Month: April 2024

12 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began TO SPEAK FIRST to his disciples, saying: ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, WHICH IS HYPOCRISY. Luke 12:1

Jesus was surrounded by large crowds, thousands of people and they weren’t always orderly, trampling on each other. Yet He still spoke to them the message of the Kingdom. Jesus never intended to build on the religious traditions of His day, He brought something from Heaven to earth that was completely new. Could we be living in such a time today when many existing religious structures and secular edifices are about to be overturned?

The crowds were a constant in His life, so much need and so many spiritually hungry people, who were drawn to the Truth. Even in the midst of clamouring crowds Jesus spoke first to His disciples. Those who walked with Him and shared His life were His priority. He made a distinction between casual onlookers who were present for a short time and those who walked with Him day by day. He spoke to the disciples (those under discipline) first and shared deeper truths with them.

On this occasion He warned His disciples to be on guard against those who pretended to be religious but were really hypocrites. (False Faces, from Greek theatre).

¹⁵ ‘Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. ¹⁶ By their fruit you will recognise them.

²² Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” Matthew 7

Jesus identified these people as ‘Ferocious wolves’, people who appeared righteous on the outside but inwardly they would cause much pain and distress to His flock. It’s noteworthy that some of them would prophesy, drive out demons and perform miracles, all power gifts, however their true nature was vicious.

²⁹ I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. ³⁰ Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. ³¹ So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Acts 20

Both Jesus and Paul in the midst of powerful manifestations of the power of God warned their followers to be on guard against deception within the body. We should still be thankful for all the good things God does for His people, but realise that our enemies are ever seeking to infiltrate our presence.

May the Lord bless and keep us today, Immanuel, God is with us.

Today is the second solar eclipse across America, a significant sign in the heavens. May God bless and protect the peoples of this earth today. Amen

 

³⁶ When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples KEPT THIS TO THEMSELVES AND DID NOT TELL ANYONE at that time what they had seen. Luke 9

We said earlier this week that the three disciples who accompanied Jesus onto the mountain weren’t allowed to speak of Jesus’ transfiguration. Peter couldn’t tell his brother Andrew and the three couldn’t tell the other nine disciples with whom they lived and ministered. It may not always be EASY TO KEEP OUR OWN COUNSEL, BUT SOMETIMES IT’S WISEST!

⁴⁵ But they did not understand what this meant. IT WAS HIDDEN FROM THEM SO THAT THEY DID NOT GRASP IT, and they were afraid to ask him about it. Luke 9

The Lord was sharing of His coming crucifixion, but the disciples couldn’t grasp the enormity of what He was telling them. They had to continue to walk with the Lord for the truth to become clear to them. We may not understand what God says to us first time, but as we also continue the Spirit can quicken it to us, either directly or through someone else. AT THEIR LOWEST MOMENT GOD WORKED HIS GREATEST MIRACLE, CELEBRATED BY MULTITUDES OVER EASTER.

⁴⁶ An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. ⁴⁷ Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and made him stand beside him. Luke 9

Ambition often breeds quarrels among Believers. It happens when we lose sight of the Body and focus on ourselves. The LITTLE CHILD was completely dependent upon those who cared for him and Jesus had to correct their attitude towards one another. ‘Satan wanted to be like the Most High and Fell’.

⁴⁵ BUT THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS MEANT. IT WAS HIDDEN FROM THEM, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it. Luke 9

Jesus told His disciples something important, (Of His coming crucifixion) but they didn’t understand it at the time, however it did become clear to them as events unfolded. We also shouldn’t be surprised when the Lord shares something and initially the message is not clear to us.

² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
    to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
³ As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
    so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. Proverbs 25

We live in days when everything that can be shaken will be shaken and that includes the practice of worship in our day. Much of what our society has been based around is going to be exposed and removed. The term, ‘root and branch’ means a complete and thorough overhaul and the Lord is winnowing out everything that is not of Him. The disciples didn’t understand everything at that time but they continued to walk with the Lord until such times as things became clear. We must make sure that we hold onto our own personal faith in the midst of great turbulence and stand with the Lord.

There were two groups of people in Israel after the preaching of John the Baptist, those who had HUMBLED THEMSELVES and gone down into the water. The others were the religious who led worship in the nation, but missed the Lord’s coming. Tax collectors and sinners had nothing in themselves to rely upon so they surrendered to John’s call to repent, but others felt they had no need of it. God can work with humility and flexibility, but religion tends to be static and unchanging. God will make things clear for us as we continue to walk with Him.

²³ In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. ²⁴ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16

The Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

³⁶ When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. THE DISCIPLES KEPT THIS TO THEMSELVES AND DID NOT TELL ANYONE AT THAT TIME WHAT THEY HAD SEEN. Luke 9

Three of Jesus closest disciples had accompanied Him on the Mountain when He met with Moses and Elijah (The Transfiguration) and at the end of the encounter the Father Himself had spoken to them.

On Palm Sunday we received a prophetic word at the end of a Church Service and the last thing we were told was to, ‘KEEP YOUR OWN COUNSEL’. The speaker began by addressing our present standing with God, moved on to future works and ended with the caution to keep our own counsel. He said in the past we had shared things with others which hadn’t been respected. He also acknowledged that it wasn’t always easy to hold back personal information but for us we needed to exercise wisdom about sharing.

Jesus strictly warned the disciples at times not to share publicly what had been revealed to them.

²¹ Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone.²² And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Luke 9

⁶ ‘Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7

The Book of Proverbs also addresses the need for caution and using wisdom when sharing with others.

Only three disciples accompanied Jesus on the mountain top, nine others who would also become apostles waited below. Yet those three were warned NOT TO SHARE WHAT THEY’D WITNESSED. After Jesus’ resurrection they were free to share their experiences. Timing was important and this may also be true for some of us in these turbulent days.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

⁸ TASTE and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34

David wrote Psalm 34 when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away.

Derek Prince in his Word from the Word, 6/03 says that Taste is different from the other four senses. Taste can only happen INSIDE US, the other senses are all external. David in a time of great distress tells us to TASTE OF GOD, to know Him deeply within, despite our external circumstances. A short verse to chew on, or meditate upon, during the month ahead.

The Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.