Th Panting Heart

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The Panting Heart

Psalm 42:1  ”.As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.”

• Why do we grieve His Holy Spiritual?
• Why do we turn aside from God, and our exceeding joy?

   Why do we provoke Him to jealousy, and thus, make Him to cause us to group in darkness?

   Can someone tell me why is it that we are so poor in spiritual gifts, when we could well have been so rich, thus keeping us panting after more of His and graces? Whilst at the same time there very much which is commendable in the desire expressed in the insatiable desire which was burned into the Psalmist’ heart is a Heavenly flame en-kindled from on high.

   What we see here is David NOT saying: ‘My soul only pants after my royalties and the splendour of the Kingdom of Judah’. Instead what we find is, if he lets go of all the trappings, rather he is content to let it all go for ever, if he may find his Go. David was for sure a prince among patriots, we find him not sighing after Jerusalem, neither do find him sighing after the wellness of Bethlehem, neither for the roses of Sharon, or, the lilies of the valley, command his limitations … BUT … his one sigh or cry, is for his one true God, the God of his life, with exceeding joy. His God, his God, he cannot live without his God. He cries out for him a lost son for his Father, just as a bleating lamb he will not be content till he finds his parent.

Psalm 42:11 "For I shall yet praise Him"

   David pines here for permission, to once again to enjoy god’s graces, that he has been longing to go upto the Tabernacle once again. As he desired to see the Priests offering the sacrifices, but for him it was to up to the alter of God. David sees that he must have a spiritual life, with substance, what he does not pine for is the sacrifices, such as NOT … The Priests … The Alter … or the Tabernacle … instead he cries unto God … “For I shall yet please Him”. (V11) Today we feel we must use our .. Mobiles .. Xbox’s .. PlayStation's.

   For you see God is only pleased when you press on through all the distractions, by ignoring them. Thus pushing on and coming to Worship & fellowship with Him. Speaking to Him as a close friend, then possessing a secret life, speaking with anointed power, which has already been bestowed upon us, now being able to speak to the invisible and everlasting God.

Because I want you to get this so I’m repeating this as so should we be so…

His God, his God, he cannot live

without his God. He cries out for him a lost son

for his Father, just as a bleating lamb he will not

be content till he finds his parent.

Once again all David wants is to enjoy God’s graces. Some will know this and sadly some not, but God lives within you. It is not meat or drink, or even your outward show worship, when in fact the outward show is ‘NOTHING’, instead it is the inward that is ‘EVERYTHING’.

   David longed .. yearned .. panted .. till the moment he appeared before his God. He heartily also wanted to join up and unit with fellow Christians in devotion to the one true living God in devotion. David thought nothing of worshipping his God alone. It was easy because he did not have to go out. But he did not get the same feeling being because .. Mat 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them”… Surly gathering with our brethren of our faith is always going to be far better for us. Never let your coming together with your brothers & Sisters content you.

1)Why do we grieve His Holy Spiritual?
   Let you soul be panting, just like the stag pants for the water brook, for God .. for God .. and no body else. We find that Davids soul was in such a state of rapture, which is why he threw his whole heart & soul into his worship of God.

Psalm 42:1 “As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God”

   When the Lords everlasting .. unbounded .. unchangeable love is in no more question than our own existence, when we can say ‘My Father’ with an unfaltering tongue, this is the cream of life, and as the heart pants for the water brook, so we ought to pant after Him. That we may always be known by the infallible witness of the Holy spirit, that assuredly we are in the love of God, and our names are written in the book of life. Ourselves are with Father God in our final days, forever and ever and all eternity.

   Now I know that there are those among you, looking upon others within your Churches that always seem to have a water brook that is plentiful. What I’m saying, is don’t give up finding your own ‘water brook’, so keep pushing on.

   The Love of God can often over powers the believer with it’s delight, he faints with glory, consumed by this love that is pure. When we actually fellowship with our Father God, as well as with His Son Christ Jesus, our joy will be crowned with a coronal of lovingkindness. There is a flood tide of the river of life in our spirit, every thought is active; every power is inspired; every passion is elevated; the whole man is filled with all of God’s tender mercies.

   By now we should, be abiding in our fellowship with God in our daily life. The enjoyment we have in God’s love ought not to be a thing of yesterday, not even just for today, but for all the length of time. May be this day I am speaking to you, who were at one time were very active Christians, making great strives in this (our) divine life, but alas, at the present moment you feel yourself to be very dull and heavily depressed, and are uneasy that it should be so. I surprisingly thank God for that uneasiness. For we all need these waves until they drive us back to our moorings, and drift and drift us back to a place where we had so much joy & peace.

   Tell me if this is how you feel or have felt, even now, months even years on. It’s great that we have accepted Christ Jesus into our lives …

• How do we know, how to think of Jesus?
• How do we speak of him to others you know?
• How do we speak to Him during the week?

   Having just become a Christian, all the services are magical, so much so you don’t want them to finish. But now we count down the days to the following weekend, and meet up with our new Christian friends. Now that the years start rolling on by, the new energy and excitement, has waned. We no longer have that hunger to do all the things for our Lord. What has happened to those days that if we were out for a walk, we would talk to Him, if during the night we wake, we would steady our soul with a short prayer?

