will be waiting.

David

Walking

Walking seems like the very basic thing for a child to learn to do in order to be able to continue on in growth. As parents we are always so excited to see our child take their first steps. Being a father of a special needs child, I remember clearly the great excitement that came when my child started walking. Doors open for them, a new world is now available. It truly is a wonderful thing.

How much more in the realm of our Spiritual life? I was reading this devotional from Oswald Chambers http://www.myutmost.org/07/0720.html and I really appreciate his consideration on this. The interesting thing that he brings forth is that it is not just in the ability to walk but it is in the contentment of walking where we are strong and where we are found in a place where we can be directed. There is a walking with Christ that we need to learn.

...And, it is in that area, walking, that I see the Lord doing today more than anything, in my own life and in the life of so many others. There is such a work to return to the very foundational things of this life in Christ, of returning to Him and Him alone for life, and as an outflow of this there is a learning to walk. Day by day, minute by minute, hour by hour. To walk with the living head, individually and hopefully at some point corporately. He is alive! He is wanting to walk this life out with us. He does desire to be intimate with us and commune with us. This is real, not just words. I remember when I used to read books by Andrew Murray, Watchman Nee and others and I would read of this reality that they would speak of and think to myself, "is this reality really possible". Hey, just being honest here. Tired of pretending. However, I can say that as the Lord has brought me back to the foundation of what this life of being a Christian is, He has shown me that this is indeed real. I don't claim in this statement to have attained fully but I speak as one who has tasted more and desires to continue to go deeper in this relationship. This is where life is. This is where Jesus will be glorified and this is where Jesus will build his church.

If you are not experiencing these things, then stop where you are and get honest with God. Go back to the foundation. This life should be real with a real Saviour. Remember, as one dear brother wrote in a song about John 14:6, "if You (Jesus) are the truth, then without you I'm lied to". Don't accept anything less than the real Truth, the real Jesus!

May God bless you this day!

David

Friends

Jesus said "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." and he is the friend that "sticketh closer than a brother" (Prov 18:24). How important that intimacy is, not only with Jesus Christ, but also with the brethren.

I woke with the following verse in mind after a sweet night of fellowship with some dear brethren;

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

As with all the Word of God, it's true! There is great joy and encouragement that we receive one from another as we can also receive this from Jesus. In considering why, I have come to the conclusion that is the life of Christ shining forth from that person which allows for us to be sharpened, comforted, encouraged, challenged and probably many other things. It is a taste of what we will see in fullness when we come face to face.

David

Trust in the Lord

Something has been weighing on my heart for a while now and I just thought I would share some thoughts on this.

Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

2 Corinthians 5:6-11 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Psalms 118:8-9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

Psalms 25:12-14 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Psalms 128:1-2 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

It is really clear that those that trust in men are cursed and those that trust in the Lord are blessed. Additionally, the fear of the Lord, being the beginning of wisdom, is where we start looking to the Lord rather than trusting in men. Consider the implications of trusting in men, or ourselves, God will not lead them. He can't (Prov 3, Psalm 25). So, what does that mean to us. Here we are in a day of such confusion with the church of Jesus Christ and many are running here and there looking to see what the Lord is going to do with this people or with that people. What are we doing? Are we not looking to men? Many will say, including myself, that we are going to see what God is doing with those people. That may be true to a certain extent but aren't we still trying to see with the eyes of our flesh rather than the eyes of faith. The eyes of faith speaketh on this wise, that the Lord is building His church in the lives of all those that love Him and that depart from iniquity. All those that are willing to trust in Him with all their heart and not lean on their own understanding. This is one of the most desperate things about our times. I am very concerned. However, I have hope. Hope for all that are willing to repent of seeking to find refuge in man but instead find their only refuge in the Lord Jesus Christ. He will therein get glory.

May He be blessed in your faith today!

David

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Matthew 7:1-5
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

What ??? Judge not, that ye be not judged

Luke 6:37-39
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

What ??? Judge not

John 7:24-27
24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. 25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? 27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

What ??? Judge not

John 12:37-50
37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. 41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of Him. 42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. 44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.


What??? if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

So often when we read the Bible we see only those things that we like. It's like going to a spiritual smorgasbord. We choose all the things we like, things that perhaps in this case allow us to keep our foot in two Kingdoms. It allows us to be “saved” but not be offensive to the world. Remember Mt 6:24 and Lu 16:13. Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

A very wise man once told me that all scriptures have to be read with in the context of their chapter and to know the audience that was being addressed. So I have included these scripture within the context of the chapters.

If we examine the first three verses within their context we can see that all three scriptures are actually addressing our own hearts. We judge everything that others do from the perspective of our own wicked hearts. That is the Beam in our eye. Not necessarily, for example we have committed a sin in secret and cast public judgments about another that has committed the same sin….. These scriptures address something far more every day… For example if we were blessed enough to see money pass between two man and in our wicked judgmental heart we say to ourselves “man #1 must have borrowed money from man #2 and is paying it back” and we begin to make other various assumptions based on our own heart. “man #1 is in debt… doesn’t he know Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” Or “ I wonder if man #2 charged him interest… doesn’t he know Leviticus 25:37 Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.”

Remember Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

In the last verse CHRIST says And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. CHRIST had not come at that point in time to judge, HE had come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.) However, that does not mean that we walk along keeping silent while those around us are knowingly sinning. In knowing their fate, have you no compassion, have you no love for your brother, for your sister, for mankind…. Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. It is the fear on man that prevents us from doing what GOD commands us to do. And again, Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Remember their blood will be on our hands. Ezekiel 3:18 – 19 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

On the Judgment Day His word says that He will sift us as wheat…. (HE will judge us.) The sheep on the right and the goats on the left. His sheep will inherit His Kingdom Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: but the goats… (the sheep being a picture allegory of the children of HIS Kingdom and the goats being a picture allegory of the world and the people in it) He says Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Think on these things…. And read HIS WORD!

March 14, 2008

Well, we are on the road again after spending several blessed days with many saints in Missouri.

We were very blessed to be able to partake of the Wednesday evening teachings. Thursday evening David was able to share his heart on the present state of the Church. As a few of the young brothers there have just come out from amongst a group that was teaching and preaching corrupted doctrines, they greatly wanted to know what we had come through (as we have been part of a similar group). What a blessing!!! (if we learn to look to Christ)

We were also very blessed to share meals and fellowship with a few saints that have been believers for many years.... This was an immense joy as they had shared time with a few of the "hero's" of our faith.

We are now heading to VA, and will meditate and pray about what the LORD has in all of this for us. FATHER please give us your direction!

03/07/2008

Well we are regretfully migrating our way back east.... We are certainly looking forward to seeing those that we love in Christ but I have to admit, I love the west. It is still very wild in most parts and the weather, well, it's not snow. : ) We have just spent a couple of days in the northern Phoenix area and then Las Cruces, New Mexico again. We are now in Northern New Mexico and are migrating East on US 40 if you want to follow our progress on the map. As of now our plans are to head to Oklahoma tomorrow then on to Missouri after that where we will spend some time with some folks out there and hopefully catch up with my sister in Northern Missouri.

Please pray for our trip to OK as I will be visiting with some friends from my past and my hope is that there hearts will be open to hear of what the Lord has done in me.

To all reading, we miss you all and look forward to seeing you soon!

David