Come Into My Garden!

"I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved" (Song 5:1).

Many believers are ignorant of, or aloof towards, the idea that we are the garden of the Lord. You and I are His garden - the very place where His fruit is born, cultivated, pruned and matured. We are God's garden, separated, enclosed, and protected from the world. But what is the purpose of a garden?

Jesus longs to reside there.. Simply said, a garden is a place to be visited and delighted in. In the Song of Solomon, upon the Shulamite's proposal (Song 4:16), the Lord quickly answers, "I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse" (Song 5:1). Such is a speedily answered prayer.. and why? It's because Jesus longs to dwell and reside in the garden of her heart. The bride cries "come", and He comes! To Him, there must be no greater place to reside; there must be no greater longing pulsating through the Divine Heart, for His own holy blood is the title deed which purchased that precious garden plot, paid in full. Now His garden is to be the place of perpetual communion, the "bed of spices" (Song 6:2) which lovingly flow from our hearts to His! What a habitation! What a choice place! He has chosen this people to Himself (Ps 135:4; Isa 43:21; Eph 1:18), so why wouldn't He want to reside there? "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me... and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (Jn 14:21-23). And again Jesus said, "He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him" (Jn 6:56). Jesus longs to reside in your garden!

Jesus longs to feed there.. A residence would be incomplete if there were not also a feasting! Not only does the Lord long to reside and dwell with you, in the garden of your heart, but He also longs to feed upon the gracious goodness's which He has brought forth: "Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits" (Song 4:16). There is no greater house guest than the Lord of Hosts! There is no greater reason to allow God's fiery pruning than to possess real fruit for Him when He comes (Ps 1:1-3; 72:16; etc).. "Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing" (Ps 92:13-14).. Remember the barren bush (Matt 21:19)? Jesus cursed it because it had no fruit, but leaves only (Jude 12)! Remember the fruitless vineyard (Isa 5:1-2)? It brought forth mere "wild grapes". Friends, God is looking for real substance - He is searching for diligent, genuine hearts! And why? Because He wants to feed upon much fruit: "My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies" (Song 2:16). Jesus longs to drink from your plentifully "watered garden... whose waters fail not" (Isa 58:10-11). Will we offer Him a substantial drink today?

And how do we suppose Jesus finds fruit to feed upon? How is real and plentiful fruit to be cultivated and ripened in the hearts of God's people? Reader, it's only by His pruning! A garden left untended will quickly become a wild, weedy and worthless wasteland - having nothing to offer! But a garden carefully tended to by the counsel of Scripture will be one in which the Master will always find fruitful delight! "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Heb 12:11). There are no shortcuts; There are no detours. To repeatedly strive to take shallow shortcuts to fruitfulness is to make your substance bitter upon Divine tastebuds! And who would willingly want that? A vineyard must first be pruned before real fruit can be gathered and eaten by it's caretakers (Lev 25:3). Jesus said, "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (Jn 15:2).

Jesus longs to share His fruit.. Men are mistaking if they assume the fruit wrought in them is for them alone. Of course, it benefits the garden, but it also is to feed the nations! Of course God has the chiefest place - He is the very foundation of all that is birthed, and is the Chief recipient too, "for the Lord's portion is His people" (Deut 32:9). However, what God does in you, He would also like to do through you. He's turning your desert into a garden, your wilderness into Eden, and for good reason (Isa 51:3). What He picks as choice fruit is to likewise be spread throughout the earth: Of this fruit, He says "eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly..." (Song 5:1). What a marvelous thought to ponder! God wants you to become fruit for the nations to partake of - not only fruit for God Himself, but fruit for His many friends! "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples" (Jn 15:8). The earth is waiting to see such a fruitful people, budding as King Jesus, possessing His scent (Ps 45:8), His character (Gal 4:19), His image (2 Cor 3:18), and His fruitfulness: "For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations" (Isa 61:1).

"Oh to be the garden of God - there's no greater honor, and no greater cause.
I'm watered and pruned with God's holy fire - the idols torn down, the filth and the mire.
Planted with goodness, seeded with promise - my fruitfulness budding, my scent by His furnace.
My visage is different, there's coming an end - fruit for my Master, and fruit for His friends!
Oh to be the garden of God - there's no greater honor, and no greater cause!"

The Spirit of the Word..

Jesus said "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (Jn 6:63)?

Many people are surprised to discover that the Bible is primarily a spiritual book. Symbolism, typology, prophecy and the like are all divinely accredited within the pages of Holy Writ (Job 12:7-9; Ps 19:1-3; Rom 10:17-18; 1:20; Matt 13; Heb 10:1; 8:4-5; Col 2:16-17; 1 Cor 10:1; Rom 15:4; etc). Why then should we refuse such a practice? No, we don't over-spiritualize everything, but we don't ignore the counsel of God either. "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter" (Prov 25:2).

Ask yourself today, do I read the Bible with spiritual eyes? Or am I limited by a natural, and often carnal, mindset and thought pattern? The words of our Lord are dense words, full of meaning, varied in shade, nuance, implication and application. They aren't to be applied on a mere natural level of significance alone; they aren't to be understood according to the mere flesh of man's natural understanding, or solely viewed through mere flesh colored glasses. While a literal interpretation is of course useful and of aid, we should never orphan the Spirit's breath for the sake of a literal tone. Rather, His words are living; they "liveth and abideth forever" (1 Pet 1:23). His Words are to be spiritually understood, and the life they promise is of a spiritual nature too. His Words are deep (Dan 2:22; Ps 42:7; 1 Cor 2:10; Rom 11:33; Eph 3:8; Job 5:8-9; Ps 145:3-7; 139:17-18; 92:5; 40:5; 1 Tim 1:17); His wisdom is manifold (Jer 10:6-10; Ps 111:2; 104:24; Eph 3:10; Rom 11:33), while the flesh (the bare, carnal, literal meaning) profits relatively little by comparison. The spiritual truth of Jesus' words are to continually pierce through the facade of man's natural wisdom, penetrating the very core of his spiritual reality. Jesus' words are spirit and life, "the works of the Lord are exceeding great" (Ps 111:2, HV).

