PLEASING THE LORD

Jack Davis

We may gain some insight about pleasing the Lord by reading from Scripture that tells us about that which does not please Him. I mention three here.

FAITHLESSNESS
“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” Heb. 11:5-6.
The life of faith carries the fragrance of Christ. II Cor. 2:14-17, “…we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ…”, also Eph. 5:2, “walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” There are saints that do not totally trust the Lord, and thus do not diligently seek Him, neither will they receive a full reward, nor a full inheritance. II John V. 8, “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.” Col. 3:24, “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” It is exceedingly evident that whole-hearted faith delights the heart of our heavenly Father.

FLESHINESS (carnality)
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” Rom. 8:5-8.

Jesus taught, That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” John 3:6. When we are born again we are born into the realm of the Spirit, but we still also have a fleshly nature which is hostile toward God. Paul writes, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” Gal. 5:25. He also writes, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” Gal. 516. Any who try to make their flesh pleasing to God sadly fail. Some are deceived into thinking that God is pleased with their fleshly effort, but such effort will only reap corruption

Works of faith are obeying God’s Word, and doing God’s will. Labours of love are motivated by love for God, our beloved Lord, and His precious people. These are profitable because they are sowing to the Spirit and are pleasing to God.

FRUITLESSNESS
Jesus said, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit” John 15:8. He caused the fig tree, that had nothing but leaves, to wither. He had a right to expect fruit from Israel, but too often was sorely displeased. May we learn from our predecessors that faithless effort is fruitless, bringing no glory to God nor lasting benefit to man.

PRECEPT AND PERCEPTION
If we would please God, we must trust Him to bring these two together in our lives. Our God is no respecter of persons; He has wonderfully provided the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit that we may perfectly understand His Word in order to do His will.

“If any man will do his will, he shall know the doctrine…” John 7:17.

If we would realize our highest privilege, we will seek to know beyond any shadow of doubt what it takes to please our gracious, loving, merciful, heavenly Father and our lovely Lord. He says to us, “Ask, seek, knock.”

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” Col. 1:9-10.

In answer to Paul’s prayer for us, God is providing that we be filled with the knowledge of His will in order that we walk worthy of Him, and as we increase in the knowledge of His person, He would make our lives fruitful or productive unto His fullest glory. Jesus spoke of hundred fold fruit in Mt. 13:23. Paul desired that fruit abound to the saint’s account, and prayed that they may be, “filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” Phil. 1:11, and 4:17.

AH, SWEET WILL OF GOD
Ephesians 1:5-14.
We are made God’s “children by Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”

He has “made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.”

He worketh all things according to “the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory…”

The Holy Spirit “is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

Resisting Satan

Anita Clark – Pastor – Carbondale, KS

We are drawn to the statement of Apostle Paul in 2 Cor. 12:7-10, “Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet (literally “to rap with the fist”) me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak then am I strong.”

As with Paul, Satan is buffeting God’s people today. It is important that we understand the attitude we must have as we do combat with the arch enemy.

Peter speaks these words, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all your care on Him for He careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom He may devour; whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” I Peter 5:6-9.   First of all Peter instructs us to cast all our cares upon Him! How precious! All our anxieties, worries and concerns can be brought to our Lord and literally “thrown upon” Him. Through the cares of life, our adversary, the devil, would taunt us and tempt us as regarding God’s faithfulness and His total awareness of where we are and what is happening moment by moment in our lives. The devil would make us think that we need to handle things in our own strength, or that this or that is too small and no concern to God. He roars loudly to discourage us concerning God’s presence and purpose for us. Peter says, “Whom resist steadfast in the faith.” “Resist” means “to stand against or oppose.” It comes from a word that means “to arrange oneself against.”

Notice that in these verses Peter includes vigilance as a necessity to resistance. Then in verse 10, he affirms that it is “The God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus “who will perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” In our resisting the enemy we must understand that God has His timing for every test which He allows in our lives. It is in “due time” that He will exalt us. In His time He will deliver.

In Ephesians 4:22-32, Paul speaks of resisting the devil, when he says in verse 27, “Neither give place to the devil.” He is speaking in these verses concerning our dealing with our former conversation or “manner of life” and the traits of the old man. (Vs 22). In verses 25-30 he lists some of these traits. Neither “give place” to the devil means giving ‘’space, location or opportunity.’’

