ROOM, ROOMS AND ROOMERS

Jack Davis

Psalm 80:7-11: “Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it. Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land. The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars. She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.” We marvel at our God, and at the way He brought Israel along and provided for her. He increased her and made room for her increase.

PROGRESSING AND PRODUCTIVE

As Isaac sojourned through the land that God had promised Abraham and his descendants, he found wells that his father had dug and the Philistines had stopped up, filling them with earth. Several Bible scholars agree this pictures the religious old creation at work to hinder the flow of spiritual blessings in Christian progress. As Isaac traveled it seems that with each stop he made, he dug a well and named it according to the related experience. The Philistines followed behind him and claimed the well belonged to them. They would stop it up. We eventually read of Isaac digging one well after another in the valley.

We today pass through valley experiences that give us grief, and it seems at times would overwhelm us. Yet, we must realize that as the Lord walks with us through those valleys, they are to become places of blessing and refreshing. Psalm 84:5-7, “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength…”. Finally, the last well Isaac dug in the valley, when it may seem he had reached his lowest ebb, the enemy no longer strove for that well. It was from that point he began his ascent.

He named that well Rehoboth, making a very interesting and quite significant statement. Rehoboth means “roominess, enlargement or broad places.” He said, “For now the Lord hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land” – Genesis. 26:22. We rejoice to realize that the Lord has a special place in mind for that nation in the future. Our Lord has a special place prepared for us also. Now today as we open up unto Him, allowing room for His Spirit to flow in us, He makes room for more and more of Him, in us.

THE FURNISHED UPPER ROOM

In II Kings 4:8-37 we read of a hospitality room at the top, “a little chamber on the wall.” It was prepared for the prophet Elisha, by the great woman of Shunem and her husband. When Elisha passed their way on his ministering journey, they constrained him to eat with them. This woman persuaded her husband to furnish this room with a bed, a table, a stool and a candlestick. So they made a place of comfort for a weary traveler, where he could rest, read and be nourished and commune with God. 

She had been so careful for the servant of God, so Elisha asked what could be done for her. Elisha’s servant found out that she was barren, and that her husband was old. Elisha promised her and her husband a son. The Lord rewarded them with a son and some years later the son died. She went and told the prophet after she carried the son up to that prepared room. Elisha came to Shunem and raised him to life there in the same room they had provided for the prophet.

Next issue: Make Room

 God’s Precious Thoughts

Gordon Crook – Pastor, Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

I began thinking on this as I meditated on the reason for Jesus coming to earth as a babe. At the end of the year, we celebrate Christmas, the world as a time of giving and receiving gifts and parties, and we as a time to remember and celebrate the true reason. Jesus came to the world for a particular reason that God had in mind since before the world began.

We know this because God tells us in the Bible (His love letter to all mankind) that He purposed this before the foundation of the world. “Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” 1 Peter 1:20. This leads me to consider the idea that God would think about us enough to set up the death of His own Son before He even created us.

In the Old Testament, David writes it this way; “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.” Psalms 139:17-18. As David contemplates his own existence, and the fact that God was His creator, he comes to consider God’s “precious thoughts” toward him.

“Precious” reminds us that these are valuable thoughts. The value of God’s thought concerning us cannot be estimated, as our Salvation was not purchased by silver or gold, but, much more valuable than that, the blood of Jesus.

David also writes this; “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” Psalms 8:3-4. It is truly hard to understand why God would consider us when we realize just how insignificant we are. And thus, we can only be amazed, as David was, that God has thought about us at all.

A lot of thought went into creating the universe and humanity. Not just the act of creating, but sustaining and perpetuating that creation – all in perfect harmony – the universe with its stars and planets, humanity, animals, plants, and minerals, all in perfect harmony. Creation was not an experiment, nor some sort of evolution. It was precise, exact, no error. God got it right the first time. Some have been under the mistaken idea that God was surprised in the garden with the rebellion of man (His creation), but He was not, and yet He still went ahead with it so He could demonstrate His love for us.

While all of this seems so hard to comprehend, we must realize that God does not think like we do. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9. We certainly would not consider giving our only child to offer something to people who might not accept it. However, God had a particular end in sight when He planned this.

David was impressed with both the quantity and quality of God’s thoughts toward him (precious; how great is the sum of them). “Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” Psalms 40:5. I recommend reading 2 Samuel 7. Especially notice David’s response to God’s promise in verse 18.

