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Time To Encourage Yourself

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1 Samuel 30:6-8

[6] And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
[7] And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
[8] And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

David and his men were sent to the land of the Philistines. Since most men of fighting age were gone to fight, the Amalektite raiders decided to take advantage of what appeared to be a lack of defense. Upon coming back from one battle David returned to a horrific sight. Everything and everyone was gone and all habitations were destroyed by fire. The men, already weary from the battle with the Philistines walked 60 miles march only to be completely devastated. In their weariness they blamed the person who proposed that they even stay in Ziklag to begin with! But David, being a man of faith and now dealing with an internal turmoil, did the only thing he knew to do. He encouraged himself! He gained strength through encouragement to fight on.

1 Samuel 30:9-16

[9] So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.
[10] But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.
[11] And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water;
[12] And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.
[13] And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.
[14] We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.
[15] And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.
[16] And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.

600 went, they stopped by a brook, or what can be viewed as a temptation to give in and rest from the weariness and loss. Although 200 stayed the rest pursued. And in the weariness of marching on away from the brook God moved the solution in their path in an unexpected time. You see, they would have never got to the enemy without first showing love and charity to the abandoned Egyptian. They were victorious with 400 against thousands! And just when you think they were in the clear, they were presented with yet another internal strife. This was related to greed and selfishness. The argument presents itself as, “now that you have the spoils of victory how do you spread them out?”

1 Samuel 30:23-25

[23] Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.
[24] For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
[25] And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.

Not everyone is going to win every battle together, but you must remember to divide the spoils of your victory and portion with those who fainted before you in weariness. They seemed to have already forgotten who it was that helped them to get to the fight. We often forget who it is that had to help us encourage ourselves in a conflict of things that were closest and most valued.

In closing remember to have the same approach whether you are facing an outside enemy or an internal strife. Encourage yourself and allow God’s love to prevail and divide charity to everyone! Through and by this people can be drawn to a relationship with Jesus Christ!

Bondage, Turn Loose!

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Exodus 12:3-5,12-13,29-36

[3] Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
[4] And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
[5] Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

[12] For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
[13] And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

[29] And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharoah that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
[30] And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
[31] And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.
[32] Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.
[33] And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.
[34] And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
[35] And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
[36] And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

The Ten Plagues

1)     Water To Blood – water is what people consume for life

2)     Frogs – this set a visual border of the affected and afflicted area of the people who God’s wrath was upon

3)     Gnats or lice – showing the small things can consume whole things

4)     Flies – the marking of what is ripe or about ready to go bad, decay, die out, the beginning of torments upon what is living or was produced from something living

5)     Livestock deceased – destruction to food and livestock

6)     Boils – affliction to flesh

7)     Thunder and hail – afflictions to fear

8)     Locusts – kills out all that was left behind

9)     Darkness – takes away the means to see

10)  Death of the firstborn – by the bondage was broken

The worship of the Nile River was stopped, the worship of the cattle was ceased, and the worship of the sun was stopped! God will have no other forms of worship that will come before him! Pharaoh’s decree to kill all the male babes was judged by the death of the firstborn.

Isaiah 53:5-6

[5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
[6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah’s word about the lamb signifies the turning point for a new kind of blood that would have the opportunity to be put upon the doorposts of all of our houses and lives!

1 Peter 1:3-19

[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
[4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
[5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
[6] Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
[7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
[8] Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
[9] Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
[10] Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
[11] Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
[12] Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
[13] Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
[14] As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
[15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
[16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
[17] And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
[18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
[19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Peter’s word about the lamb not only confirms the prophecies that were prior but was also an assurance for those that still walk by the blood of Christ that is applied!

Learning From The Rich Man

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This was from a message that I preached a little while back. We didn’t have an opportunity to capture the audio that night, so here is the notes from the night!

To start, let’s read Mark 10:17-31

[17] And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
[18] And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
[19] Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
[20] And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
[21] Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
[22] And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
[23] And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
[24] And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
[25] It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
[26] And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
[27] And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
[28] Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
[29] And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
[30] But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
[31] But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

17 – in the beginning this person came running, or in a hurry to try and find the answer

18 – Christ identifies initially the praise that is given (Good Master) but then begins to get right to the inner depths of the heart

19 – Christ then identifies what we typically know as the general head knowledge of the law of the word of God

20 – The person, thinking they had the answer begins to examine their-self based on this alone and find pride and confidence in thinking they understood and had all they needed.

21 – Then! Just when the flesh thought that it had the answer, Christ begins to open up the understanding to what was still lacking: the laying off of the pleasures (desire to sin) that unless laid off produces a by-product of what we enjoy (riches in this life) AND to pick up persecution and to have faith

22 – What we often consider as brokenness or what appears to be a humbled countenance is actually grieved because they cannot let go

23 – Jesus further adds how this will result with no change

24-25 – Christ brings clarity to the disciples first confusion about this revelation

26-27 – To the unreasonable response of the disciples Jesus then reminds them of eternal life

28-30 – Peter began to speak about how they had followed Him (Jesus), and then reminds those that are trying to follow that you must have some persecution!