Yet, for some reason, in studying Scripture, we constantly find ourselves relating primarily naturally, by the flesh. We seem to cling to a literal significance alone.. perhaps that's what we're most comfortable with? But did you realize that the Bible actually accredits at least a three-fold interpretation of itself? Are you shocked? It's true. There is a natural interpretation, of course, but there is also a spiritual interpretation, and a prophetic. Observe what King Solomon said: "Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?" (Prov 22:20-21). This word "excellent" in Hebrew means, "three-fold; weighty". Thus, the words of Scripture are manifold in significance and application - they are weighty; they are living!

All throughout the Bible, we see this principle applied: Jesus continually spoke in spiritual truths. Very rarely were His words meant to be taken literally and via a natural interpretation. Phrases such as "poor in spirit" were all to convey a deeper spiritual truth. Sadly, often the Jews missed His point altogether because they sought to cling to a natural meaning alone.

The apostle Paul recognized this truth and prayed for his readers to receive it too: "[I] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints"(Eph 1:16-18). He spoke of the letter of the law (literal interpretation) AND the Spirit of the Word, that is, the dense spiritual truth contained behind the mere literal significance. He admonishes us to serve in the "newness of the Spirit" (Rom 7:6; 2 Cor 3:6), not solely in the letter. One example he gave was concerning circumcision. Circumcision has an obvious literal interpretation, but the Spirit of the word concerning circumcision is a spiritual truth: "he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God" (Rom 2:29). Furthermore, he likened the Scriptures to a 2-edged sword.. And what edges can these refer to but to a literal and a spiritual interpretation? Such an application is the only way it can be said to be "quick [living], and powerful"... "piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb 4:12-13).

We see this truth evidenced by the Tabernacle too. The priest's daily bread, also known as the bread of faces, and the bread of His presence, was located in the Holy Place, far from any natural sunlight. The only light that was present to enable the ministry of the priests was that which shone from the golden lamp stand, symbolic of the Holy Ghost. In that place, the bread (symbolic of the Word of God) was illuminated by the lamp (symbolic of the Holy Ghost). Even so today, as we search the Scriptures, we too should allow the Spirit of God to speak His deep mysteries to our hearts, often bypassing our mere natural understanding and interpretation. The outer court had natural sunlight (a literal interpretation), but the inner court had only supernatural light! Which would you prefer? Which court would you rather reside in?

Friends, surely "Thy commandment is exceeding broad [roomy, wide, large, free]" (Ps 119:96).. For "we know that the law is spiritual..." (Rom 7:14). Thus, shouldn't we take heed to and seek after Paul's prayer for the church? Shouldn't we likewise ask for and seek the "spirit of revelation", that is, His daily portion of bread, mingled with the sweet wine of spiritual enlightenment (Prov 9:5)? Don't you want to eat "angel's food", the blessed "corn of heaven" (Ps 78:24-25), that precious manna that's veiled and hidden from the carnal thoughts of man's natural wisdom? I sure do! I want to eat my full! Such a word is spiritual, such a word is glorious - far more glorious than that engraven in literal stones (2 Cor 3:6-8).

Friends, Jesus' words are spirit and life! Which does your palate crave?

The Secret of the Lord..

"The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant" (Ps 25:14).

Does God really have secrets? What an astounding idea to ponder! And what's better is that He will reveal His secrets to those who fear Him, while the casual believer will be kept in the proverbial dark. The "friends" are they who are made partakers of God's great mysteries, while the "servants" are without. Which would you rather be? A servant or a friend? To Jesus' disciples He said, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you" (Jn 15:14-15).

Does God have secrets?

The Hebrew word for "secret" means, "a thing that is hid", from a root that means, "to veil from sight, to conceal, to hide". Many people are surprised to discover that this is exactly what God has done! "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter" (Prov 25:2). God purposely conceals things for His glory's sake, and He will only show them openly to those who prove willing to search and seek after Him diligently: "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (Jer 29:13). "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law" (Deut 29:29; Isa 48:6; Dan 2:28-29, 47; Amos 3:7; Rev 1:1; Gal 1:12; Eph 1:9; 3:3-5; 1 Cor 2:7; 4:1; etc).

His secret place?

For most people (even Christians), Zion is a secret too! When we say "Zion", most people assume we're talking about the mere natural hill in the Middle East; the secret place of the Lord (Spiritual Zion) is often a foreign concept. How sad! Many are ignorant of this great truth, yet the Bible reveals it to be a tangible reality: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (Ps 91:1). This "secret place of thunder" is to be our perpetual abode (Ps 81:7). It's the "secret of Thy presence" (Ps 31:20). No man is to defile that realm (Ezek 7:22). Rather, it's to be our hiding place (Ps 27:5), our home, our "pavilion" (Ps 31:20). It shouldn't be a secret to us! To us, it should rather be said, "His secret is with the righteous" (Prov 3:32).