God is not just thinking about us, He is thinking about us for our good. His plan was not just salvation, it goes far beyond that to future glorification. God’s plan has always been to provide a bride for His Son that would reign with Him for eternity. “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Revelation 19:7-8.  

In Proverbs 8, we find a passage that is clearly speaking about our Lord as noted in verses 27 and 30. In verse 31 we read this; “Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.” He was rejoicing in creation, but His object of delight was mankind.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2. Jesus was thinking about us when He went to the cross. I can’t explain how this could be, but I believe it with all my heart because God’s Word says it was thus.

The 17th chapter of John, especially the 20th verse, helps us realize just how much Jesus was thinking of us as He was on this earth. His particular desire for us is expressed marvelously in the 24th verse; “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am.” And, because His great desire is that we be where He is, He has prepared for us. “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” John 14:1-3. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9.

Perhaps as we move into the new year, we should take time to consider God’s thoughts towards us, and also consider our response to Him. Do we think about our Lord? How often? He deserves our thoughts daily. He deserves our thoughts daily.

 HOPE THOU IN GOD

Anita Clark – Pastor, Grace Chapel, Carbondale, Kansas

“Why art thou cast down , O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me. hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” – Psalm 42:11.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance” - V. 5.

We often don’t know why we are in a trial or test.   Sometimes, it is to cause us to grow or change, or be prepared to help others.  II Corinthians 1:3-4 gives us a solution to that cast down feeling.  “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we might be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” Note: He gives us “consolation.”

The word “hope” is found 69 times in the Old Testament and 61 times in the New Testament.  In Psalms 42:5, It says, “Why art thou cast down , O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. The word “hope” means in the original Hebrew- “an attachment or expectation, to wait, be patient and trust in God.” “Countenance” is defined as “the sweet experience in the heart and soul which comes from seeing and knowing the loving fellowship of God.”  To be “cast down” means in the Hebrew, “to be bowed down.” The word “disquieted” means “a commotion, or turmoil, to be in an uproar.” So, we all go through trials, but He is with us.  We have victory! We “hope in God.”  

It says in Psalms 42:5 “...I will yet praise Thee for the help of Thy countenance.”  His “countenance” speaks of His presence with us and in us, as we walk through this rugged life here on earth.    Psalms 71:5 says, “For Thou art my hope, O Lord God, Thou art my trust from my youth.” And Vs. 14, “But I will hope continually, and will yet praise Thee more and more.”

Apostle Paul says in Romans 5:1-2, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; By whom we have access by faith into this grace, wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”  Note: “...rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

The word “hope” used in the New Testament means “ to anticipate, with pleasure, expectation or confidence.” This is not like the expression “Well, I hope so.” this is speaking of the time Christ will be exalted as the King of kings and Lord of lords.  He will be glorified.  The word “glorified” speaks of Christ Jesus’ “being exalted to the place He has been waiting for.”  His bride will be called away from earth and will reign with Him. Do you know that one of these days, we will be what is called “glorified”?  This speaks of “having a new body (like unto His glorious body), when Christ comes back and we are changed into His likeness. We have a “hope” to be there with Him in our new bodies.  Do you believe this?  Is this your “hope”?

Ephesians 1:15-18 reads, “Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you in my prayers.  That God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance of the saints.” Now, Apostle Paul using the words “hope of His calling.” It can be defined as “the divine guarantee, the confident expectation.”

 Hebrews 2:10 says, that through the death of Christ, He would “...bring many sons to glory.”  Our Lord Jesus wants us to know and share in “the riches of His glory” - not natural riches, but “untold, unspeakable treasure in heaven,” - “the glory of His inheritance of the saints.” Did you ever think of what Jesus will get out of all this?  His hope - “His inheritance of the saints.”  How delightful it will be for Him to be united to His beloved people, who love Him supremely.

Romans 12:12, states “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation.”  I Cor. 15;19 say, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”  Colossians 1:26-27, “...the mystery which hath been hid from ages and generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Also verse 5, “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of truth of the Gospel.”

Our hope is that Jesus will come very soon. In I Thessalonians 4:13-18 Apostle Paul speaks of “those who have no hope.”  Then he goes on to describe the coming of the Lord Jesus, and how it will be enacted.  Christ will come as a thief in the night and only those who are watching and waiting for Him will hear that first trumpet sound, “Come up hither.” 

I John 3:1-3 finds John, the disciple of Christ saying, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that, when He shall appear we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that has this hope in him purifieth himself even as He is pure.”   What do we do as we look forward to the Lord’s coming?  We yield to the working of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to purify our lives, and make us more like Christ. LOOK UP! This could be the day when our HOPE is brought to pass.

