Portraits of Christ

E. J. Davis

I like finding these portraits of our Lord in the scriptures. This one is found in I Peter 2:25 – Christ, The Shepherd and Bishop of Our Souls. Let us go back in this chapter and make our way down to this 25th verse. Several exhortations are given for believers to live a life that gives honor and glory to God.

We will start with verse 17. “Honor all men,” this word “Honor” in the Greek has the meaning of “value.” Value all men is not easy for our flesh, but we possess the Life of Christ and He died for all mankind. “Love the brotherhood,” they are family, our brothers and sisters in Christ. We may not agree doctrinally on some matters, but they are still family and we love all the family of God. “Fear God,” the Greek word used here means “to be in awe, reverence.” We not only know Him as our creator, but as our redeemer and that is awesome. “Honor the king,” Give due respect for God set them in that very place and that makes them accountable to rightly exercise the authority committed to them.

V. 18 – Servants are under masters, as are employees, students and underlings in the military, saints should be subject, not only to the good and gentle, but to those that are harsh. Vs. 19-21 – It is thankworthy even when we endure suffering wrongfully, if we serve them as service unto God. Christ suffered in silence, may we follow His example and manifest the grace of God in all circumstances, for this is well-pleasing to God. Jesus left everything in the Father’s hands, and so should we. God’s grace will enable us to triumph. Jesus said, “Bless are ye, when men revile and persecute you, saying evil against you falsely for my sake.” We shall be vindicated in the Lord’s own time and rewarded. I Cor. 4:5, “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: then shall every man have praise of God.”

V. 22 – God’s Lamb was pure and spotless in every way, thus the perfect sacrifice for sinners. I Jn. 3:5, “He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin.” V. 23. - He meekly and patiently endured all shame and indignities that wicked men did unto Him. The Father vindicated Him when He raised Him from the dead. V. 24 – He who had no sin, took upon Himself all our sins and God’s judgment of sin fell on Him. Ps. 42:7, – “all thy waves and thy billows (of judgment) are gone over me.” By His stripes we were healed, body soul and spirit.

We love Him, Who first loved us and we desire that our lives bring glory to Him. The flesh always puts self first, but the life of Christ within says, Yes in every little detail to God’s will. V. 25 – It is the grace of God that we have been brought to know Christ as our Shepherd who cares for us in every way. The portrait or type of Christ as our Shepherd is no precious.

A shepherd or sheep-master was constantly with his flock, day and night, feeding them guarding them with tender care. Jesus words in John chapter 10, “I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep” (V. 11). “I know my sheep, and am known of mine” (V. 14). “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (V. 15). “He putteth forth His sheep, He goeth before them, the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice (V. 4).

I am so glad we can say like David (Ps. 23:1), “The Lord is MY Shepherd; I shall not want.” He is also the Bishop or overseer of my soul, guiding and directing my way through life. We can’t expect any better treatment from this world than our rejected Lord. We need not be surprised when our testimony is rejected by most and accepted by only a few. But we are here to be a light in this darkened world. “This little light of mine, I’m go to let it shine.”

Col. 3:23-24, “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Rev. 22:12, “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me…”. It is far better to have the approval of the Lord than the commendation of the world. May we manifest the characteristics of the life of Christ daily, the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls.

THE SPIRITUAL SENSES

Jack Davis

Our powers of discernment develop in usefulness by being exercised properly. By the practice of constant use, they become more alert and well trained. In John 16:7-14 Jesus speaks of that which is necessary for their benefit, He promises the Holy Spirit for their personal guidance, bringing inspired learning for inspired living. He promised this other Comforter who would continue to do in them what the Lord had been doing for them.

This Person was to bring them into the Truth that makes men free. He was sent to open spiritual ears and spiritual eyes, so that the eyes of our heart will be “enlightened.” This to me expresses far more than just knowing that which is recorded, or written on paper, or heard, or held to mentally, or applied methodically. It is rather that which is applied to daily living – Truth in the inward parts. We do will to be most receptive to His impressions, and responsive to His impulses. Oh, Beloved, let us not try to still the Spirit’s Voice in our hearts, nor dim the Spirit’s light in our lives.