   It’ a shame that ‘time waits for no one’, we have become stale, which leads to becoming ‘back-sliders’ to our old lives. Some go a whole week without a single prayer being uttered. They would on a Sunday bow their heads during prayer time, but shamefully would not be in prayer themselves. This sadly becomes like a cancer untreated. Now, due to these feelings we can very quickly start to feel .. without that zest for life .. feeling tired without energy .. always are melancholic .. never able to find peace, all leading to a life without God’s Holy anointing that was once had.

Psalm 42:1 “As the deer pants for the water brooks”

   Today there is so much sadness in the Church, as God no longer seem to dwell there within. As a new Christian’s God stood us upon solid rocks. God’s spirit was shinning from within us, everyone could clearly see the new transformed us. We showed our gratitude by being on fire for Him, and eagerly doing His bidding.

   Now some years down the line, after all we did, we did it with all our might, heart & soul, into every labour. So much so we felt His presence in all things, at all times. The fire within us is now just a heap of glowing ambers, as ..

• We now don’t go to Church..
• We now go days without praying, 
• with no remorse.

… we just amble through our days with out praise .. without life’s zest .. without energy .. without joy .. without His peace .. without the Holy anointing .. without all these Godly blessings, which He gives us freely, Holy.

   God truly never leaves us nor fore sakes us. There are many people today who grab their coat and walk away from their lives, telling no-one, what they are doing? .. or .. where they are going? .. the fancy description for these are ‘back-sliders’, I prefer to call them lost; disillusioned; down trodden rejected. I know of this Christian who wanted to be part of a church so bad, with many skills that could be used, was told to go work some where else. To stay in an environment where it has become apparent in the way, which is a sad testament to the church. When you see someone like this who is slugging along come along side and help them stay and encourage them, or inter-seed for those who have drifted far from God. Don’t be the one stood at the church door, dusting down your hands and say, 'good riddance.'

2) Characteristics of Desire
   Truly what does the heart pant for? When you are able to see a stag, then and only then will see it’s smoking flanks of it’s body after running hard, the up lifted head in a regal manner, it’s beating heart pounding hard within, the ever rolling eye – searching for any sudden movements, the way in which the stags tongue has been thrust out panting after the water brook.

Psalm 42:1 “As the deer pants for the water brooks”

   In a blink of an eye we’re pre-teens with out a care in the World, dreaming about what we are going to be ‘when we grow up’. We wake up in what seems a nights sleep, then were in our 50s never having achieved what we desired for our lives, the time has gone, and we know not where?

   My fellow Christians, dare I ask “ is your desire as distinct and clear to see as Davids in Psalm 42:1&2?" If not then you need to write out in plain and simple words you hearts desire, let it dwell up from deep, as a damn that bursts it’s banks, from the deepest recesses of your soul, then slowly at first, building up speed each time you say to yourself … ‘I want my God, I don’t want all what others desire and languish after. I don’t desire someone else’s ambition, but only for the one true God’ .. instead lets live to serve Him, our Lord Christ Jesus.

   The Christian comes to feel that while it may not be luxury to walk with God. Instead it can be a  costly luxury to live with, but is an absolute necessity to have it’s spirit with us always. Try then if you will, because life up till now life has gone swimmingly, but now we are faced with horrific danger, but we have dispensed with God because we felt no need for Him in our your life, in doing this we have just opened ourselves up to all bad dangerous sins from our old ways. Just think of all the pain & anguish Jesus went through for us to have life more abundantly ..

Luke 6:38  “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.”

3) The Exciting causes of this Desire
Psalm 42:1  "As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God."

   For you who are ‘back-slidden’, it will be never to late to turn back, and run into the everlasting Father Gods arms. David expressed his desire to God in prayers, so I put this to you who have drifted away from God …

If you had a sacred life which could be maintained

 by it’s own energies within, you might do 

with out your God, I’ll tell you that your now 

naked, you are poor, you're miserable, all because

you are apart from Him. Now you need to come 

back to Him and drink day-to -day of  His living 

springs, or you will loose your way and become 

bitter with your lot.

…. we don’t have the ability to store up His grace within us, for our own good, upon which we may carry with us. Just like carrying a pint of mlik around with you for a day, by the days end it will not be of any use, thats why we like to have fresh milk each day. But, instead we need God’s fresh fountain of grace, day after day after day. Because in Him we have new life. Just like a deer that finds a fresh spring, and comes back day after day, and it is always replenished day by day, never drying up always fresh.

   We must long after God daily, because we will need to remember all the good times, also all the tender mercies that flowed every second of the day. Surely you never had such wondrous seasons as when living in close fellowship with God. How you can say you were as blessed as when you had the Holy Spirit, like a sacred Dove brooding over you, making life more joyful around you. It is crystal clear that these are the best days of our lives. Then what happens, is that you must collect up all these good days, then reconnect with God, to once again to have your thirst quenched.

(NLT) Psalm 42:1&2  "As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God."

We should all fly firstly to God, with all your distresses, as only God can alleviate, as there are none He cannot. Our God is the cordial of our cure, the soothing balm to our woes. Finding God, is likened to a Mariner who has made it through the storm to make it home. In times of hardship remember He is yours and mine all in all.

‘We need to give ourselves a right good shake, or lest we sadly sleep our way through life’

   When we turn all feelings and desires off, we become empty for life, with slumbering over coming us. We ought to be alarmed or we should turn out to become like others who are slumbering their way straight to hell.

4) A Few Comfortable Encouragements
   I have to say that since giving my heart to God back in 05/98, I’ve had the pleasure of walking with God day after day, even in those dark days. I have known what the sweetness of the wine of Heaven is, and has left a continual thirst for more.