 Prophecy

Earlene Davis

Christ’s message to Smyrna

Revelation 2:8, “And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, Smyrna means ‘Myrrh’ which is a perfume. It was an ingredient of the holy anointing oil (Ex. 30:23). It was the valuable gift brought by the wise men to baby Jesus (Mt. 2:11).

Although it has an agreeable smell, it has a bitter taste. Vinegar mixed with gall was offered to Jesus as He hung on the Cross (Mt. 27:34). In the gospel of Mark it was called wine mingled with myrrh (Mk. 15:23). Myrrh signifies suffering and is very significant of the saints in the Smyrna church, for they suffered much. Just as the poured out obedient life of Christ was a sweet smell to the Father (Eph. 5.2), so are the lives of these saints a sweet fragrance to the Lord, suffering for Christ’s sake.

The address of the Lord to this assembly is so fitting – “the first and the last which was dead and in alive.” Because of their suffering He would appear this way to them. We will read how they were persecuted unto death, but He comes to them as the resurrection and the life, “which was dead, and is alive.”

V. 9, “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” The Lord knows it all, that they not only suffered physically, but they were poor in this world’s riches. Christ calls them “rich.” 

True riches really consist of what we possess spiritually and is the only wealth we can count on. The wealth of this world can vanish away so quickly. The persecutors were professors of the Jewish religion of works. Many today profess to be Christians, and are not. For if they don’t believe in the shed blood of Jesus for their sins, then they trust in their own works. Jesus says they are the synagogue of Satan.

V. 10, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” The Lord could say, “fear none of those things, because they only worked good for them, they shall come forth as gold. Ten days of tribulation is a representative number, for it was actually 10 years they suffered. 

The number 10 in scripture speaks of responsibility according to ability. They were tested and proved by the full measure of suffering. The Lord uses anything to work His purposes in us. Sometimes He can work faster in suffering than some other way. 

V. 11, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” The Lord has nothing against this church at all. In fact He encourages them. Saints might suffer death, but it will not be the second death, which is eternal punishment (Rev. 20:14). “Be faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life.”

 Christ’s message to Pergamos

V. 12, “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges.” This assembly is quite a contrast to Smyrna, for it is worldly. Pergamos means ‘much married.’ They needed the sharp sword with two edges.

V. 13, “I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.” They dwelt where Satan’s seat is. II Cor. 4:4, Satan is the god of this world, they were dwelling in the world. They still held fast to Christ’s name, saying they were Christians, but they were much married to the world. Lot of the Old Testament is an example of this condition. II Pet. 2:8, “that righteous man vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds, “Antipas also called Polycarp was martyred for Christ’s sake, so there were same overcomers in Pergamos that overcame those worldly conditions.

V. 14, “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.” The evil “doctrine of Balaam” was in their midst. Balaam, was a false prophet hired by the king of Moab, Balac, to curse Israel. But every time he opened his mouth to curse them, the Lord made him bless them. Then Balaam gave his advise how Balac could defeat God’s people. Make friends with them and the people will intermarry, The Moabite women would get their Jewish husbands to worship their idols and sacrifice to them. It worked and practically defeated Israel. The devil still works in this way. You cannot fellowship the world and win them to Christ.

V. 15, “So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.” The doctrine of Nicolaitanes was also found in this assembly, which is clergy lording it over laity (the people), which the Lord said “I hate.” Ephesus was commended because they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitanes (V. 6). 

V. 16, “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” If they do not repent, they will experience His judgment and it would come upon them suddenly (Quickly).

V. 17, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” The overcomers in Pergamos get hidden manna to eat, (not the tree of life as to Ephesus. He will give them a white stone and a new name written in it. In other words they are saved, but that is about it. I Cor. 3:10, Paul said, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth…Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble…the fire shall try every man’s work…If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss 

(of reward): but he himself shall be saved…”.

Next issue: Thyatira

 JONAH

Debra Isenbletter - Pastor, Christian Assembly, Springfield, Missouri

Jonah 2:10: “And the Lord spake unto the fish and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.” 

In the previous verse, Jonah cried: “Salvation is of the Lord” and in this verse we see the answer and it is immediate! Jonah is saved! The Lord was waiting for Jonah to come to the place where he understood that only HE could save him, that it had to be on HIS terms, by HIS means and that all Jonah needed to do was receive and accept HIS salvation. Jonah would find it both a wonder and a mystery. This is what we experience when we accept that “Salvation is of the Lord,” and see that it is found in Jesus Christ. We simply believe and receive what is offered to all who cry out in faith. 