There is a difference between God allowing “a messenger of Satan to buffet” and in our resisting or “giving place” to the devil. We must learn to give no space or opportunity for him to take control of our lives. By faith we resist and take victory over him.

The messenger of Satan to buffet us is whatever God allows Satan to bring our way. We have no control in these matters except to accept and submit to God’s purpose for our lives, and be willing to believe anyway. Remember, it is up to God to bring an end to these situations. The example for this is so bold in the life of Job. Job could not of himself bring an end to his predicament. God’s instruction to Satan in this matter was, “Behold , all that he hath is within thy power; only upon himself, put not forth thine hand.” Job 1:12. Even after losing all his possessions and his sons and daughters, Job’s response to his loss was, “ Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job. 1:21.

When Satan next came to accuse Job he said, “Put forth thine hand now and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold he is in thine hand, only save his life.” Job 2:5-6.

It is imperative that we understand the difference between Satan tempting us to do evil through the traits of the old nature, and his being allowed by God to buffet or try us through infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions and distresses. The secret to resisting when in temptation is the power of the written Word. As Jesus said when tempted by Satan, “It is written.”

In Paul’s circumstance and positions he was convinced by the words of the Lord, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” The two sides of this matter must be applied in our lives in situations we are confronted with today. The time is short! Jesus is coming soon!

Waiting – Patiently

Gordon Crook

I waited  patiently  for the LORD; and he inclined  unto me, and heard  my cry. Psalm 40:1

Waiting patiently is not a normal human characteristic. Or maybe it’s just me. It seems so easy to get impatient when we want or need something and it is not happening in our expected time frame.

The Hebrew word for “waited patiently” carries the meaning of waiting expectantly. When we take our needs to our heavenly Father, we wait expectantly because we know He will answer. The Psalmist knows that God inclines unto Him. That means that God hears our cry.

Being patient with other people or the doctor’s office, or the DMV may not be easy, but we wait because we know we will eventually get what we need. Imagine how much better our heavenly Father is. He is the only one that will never fail us.

Sometimes, God is just using the patient waiting to work in our lives some greater spiritual maturity for his glory. “My brethren, count it  all joy when ye fall  into divers temptations; Knowing  this, that the trying of your faith worketh  patience. But let patience have  her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting  nothing.” James 1:2-4

The key for us is to learn to rest in our complete trust in our heavenly Father. “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Psalm 37:7. If indeed we truly are placing all of our trust in our Lord, we will not need to fret about anything. We will not need to be impatient about anything. Knowing that He is in control should allow us to rest in peace.

Our entire race here is one of patience. We may, at times, be weary of our race, but we continue with patience because we know the end. “Wherefore seeing we also are  compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside  every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before  us,” Hebrews 12:1. “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Hebrews 10:36. “Be patient  therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold , the husbandman waiteth  for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience  for it, until  he receive  the early and latter rain.” James 5:7.

Do not allow the enemy to discourage you and make you impatient. God never fails and He always hears his children.

LIVING THINGS – The Holy Spirit

E. C. Richards

Hebrews 3:7, “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)”

Communication is one of the sure attributes of life. A stone does not communicate except to the geologist. Living things do so, in reality; though, of course, we live in the era of playthings, called talking machines. The spiritually intelligent don’t count them as real life. In this Scripture, we read, “The Holy Ghost saith,” He is real, an animate Being, one of the Holy Trinity; never has gone out of business, ceased to communicate. The Word of God, unless directly quoting the  Father or the  Son, is the communication of the Holy Ghost. We got saved because He communicated with us and how glad we are!

II Pet. 1:20-21, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” So the Holy Ghost spoke through men of old. In other words, He was the authority of the Old Testament. Life emitted from His Person, a very characteristic living quality. Men living were moved by a grater life, and learned to yield their minds, wills, and voices to the greater Intelligence. We respect the Old Testament not because it is valuable as literature, history, religion or tradition, as a relic, an antique, a glimpse into the past, but because a vibrant dynamic Person gave voice to divine wisdom appropriate to that time. Incidentally as prophecy is brought forth in these passages, much of the future is made known in the old Bible, too. That is life-divine life, Amen!