Acts 28:26-27, “Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” We have Israel’s history recorded as an example. They had no excuse for being so sick and ignorant spiritually. God’s grace had supplied all they ever needed for perfect health, but here we read of the hindrances to spiritual healing and health: gross heart, dull ears, the closed eyes. These describe their sad state. Yet, now for some time, the so-called Christian nations have been taking the same course.

I Cor. 2:9, “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. “We are made aware just how dead the senses of fallen humanity are to comprehending things Divine. We understand from verse thirteen that Divine wisdom is not taught by human learning nor the philosophy of man. God’s well is so deep and the Holy Spirit sounds for us its profound depths.

Now, if you are filled with and yielding to the Spirit, you cannot be satisfied with the shallowness of a casual acquaintance with Him. In verse fifteen He describes the spiritual insight, who appraises all. This is in contrast to these of chapter three, who are able to discern only on a natural plane. They are described as infants in the faith who walk as men, manifesting their spiritual immaturity by their conduct, appetite, and attitude. They cannot take the meat of the Word, not digest it if they could. They are controlled by selfish desires, acting upon human impulse, and taking the wrong headships.

Our natural senses seem to dull or degenerate by ill health, lack of use, or improper use. Each natural sense – seeing, hearing, smelling, touch, or taste – has its spiritual counterpart; but many saints never experience their development to the full potential. Most seem to be willing to let someone else do their looking, listening, smelling, feeling, tasting, and hearing; and thus perceiving what is good or evil. It seems that lack of use results in lack of ability to use. Yet I believe it is really a  lack of understanding or realizing the meaning of the signal being given by the inactive sense. It is “by reason of use” (application of the Word, spiritual exercise) that we are enabled “to discern both good and evil” – Heb. 5:14.

Note some hindrances: To seeing – Living back of what light we have been given. Living in darkness makes it difficult to take in more light.
To hearing – Being enveloped with the noise of the flesh and of the world dulls our hearing, making it difficult to perceive that still small Voice of God’s will for our individual lives.
To smelling – Two bad things happen when dwelling around things that make a bad odor. You get used to the smell, and begin to think it is not so bad. Then you also begin to take on its aroma. With some odors your clothes become saturated, savoring the stench of the flesh and the world’s dump clogs our senses to the fragrance of our Father and our sweet Lover Christ.
To feeling – By the jostling bruising blows of the world’s pleasure, we are numbed to His tender touch. Our hearts can become gross, dense, heavy, callous, seared, and insensitive.
To tasting – By eating the junk food, garbage of the world or worldly church, we never develop an appetite for the good wholesome nourishing beneficial food of our Father’s table.

By the development of our spiritual senses and their use, we can be saved many a sad wasteful harmful experience which will only reap corruption. It is far better to discern and avoid evil than to experience harm, loss, and corrupting waste.

II Cor. 2:16, “To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life, And who is sufficient for these things?” Each sense is important. All are meant to work together under the direction of the head. Each is intended to fulfill its specific function for the benefit of the whole. There are certain things you cannot discern by just seeing, smelling, or listening. To ignore the function of one or another of our senses can be dangerously wasteful. It is interesting to notice the often in a human body, when one or other of the senses is harmed or malfunctioning, the others seem to become more active and sensitive to help compensate for the lack. They seem to do surprisingly well, yet they cannot completely fulfill the function of the other.

As Individuals, God has made available the spiritual sense to each of us; so that we by the Word through the Spirit, are able to get the will of God for our own lives, under the direction of our Head – the Lord Jesus Christ.

