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³⁸ He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

³⁹ Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁰ JESUS STOPPED and ordered the man to be brought to him. Luke 18

Three times in Luke’s Gospel (May not be exhaustive) we see people who PRESSED IN TO ENCOUNTER JESUS. On all three occasions they had to overcome obstacles to make their connection.

The first was when Jesus Stopped to heal the blind man as He entered Jericho. The crowd told him to be quiet as he sat by the roadside, ‘but he shouted all the more’. He used the only way he had to reach Jesus, he shouted as loud as he could, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me’. He didn’t have a long time to plan a strategy, he reacted immediately and Jesus heard his cry for mercy.

⁴⁴ She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

⁴⁵ ‘WHO TOUCHED ME?’, Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.’

⁴⁶ But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.’ Luke 8

The poor woman who’d spent all she had, but grew worse. She also had no other alternative but the Lord. However, she was regarded as unclean by the Jews, yet she too PRESSED IN AND RECEIVED HER HEALING. Both the blind man and this woman refused to be intimidated by those around them, they were determined to touch Jesus and they received their reward.

19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. ² A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. ³ He wanted to see who Jesus was, BUT BECAUSE HE WAS SHORT HE COULD NOT SEE OVER THE CROWD. ⁴ SO HE RAN AHEAD AND CLIMBED A SYCAMORE-FIG TREE TO SEE HIM, since Jesus was coming that way.

⁵ When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ ⁶ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. Luke 19

Zacchaeus, because of his tax collecting was also a social outcast, not popular. He was also hindered by the crowd, but he worked out how to overcome his problem. HE RAN AHEAD AND CLIMBED ABOVE THE FRAY. Jesus saw him and called him to come down. He was going to entertain Jesus in his own house that very night. How politically wrong was that, but that Son of Abraham  received healing for his soul and became a believer that very night.

Three people who were desperate to encounter the Lord, they all had to PRESS IN past the crowd who only wanted to enjoy the moment, rather than have their lives changed. Some of us need to PRESS IN, BECAUSE THEIR’S MORE FOR US. JESUS MAY BE PASSING BY NOW.

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

 

⁴ HE CHOSE OUR INHERITANCE FOR US, 
    the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. Selah Psalm 47

I was impressed by this verse today, God the Father CHOSE THE INHERITANCE OF HIS PEOPLE. How would they have known where to go or what to do when they came out of Egypt (a type of this world system) if God hadn’t led them? Most parents want the best for their children and better than they’ve had themselves. We can be certain that God only wants the best for His sons and daughters as well.

Most of the scriptures on the Inheritance of God’s people are very positive and encouraging. God’s blessings now in this time and for the age to come.

⁵ Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
    YOU MAKE MY LOT SECURE.
⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in PLEASANT PLACES;
    SURELY I HAVE A DELIGHTFUL INHERITANCE. Psalm 16, David

In his great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ AND INTO AN INHERITANCE THAT CAN NEVER PERISH, SPOIL OR FADE. THIS INHERITANCE IS KEPT IN HEAVEN FOR YOU, 1 Peter 1

Derek Prince did a short series of ten talks of about twelve minutes each entitled, ‘If you want God’s best then …’. The last talk in the series is, ‘If you want God’s best, LET GOD CHOOSE’. (Available on YouTube) He ends with a quote he heard;

’God gives His best to those who LEAVE THE CHOICE TO HIM’.

A path for individual Believers and for His Church already exists, we don’t have to make up one of our own, but Humility is required to know His Way.

⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will INHERIT THE EARTH. Matthew 5

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

18 Was no-one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Luke 17

IT’S EASY TO OVERLOOK THE OBVIOUS, both in the NATURAL and the SPIRITUAL!

The Lord had just spoken a word to ten lepers, lonely people isolated from all normal society. But, only one came back to thank Him and give praise to God, and he was a Samaritan, the least of the group. It’s interesting that their sickness allowed the Samaritan to mix with Jews, normal rules forbidding association seemed forgotten. Sometimes problems cause us to connect with people who aren’t our usual company and the Living Church should also be a mixing ground, unless it becomes stagnant without new members. The Bride Church will be from every nation, tribe and tongue, not monocultural.

15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan. Luke 17

We Believers often excuse ourselves and say we don’t have this or that spiritual gift, but the Lord commended the Samaritan for returning to GIVE THANKS AND
PRAISE for his healing. Barnabas, known as Son of Encouragement, was highly regarded and a powerful figure in the early Church. His character was recorded as an example for Believers of all ages.

It’s possible that the other nine lepers who had been healed were rejoicing so much at being back in society and no doubt the centre of attention that they didn’t return. Though they had been miraculously healed they immediately forgot the healer and many times we receive an answer to our heart’s cry, but forget to give thanks to the one who answered our cry.

“If we praise in the victory we’ll never have to beg (grovel) in defeat”, Jim Mckechnie

Barnabas’ gift of encouragement wasn’t for himself, he used it to build up those near him in the early Church. Surely we too should be aware of opportunities to build up fellow Believers and not tear them down. It’s such a simple thing and yet could make such a difference to the health of the Body if we grasped it. Self-centred people, so prevalent in this age, never think about affirming others, it’s not on their radar.