31 – First are those who come and will not give up, therein having no eternal hope (or representing last). Last are those who come willingly to believe, accept and obey God’s will, and become blessed and saved children of God!

Here Am I, Send Me

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Isaiah 6:1-9

[1] In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
[2] Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
[3] And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
[4] And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
[5] Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
[6] Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
[7] And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
[8] Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
[9] And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

Isaiah begins here with a vision of the Lord. He sees God amidst the praises of Heaven.

2 key terms here are important to remember for the rest:

1)     Holy – separate and unapproachable

2)     Glory – God’s authority, greatness and abundant presence

Verses 1-4

As we all should do and as Isaiah did there needs to be a time that we take when God is dealing with our hearts to recognize His abundant greatness and glory. When you begin to do this it produces a very important feeling.

Verse 5

Upon realizing the magnitude and meaning of the revelation, Isaiah is immediately moved in his heart as he now feels undone. He acknowledges this feeling by realizing his sinful nature and condition. Through the abundant holiness of how God is in no part of sin the light of the Lord God begins to perform its work.

Verses 6-7

After recognizing God’s power and proceeding to humble himself, God then opens up the cleansing and forgiving power as given by his confession of sin. The confession of our sins will always open up the path to God’s grace and mercy. We often miss this simple bit about repenting at times but I encourage you and remind you of how that are cleansed and forgiven only by the blood of Jesus!

Verse 8, 1st part

Only after recognizing, humbling, confessing and stepping into holiness (or separation from sin) does God begin to share his need for a messenger to Isaiah. What an amazing revelation! God will only trust those willing in their heart to surrender their life and confess their sins. A person willing to do this is not only humble but is ready to be cleansed and move on from the old nature of our past mistakes.

Verse 8, 2nd part

Having now received the call by going through this life changing transformation from his vision, Isaiah is now ready (in all aspects of himself) and openly says, “here am I, send me”

This is very important to take away from this: only after the cleansing did he receive the calling.

What Makes The Fire That Burns In You

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Matthew 5:14-16

[14] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
[15] Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
[16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

A light in its natural form is caused to flame by 3 sources:

  1. The oil, the substance that is burned, the spirit of the Lord

A light does not continue without a substance to continue it. The immediate desire to obey will not continue without a continuing presence of God.

Leviticus 14:25-32

[25] And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering, and the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot:
[26] And the priest shall pour of the oil into the palm of his own left hand:
[27] And the priest shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before the LORD:
[28] And the priest shall put of the oil that is in his hand upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the place of the blood of the trespass offering:
[29] And the rest of the oil that is in the priest’s hand he shall put upon the head of him that is to be cleansed, to make an atonement for him before the LORD.
[30] And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, such as he can get;
[31] Even such as he is able to get, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, with the meat offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed before the LORD.
[32] This is the law of him in whom is the plague of leprosy, whose hand is not able to get that which pertaineth to his cleansing.

The oil of the spirit and blood of Christ cannot be separate!

  1. The flame, the source that ignites the oil, the burning fire of the Holy Ghost

A light may have the proper amount of substance to burn but without a firestarting source it cannot begin. Without an abundance of the Holy Ghost the spirit within you cannot come alive and consume your life.

Isaiah 50:7-11

[7] For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
[8] He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.
[9] Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.
[10] Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.
[11] Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.

The worlds ‘sparks’ will go out eventually, leaving the comforts that they bring to fade quickly.

  1. The light burns when the oil and flame are joined together. As the Holy Ghost produces the fire and the spirit brings the oil, there must be something to combine it or mix it: a willing heart and a made up mind.

So what (or should we say who) is the vessel that this substance is held in? You!

Leviticus 6:9-13

[9] Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it.
[10] And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh, and take up the ashes which the fire hath consumed with the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar.
[11] And he shall put off his garments, and put on other garments, and carry forth the ashes without the camp unto a clean place.
[12] And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings.
[13] The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.

Always remember that the flame of God is to consume your sins, not to condone it.

Winning The Battle Over Evil

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Matthew 12:39-45

[39] But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
[40] For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
[41] The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
[42] The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
[43] When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
[44] Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
[45] Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

This speaks to those who have heard God’s word and have outward reformation of self but on the inside have not converted to being a true follower of Christ. An evil (or unclean) spirit will allow for windows and seasons of time between its residence; however without the power and dominion to conquer and put to flight the behavior changes that come from it kill us spiritually.

The heart is swept by attempting to be reformed and holding trust in the outward self. If we could only begin to realize that this form of trust in self and not in God shows pride and still allows a person to be subject to many evils. This alone and more often than not makes us a direct enemy of the truth in God’s word.

Unless you are a temple of the Holy Ghost by faith in Christ evil spirits will still have an ability to take residence in your life (temptation, provoked to wrath, irrational decisions, violence, blasphemy, the list goes on and on).