To illustrate: the nose might say, “That smells good.” The eye – “That look Good.” Right away the taste buds begin to water. But the head says, “Check it out and touch it.” The feeling seems the signal, “Wait, it is too hot!” Or the ear might send a signal, “I heard a crash behind you.” The head says, “Look!” The eye sees danger, and tells which way to jump.

In the whole Body of Christ each segment as seen by men has its separate functions, its particular ministries and missions to fulfill. Each is undeniably important. God gives the gifts, the ministries, and the increase. As far as He is concerned, denominationalism and sectarianism have no place in the Body of Christ. The attitudes of these are, “I have no need of you.” Or, “If you are not doing what I am doing or interested in my interests you are nothing, unnecessary, unimportant; you are out.” Well, we know that is not true, not right.

Then there is the Bride. The Old Testament illustrates this Truth. A rib was taken out of Adam, “who is the figure of Him that was to come.” With this rib God built a wife for Adam. Rebekah came out of her father’s house to be a bride for Isaac. Today the Bride of Christ is being made up of individuals who honor Christ as their only Head. They are being taken out of Christ’s Body, separated unto Him from all forms of religions organizations. These believers are being developed into a complete perfect Body for Jesus Christ’s highest eternal enjoyment, having all the senses and equipment of the Body. There will be no lack in that Body of Bridal believers. They will have developed the sharpness of seeing, hearing, tasting, touching and smelling. On the other hand, the Bride company will not exalt itself above other members of the Body, nor consider any member unnecessary or unimportant. Yet the Bride company yearns for the closest fellowship with Christ.

When the Body for the most part has denied the God-given Headship of Christ and the Holy Spirit who is so essential to spiritual development, the Bridal saint whole-heartedly desires and grasps all that He has provided and sent for her perfection. What happens when the natural body goes to sleep? The activity of the senses slows down and its sharp alertness dulls. Today true Bridal saints are discerning God’s purpose for believers, and acting in harmony with their Head by obeying the Word. They have their senses exercised and sharpened by giving their complete attention to Him.

COUNT IT ALL JOY

Pastor Anita Clark – Carbondale, Kansas

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James 1:2-3

What does it mean to “count” it, our trials and tests “all joy?” The Greek word for “count” means “to command with official authority, to govern, judge or have rule over.” This Scripture says to do this “when we fall into divers temptations.” There is no way a believer can do this in their own strength. It requires a total reliance upon the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit’s power.

The word “temptations” in the Greek means “a putting to the proof.” The trials of life prove where we have our confidence - either in ourselves (which always fails) or in the Lord for strength. The tests and trials will come, but there’s victory in Jesus. These tests are - any trial that tempts us to complain or lose faith in Who God is. Notice there are “divers temptations.” Your trials are not like mine and mine not like yours, but God has allowed each trial to come to perfect our faith. He is the wise Master-builder (I Cor. 3:10). He knows exactly what it will take in our particular case, so He deals with us as individuals.

“Knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” This is one of those thing mentioned in the Word of God that we can know. God is not allowing these tests to punish us, but to help us to grow. God loves patience - it’s one of His divine characteristics, so when we say, “I want to be like Jesus,” trials will come to work those traits in our lives. “Trying” of faith is sort of like exercising a muscle. The more the muscle is contracted, the more developed it gets. The more we exercise our faith the greater our confidence grows in the Lord. The Amplified version say of vs. 3 - “Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.”

In Romans 5:2-5 we read, “By Whom (Christ) also we, have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations (GK. “pressure, persecution, anguish, trouble”) also; knowing that tribulation works patience.” Patience is the trait produced in the believer’s life which is so much like God Himself. The process of the work God wants to do in our lives is endurable because as patience works experience (Vs. 4) and then experience works hope, and hope makes not ashamed, “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

James 1:4 says, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” God lets us have a choice. The Amplified version says, “Let endurance and steadfastness have full play and do a thorough work that you may be fully developed (with no defects), lacking nothing.” We can choose to let God have His way in our lives, or we can rebel against the work of the Lord. The Potter has to work roughly with the clay at times to bring forth exactly what He pictures in his mind to be the best outcome for that particular piece of clay. The first thing the potter does is to slam the clay on the work surface to “wedge” the clay. Then, the work begins on the wheel. The Master Potter is so very talented in working with the clay, and the outcome is just like magic to behold. How precious to give our will over to the Master for His molding of our lives as He chooses, not what we choose. Perfect submission - that’s what He desires, for He knows what is best.

II Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen; for the things which are not seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Our lifetime is just a moment compared to eternity. The work that the Lord is doing in our lives will one day bring “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Again I quote the Amplified Version, Vs. 17 “weight of glory- “beyond all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!” We cannot fathom what is in store for those who love Christ with all their hearts and lives.

He is coming very soon for His Bride, who has yielded her all to His working and is faithfully watching and waiting for Him. Will you be in that number when the first trumpet rings out? That is my desire, is it yours? Our part is to “Let Him” and Yield to Him.” He has promised in Philippians 213, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good Pleasure.”

The Word

Gordon Crook

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

It would be impossible to exaggerate the importance of God’s Word for the believer. However, it seems that there has been a growing indifference to the Word among Christians today. Even many, that attend church and enjoy the worship service and are very sincere in their Christian life, do not seem to have much interest in Bible study.

Way back in the time of Samuel, we find this statement; a very sad statement: And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 1 Samuel 3:1. The Word of the Lord was precious, rare, not frequent. There was no open vision. God was not being revealed, not because He did not want to, but because the people had no interest.

The same might be said today. And, lack of the Word is stunting to spiritual growth. Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18. How can we “keep” (guard) the Word if we have not taken it in? This is not just a mere reading of the Bible, but studying and laying hold of God’s Word in our lives. It becomes an integral part of our lives, and the Holy Spirit uses it to develop growth.
Paul encourages Timothy several times, and I have been especially impressed with the thought of the individual responsibility that is laid out for us. When Paul writes to Timothy, he is writing to an individual, and each one of us can and should take that as if it were written directly to us. After warning Timothy of the condition of those that would deceive, he encourages Timothy as follows: But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. 2 Timothy 3:14. What is the answer to the evil of this world, and the deception of the enemy? Continuing in God’s Word.

In the previous chapter, Paul encourages Timothy to “hold fast the form of sound words” 2 Timothy 1:13. The word “sound” means healthy. We need to lay hold of the healthy spiritual food that we need. We know what happens in the natural when we consume unhealthy food (and yet we still do it). The same is true spiritually.

The Word of God is vital for our ability to go into the battle. Ephesians 6:17. Even Jesus showed us by example when tempted in the wilderness. His response to Satan was always from the Scriptures. He wanted us to understand the importance of the Word in our battle with the enemy.

Each one of us has an individual responsibility to study and lay hold of God’s Word for ourselves. Paul encouraged Timothy to study for himself. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15. We will not be able to know the enemy’s attack coming against us if we do not know what God’s Word says. We also will not be able to recognize false teachers unless we know the truth.

We do not want to just be skimmers of the Word, but rather study the depths and allow it to take residence in our hearts. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16. It is not enough to just hear from time to time; we need to take it in for ourselves, and it needs to dwell in us.

The Word changes us from within by the work of the Holy Spirit. Many people read the Bible, but do not take it in. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13. We want to be like these saints. The Word must be mixed with faith, that is, taken in faith for it to be effectual. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Hebrews 4:2.

So, since we want to grow spiritually and be pleasing to our Lord, we must take an interest in studying and laying hold of the Word. Each individual has a responsibility to study the Word for themselves. While it is important to be fed in church by those God has placed as pastors and teachers, we should not limit our intake to just those few times each week. It is not enough that my dad and grandpa know the Word. It is not enough that my pastor knows the Word, I need to know for myself, and have a revelation of the truth. Let us lay hold by faith.