The Command: “And the Lord spake unto the fish”  or “Then the Lord commanded the fish.” (Amplified/New American Standard). The Lord’s salvation begins with a command, given to the fish that swallowed Jonah.  The One who gives the command is the “Lord” (Jehovah), the self-existent One who reveals Himself. How does He reveal Himself? He reveals Himself as the God of Creation and as the God of Salvation. He reveals Himself in a mighty, miraculous way. He reveals Himself through His Word, through His Authority.  He “spoke,” which means “to commune, to charge, to command.” The Lord “communed with the great fish, is that not amazing? He gave the fish a command, He did not give the fish a choice and once that command was given, the fish obeyed.  It was an irresistible, indisputable, irrefutable command.  It is the command of the Creator to His Creation. We see the same power of that command in the words, “God said” is used 10 times in Genesis 1.  Every time “God said” something, it happened exactly as God said.  The Lord began with a command to the great fish to swallow Jonah and ended with a command to the great fish to let Jonah go. He could do this because that fish was His creation. He had the power to control everything it did. Whether it is His authority over the wind or the sea or the fish in the sea, He has the authority because He created all these things.

After the Command, we see the Deliverance: “and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.” I do not know what type of deliverance Jonah was expecting but I do not think it was this. That deliverance shows that whatever way the Lord chooses to deliver it will always be on His terms and by His means.  It is an amazing deliverance. This is a type of Resurrection.  The fish was the place of Jonah’s confinement, and chastisement. It was also a place of Jonah’s preservation, a place where Jonah could exercise faith and wait for deliverance.  The fish is a type of the grave in its confinement and the vomiting of Jonah from the fish is a type of resurrection from the grave. Jonah’s resurrection is a type of Jesus’ resurrection.  

In the word “vomited out” we see the force with which Jonah is expelled from the fish. It was not an easy experience. The fish “vomited” or “spewed out” Jonah.  Once the command to release Jonah was given, the fish could not resist that command.  Jonah was released.  The fish was forced to do this by the power of God. Removing Jonah from the fish was not easy, deliverance from the grave is not easy. Psalm 18 describes the behind-the-scenes battle that took place in order for resurrection to take place. There was resistance. There was a battle. God fought that battle and the earth trembled and shook. (Psa.18-6-7; 16-17). 

We see that same trembling of the earth in the earthquake in the Gospels, where the veil in the temple was rent and the graves were opened and many of the Old Testament saints were raised when Jesus rose. (Mat.27:51-53). We see that same trembling of the earth, that great earthquake, when the stone was rolled away by the angel from the grave of Jesus (Mat.28:2).   Once the command was given to release Jesus from the grave Jesus was set free. In the New Testament we see the resurrection but not the battle that took place, not the force that was used by God to bring up His Son out of the grave (out of the belly of the fish). The Apostle Paul gives us a hint of the power that was exercised in bringing up Jesus from the grave when he compares that power to the power God used in creation.  Paul calls it “the exceeding greatness of his power,” he calls it “the working of his mighty power” (Eph.1:19).

After Jonah is brought out of the great fish, he stands “upon dry ground.”  For Jonah, we do not know where this “dry ground” was. It could have been the coast of Nineveh. Wherever it was, it was the place of God’s choosing.  In type where does Jonah stand? Jonah stands on resurrection ground.  This is where Jesus stands. This is where we stand. When God delivers He sets those He delivers on dry ground, it is high ground, it is heavenly ground.

When Israel walked through the Red Sea, and they did so on dry ground (Exo.14:16,22).  When Israel walked through the Jordan River, they crossed over on dry ground (Josh.3:17). This dry ground is high ground. It is the “high places” that He sets our feet upon and we are able to walk in those places with “hinds’ feet” (Psa.18:32-33) because we walk in the strength He gives us. We are walking in the power of resurrection life, Christ Life, the New Creation Life.  