Why does He hide Himself?

"Verily Thou art a God that hidest Thyself..." (Isa 45:15; Job 23:8-10; 34:29; Ps 104:29; Isa 8:17; etc). But why? I believe it's simply because He wants to be whole-heartily sought after! This has been His desire from ages past (Eph 5:25-27)! The bride in Scripture says His head is of the "most fine gold" (Song 5:11), and similarly today, God has sought to be pursued with the same integrity and sincerity, as men search for gold, silver, and hidden treasure. Only when men draw nigh with a true heart, and call upon Him in truth, and search for Him with eagerness, and with a hearty desire to find him, will He be found, and dispose of His secrets: "seek, and ye shall find" (Lk 11:9). "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears" (Ps 34:4)... "they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing" (Ps 34:10).

Initiated into His mysteries!

In whose ear does God whisper? Simply said, secrets and close friends go hand-in-hand. Wouldn't you like to be His confidant? How can we ever realize the secret of the Lord if we don't spend time with Him, minister to Him, and learn of Him? We cannot. God hides Himself so that He will be genuinely and sincerely sought after. Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables, but to His disciples He revealed His mysteries: "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables" (Mk 4:11). Why? Because the disciples followed Him wherever He went. The multitudes came to get blessed, and then went on their merry way. The Greek word for "mystery" (Mk 4:11) is "musterion" and means, "that which is known by initiation". This is to be our testimony too, if we are the disciples of Christ. Paul says that we're to be "stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Cor 4:1). He had this revelation (Gal 1:12), and even prayed for his readers to receive such an initiation too: "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" (Eph 1:17-18).

Do we want such a glorious testimony? "The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant" (Ps 25:14).

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7).

The Fruit of Glory Rest!

From my humble and rather limited perspective, nothing has perplexed the modern church more than the apparent inoperation of the "greater works" that Jesus guaranteed. On a corporate scale, the body of Christ is surely lacking the complete fulfilment of these precious promises. This inadequacy is even used as an attempt to discredit the authority of Scripture, and the authority of the name of Jesus.. how sad!

However, what the body of Christ often fails to do is look inwardly, and introspectively search our own hearts for any deficiency. Naturally, men do not enjoy this process, and therefore often avoid it altogether. We're so good at blaming God! But what if there's lack to be found in us? Is the apparent "spiritual lack" of our churches a direct result of our own doing? I believe so.

If you read the book of Acts, you repeatedly see men of God healing the sick, raising the dead, and preaching the Gospel with great power, and void of any compromise - all without the carnal strife that is so present today. Why is that? Acts gives us a small glimpse into an apparent necessity for these "greater works" to be in operation; a necessity that is, for the most part, corporately lacking. Observe..

"Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord" (Acts 9:31-35).

You will notice that this excerpt contains Peter healing a man who had been ill for 8 years. So ill, in fact, that he couldn't even stand or walk! But notice with me the very first phrase recorded for us here.. "then had the churches rest..." This "rest" is a precursor to the miraculous ministry that Peter had. It's simple cause and effect.. "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea ... And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately". Who can fail to see the obvious cause and effect presented here?

What is this "rest" of which I speak? Friends, this rest is nothing short of a habitation upon Mt. Zion - spiritual Zion - the eternal abode of God Himself! Here and here alone, upon Mt. Zion, is real, genuine and godly rest to be realized! Zion, God's realm of glory, is the only place where His inheritance can find relief from their weariness: "Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary" (Ps 68:9). Such "old paths" upon Zion were the perpetual trek of the early church, and as a result, their ministries flourished and budded with the miraculous (Jer 6:16). Likewise, this was Jesus' counsel from the beginning (Matt 11:29), yet so many of us are negligent. We're to take Zion's yoke around our necks, burdened by the glories of that special place alone. There, and only there, is real rest ever found.. "This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing" (Isa 28:12). There, and only there, will your fruit be fully birthed!

Interestingly, the Greek word used in Acts 9 for "rest" is "eirene". It means, "to join, peace, prosperity, quietness, rest, to set at one again". It's the same word translated "peace" in the following accounts:

"Peace [rest] I leave with you, my peace [rest] I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you..." (Jn 14:27).

"To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace [rest] from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 1:7).

"But glory, honour, and peace [rest], to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile" (Rom 2:10).

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace [rest] with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 5:1).

"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace [rest]" (Rom 8:6).

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace [rest], and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Rom 14:17).

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace [rest] in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost" (Rom 15:13).

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace [rest], longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Gal 5:22-23).

"And the peace [rest] of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:7).

"And let the peace [rest] of God rule in your hearts..." (Col 3:15).

So what does all this tell us? It tells us, therefore, that such "rest" as was spoken of concerning the early church was not a mere retiring from a long day's work.. It doesn't merely reference a good night's sleep. Rather, it speaks of a spiritual rest, an entrance into glory, an unloading of the cares of this life, and an attraction toward Zion! Such a rest will always bear fruit, even as it did for Peter. Such a rest upon Zion will always facilitate the miraculous, even as Peter's ministry to the crippled man displayed. Friends, in a day when the world is aching ever more to taste and see that the Lord is good, let's be His vehicles.. let's take our rests upon Zion and watch what happens as we make it's rest our perpetual abode!

A Friend of God!

"...there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Prov 18:24).

Oh what a wondrous thought to behold! And could it be true? Can we be a friend of God? What a priceless possession.. What a theme worthy of our meditation! What a friendship to be sought after!