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

Verta Giddings

Chapter 20:5-38 & 21:1-14
Paul’s Farewells

The Experience at Troas – Acts 20:6-16. Paul and Luke (note the ‘we’) had sailed from Philippi in Macedonia, and came to Troas, which was in the northwest corner of Asia Minor. Quite a few gospel workers were waiting for Paul when he arrived there – 20:4-5. They stayed there a week, likely waiting for the first day of the week to arrive. That gave them the opportunity to have fellowship with the believers, for they must have gathered to worship on Sunday like we do. Paul had to leave in the morning, so he took that opportunity to preach to them. He had much to say, for he realized he wouldn’t be seeing them again.

They gathered in an upper room where there were many lights. It says they were in the third loft. I’m sure they were all eager to hear what Paul had to say. He preached a long time. One young man by the name of Eutychus was sitting in a window. He sunk down with sleep and fell down, clear from that third loft. Remember that the writer of “Acts” is Dr. Luke. He tells the story and says they took the young man up dead. Jesus to the rescue with Paul’s help! Paul went down, fell on him, embraced him, and then announced, “Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.” That didn’t stop their meeting. They continued right on with their fellowship, breaking of bread, eating, and talking until morning. The young man was alive and all of them were comforted. What a visit! The group went on by ship to the seaport Assos. Paul took that opportunity to walk that distance. Perhaps he just wanted to talk with the Lord. Anyway they got him back on board ship at Assos, then came to Mitylene, then to Chinos, Samos, Trogyllium, and finally Miletus. From there he called for the elders at Ephesus to come there to meet him.

Paul and the Ephesian Elders – Vs. 17-35. The reason Paul wanted them to come to him there was to save time. They apparently met on the seashore at Miletus. This was his last “Goodbye” to them. He had many things to tell them. Here are some things he touched on: He reminded them of his manner among them, that he had served the Lord with all humility, with tears, temptations, because the Jews were out to “get” him. And that he had kept back nothing from them about God’s Word. He had showed them, and taught them in public and in private. He testified to Jews and Greeks repentance and faith. Now he was going bound in his spirit unto Jerusalem, and he didn’t know what would take place there. The Holy Ghost had witnessed in every city that bonds and afflictions awaited him. None of this bothered Paul because he didn’t mind if he would die. What he desired most of all was that he would finish the work God  gave him to do. He wanted to do this with joy. This was to testify the gospel of the grace of God. He knew he wouldn’t see them again so he wanted them to know he had done all he could do. He had taught them all the counsel of God, as he said before, not holding back anything from them.

Then he gave some warnings – Vs. 28-30. They should take heed to themselves. They should take heed to the flock over which they were overseers. This meant these elders were under-shepherds of the flock of the Lord. As such they must feed the flock. Jesus bought his sheep (you are one of these) with his own blood. Paul knew that after he left grievous wolves (really bad men) would come from the outside to hurt and scatter the people. Even from within, from their own selves, men would arise, saying wrong things to have men follow them.

Then Paul gave them advice – V. 31; Vs. 33-35. Watch, remember what Paul had taught and how he live. He had warned them night and day with tears. He had not wanted their money. He had worked with his own hands to support himself and those with him. He had showed them how to help others. He said the Lord Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Paul commended them to God and to the word of His grace – V. 37. He said this to build them up. This would give them an inheritance.

Vs. 36-38 – After he finished speaking to them, he kneeled down and prayed with them. They all were crying because they wouldn’t be seeing him again. He loved these people and they loved him. They went with him to the ship. Now he was on his way to Jerusalem.