   It is a shame for those who have never eaten of the Manna of Heaven for when they do, they will be satisfied, unlike with the gritty brown bread of Earth, but Heavenly Manna is a hunger making thing, for once you get the flavour in your mouth, you will never be content, unless you have it always. Those whom would feel the loss of the greatest, are those who once had Manner in abundance, but now due to bad habits have brought on poverty.

Psalm 42:1&2  “As My soul thirsts for God, for the living God”

Yet there one or two comforts that come from a period of longing and panting for our Lord ..

Firstly: If you have a deep longing for God, where does it come from? .. Does it come from the sesspool that is call ‘human-nature’? .. Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” .. The Heavenly Spirit has given us that hunger/desire, so we should be forever thankful to Him. What He will never do is to .. NOT .. to give up on us, never forget this, despite what life has to throw at you.
Secondly: I seem to have more questions than answers at the moment ...

• ‘If God has given me this desire will He not full fill it’?

   If we are truly evil, and are so unkind, then much less should our God say ‘I’ll not make him hungry and then refuse to feed him … for sure not our God, if you have made me to thirst and pant, I can rest assured that He will give me water brooks to drink and be refreshed from, and I shall be refreshed.

   It does not take the Lord long to make Summer time, from the cold and prickly Winter time. Though it only takes one second in His presence for Gods love to chase away all the darkness in our lives, and bring forth the bright Summers day. Our Lord God will bring forth the wondrous fresh water brooks ..

• You who were bound with chains shall be emancipated,
• You who were clothed with sack cloth shall ware fine linen of wondrous apparel,
• You shall anoint you faces with fresh oil,
• You shall go and dance with those saved and dance and dance making merry with the Lord God,

…. for remember, time is not a thing to be taken into consideration with God. He wills it, and it is done, in a twinkling of an eye, for when God commands it, it stands fast forever and ever. Just as in the beginning, God said .. “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.” Gen 1:3 We all have this darkness within us, it's what separates us from those who do not have our Lord within our lives. So that in our deepest darkest moments, we can call upon the divine light from Heaven, that is so bright and pure, but is not blinding, it chases away the darkness and shadows. Darkness can not over take light, have you ever heard of a shadow killing anyone, No. It’s time to let the light of our Lord shine from within us.

Psalm 42:1&2  "As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God."

We thank you for your living word, may you words 

quench away our thirst for Earthly things, wanting only you water brooks, in Christ Jesus name, 

Amen.

2 

The Power of Prayer

Isaiah 37 v 14-20  "..14 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. 15 Then Hezekiah prayed to the Lord, saying: 16 “O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 17 Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 18 Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, 19 and have cast their gods.."

   We still today after revival healings, and many other great miracles. They all had humble beginnings, covered in prayers. Mathew 18:20 “..When 2 or more gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them..” Most prayers start in the heart, someone needs help, and some of them are born out of desperation, and not born out of greed.

   As for our verses, we see a great trouble had beset Hezekiah, the great King, because of the Assyrian invasion, and the imperious attitude of Rabahaketh the captain. ‘Trouble’ has been said to be “A divine diet for the new man”. It is more ‘profitable’ then it is ‘palatable’.

   Here are 3 ways ‘The Power of Prayer’ can help, with direction and how simple prayers can overcome your troubles.

The Cause of his trouble

   It was ‘a letter’, but a veritable one from ‘a messenger of Satan’, sent to buffet him. It is incredible in today’s techno-age  where we look at our ‘in-box’ for our ‘e-mails’ or maybe that of ‘Facebook; ‘Twitter’, or even ‘instagram’. Yet still, the postman brings those dreaded ‘brown envelopes’, which here in the UK, would have normally meant a bill, or even that long awaited Hospital appointment. Or, deep within the postman’s bag there will be letters that bring warm regards from an old friend or family member. In fact who knows what the next post may herald.

   This was an attempt to ‘destroy his faith’ in God (v10), 'to dispossess him of ‘inheritance’, and to bring him into bondage. So much so the enemies of our souls are always active toward the same end. Their letters may be beautifully written, but they are terribly bitter.

What he did withit.

(v14)  “..he spread it before the Lord..” 

   Because he did this solemn act, it revealed his faith in God. He never spread before the face of Heaven, instead before the face of The Almighty Personality. "..But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.." (Heb 11 v6) While all I needed was the beginning of this verse, (as seen above) I reconsidered and included it all. Why this change of mind? Well, you will have to ask God, the next time you talk with His Almighty.

   I’m lead to say that this verse must go to show Gods thoroughness. It also shows that he spread it, he laid the whole matter ~ from the beginning to its end, all in front of Him. So, make sure your definite when you are dealing with God. In other words He wants your honesty, He wants you to be confident, as He wishes you to hold nothing back. Always remember, no matter what ails you, ‘mentally or physically’, He will always be interested, for after all He is our Heavenly Father.

How He succeeded

 (v36)  “.. The angel of the Lord..”  ..became his defence. Whilst his argument was one of simplicity, it was also that it was so irresistible as well. “..Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord ..” (v20). When the Angel of the death spread his wings in the blast. Woe to those who fight the Kingdom of God. “..By the blast of God they perish, And by the breath of His anger they are consumed. ..” (Job 4 v9). The unbelievers will scoff and say; ‘it’s all just mumbo-jumbo; blah blah', or the back sliders will say ‘He never did anything for me/them' etc.