Zech. 4:6, “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Here is the candlestick, seven lamps, and two olive trees. They are highly symbolical, meaning then in those days of partial restoration of Israel: Zerubbabel and Joshua, the two anointed men, prominent in that restoration.

Yet so far reaching  is the Word of God that we see these symbols again in Revelation 11 referring to two notable witnesses in the final restoration of Israel. This is following apocalyptic days yet to come. The thing for our note at hand, though, is that those two and the latter two anointed ones received their power and authority from the Holy Ghost. Man, so tied down to human power, in what he is, or what he makes, can’t fathom of another source of inner power, but there is such, declares Zechariah, and it is the mighty Holy Spirit, and that is a very living quality, for sure, power. Hallelujah!

Remember, in the book of Ezra, we find the record of the restoration of temple worship for Old Testament nation, Israel, and it was effected under great opposition by the enabling of the Holy One. That is very comforting, and that is the purpose of this Scripture, to know that He was with them, in them, before them, and behind them, as the pillar of cloud and fire of Exodus days.

Acts 13:1-5, “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they …laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia…Cyprus…And at Salamis, they preached the word of God…”.

It is interesting and at times disgusting that men, even of the religious ilk, talk of the Holy Ghost as just a kind of quaint tradition or manner so speaking from the past, and not a reality. These people herein mentioned, are real people, and the Personality that directed them was real, more real, or eternal, than they. He did some very real-life things: “said, sent forth,” and in verse 5, “preached the word” and it was of the Holy Spirit, for Peter said…”them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven…” I Pet. 1:12.

Those who were accounted great in the church, Paul and Barnabas, didn’t shrink from listening, obeying, and acting on the counsel and authority of the great, wise Holy Ghost, one of the very Holy
Trinity. How did the communication come through? According to knowledge church-wise, a message in prophecy, tongues, or directly to the minds of respected elders of that time there present; perhaps by God’s principle of witness – two or three. Amen! He can get His message over, if He can get a ready ear on the other end of the line. You see, He is living.

Acts 6:8-10, “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.  Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” Stephen manifested power, spiritual power, and the ability of sound judgment which man could not refute. These things are the nature of a most living Being. God had, and has great concealing ways, but when He wants to show life, He surely can. For us of the church, and maybe always, the Holy Spirit was on the spot as Agent of life in action.

Acts 15:23-28, “And they wrote letters by them after this manner…Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you…saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men… Barnabas and Paul…Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.” And so it is evident that the Holy Ghost is able and willing to interpret doctrine. Grace over law was His idea for this entire age, and He has used the twelve apostles, and the new church apostles to promulgate His sound idea, for it came from heaven, where He has good contact. Yes, what the “wise ones” belittle as the primitive church, had its doctrine from the very top, the Holy Ghost, Who was quite lively in the whole process.

Acts 20:28, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Here Paul in his last visit to the venerable elders of the high-level church of Ephesus, made known whence was the authority of their officers: “The Holy Ghost hath made you overseers.” They must have recognized Him as very real, lively and viable. How silly to take departure from such a simple yet powerful and living order. We could do no better than to take orders from such a great Spirit.

Rom. 8:11, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” This is the victory chapter for the church; it is the Holy Ghost chapter, for He is mentioned directly by name 17 times and implied more times in this chapter. A very central part in the fact of His in-dwelling the believer, who has opened up and received His entrance. It is He that has taken faith for this experience and manifested the divine sign, speaking in tongues. In Him this great entrance and One who enters, enlivens earthly bodies in the midst of the dying process always going on in us, Hallelujah! This truth is more than a cold doctrine; it is a living Person. Hail to the  Spirit Who lives!

SATISFIED

Gladys Crook

A few thoughts on the word “Satisfy” found in the Psalms:

In the 90th Psalm, verse 3, we find that the Lord turned man to destruction and then commanded, “Return, ye children of men,” and how it seemed to be a continual dwelling in the fear and wrath of the Lord. They realized how short their life really was, and finally, in verse 13 cried out, “Return, “O LORD, how long? And let it repent thee concerning thy servants.” In verse 14, they cried out, “O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Surely, it is only the mercies of the Lord that can satisfy the soul. “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning” Lam. 3:22-23.