23
Those who sacrifice thank-offerings honour me,� and they prepare the way, that I may show them my salvation.’ Psalm 50

Will we be the one in ten today who thank God LOUDLY and PRAISE HIS GOODNESS AND FAITHFULNESS TO US?

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

8 ‘The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in DEALING WITH THEIR OWN KIND THAN ARE THE PEOPLE OF THE LIGHT. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Luke 16

There is praise in this world for dealing shrewdly with the things of the world and with the people in it, but Jesus looked to the time when this world’s treasures would be left behind. He urged His listeners to use their wealth to invest not just for the present but for the future. I was listening to a prophetic minister sharing recently about donating wholeheartedly into a church situation in their youth where corruption was later uncovered. He cried out to the Lord that all their giving had been forfeited because of what had gone on in the church, but the Lord told him it wasn’t so, because they had given with right motives they would still receive their reward. The Lord confirmed that there was a reward for giving to His Kingdom and when given with honest intent it wouldn’t be lost.

10 ‘WHOEVER can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. (A UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE) 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? Luke 16

Jesus told His listeners that faithfulness in small things here would determine how much we could be trusted with later. God looks for ways to reward those who have sacrificed for Him, both here and in the Age to come.

13 ‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.’ Luke 16

8 ‘The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in DEALING WITH THEIR OWN KIND THAN ARE THE PEOPLE OF THE LIGHT. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Luke 16

There is praise in this world for dealing shrewdly with the things of the world and with the people in it, but Jesus looked to the time when this world’s treasures would be left behind. He urged His listeners to use their wealth to invest not just for the present but for the future. I was listening to a prophetic minister sharing recently about donating wholeheartedly into a church situation in their youth where corruption was later uncovered. He cried out to the Lord that all their giving had been forfeited because of what had gone on in the church, but the Lord told him it wasn’t so, because they had given with right motives they would still receive their reward. The Lord confirmed that there was a reward for giving to His Kingdom and when given with honest intent it wouldn’t be lost.

10 ‘WHOEVER can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. (A UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE) 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? Luke 16

Jesus told His listeners that faithfulness in small things here would determine how much we could be trusted with later. God looks for ways to reward those who have sacrificed for Him, both here and in the Age to come.

13 ‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.’ Luke 16

But Jesus reserves His strongest statement to the end of the Parable, NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS! You will hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. I also listened recently to a Christian speaker who was actively involved in high level international finance. He said, ‘Many believers today were trusting in money’. (He also predicted that major western economies were on the brink of collapse). Believers who bear Christ’s name but who actually have their security in the things of this world, all of which is temporary and passing.

14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, ‘You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. Luke 16

Of
8 ‘The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in DEALING WITH THEIR OWN KIND THAN ARE THE PEOPLE OF THE LIGHT. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Luke 16

There is praise in this world for dealing shrewdly with the things of the world and with the people in it, but Jesus looked to the time when this world’s treasures would be left behind. He urged His listeners to use their wealth to invest not just for the present but for the future. I was listening to a prophetic minister sharing recently about donating wholeheartedly into a church situation in their youth where corruption was later uncovered. He cried out to the Lord that all their giving had been forfeited because of what had gone on in the church, but the Lord told him it wasn’t so, because they had given with right motives they would still receive their reward. The Lord confirmed that there was a reward for giving to His Kingdom and when given with honest intent it wouldn’t be lost.

10 ‘WHOEVER can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. (A UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE) 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? Luke 16

Jesus told His listeners that faithfulness in small things here would determine how much we could be trusted with later. God looks for ways to reward those who have sacrificed for Him, both here and in the Age to come.

13 ‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.’ Luke 16

But Jesus reserves His strongest statement to the end of the Parable, NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS! You will hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. I also listened recently to a Christian speaker who was actively involved in high level international finance. He said, ‘Many believers today were trusting in money’. (He also predicted that major western economies were on the brink of collapse). Believers who bear Christ’s name but who actually have their security in the things of this world, all of which is temporary and passing.

14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, ‘You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. Luke 16

Of course the ever present Pharisees mocked His words. They loved money and lived for the honour of this world, but Jesus warned them that religious rituals covering unconverted hearts wouldn’t allow them access to the Kingdom of Heaven.

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

8 ‘The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in DEALING WITH THEIR OWN KIND THAN ARE THE PEOPLE OF THE LIGHT. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Luke 16

There is praise in this world for dealing shrewdly with the things of the world and with the people in it, but Jesus looked to the time when this world’s treasures would be left behind. He urged His listeners to use their wealth to invest not just for the present but for the future. I was listening to a prophetic minister sharing recently about donating wholeheartedly into a church situation in their youth where corruption was later uncovered. He cried out to the Lord that all their giving had been forfeited because of what had gone on in the church, but the Lord told him it wasn’t so, because they had given with right motives they would still receive their reward. The Lord confirmed that there was a reward for giving to His Kingdom and when given with honest intent it wouldn’t be lost.