It causes me much heart ache to hear these words. You see there are a couple of words that must go with ‘pray/prayer’ they are, Firstly, Faith, you must have faith that your prayers ‘will’ be answered. May be not today, or, maybe not this week, but they ‘will’ be answered. My second word is ‘Believe’, for you must believe in God’s word otherwise what’s the point? So put together, and with God in the mix everything is possible, I always say “have faith and believe” your prayers ‘WILL’ be answered. Is there any sorrow too great, or, circumstance too perplexing that the prayer cannot bring comfort and deliverance?

Math 17 v20  “.. if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you ..”

The Triumphs Of Faith

 

The Triumphs Of Faith

Numbers Chpt’s 13 & 14

   As Christians we have a universal tool at our disposal, that is, Gods written word, which He and His son have spoken. So, if we believe that God has actually spoken all that has been recorded then we need to believe all He & son sons. But alas that is so not the case these days. Many Christians, and gentiles alike, believe that the Bible is all it ‘pretends to be, and yet so few of its offers are accepted, and how few of its promises believed. “. .I will show you my faith by my works. .”
    You do know that without faith it is impossible to please God? Why we because God asks for your faithfulness than all your works. “. .This is the work of God that you believe. .”

So to the first of the 7 of Faith . . 

  1)It..Confirms the promises of God

chpt 13 v27  “. .Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit..”
   But this is for sure God had told them, faith set to it’s seal that God, is true, because those who prove to His word will for sure find be found faithful. Gods word is His promise of peace for believing and in that peace ‘rest’ can also be found.

“If you can’t say that you found either of these you

cannot say you believe in God”

   Like I just said that if you cannot answer ‘Yes’ to either, you are only playing lip service. It’s like saying you’re a butcher and only selling flowers. The submissive will, and Gods will can never can never differ, as He is always and together at one. Although our experience has not yet attained faith, though must never keep far ahead of experience. For when Christ is believed, God is honoured, for the soul being justifies to God.

 

  2) It . .Exhibits the proof of Gods faithfulness
13 v28  “..Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are
strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there..” 
   They brought into the wilderness that which could not produce. Every believer ought to manifest to the world fruits that are contrary to it. It’s like when they saw the boldness of Peter & John they acknowledged they had been with Jesus.
   Every believer’s life ought to be a tribute to the truth of God’s word. We must all be vigilant so that God’s grace can turn baroness into marvellous faithfulness. For every Christians life that manifests the fruits of God’s promises, condemns the unbelievers. Gal 6 v22  “.. The fruit of the spirit is Love; Joy; Peace; Longsuffering; Gentleness; Faith; Meekness & Temperance..”  These make a wonderful cluster from the Heavenly Eshol, but, alas how few carry them.

   3) It . .Advocate present Possession
13 v30 "..Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said,“Let us go up at once and take possession.."
   I truly love the wording here, there is no room for ambiguity. Accept, that is, for unbelief, it will always put off for a more convenient time/season, that will never come.
OK let me ask this of you ….

“If God has made a promise, why then, do we not make it ourpromise, at the moment of hearing?”

   It’s God’s desire that we should possess it, this can be seen in ‘the promises He makes. This is because it’s a promise which He has made. ‘Eternal Life’ & ‘Present possession’. Such is the enormity of His gift to us, He tells us ‘lay hold of it at once’. Our God also tells us that, Math 11 v 28\9 ‘rest from our labour and rest in our labour’.  Then He goes on to tell us, ‘not only in Heaven but now’.

Are you enjoying it?

   If not then you should go up and lay hold of it at once and posses it. The land of promise is right there in front of you. So long as you have faith you will posses it. Faith values the present, because it knows all the ‘future’, blessedness depends on it.

4)It.. Laments the folly of unbelief
14 v6  "..Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes.."
   Jesus Christ with all His infinite power to save, yet he wept after impenitent Jerusalem. Surely He must have felt as if like crying a river. Then to see that a man may have discovered the infinite grace of God, though the unbelief of others seem awful madness.
   I wonder how many of us, who out of their families are the only ones saved? Thus so, with now our eyes fully opened to all the spiritual & eternal things, are those whose eyes must weep for those whose eyes & heart remain closed and hard. To the point we find ourselves at war with those tears that were shed.
   Those whose hearts have been broken by the love of god will have their heart often pierced by those who despises Him. Only those who believe God can know the folly and sin of doubting Him. When Faith is low then sin will be shallow, whether in the Church or an individual. If we had the faith of Christ, then we would have somewhat of a symphony.

   5) It. . Rests Exclusively In The Lord
14 v8/9  "..If the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us
Into the land, and the Lord is with us fear them not.."
   Faith does not overlook the difficulties (13 v28), but contrasts them with the promise of Jehovah.

“Unbelief excludes God in its reasoning”

   Whilst ‘unbelief’ can spread like cancer, infecting and killing off any good cells, faith instead must be a reminder to us, telling us in faith nothing is too hard for Him.
Those who trust in Him surly success for they have …

1. His pleasure : “delight in us” 
2. His presence : “with us” 
3. His promise : “He will bring us”
4. His power : “He is able"

...we are shown how the bewildered sinner may have deliverance, this will be done not by not focusing on the past sins, or, by the terror inflicted upon others, and not by all the obstacles continually placed in the way. But by the sure fire promise and by believing. Also in faith and belief all will be resolved by leaving his troubles at the Masters Holy feet, just as did ..