Then in Psalm 107, verse 9: “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Only the Lord can fill that longing down deep within us, and also the hunger for Him. In this Psalm, we see how the children of Israel and we are much alike, left to ourselves. They were constantly moving away from the Lord, and when they were constantly moving away from the Lord, and when they got into deep trouble, they cried unto the Lord. God is always faithful to hear the cry of His own, and He delivered them out of their distresses. Four times in this Psalm we read, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and his wonderful works to the children of men!” They seemingly forget so quickly.

In Psalm 103, verse 5, we read, “Who satisfieth they mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s” There are many good things mentioned in the Word. Hebrews 13:9: “…it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” Also in Psalm 92:1 we read, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name. O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.” Also Psalm 84:11: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” So we thank the Lord that we can be satisfied with good things, and can be renewed like the eagle.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” Psalm 91:1. The last verse reads, “With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” The Lord gives a long life of satisfaction, and all the while He shows us His salvation, which is Jesus Christ. Simeon, coming into the temple, took up the baby Jesus in his arms and said, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace…For mine eyes have seen they salvation…A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” Luke 2:29-32.

The last verse of Psalm 17: “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied when I awake, with thy likeness.” We shall not be fully satisfied until we behold Him and are made like Him, fully conformed to His image.

THE EAGLE

As storms approach, lesser fowl head for cover, but the mighty eagle spreads his wings and with a great cry mounts upon the powerful updrafts, soaring to the heights of glory. The eagle soars effortlessly, letting the wind carry him where other fowl beat with frantic wings to stay aloft. In spite of the winds, thunder and lightning, the eagle seems to know instinctively where there is safety in the midst of the storm.

Similarly, the eagle-type Christian sees behind the storm, the winds of the Holy Spirit, and rises on wings of faith to rest on God’s carrying power far above harm and destruction. He moves, not by striving, but by restfully abiding. He trusts in the soaring current of God’s love. The Lord Himself bears him up. Just as the eagle knows how to catch the rising of life through his knowledge of the currents, the overcomer in Christ knows his faithful God and experiences triumphant life by trusting and waiting.

When the eagle’s mighty wing feathers become heavy with oil and dirt and his beak and talons become calcified and brittle, he retires to a hiding place in a cave of rock out of reach of predators and experiences a period of renewal. With his great beak he pulls out his mighty wing feathers one by one. He then extracts each claw. Finally, he begins to smash his beak against the rocks, until it, too, is gone. Left defenseless, this peerless, unique bird waits patiently until beak, talons and feathers have regrown, emerging in his renewed condition stronger than before.

As a new creature in Christ, we may experience a renewal as we lay aside the things inconsistent with the life of faith. As we stand before the Lord, stripped of all that would keep us from leaning on Him alone, our strength is renewed.

The eagle is known for his ferocity; yet no member of the bird family is more gentle and attentive to its young. At just the right time, the mother eagle begins to teach her eaglets how to fly. She gathers the eaglet onto her back and, spreading her wings, flies high.  Suddenly she swoops out from under the eaglet, and as it falls, it gradually learns what its wings are for, until the mother catches it once again on her wings.

Sometimes the eaglet learns on the first try, but if not, the process is repeated many times. If the young one is slow to learn or cowardly, she returns him to the nest, and begins to tear the nest apart until there is nothing left for the eaglet to cling to. Then she nudges him off the cliff.

Those in Christ, who learn to depend upon a faithful  Father, know that underneath are His everlasting arms (arms of eternity), ready to bear us up, support and carry us through all of life’s storms.

Just as this matchless bird has been given eyes that can see from a great distance, and look directly  into the sun and not be blinded, the believer, looking by faith from God’s point of view, is given spiritual eyes to see from afar. These enjoy gifts of counsel and insight beyond compare. When others see only problems and turn their eyes to circumstances, the eagle-eyed Christian is enabled to look beyond to the joy set before him, and endure whatever cross must be borne. Oh, yes, they see by the Spirit the very depths of God. These see in His nature the answer to all things.