Yes reader, it is true. Jesus' friendship is to be in our continual custody.. That blessed "friendly title" tells of the great sympathy that Jesus bears us in all of our suffering, temptation and infirmity.. "in all their affliction He was afflicted.. in His love and His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old" (Isa 63:9). What vast demonstrations of His friendship! Surely, He is the only friend that sticketh closer than a brother, for His humble condescension has made it so. His willing and submissive decrease into the realm of carnal humanity has paved the way for a glorious friendship to be birthed, fashioned, formed and matured.. Don't you want to reciprocate such friendly enjoyment? Almighty God has chosen you to be His only eternal inheritance and companion, don't you want to honor such a high and holy privilege (Deut 7:6; 1 Kgs 8:51)?

Jesus is many things to His people; many and varied are the relationships in which our Lord stands to us, and we are much worse if He is ignored in any of them. He is God, Lord, Head and Savior of the church. Officially He is our Prophet, Priest and King. Personally He is our Kinsman-Redeemer, our great Intercessor, and our Husband (Eph 5:25-32). He is also to be our Friend - our closest Friend at that: He is to be nearer in relation than any earthly brother, mate or ally. So close in fact, that we are said to be "members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones" (Eph 5:30).

Anyone who was of any regard in Scripture was always a friend of God. And not only a friend of God, but a friend to God. Of the Shulamite bride, the Bible says that Solomon, who is a clear type of the Lord Jesus, "is altogether lovely.. This is my beloved, and this is my friend.." (Song 5:16).. Abraham likewise knew this reality: "Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God" (Jas 2:23; 2 Chron 20:7; Isa 41:8; ). As did Moses: "And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend" (Exod 33:11). Furthermore, to Jesus' remnant of disciples He said, "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you" (Jn 15:15; Lk 12:4; Jn 3:29). And the list goes on. Those who were reaching for their divine potential always recognized and sought after this glorious friendship to be acquired with the Master.

Let us consider the excellencies of this great Friend...

Jesus is our ancient Friend.. The Lord Jesus is probably the only Friend who befriended us while we were yet His enemies! What a Friend indeed! We fell in Adam, but He did not cease to love us; rather, He became the last federal Adam to redeem us and to "lay down His life for His friends" (Jn 15:13). He is an old Friend, an ancient love, present from the start.. and the oldest friends are the most highly prized.

Jesus is our faithful Friend.. The Bible tells us, "A friend loveth at all times" (Prov 17:17). Jesus will be your closest companion through all the storms of life - He is no mere fair-weather friend who will fail you when you need him most. He won't desert you in the valley of the shadow of death.. even there "Thou art with me" (Ps 23:4). He is our friend in the day of adversity equally as much as in the day of prosperity. He is "a very present help in trouble" (Ps 46:1), and a very present friend in peace. Such constant faithfulness transcends our shortcomings, and often surpasses our understanding too. How can such a Friend exist? How could One so glorious be unashamed to call us His brethren (Heb 2:11)? Reader, it's because He's a true and faithful Friend, eager to bear our wounds (Prov 27:6) - He's a Friend like no other!

Jesus is our omnipotent Friend.. Most friends I know have a desire to help, but no wherewithal to see it through. In this respect too, Jesus is the closest Friend I have! Not only does He see my aching need, but He also has the power to see it accomplished. He alone is the Possessor of unsearchable riches, and all that He has is at our disposal: "The glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them" (Jn 17:22).

What a Friend I have in Jesus! I wonder, have you met Him?

A Song In The Night..

"God, my maker, who giveth songs in the night" (Job 35:10).

Any man can sing in the light of the daytime. When wealth, joy and glory rolls in abundance around him, any man can praise his Maker! One's harp may play fine when the south winds are blowing - those winds from the tropics - winds of warmth and glorious relief (Job 37:9, 17; Ps 126:4). But what about when the north winds begin to roll in? Can that same harp play it's melody when the winds have turned harsh, cold and gloomy (Song 4:16; Prov 25:23a; Jer 4:6)? Will that once singing tongue then possess "joyful lips" and "remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches" (Ps 63:5-6)? Will we find ourselves, like Peter, rejoicing even while suffering shame (Acts 5:41)? Friends, it is easy to sing when we can read the notes by God's daylight; but he is spiritually mature who yet sings when there is not a ray of light to read by.. he who sings from his heart, rather than from his fluctuating circumstance. "In the night his song shall be with me" (Ps 42:8).

It's simple to sing when beautiful flowers are upon the paths we tread.. they're always growing, thriving, and releasing their fragrances. But the true measure of a man will be his ability to sing in the desert, where no green thing grows, and the only scent you can find is that of your own languishing flesh! Here, in the desert night, will be our true test.. will we remember "Thy faithfulness every night" (Ps 92:2), and continue to shout our praises unto God (Acts 16:25)? Will we, even there, "sing aloud upon [our] beds" (Ps 149:5)?

It's effortless to sing when our cups are overflowing, when our health remains strong, or when our night is turned to day. But what will we do "a great while before day", in "a solitary place" (Mk 1:35)? What will the melody of our hearts be then? A true test of one's character is the constant flow of praise which exuberates from his lips, despite the temperature, the trial, the test, or the turbulence around him: "At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments" (Ps 119:62).. It was such a song which Habakkuk sang, when in the night he said, Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation (Hab 3:17-18).

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice" (Phil 4:4)!

The Goodness of Zion!