• By faith Abraham obeyed
• By faith Peter walked on the sea

.. So by grace we are saved through faith.

   6)It. . Follows God always and Every where
14 v24  “..Caleb has followed me full..”
   It’s simple really, stop questioning, for God ever justifies ‘all’ fully, and always everywhere for those who will continually trust in Him. So why then don’t we? May be you doubt He will furnish us with His promises, as He has done for others. As faith in God is an act, it is the act of a once sealed fountain broken open and flowing on continually rejoicing to flow, and reckoning this the work of its existence.

Over time Caleb built up his trust in God by faith. As Caleb had such faith & trust in Gods promises, that no matter the giants placed in his path, and no matter the fortifications..

#Caleb’s heart was stayed on God#

..No matter what evil falls before us, fear not, if we can mean it when we in faith say..”He lives in me”.. Those who follow fully will suffer persecution .. “Stone them” (v10), “Burn them” this was said by 3 Hebrew youths .. “Crucify Him”.

#Greater is He that is for us#

   7)It . .Inherits the promise
v24  “Him will I bring into the land” 
   This is the victory that overcomes the World and even our faith. “..Today thou shalt be with me in paradise..” and “..he that honoureth I will honour..” Faith accepts the promises which are the title deeds of Heaven offered by God to bankrupt sinners.

   There is still much land to be possessed .. “High Land” .. “Sunny Lands” .. “Believe and thou shall see”. Here is a sunny slop on the hillside of spiritual privilege. “..Thou shall keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee..”

   In psalm 37 v5 Camaans happy fields are promised to the faithful followers. Also in V3, 5, 7, 11 & 34

God is ever Faithful

We thank you Lord Jesus for your word and instruction, that from this, moment your word be a seed unto our hearts, that will grow beyond measure.

In the Everlasting Arms

Deuteronomy 33:26/7 “..“There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you..”

   I know that those among you will question His ‘Everlasting arms’, because you’ll have neither seen let alone felt that peace or protection. If so answer me this easy problem then … 'If when watering your garden, suddenly the water stops flowing, what can cause this'? .. 'Could it be because there is a knot in the hose somewhere'?

   This is what happens to so many Christians today, because drop-by-drop we let our old lives, ways, sins come back into our ‘NEW’ lives in Christ. Thus over time Gods graces & love dry’s up and start to a wall of sin around again, stopping His ‘Everlasting arms’ to shield us and protect us.

There are two sides, to a Christian life …
1: The Active Side ...We are urged to a faithfulness in our daily lives, to activity, in all service, to victorious in all struggles, to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.
2: We are to simply trust ...We are to have trust & quietness & confidence, to repose God. It is well that we sometimes think of the latter aspect of our Christian faith. This is well presented to us in the Bible’s word, which says .. “underneath are the everlasting arms”

   The illustration I’m trying to project here, is that of a little child resting in His, the strong arms of the Father, who is able to with stand all storms and dangers. I also am reminded of John (the Apostle) laying across Christ Jesus’ bosom. At the 2 extremes of life, from a young child to an old person up in years, the promise then comes with a special assurance. IS 40:11 “..He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom.” .. is a word for the children .. IS 46:4 Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you..” .. brings it blessed comfort to to the aged. Although we don’t recognise this, God first comes to us in our infancy in our Mothers womb, who bore us into her arms. Yet they only dim revealing of God for a time. They leave us after teaching us a little of God’s tenderness, but God Himself remains when they are gone, but His arms never release us.

After the death of a Dr Bushnell’s, a sheet with faded writing was found and it said …

My mothers loving instinct was from God,

and God was in her love to me first,

therefore, which love was deeper than hers,

and more protracted. She passed long

ago now, but God stays with me still,

and bracing me in my grey hairs as tenderly

and carefully as did in my infancy,

and giving me joy and the principal

glory of my life, that he lets me know

Him, and helps me, with real confidence

to call Him Father.

… this letter just out lines some what god does for His people. He tries to explain, by human acts, which are familiar to us. His wonderful care and kindness. One meaning is of protection, just as a Father put his arms about his child when ever there is danger.

Psalm 77:15 “..You have with Your arm redeemed Your people..”

   It is continually told in the scriptures that will always behave this way. When in fact the tell us of His eyes looking down to behold His people, that He never slumbers, nor takes his eye of the ball, (so’s to speak). Also hearing all of the suffering in the World. So many ask, “if this is so, why does God let it carry on”? I have a theory that might go to answer this question, just given to me from God …
… in that God asks us to have faith in Him, which we never fully do, because our society demands everything NOW. We don’t want to wait so we go about getting/sorting out our problems ourself, not letting God help us. Just like a car that we have faith in to deliver us from A to B. Even having reliable car, we would not push it everywhere, telling others that while it works fine, and is a reliable make, you don’t really have faith in it …
… the Bible tells us that God hears the groaning of the prisoner, wrongly jailed. God does comfort His people in their sorrows. God holds us in His arms just as a Father would a child, meaning that His guidance is personal and strong.

   For us to understand God’s will and actions from a human stand point, here are 5 actions that might, are called ‘Divine care’ …

1. Protection
2. Affection
3. Strength
4. Endurance
5. Underneath

A father will put His arms around his child when danger threatens them, so does God protect His children…
Psalm 77:15 “..You have with Your arm redeemed Your people..”
Isaiah 59:16  “..Therefore His own arm brought salvation..”
Isaiah 33:2  “..Be their arm every morning..”