Colossians 4:2-6

[2] Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
[3] Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
[4] That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
[5] Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
[6] Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Ephesians 2:8-14

[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
[11] Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
[12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
[13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
[14] For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

I am glad that we were crafted out of God’s workmanship, tried and proven with the authority of the power of the comforter (Holy Ghost) that provides an authority over every circumstance and vulnerable place evil attempts to dwell. Allow God to promote this power within you and truly unlock the phrase that “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me”!

There Is A Land

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Numbers 13:17-33

[17] And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain:
[18] And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many;
[19] And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;
[20] And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.
[21] So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.
[22] And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
[23] And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.
[24] The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence.
[25] And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.
[26] And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.
[27] And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.
[28] Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.
[29] The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.
[30] And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
[31] But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
[32] And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.
[33] And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

The people had put more faith and trust more in the judgment of man than they had in the word of God. It was as good as God spoke but yet they doubted His word as well as themselves. Consider that even though God’s eternal promise gave it to them. Caleb spoke and encouraged that they ‘posses’ the land. Notice the lack of saying conquer; for Caleb had come to that realization of what God had already done before they ever made their attempt to make it to that land. All things are promised to him that believes, but carnal sense and carnal nature are not to be trusted. Unbelief overlooks the power of God and magnifies every danger. It also attempts to cause difficulty in normal things and fills the heart with discouragement.

John 6:32-41

[32] Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
[33] For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
[34] Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
[35] And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
[36] But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
[37] All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
[38] For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
[39] And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
[40] And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
[41] The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

You may be outnumbered in unbelief and may feel as an outcast, but if you sincerely believe you will never thirst and have eternal life! Have the boldness to speak the good things that you know about the promises of God. Have the zeal to take action when others would doubt themselves and God.

The Sacrifice Of Praise

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Psalm 141:1-2

[1] LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
[2] Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Incense was burned continually along with two lambs slain each day for the morning and evening sacrifice for the atonement of sin. David saw down through the ages how prayer and worship would change from a physical to a spiritual sacrifice. Now with Christ as our high priest we can offer our own offerings to God (as well as a group of believers!).

Jeremiah 33:10-11

[10] Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,
[11] The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.

There is something to be said about a God-honoring thank offering: it is a sacrifice from you that is not required. Being thankful for the blessings in your life is something you choose to do!

Hebrews 13:15-17

[15] By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
[16] But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
[17] Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Our sacrifice is the fruit of our lips. We do this not because we have to but it is because we want to, right? As God has blessed each and every one of us with the abundance of life and salvation, the thankfulness and gratefulness should be bubbling out of us (as rivers of living water). Honoring God is one of the greatest ways He can be lifted up and known to the world!

The River Lives In You

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John 7:37-39

[37] In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
[38] He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
[39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

A river reaches places where it source never knows. If we have received His fullness than the rivers will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even to the ends of the earth. Hence Acts 1:8:

Acts 1:8

[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

There may be objects or obstacles that may attempt to prevent the flow, or your continual relationship to God. The river of the spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. We never need to focus on the obstacles nor the difficulty.

John 4:10-14

[10] Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
[11] The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
[12] Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
[13] Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
[14] But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

‘By this living water’ is meant to represent the spirit of God. Jesus showed that Jacobs well yielded a very short satisfaction. Whatever that we consume in life will prove itself unable to satisfy our lives. Carnal hearts look no higher than carnal means. If we learn to start partaking of the spirit of grace and the comforts of the gospel we shall not be in want of that which will only satisfy temporarily. Allow nothing to keep you from your sovereign source!

Hearing And Doing The Call Of God

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Paul was showing concern about the early beginnings of the church of Thessalonica, as he was only able to spend roughly six weeks with them. In that concern Paul sent out Timothy to go and visit them and to return to him with a report. While this report was mostly positive there were some misunderstandings that were relevant to the core teachings he left them with. The first parts of the letter address some of these issues by writing on the purity of life and reminding them of why sanctification was important.

1 Thessalonians 1:4-7

[4] Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
[5] For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
[6] And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
[7] So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

Paul was remembering the turnaround of the people and how it was made possible.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-9

[1] For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
[2] But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
[3] For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
[4] But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
[5] For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
[6] Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
[7] But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
[8] So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
[9] For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

What was the full substance of Paul’s ministry? What did they bring? What did they do?

1 Thessalonians 3:1-6

[1] Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
[2] And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
[3] That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
[4] For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
[5] For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
[6] But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

Why did Paul send Timothy back from Athens back to them? There was a great concern in his heart for them.

1 Thessalonians 4:4-14

[4] That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
[5] Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
[6] That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
[7] For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
[8] He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
[9] But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
[10] And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
[11] And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
[12] That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

Paul begins to address some of the weaknesses through exhortation.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-24

[14] Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
[15] See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
[16] Rejoice evermore.
[17] Pray without ceasing.
[18] In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
[19] Quench not the Spirit.
[20] Despise not prophesyings.
[21] Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
[22] Abstain from all appearance of evil.
[23] And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[24] Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

This was Pauls closing remarks and were a very important section of the letter, especially for us today.