Some thoughts about what took place before Paul arrived in Jerusalem – Acts 21:1-14. They stayed at Tyre long enough for the ship to unload, which turned out to be seven days. There they found some believers. There the Holy Spirit warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem. They stopped at Philip’s house at Caesarea. Remember when Philip preached to the  Ethiopian in the desert, and then was caught away to Azotus? That was in Chapter 8 of this Book of Acts. Anyway by now he had an house and four daughters who prophesied. Was not he a happy man? They stayed there quite awhile. It was there that the prophet Agabus came and warned Paul about going to Jerusalem. He illustrated this by taking Paul’s girdle (belt). With this he bound his own hands and feet and told Paul they would do this to him at Jerusalem and deliver him to the  Gentiles. All the folks there tried to get Paul not to go. Paul knew, however, that he should go. It was the will of God. Their loving him so and not wanting this to happen to him was breaking his heart. He said he was willing not just to be bound, but also to die for the name of the Lord Jesus. And so – V. 14 – they let him go, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”

This ended Paul’s third missionary journey. We will find these prophesies came true but since Paul knew this was the will of God, we will see that it will work out for good. After all, had not the Lord said he would bear His name before Gentiles, KINGS, and the children of Israel. He would get to witness to kings by his being bound as the prophet had said. Are we willing to suffer for Jesus? If you knew this would bring many to Jesus wouldn’t you say “Yes” to the Lord, even when it meant hardships?
Continued in the next issue.

Portraits of Christ

E. J. Davis

This portrait of Christ is found in Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of faith…”. Notice, I left out the word “our” (our faith). Most Bibles have it in italics, showing it is not in the Greek text. It was added by the translators. For Jesus, the One Who Himself had perfect faith.

The Greek word for “Author” means, chief leader, captain, prince. The Greek for “Finisher” is the state of completeness, perfection. In other words, He is the Leader and Completer of faith or the Author, Captain and Perfector of faith.

Verse one of this chapter, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,” refers to the encouraging and inspiring examples of the Old Testament saints of chapter 11 for their overcoming faith. Christ’s faith far surpassed their faith for which they are commemorated. Christ is the leader, the pre-eminent One of faith.

Let us finish the rest of verse 1, “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. “ The Old testament heroes of faith were ordinary human beings that obtained a good report (Ch. 11:2). How? By simply believing their God and trusting He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Ch. 11:6). If their life of faith pleased God, so can our life of faith please Him (Ch. 11:5). So “Let us” lay aside every hindrance and the sin of unbelief and run with patience our race, that we may win the Prize set before us, Christ as our Bridegroom. He is the Prize.

We are not looking to Abraham, or Moses, but “Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of faith.” May our hearts be fixed on Him and our vision filled with the hope of His soon return for us. May we look unto Him, for He is our true strength for running. He is the Light of our life.

In all things He is pre-eminent, the witness of what faith is. We find in Him the perfect example to follow and the energy we need for life’s journey. I thought of the Olympic athletes that spend years in training to obtain fame and others willing to spend their life to gain riches; those things last a brief time. How much more willing should we be to run for the prize we will enjoy for all eternity. Selah!

Christ requires our attention, for He is our file-Leader and Finisher of faith. He ran before us (12:2), resisting religious sinners who bitterly opposed Him, and he finished His course enduring the cross of shame. He was inspired by the joy set before Him, His bride by His side which is still ahead for Him.

Eph. 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

We know not all the church (the body of Christ) will quality being holy and without blemish. But Christ will have a Bride. Rev. 19:7, “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.”

The Bride will be a rib company from the body of Christ who will qualify. She “hath made herself ready.” How? I Cor. 9:24-27, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (or disapproved, not qualifying).”

Let us as Paul count all things of the flesh lost, putting Christ first, before all else, Yielding to the Holy Spirit for His leading and working of God’s Word in our lives. These are not just cliché phrases. Phil. 3:12-15, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”

Let us get serious with God, the time is short. Heb. 10:35-38, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.”

By Whose faith? Gal. 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

II Cor. 11:2, The Apostle Paul desires to present a chaste virgin to Christ (chaste means pure, blameless, holy). All the Word of God is good and profitable, but get into Paul’s Epistles to learn the ultimate purpose of God, a bride for His Son and how that we may qualify.