# Life is full of peril #

   With the temptations of today they are at every turn. Enemies lurk in every shadow, ready to strike with strength and swiftness. When ever we think of death it is with sadness and fear and dread. Even with all the odds about -’life assurance funeral cover’. It has more perils than death.

It is easy and safe to die when one has lived well,

although it is hard to live with

We always forget, to be assured that life cannot

separate us from the love of God

Deuteronomy 33:27 “.. underneath are the everlasting arms..”

   As God embraces His children He does so with His arms, showing His love for them. His love is tender, close and intimate. He holds them in a place of affection. Just as our Earthly father does, where we feel safest all while we are hearing his heart beating.

   Our Mother would embrace her children, scooping them up to protect the, at any signs of danger, even covering them, putting her own body between them, so that she gets hurt and not them. Of cause a mother with holds back some for those times when her children need a special love for times of pain and suffering.

   As a side thought, the ‘ARM’ is seen as a symbol of strength. A mothers arm may look frail physically, but her love is what gives her arm it’s strength. Once her arms are folded about her weak and feeble child she is able to draw upon the power of the Universe, and nothing , and I mean NOTHING will be able to tear her child away from her.

Isaiah 40:29  “..He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength..”

# This is an Arm that can never be broken #

   A suggestion in the word ‘underneath’. Not only do the arms of God embrace the child, but they are ‘underneath ever underneath’. This means that we can’t sink, for these arms will ever be beneath us where ever we may be, we cannot sink below them or even fall out of His grasp.

   When death comes, and every Earthly thing has gone from beneath us, and we sink away into what seems darkness and the shadow of death, out of all human love, out of wrath and gladness, and sweet life into the gloom and strange mystery of death, still it will be only into “..the everlasting arms..” When Jesus said with His dying breath..
Luke 23:46  “..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..”
… He found the everlasting arms underneath Him when Jesus spirit left the torn body. When Stephen died he prayed “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit”.

Dying for us Christians, is merely breathing the lifetime

into the embrace of God. We shall find the divinely arms

underneath us. Not even death can separate us from the

wonderfully everlasting love of God

   Divine care is full of inspiration and comfort. We are not saving ourselves, Jesus did that. A strong One, The Mighty God, who holds in His grasp. We are tossed like a leaf on life’s wild sea, driven at the mercy of the wind &waves. Our security does not depend upon our feeble wavering faith, but instead the omnipotence – the love – and the faithfulness of the unchanging, the eternal God. While we trust in Him we never can sink away in floods.

NO power in the Universe can snatch us out of His hands.

Nether death or life , or things present to come, can ever separate

us from His love, Praise to the Almighty God.

 55:110421

Directional Faith

Deuteronomy 32:29/30 “..For they are a nation void of counsel, Nor is there any understanding in them. Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, That they would consider their latter end..“

There are 2 parts to this that need consideration . .
1). . Believe that we have a destiny and there is a point to our existence.
2). . There ought to be a sense of destiny burning deep within our spirit that we are determined to fulfil.
Lamentations 1:9  “..Her uncleanness is in her skirts, She did not consider her destiny, therefore her collapse was awesome; She had no comforter.."

   So having no direction causes a lack of energy for her life. This was the catalyst causing there to be . .

• No Ambition
• No Drive (no incentive)
• causing ultimately distraction

   You may wonder why we should rejoice, after all it was God that chose us. This is the destiny Jesus was referring to when He said . .
John 15:16  “..You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you..“

It has to be one of the greatest discoveries that we could ever make. You see we have been chosen by God almighty.
Psalm 33:12  “..Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord . .I know your reading this, but will you fully understand/grasp this next part The people He has chosen as His own inheritance..“

   Tell me you got that, we don’t have to go cap in hand. Why? Because He has chosen us. Yes we have to ask for forgiveness of our sins, but He wants us wort’s & all. This is not only true for the Missionary – Pastors – Evangelists or the full time workers in the Church. But, and note, also for every sinner & born again believer. For we did not choose God but He chose us. Here comes the icing on the cake . .
Exodus19:5  “..Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure
to Me above all..“

    Dose anyone still fill lost and unsure of how to find that compass of life? Eph 1:4/5 show who to find your way. .
Ephesians 1:4/5  “..Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will..”

   It is far beyond our ability to comprehend, but before this world was ever created we were already chosen by God to walk in a Pure, Holy and righteous way. Before we were ever conceived, long before we were part of our Church God had already prepared the area of ministry & service that He wanted us to be part of. .
Isaiah 48:21  “..He led them through the deserts; He caused the waters to flow from the rock..“

   You may be wondering aimlessly at the moment. Whether ‘saved’ or ‘not’, God is trying to guide our path. See it’s not going to be a picnic. But, what we have to do is not ‘let go’ or ‘loose sight’ of God. We have to yearn for Him . . as a deer pants for water, with every ounce of our being.

   It’s a shame for which the time we live, that has developed us into one of a lazy apathy and half-heartedness, in where it is commonly said . .

• I can’t be bothered . .
• Get someone else to do it . .
• Complain when it has not been done to their liking . .
• Or . . any old thing will do . .