Part 2 of 2

As we have seen, Zion is a special place, a realm of glory. And Zion is a people too - composed of all those who choose to dwell there. Those who make Zion their perpetual dwelling place will surely not regret. Though the entrance inside is one permitted only by true humility, Adamic death and subjection to the Master, the fruits abounding within are simply indescribable to the limited and carnal mind, and are worth every proverbial penny spent.. "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise..." (Prov 21:20)! In Zion, He's set His banqueting table with the finest luxuries the human pallate could ever know! It's a place where the grateful hearts of men collide with dancing, worshipping angels! It's the one and only place of rich communion with the Lover of your soul - It's a place where divine delight is reciprocated! It's a place where the very senses are ruined for anything less! Have you been there, dear reader? He's arranged such a feast with you in mind, won't you come inside? Won't you march with me to Zion, and make it your only home and habitation? Won't you let Zion utterly wreck you for anything less? Won't you forsake this earthly realm, and, as Abraham, seek out a founded city whose builder and maker is God (Heb 11:10)? You truly won't be sorry!

We could go on forever of the glories and goodness's of Zion.. We know that Zion abounds with such blessing (Ps 128:5; 135:21; 134:3), but what specifically? Psalm 132 tells of the certain glories of this spiritual place. Those who make Zion their home will inherit a blessing unlike any other! Are you a worshipper? Do you spend your days in the presence of God, in spiritual Zion? Is your heart the continual habitation of the Lord Jesus? If so, Psalm 132 tells of the glories you are to continually possess, and the goodness's which are to pour through you!

"For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish" (Ps 132:13-18).

This is my rest for ever: For here will I [God] dwell.. what more could we ask for, friends? What more could the human heart possibly long for but this inexpressible communion offered lovingly to our race? There is no greater place to be, no greater guest to house, no greater honor to possess! Jesus wants to DWELL with you! Oh the glories of Zion!

I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.. there are no carnal tendencies upon Zion.. there are no human worries in that special place. The heart simply does not have the time to worry about its natural provision - it's too busy lavishing adoration! After all, there is no need to fret, for in Zion - the realm of God's glory - all your needs, big and small, are met with overflow: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt 6:33). And not only natural bread, but spiritual sustenance too.. Zion is the place where the belly is made fat with spiritual luxury, and the heart is ever increased (Ps 119:32)! All we must do is cling to Zion, make it our habitation, make it our chosen home.

I will also clothe her priests with salvation.. There, in that glorious place, our salvation is nigh: Our complete deliverance, our utmost sanctification, our victory and our profit! Who wouldn't want to march up to that realm? Who wouldn't want to habitually dwell there, and partake of such glories? Are you a priest today, part of His "holy priesthood" (1 Pet 2:5; Rev 5:10)? Then these goodness's are to be your very own! Only here, in glorious Zion, are we perfectly preserved from the "wicked... violent man" of sin, who has "purposed to overthrow [our] goings" (Ps 140:4). Friends, Zion's priests are clothed, wrapped up, and arrayed with God's salvation, deliverance, completion, and safety! Here, in Zion, may we all say, "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels" (Isa 61:10)!

And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.. Such glories as we are seeing surely give us reason to shout, reason to worship, reason to throw ourselves lovingly at the feet of He who is worthy! "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass" (Zech 9:9). Reader, in Zion alone is your joy to be full.. in Zion alone is your heart to be home.. "Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for GREAT is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee" (Isa 12:6)!!

There will I make the horn of David to bud.. Where is there? In Zion will He make the horn of David to bud! In Zion will David's power, anointing, strength and defense (of which a "horn" speaks) come forth in fullness (Ps 18:2; Hab 3:4; Lk 1:69; Rev 17:12; 5:6; 13:1; Ps 22:21; 75:10; 89:17). Only in Zion can such things flourish! Only in Zion can the horn of anointing oil be fully poured out: "But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil" (Ps 92:10). Those to be anointed for service must make this trek a daily routine. Zion is waiting for you to trample it's gates!

I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.. Again, here in Zion, a bright shining light is provided: A vision, an eye to see, and an enlightened understanding of all things heavenly is to become your own (Eph 1:17-19)! Who can refuse such heavenly wisdom given by the Living Word? Who can refuse such a deep knowledge of Jesus, one that will wreck the heart at every glimpse? Friends, in Zion such an intimacy is birthed! In Zion alone does such a heavenly light shine! Only in Zion is there "a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel" (Lk 2:32).

His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.. And finally, in Zion the crown of it's inhabitants will flourish. The crown always speaks of one's reward, eternal life, kingship and rulership (Rev 6:2; 13:7; 19:20; 2:10; 1 Cor 9:25; Jas 1:12; Prov 12:4). Therefore, only in Zion, true maturity, virtue and sonship will be recognized, birthed, and accomplished in the earth! No place else will such fruit ever come forth (Obad 21). The fires of Zion are purging God's people, chipping away at stubborn carnality, preparing the way of the Lord. In the fires of Zion the heart is molded, and eventually the crown will painfully come forth! While Zion bears a crown, her enemies will bear but shame.. While Zion is clothed with God's authority and kingship, her enemies will eat the fruit of neglect, and the crumbs of a wasted life!

Dear reader, such are only a meager taste of the glories and goodness's of Zion! Such are only a tiny glimpse. Had we a fuller view of such things, the heart would surely burst in bewilderment! May this meager glimpse be enough to propel us to that glory realm, hungry for God's fullness - which only Zion can furnish!

Zion - The Perfection Of Beauty!