 Phil. 3:9-11, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead (out from the believing dead),” the first rank. The bride is seen in Rev. 21:2 as a “holy city” prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

May God bless you and may we all go forward by the faith of our file-leader, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Valleys

Debra Isenbletter

Valleys play an important part in the life of a child of God. A valley by definition means “a depression” or “a long depression in the earth’s surface,” “an area drained by a river” or “a hollow.” By the very definition we can see how the term valley would apply to the low places in our lives, to the times we feel drained by the trials or to times of depression and sometimes not just depression but a long depression that seems to go on with no end in sight. But there is a positive side to the valley experiences that each believer goes through that teach us wonderful lessons.

With that thought in mind, I’ve chosen seven valleys: The Valley of Blessing, the Valley of Watching; the Valley of the Oak or Strong Tree; the Valley of Thorns; the Valley of the Shadow of Death; the Valley of Weeping; and the Valley of Refreshing. Each of these valleys can be found in scripture and each can be applied to experiences we go through and in each valley can be seen a wonderful victory and overcoming for the child of God!

The Valley of Berachah (II Chron. 20:1-26). “Berachah” means “blessing,” therefore this valley is The Valley of Blessing. It’s hard to think of a valley experience as a blessing, but this is exactly what it is. It is a valley of blessing because of the praise and blessing given before the battle and it is a valley of blessing because at blessing received after the battle. This is the valley that Jehoshaphat had to face, and it began with the news that “there cometh a great multitude against thee.”

Jehoshaphat knew there was going to be a battle and he knew the enemy looked greater and stronger than God’s people and he was afraid. But he also knew what to dowhen he was afraid, and this is what we do today when we face this valley. “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord’ (v. 3). What did he do when he was afraid? He sought the Lord! Here is the beginning of the blessing and the beginning of the victory; it is seen in what we do when we are afraid. Fear can paralyze us or it can energize us. There are times when there is nothing we can do, when all we can do is “seek the Lord” but that is enough for victory.

When Jehoshaphat sought the Lord, he didn’t do it with doubt, he did it with faith, and he did it publicly in the house of the Lord. His prayer shows that he knew just how great the Lord was and this is seen in three questions he asks: “Art not thou God in heaven?” (v. 6). “Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land?” (v. 7). “Wilt thou not judge them?” (v. 12).

The answer to each of these questions is Yes! The Lord responds to this godly man’s prayer with a wonderful message for every child of God who is facing a battle and must go into the valley to face a great multitude. What we do in the valley, our attitude when as we walk through the valley makes all the difference. What turns that valley into a place of blessing is what they do, as they get ready to face the enemy. The Lord speaks to them and what He says fills their mouths with praise. It is the Word of God that encourages us, lifts us up when we feel defeated and takes our eyes off ourselves or off the enemy and puts them on the Lord.

The Lord said to Jehoshaphat, “Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude: for the battle is not yours, but God’s (v. 15). Sometimes we forget this simple but profound truth. The battle is not ours, we belong to the Lord and He will both fight for us and enable us to fight the battle. The Lord doesn’t deny the multitude is great and doesn’t deny that they must face the enemy, but the Lord says that the responsibility for fighting the battle rests upon Him!

When that wonderful truth is laid hold of and embraced in faith, then what is left is praise. All they are asked to do is stand still and see the salvation of the Lord (v. 17). They stand still in faith but they still have to go into the valley, but they don’t go into the valley afraid and they don’t go into the valley in defeat, they go into the valley rejoicing and singing! How can they do this? It is because they know the responsibility for the battle rests upon the strength of the Lord and not upon their own strength; they know that the battle is already won. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1). Faith sees the victory before the battle begins.

At the end of the battle God’s people were left with the spoil of the enemy and they were blessed in another way, but the greater blessing, the one for which the valley takes it’s name is the blessing they give to the Lord. “And the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah: for there they blessed the Lord: therefore the name of the place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day” (v. 26).
To be continued