   In Church, we must have a different attitude/spirit. Other wise when this kind of apathy creeps into the Church, over time it will festers like a cancer. So we can never sit on out laurels. Timothy puts it like this . .
2 Timothy 2:11/12   “..For if we died with Him,We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him..“

   If we are to _ulfil our destiny before God, then we we need a spirit of excellence in all we do. It is when we are faithful in the small things that we grow and then the Lord will appoint us heirs over our destiny with Him.
Romans 8:17  “..f children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together..“

   So to Summarize . . . In this life we don’t get something for nothing. A long distance runner dose not turn up at a race, without first enduring a lot of practice. Hence as a Christian you don’t become saved and think that’s it! NO . . it is a way of life, a whole new life, one that is blessed by a personal knowing and a touch of Grace. We need to find out where we are going, how to get there. Most importantly when we make this decision we have to interface with the Holy Spirit not only into our thoughts, but the decisions we make so that they are right ones, also so that Christ Jesus can be glorified and His light shine brightly in us.

My closing thought . .

“God will often lead us through suffering before 

we reach Glory”

53:110219

Tongues
For Personal Edification

1: Speaking . . . As the Holy spirit
1Corinthians 12:28 “..And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues..”

1 Corinthians 14:1-4+ “..Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men..”

   Spiritual gifts, such speaking in tongues was primary for private times with God. However when speaking in Church, they would usually be followed by these being interpreted, or translated, either literally or by Chapter & verse.

   The speaking with tongues is normally unintelligible unless an interpreting was to immediately follow.(14:2-9-11-16), and so be of no use to the congregation of the Church. That is unless that which is spoken was interpreted as in (14:6-9 &17).

2: Speaking . . . Specific fulfilment of Prophecies of Isaiah & Jesus Christ
Isaiah 28:11 “..For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people..”

   You must be careful when speaking in tongues in public. As it would be easy to make up, just just to make yourself look ‘BIG’, to others whom you wish to impress, self gratifying.
14:21 “..In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord..”

   Not, anyone, can speak in tongues, I know some of you believers strongly feel that the … “stammering lips” is just pure baby ‘gobbledygook’, and how on Earth can this be translated. This gift is so precious only God can tell you one on one in your own home alone, as the message can personal.

   I have witnessed the good and bad. Clearly giving a ‘false-witness’ can and is very dangerous. This ‘false-witness’ is the worst, as it can send a fellow Christian down the wrong path. With every prophesy you must seek confirmation from God via His Word.

3 Speaking . . .Proof of the Resurrection & Glorification
Acts 2:26 “..Therefore my heartActs 2:26d, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope..”

“My heart rejoiced”.  When our heart sings, our whole body sings. When we have a spring in our step, you’ll find people coming up to asking ‘can I have what your on’? Also you’ll find people becoming attracted to you, because of this new found confidence, Now with God in your heart & life, nothing will be impossible to do.

   You may not what your infectious attitude will be to someone you meet briefly, say on a train – bus or just a que in a shop. They may be feeling rock bottom, and just bring a smile to them and make this stranger feeling better. So always be mindful of your attitude toward others as it can break them just as quick as it can lift them.

4: Speaking . . . with Tongues is an evidence of the baptism, or in the filling of the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:4 “.. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance..”

   It is a wondrous gift and experience. So it saddens me to say that in some Church’s it is frowned upon, some even go as far as to itr’s ‘demonic’? OK, STOP, to those individuals who say that that they can fake it, I say to those who are spoiling one of Gods most precious gifts, S T O P, because they might as well use pages of the Holy Bible to wipe their behinds with it, God knows who you are, and judge you time.

Acts 10:44-8 “..While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days..”

   It is shown in the Old Testament that only those who were ‘seen to have been called’ even anointed to rejoice the Holy Spirit. Come forward to the teaching of the New Covenant, that everyone can receive the Holy Spirit and speak in Tongues.

5: Speaking . . .Spiritual gift for self-Gratifacation
1 Corinthians 14:4 “..He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church..”
Jude v20   “..But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit..”

   We should completely misunderstand prophecy, should we suppose it’s essence to lie in the prediction of the future. This is not wholly excluded, but it can have a very modest part as with the more important elements found in 1 Corinthians 14. According 14:3 prophecy produces edification – comfort – consolation ... 

“.But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.”
… according to V24 it can penetrate so deeply as to lay bare the secrets of strangers, and constrain their inner termoils.

V24/5  “..But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed..”

6: Speaking . . .is a spiritual gift for spiritual edification of the churches
   When moving beyond one’s complete fullness and moving within His Holy Spirit, then you’ll fully understand it’s impact through the life and witness of the church. I can personally say that speaking in tongues is a wonderful feeling. I have heard it said that, because ‘Non-believers’ feel we speak a whole load of ‘made up mumbo-jumbo’, because they can’t say we were speaking ‘German-French-Spanish-Russian’ etc.
1 Corinthians 12:10  “..to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues..”

   Speaking in tongues & interpretations, there of, are gifts of God grace. In the Bible we are shown clearly the teaching of both ‘public & private’, also the exercises and benefits of the gift of speaking in tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:4&5 “..There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord..”

7: Speaking . . .is a gift for communicating with god in private
   With such a wondrous gift we make sure NOT to abuse Gods good graces. Be it in your private time of worship, or in public. This can be abused especially those in public whom had at one time had Gods gift, but have no longer Gods graces, and not for some time, so they abuse a once glorious gift.

1 Corinthians 13:2/8  “..And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away..”

   Please be warned, as quick as God bestows His gifts, He can take them away. Speaking from having seen this, it’s truly sad. So don’t squander boast or be flippant with Gods gifts.