Part 1 of 2

As Christians, when we see the word Zion, we sometimes seem to automatically think of the hill in Jerusalem, the place that once housed the Ark (presence) of God. Geographically speaking, Zion commonly referred to a specific mountain near Jerusalem (Mount Zion), on which stood a Jebusite fortress of the same name that was conquered by David and was named the City of David. The term Zion came to designate the area of Jerusalem where the fortress stood, and later became a metonym for Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, and the city of Jerusalem itself. This was Zion, as referenced under Old Covenants, for natural Jews. But what about today? What has Zion become for the people of God, for Christians?

Some Christians continue to attribute mere natural and geographical qualities to Zion, claiming that it was to be the eternal dwelling place of God. The Bible does say that Zion "is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever" (Ps 68:16). However, as we compare Scripture with Scripture, and rightly divide the Word of truth, we can determine that geographical Zion has been elevated to a higher, spiritual plane under the New Covenant. What was once a mere place in Jerusalem, has now become a place in the Spirit.. Natural Mt. Zion has been elevated to Mt. Zion in the Spirit! This method of spiritual elevation is the only means by which Zion can be deemed "eternal" and "forever". How do we know? Because the Hebrew Epistle depicts New Covenant Zion ("Sion") as a heavenly place, in heavenly Jerusalem (Heb 12:22), no longer a mere earthly location. Most Old Covenant natural occurences were but earthly shadows to portray the true spiritual antitype of the coming New Covenant (1 Cor 10:11; Rom 15:4). Furthermore, the Book of Revelation shows Jesus standing upon this spiritual Zion with a host of redeemed saints (Rev 14:1). Clearly then, this Zion is no longer a mere natural place in Jerusalem. Rather, Zion has become a spiritual habitation of God.

There are many, many things we could discuss about Zion both spiritually, naturally, politically, etc. It is referenced about 162 times in Scripture. But for the sake of brevity, we will see only a two-fold aspect of Zion's spiritual identity and location: (1) Zion is a place in the Spirit, and (2) Zion is a people. Observe..

The Bible defines spiritual Zion as the realm of God's glory, that is, the place where the Lord dwells: "Sing praises unto the Lord which dwelleth in Zion..." (Ps 9:11). This is where He abides (Ps 74:2; 76:1-2; Joel 3:16, 21; Isa 8:18), and "appears" in His glory (Ps 102:16). Experientially, we go to Zion every time we worship Jesus in Spirit and in Truth (Jn 4:24). Every time the manifest presence of God breaks forth, you are in Zion, that is, the place of God's enthronement - the realm of His glory! Sadly, much of Christendom doesn't even realize this realm exists! For them, Zion is a mere natural hill in the Middle East. But why are we clinging to a natural shadow when the real spiritual substance is beckoning us forward? Friends, Zion is the spiritual realm of glory!

Because Zion is the realm of God's glory, it is the place of strength for God's people: "Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion..." (Ps 20:2-3 with Ps 84:4-7). It is the place of joy (Ps 48:2, 11; 97:8; 149:2; Isa 61:3), the place of singing, shouting and comfort (Isa 12:5-6; 51:11; 35:10; Zech 1:17; 2:10; Joel 2:1, 15, 23). Zion is the place where Jesus reigns supreme (Ps 99:1-2), the place where He is truly worshipped (Ps 65:1; 147:12), and the place from where God's manifest goodness shines forth: "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined" (Ps 50:2; Lam 2:15)! Zion is where the glory cloud abides (Isa 4:5-6). Zion is the place God loves (Ps 78:67-68)! In fact, Zion is the place (and the people) which God loves more than any other: "The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob" (Ps 87:1-3).

In Zion, the realm of God's glory, sons are born and established. The realm of Zion bears fruit (Ps 87:5)... "As soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children" (Isa 66:8). From this place of glory, the manifested sons of God will come forth: "And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S" (Obad 21; Neh 9:27). These sons will be manifested in the image of King Jesus, to a dead and dying world (Rom 8:18-20). They will be the human vessel by which the glory of God shines through: "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call" (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21).

Therefore, it should be evident to us that the fullness of the truth of Zion simply cannot apply to a mere geographical hill in Jerusalem. Who can fail to recognize the spiritual identity of Zion - God's great realm of glory?

Scripture tells us that Zion is also a people. The Bible tells us that God dwells in Zion (Joel 3:21; Isa 8:18; Zech 2:10-11; Ps 9:11; Num 35:34; Ps 74:1-2; Isa 33:5), and the Bible also tells us that God dwells with the believer (Ps 22:3; Eph 2:22; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Jn 4:16; etc).. So which is it? Simply said, they are one and the same.. Zion is a people; the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord, a city not forsaken (Isa 62:11-12). Glorious things are spoken of them who dwell in Zion's midst (Ps 87:3; Zech 8:8)! Those who dwell in Zion have become Zion itself (Col 1:27)! Zion is composed of all those who choose to dwell there.. Both His glory and His people are God's methods of enthronement; He appears in His glory, in His people. Zion now is a spiritual place, a spiritual dwelling of the Most High God: "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel" (Ps 22:3). What once was a natural hill has now become the fleshy hill of the hearts of men and women! You and I are now Zion, the place where God is to be enthroned, the place where God's glory dwells! You're to be the inhabitant of this glory realm! "...and say unto Zion, thou art My people" (Isa 51:16).

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name" (Rev 3:12).

Though presently unseen, the nations will one day recognize Zion's identity: "The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel" (Isa 60:14).

Thus we see the identity of Zion - Zion is a glorious realm and a glorious people!