10 ‘WHOEVER can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. (A UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE) 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? Luke 16

Jesus told His listeners that faithfulness in small things here would determine how much we could be trusted with later. God looks for ways to reward those who have sacrificed for Him, both here and in the Age to come.

13 ‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.’ Luke 16

But Jesus reserves His strongest statement to the end of the Parable, NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS! You will hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. I also listened recently to a Christian speaker who was actively involved in high level international finance. He said, ‘Many believers today were trusting in money’. (He also predicted that major western economies were on the brink of collapse). Believers who bear Christ’s name but who actually have their security in the things of this world, all of which is temporary and passing.

14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, ‘You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. Luke 16

Of course the ever present Pharisees mocked His words. They loved money and lived for the honour of this world, but Jesus warned them that religious rituals covering unconverted hearts wouldn’t allow them access to the Kingdom of Heaven.

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

course the ever present Pharisees mocked His words. They loved money and lived for the honour of this world, but Jesus warned them that religious rituals covering unconverted hearts wouldn’t allow them access to the Kingdom of Heaven.

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

But Jesus reserves His strongest statement to the end of the Parable, NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS! You will hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. I also listened recently to a Christian speaker who was actively involved in high level international finance. He said, ‘Many believers today were trusting in money’. (He also predicted that major western economies were on the brink of collapse). Believers who bear Christ’s name but who actually have their security in the things of this world, all of which is temporary and passing.

14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, ‘You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. Luke 16

Of course the ever present Pharisees mocked His words. They loved money and lived for the honour of this world, but Jesus warned them that religious rituals covering unconverted hearts wouldn’t allow them access to the Kingdom of Heaven.

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

14 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. Luke 14

Would you have invited Jesus to dinner – then be prepared for questions and challenges! The rabbis of the day taught by questioning their students.

The Pharisees (the name derived from the Greek for Separate, they kept themselves apart to remain ritually Clean) were always on the lookout for something with which they could accuse Jesus AND HIS FOLLOWERS. Jesus didn’t modify His behaviour in the least, even in a house full of them.

3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?’ 4 But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. Luke 14

They didn’t agree with what Jesus did but they wouldn’t come right out and say so. Silence doesn’t always mean consent, they couldn’t make a case to oppose Him. Jesus finished this part of the narrative by highlighting situations when they themselves would break the Sabbath.

5 Then he asked them, ‘If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?’ 6 And they had nothing to say. Luke 14

Jesus then made a further observation about the seating arrangements around the dinner table, no doubt just as unwelcome to the religious. They probably thought they were on safe ground in the Pharisee’s house and because of numbers, but Jesus still spoke of their self-centredness.

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honour at the table, he told them this parable: 8 ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honour, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, “Give this person your seat.” … 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ Luke 14

He further remarked regarding the feast he attended, about the attitude behind it and who was invited. A major problem for those who complained that He ate with tax collectors and sinners. Inviting the rich and influential in hope of some repayment might be favourable in this world but would disqualify from any reward in the world to come.

13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’

The Religious had more than the food on the table to chew on when they invited Jesus into their midst and I’m sure He would still try and highlight similar attitudes in His Church. Only two of the churches in Revelation, persecuted believers, escaped the need of correction.

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

23 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and YOU WILL STAY OUT OF TROUBLE. 23 Watch your words and hold your tongue; YOU’LL SAVE YOURSELF A LOT OF GRIEF. 23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue KEEPS HIMSELF OUT OF TROUBLE. Proverbs 21

3
The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] PROTECTS HIS LIFE;
The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] COMES TO RUIN. Proverbs 13 AMP

I listened to a clip about a very talented, high level sportsman recently, who on occasion has been quite outspoken. Apparently he has decided after some bad press that he will no longer make comments about other members of his sport. He probably doesn’t know what the Bible says about this, but he’s learned by experience that he needs to hold his tongue concerning other competitors. It’s particularly easy for gifted individuals to be critical of those less talented who don’t achieve success so readily.

How much trouble would be prevented in the Body of Believers today if only we too would refrain from commenting on our brothers and sisters!

4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Romans 14

Peter was the most outspoken of the disciples and at times that got him in trouble, but the Lord dealt patiently with Peter and didn’t crush his strength of character. God made Peter the way He wanted him, but his character had to be touched when the Spirit fell in the upper room. After that encounter God was able to use Peter to preach the first Gospel message to the multitudes on Pentecost.

10 For,

“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech. 1 Peter 3

The once outspoken disciple shares something precious with us in the first epistle bearing his name. The quality of life we all enjoy on this earth will depend greatly on the use of our tongues.

GOOD SPEECH, GOOD LIFE!

May the Lord’s Spirit sweeten our tongues and our lives this day and every day.

24 ‘“‘The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace.’”

27 ‘So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.’ Numbers 6

Immanuel, God is with us.

 

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.