The whys and where for of speaking

tongues

1 Corinthians 14:21/2  “..In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe..”
   It was so easily put by Paul, so you see tongues come as a form of confirmation. However the sincere spirit-filled believer will not be preoccupied with this God given gifts for He sees it as, but one of many gifts.

   Finally we must bear in mind that the author & dispenser, or, the one who speaks in tongues and the one who interprets the message. The spirit works only to edify, but only occurs when God is in Church, and thus all things are as the spirit moves freely among the worshipers.

53:020419

The Sin of Being a Discourager

Numbers 32:9  “..For when they went up to the Valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, so that they did not go into the land which the Lord had given them..”

   No one truly loves a party poo-per, these you will find them sat by them selves. May be I can try and shine some light on this subject, you see these types of people look upon the ‘dark-side-of-life’. (It may to no fault oif their own). Sadly they do find all the shadows in life, and persist walking in them. They can bring the brightest happiest of days, down to gloomy, and spread their own ‘discouragement’, like confetti at a wedding, thus making all life harder for those they can influence. One thing that we need to careful of is that they don;t steel away Gods light from your life. Thie would the greatest of sin’s surely? Don’t be like thoes children of Isreal did, all because of thoes discouraging gloom artists.

Numbers 32:7  “..Now why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the Lord has given them..”

   God tells us it’s a sin to discourage others. From your first of days till your last days at school. Some will go through a torturous time, with constant bullying; being told you’re usless; you’ll not amount to much; that they become so with drawn after 10 years or more of being put down & discouraged, their lives are now but a shadow of what they should have been.
   We all need to be strengthened and inspired for all of life’s experiences, never weakened and disheartened. If we meet others down cast and discouraged, it is our duty, as humans and friends, not to make their cares and trials seem as large as they can, but rather point out to them the bright light in their clouds, and put new hope & courage in their hearts.

So many people would say ‘I am your friend’, but never really understand what they are saying….

Friend… A person known well to others and regarded with liking (or highly

thought of) affection, staunchly loyal.They will tell you the truth, 

good or bad, an ally in a fight. Are you a friend to someone?

   It costs us nothing, that when we find others in sorrow, the worst thing to do is to tell them more sorrow. Instead we need to come along side them with love & encouragement.
1 Thessalonians 5:11  “..Therefore comfort each other and edify one another..”
Acts 11:23 “..When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord..”
Romans 1:12  “..I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me..”

   Next time we find others in the midst of difficulties and struggling ready to faint under it all, surly if we continue bemoan the severity and hardness of their battles, and then we leave them, as my wife has said on many occasions, it’s even worse than we found them, they will be even more crushed than if we had walked pass them. What we do need to do is to stimulate & encourage & inspire them to be brave and victorious in all they do.
   It is of vital importance that we learn this if you want to be helpers of others in their lives. Another foot note is that we just point out someone’s short comings and walk away. If this is you just stay at home, lock the door and throw away the key, because your worst to them than NO help at all. Again if all we have to offer is sadness to give out, we have no right to go among them. This is the truth, and some times the truth hurts.
   It is only when we have something that will bless them and lift their hearts and give them glimpses of bright and beautiful things to live for, that we are truly commanded to go forth with them.

“ A singer sang a song of tears, and the great World heard and

wept,for he sang the sorrows of floating years, and the 

hopes which the dead past kept, and souls in anguish their 

burdens bore, and the World was sadder than ever before.

A singer sang a song of cheer, and the great World heard 

and smiled, for he sang of love of a father dear, and souls

 that had forgotten to pray, looked up and went singing

 along their way.”

Let me ask this question … ‘Is it better that we should not sing of sadness if our song ends there’?

   Unfortunately there are so many sad notes swirling around in the Worlds air, making sad sad notes in our ears, continually. To be able to sing and hear only songs of hope ~ joy and good cheer. Jesus Christ had every right to sit on the Mount of Olives, because He could not get people to open their eyes to see of the impending doom coming over His people, whom He loved dearly. Jesus tried to avert this doom, because all the sin and disbelief was dragging them down. It is our mission, just as Jesus did to become preachers of hope. So our mission should we choose, must be to carry to everyone, to bring ‘good tidings’ and none of ill, but only joy.

# Give us your joys, your hope, your sunshine,

your life, your up lifting truths. We have too many

sorrows-tears-clouds, ill chains, and enough

doubts of our own. #

   This is our mission of Christianity in the World, it’s to help our fellow man to be victorious, to whisper hope where ever there is discouragement. It goes forth to break the yoke of bondage, and to captives to freedom.
1 John 4:4  “..You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world..”
   This is why it is so wonderful to have Jesus in our lives, spreading the news, the Good news. It follows that there can never be a loss in a Christians life, out of which a gain may NOT become a platform for a buried seed. There can never be a sorrow, out of which a blessing may not be born. There can never be discouragement which may NOT be made to yield some fruit of strength.

   Finally … if there for, we are true and loyal messengers of Christ, we can never be profits of gloom, discouragement and despair. We must be forever be heralds of hope. We must always be the bearer of good news. In Christ our Lord, there is always hope, with victory, a power to transmit loss into gain, and to breath life into death. We are living worthily, only when we are living victoriously with Christ within ourselves at every point, we are to be inspiring and helping others to live victoriously, and when our life is a song of hope and gladness, even though we sing out through tears & pain.