But what can be said of her specific glories and goodness's?

To be continued...

For His Name's Sake..

"For His name's sake they went forth..." (3 John 7).

Here we have a Scriptural key to devotion, and more particularly, evangelistic devotion. It was so for the early church, and should be so for us today. Why do we do the things we do? Why do we seek heavenly glory? Why do we chase God's purpose in the earth? And why should we forsake the world's puny offers while attempting to spread the good news of Jesus? Dear friends, it's for His great name's sake! "For His name sake they went forth".. often to mocking, imprisonments, and even their very deaths! What manner of God is He that even the threat of death is laughed at and embraced by its victims (Acts 7:59-60)? What a glorious Lord He must be! How precious He must be that His followers count themselves as but sheep for the slaughter, dying daily for His very sake - the spread of His Gospel (Rom 8:36)! Such is the willing testimony of those in love with the Lamb of God!

The Psalmist too had this conviction: "For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me" (Ps 31:3). What is your motivation? What is your charge toward Godly devotion, and earthly ministry? Is it His perfect name? Is it the name which is above all names; the name that alone is found worthy? Or is it the name of some other?

Friends, it's for His great name's sake that He's purged us and cleansed us with His own holy blood (Ps 25:11; 79:9), and thus "for His name's sake" shouldn't we likewise serve Him back, and "go forth", taking heed if He's called us? Such love for His name is to be our charge: "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs" (Jn 21:15). It's for His great name's sake too that He has delivered us into His kingdom (Ps 109:21; 143:11), and thus shouldn't we, "for His name sake" go forth and partner with Him in drawing the rest of the world unto Himself (Song 1:4)? I believe so. "For His name's sake they went forth...".

The key to such devotion means being attached to nothing and no one except our Lord Himself. May we never go forth of our own accord, for our own sakes, or the sake of any other. May mere reputation never be our cause, nor the influences of our fallen natures. Nothing is to be our conviction, except His great and worthy name! That alone is sufficient. May our earthly detachment and heavenly charge always be towards Jesus alone! May His name be the only name that sends us forth!

The Solitary in Families!

"Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him... God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains..." (Ps 68:1, 6).

I cannot seem to get away from this theme of partnered-reconciliation! It is woven all throughout the Bible, both seen and unseen, open and hidden.. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, and its the honour of kings to search it out (Prov 25:2)!

We have seen it recently in discussing Zacchaeus. His short spiritual stature was met by a mighty tree, a tool of God, a type of the mature saint (Ps 1) who actually partners with King Jesus in ministering the life of God to a miserable creation (Rom 8:18-20), after the order and priesthood of our heavenly Melchizedek. This tree was Zacchaeus' vehicle to meet with Jesus! It's quite a mesmerizing thought.

And again, here in Psalm 68, we see this principle at work. Dr. Mark Hanby ministered this truth at our church a while back, and it's dense power has stuck with me ever since. The verse says, "Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him..." (vs. 1). This speaks volumes in and of itself, but the passage doesn't end there. It goes on to inform us of a method by which this will occur.. How will God arise? How will He scatter the enemy? How will He break the binding chains that are oppressing the nations? "God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains..." (vs. 6). Wow!

What is a "solitary"? The original Hebrew translates this word as "a unique one, a darling one, an only begotten son, a solitary one, a beloved one, a precious one", from a root word that means "to become united". Therefore, this solitaire is uniquely precious.. It's even likened to a lone diamond; a diamond solitaire; a remnant diamond; a son of God whose become united with His Maker: "as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (Jn 1:12)! He setteh the solitary son in families! This son is a precious gem, even a precious solitary diamond! And what do diamonds do? They cut steel. What do sons do? They act in the place and authority of their Father. Specifically, they are those who break asunder the steel chains: "He bringeth out those which are bound with chains" (vs. 6b). They are those in which God arises to scatter the enemy!

So many Christians assume our only role in life is to become something pretty for God to look at. However, character without function is useless. A diamond is a beautiful gem indeed - the most beautiful. But beauty is not it's only purpose. It has a function too. It is the hardest substance on planet earth! Diamonds cut steel. Diamonds break chains! Are you a diamond? Are you a unique son? Can God utilize the fruit He has wrought in your life to literally break the chains which bind those around you, and scatter the enemy? Friends, the world is waiting for these solitaires to be revealed! Let God arise in you! Let His enemies be scattered by the Holy Ghost's fruition in you! He has set you in your place with this function: "[God] hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (2 Cor 5:19-20).

"For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron... He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder" (Ps 107:9-10, 14). Will we be God's diamond blade?

Let Us Be Holy..

"To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints" (1 Thess 3:13).

Holiness is a word that is often overlooked in our modern day Christian paradigm. And if it isn't overlooked, then it's often misconstrued for external obedience, and outward "yes sirs". In reaction to this popular thought, Christians become belabored errand boys as opposed to the spiritual holy giants the world is aching to see come forth. What a sad error!

For this reason, we often turn to partake of the "other side" of Christianity's coin. Holiness is viewed as a gross task, a labor, a hardship, and is therefore avoided. Holiness is often seen as a stretch to one's comfort, a poison to one's common place, and a venom to one's natural position in life. But I must disagree with such thoughts; I just cannot concur. I don't believe holiness is a harsh labor at all. Rather, I believe holiness is a Person, and His name is Jesus (Lk 3:22; 1 Pet 1:15-16). To Mary, the angel said, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Lk 1:35). Therefore, our personal holiness is simply the growing and conscious choice to allow His holy residence within us. It isn't a labor to be dreaded, but a joy towards wondrous communion. It isn't just another task to check off the list, but an anticipation of divine relation. Will we allow Jesus residence? Is there room in your inn? "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire" (Matt 3:11). To acquire the Holy Ghost is to acquire just that.. His Holiness, in Spirit form (Rom 1:4).