We have been brought out of and into something better. We have been brought “out of a horrible pit; out of the miry clay” and our feet have been “set upon a rock” (Psal.40:1-2). That Rock we stand upon is Christ Jesus.  When He was brought out, we were brought out.  When Jonah was brought out, he pointed forward to Jesus in His resurrection.  Jesus said that this was the only sign he would give, the sign of Jonah. (Mat.12:38-40). Just as God delivered Jonah, He delivered Jesus. (Act.10:40). We have been brought out of “the power of darkness” into light, into the “kingdom of his dear Son”  (Col.1:13). That is the “high ground” that we stand upon. The Lord chooses the place, it is a wonderful place, it is a place to serve him.  It is a large place (Psa.18:19). It is a victorious place (Rom.6:9).  It is a heavenly place (Eph.1:20).

Jonah is delivered from two things, from the sea and from the fish. The sea represents death and the fish represents the grave.  The sea is still there, the fish is still alive. Both death and the grave are still with us, but no longer have power over us.  We are risen in Christ.  The resurrection of Jesus is the basis for our new life and our victory in that new life. (Rom.6:9-11). We stand on resurrection ground. Praise the Lord!

 God’s Timing and Purposes – Ecc. 3:1-8

Part 1

Vicky Moots - Pastor Kingman, Kansas

Ecc. 3:1: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”  

God has a time clock and a plan which will be fulfilled in His time, according to His purpose.  God started time on this earth in Gen. 1:5 where it is stated, “And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.”

God also created seasons, or specific time periods, for everything.  These were first mentioned after the flood in Gen. 8:22 as He spoke to Noah: “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”  He has a purpose for the cold and the heat, for the seeming death of winter and the resurrection of spring.

This is true in our lives, spiritually, also.  We go through hard trials where there seems to be no hope but then God brings something new and living out of it.  We would certainly not appreciate the springtime as much if we had never experienced the cold of winter or the heat of summer.  Nor would we appreciate our blessings if God always gave us everything we wanted.

Seasons are also appointed for times of remembrance or celebration.  An example of this is found in Num. 9:1-3: “And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come up out of the land of Egypt, saying, Let the children of Israel also keep the Passover at his appointed season.  In the fourteenth day…, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season.”  This was an important season to commemorate their deliverance out of the bondage of Egypt and their protection by the blood of the Passover lamb.

We also set aside a season to celebrate the birth of the Lamb of God who was born in a stable, and a season to celebrate the death and resurrection of that same Lamb whose blood delivered us out of the bondage of sin.

But God does not count time the same as we do when it comes to fulfilling His purposes.  Peter informs us of this in II Peter 3:8 where he is speaking concerning the Lord’s return: “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”  We must be patient and wait on God’s timing, based on His time clock, not ours.

He does, however, give us signs, much like the changing of leaves on a tree that signal a change in seasons, warning us that His coming is soon, as Paul tells us in I Thess. 5:1-2: “But of the times and seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”  Verse 4: “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” We are to be awake and aware and watching for His coming as we see the night approaching and observe prophecy being fulfilled before our eyes.

Now is the season to be ready, for the time is short.  Paul instructs us in Eph. 5:16 that we are to be “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”  Redeeming the time means to buy up every opportunity, making use of our time wisely each day to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord by studying His Word and yielding to its transforming power.

Paul warns us in II Tim. 3:1 regarding the last days, stating, “This know that in the last days perilous [fierce] times shall come.”  Then in vs. 2-5 he lists many conditions that would prevail which are all happening today, confirming that we are, indeed, in the perilous times of the last days.

Because of this, Paul admonishes us in Rom. 13:11-12: “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation [deliverance] nearer than when we believed.  The night is far spent, the day [of deliverance] is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.”  Oh, how we need to let our light shine in these dark times!

It is the season to resist the devil and to stand on the Word of God, having on the whole armor of God, allowing God to produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives so that we may draw others to Christ.  David states in Ps. 1:3 that the man who delights in God’s Word “…shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither…”.  That season is now!

I would like to add one more Scripture concerning the present time in which we live with all its unrest and uncertainty.  We read in Dan. 2:21 that God “…changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth Kings and setteth up Kings.” America has been through a season of prosperity in recent years but now times have changed.  God has allowed the seasons to change and the leaves to wither and fall from the trees in our nation, but it is according to His time clock.  He is bringing down and setting up kings or leaders, according to His plan to fulfill His purpose in these end-times.  But we need not fear if we are planted by the rivers of living waters, for our leaves will not wither.  Let us trust God as our source of supply and peace until we hear that trumpet sound!

 LOVE

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

I John 4:8, “For God is love.”

I John 3:1, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.”

Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;).” 

 

John 15:9, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.”

Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I John 3:16, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

II Thessalonians 3:5, “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”