So why should we possess such holiness? What is to be our motivation for radical obedience? Why are we to acquire such holy graces, via His Holy Spirit? Friends, it's simply because God will only be surrounded by those beings in His creation who share in His holiness. Consistently, in the book of Revelation, God is pictured as being surrounded by mighty living creatures, myriads of angels, martyrs, elders, and redeemed men, all of whom were made holy by God's will and action. Whether they are "holy angels", "holy prophets", or "holy men", God will always only be surrounded by those who share in His holy graces.

I am convinced that God still longs for the intimate companionship and fellowship He had with man before sin defiled his holiness and forced his expulsion from God's presence. The words "Adam... where art thou" continue to ring throughout the heavenly realm, seeking and searching for a human response (Gen 3:9)! No amount of holy angels can take the place man should have in the heavenlies, for "the Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance" (Deut 32:9). God is not angry with man; He long ago forgave Him from his sins, and sat down - denoting finality and completion (Heb 1:3). It's a done deal! God simply cannot and will not have communion with a defiled saint, but He can and will cleanse him. Holiness and unholiness cannot fellowship together, for one of the primary manifestations of true holiness is a hatred of sin. But while God cannot fellowship with or accept the unholy, He can and will share His holiness with anyone who genuinely desires fellowship with Him, and longs to acquire this said holy, divine relation. God passionately yearns to have this kind of communion with you, and with me. He certainly had it with the Lord Jesus, and He was a man. He was the forerunner. We're to follow in His footsteps, enabled by His graces, propelled by the prospect of eternal loving communion with God!

In Worship Is My Strength!

"For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; when the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD" (Ps 102:19-22).

What an interesting thought! Did you realize that God has ordained worship to be a source of spiritual sustenance, strength, and inspiration? It's to be the loosing of the prisoners.."when the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD".. Such is the effect of real Godly communion: "Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered" (Ps 68:1). When Jesus is lifted high and enthroned upon the hearts of men, the evil affections that once sat there are forced to flee. In worship is my freedom; in worship is my strength.. True worship solicits God's rain - the solution and remedy for a weary inheritance (Ps 68:9). And in the prophet Isaiah's life, the worship of the Lord became his inspiration: "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... And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory... 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" (Isa 6:1, 3, 8). We would be foolish not to recognize the obvious cause and effect presented here before us. The glory of the Lord (ushered in by worship) played a direct role in soliciting Isaiah's willing response! "Here am I; send me"!

Jesus accredited this truth in the Gospel of Matthew. He said, "Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?" (Matt 21:16). He was quoting Psalm 8:2, which says, "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger". Did you notice that the verses are not identical? Yes, Jesus quotes the Psalm but changes the wording. Interesting isn't it? We can determine, therefore, from Jesus' adjustment, that perfected praise is equivalent to strength! In worship is my strength! Hallelujah! In perfect praise the enemy and the avenger is stilled, or "put down; ceased; failed; left; rid of" as the Hebrew renders it. What a wonderful truth!

Even in Old Testament dispensations, the people of God knew that their only hope was to be found in the Ark of the Covenant (1 Sam 4:3), which is symbolic of the manifest presence of God. This Ark was the revealer of God's glory upon the earth. It was the place where God met with His priests: "And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat..." (Exod 25:22; 30:6; Num 7:89; Jdg 20:27; Ps 80:1; 99:1; etc). Today, that place is found in our worship; it's no longer in a symbolic mercy seat, but in a mercy seat personified - the merciful Lord Jesus! "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith..." (Heb 10:19-20, 22).

The Psalmist has rightly said, "Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah" (Ps 4:4). The perpetual awe that gloriously radiates from the Most High God is to be our spiritual strength, our sustenance in the wilderness, and our inspiration to obey. Why should we refuse such an abundantly granted provision? "My defence is of God..." (Ps 7:10).

Friends, so many people today (both in the church and in the world) are lacking, in great distress and overcome by the constant struggles of life. But this doesn't have to be our testimony. Jesus has lovingly ordained a place for the weary to rest; He has established a well from which our eternal thirsts may be quenched! Will you take a drink today? Will your worship loose the prisoners that are bound (Acts 16:25-26)? In worship is your strength.. In worship is your sustenance!

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isa 40:31).

I Will Waste My Life..

Great Song...



By Misty Edwards

The Timothy Principle..

This article, written by J. Lee Grady, needs to be shouted from the rooftops!

"Most ministry today focuses on crowds. Yet the most effective way to make disciples is up close and personal.

Last week I went to the nation of Colombia to preach in a conference sponsored by two churches in the city of Barranquilla. I could have gone alone, but I asked Jason, a young pastor from South Carolina, to accompany me on the seven-day trip.

When we boarded our first flight to Panama I said to Jason: "You are going to grow two feet during this adventure." He told me yesterday when we were preparing to come home: "I think I grew two-and-a-half feet."

Nothing thrills me more than challenging young leaders by taking them on the mission field. I've done this in Nigeria, Ukraine, India, Peru, Bolivia, South Africa and other places. It's not always convenient to share a bathroom or double the travel costs, but the reward comes when I see how much the experience stretches their faith and accelerates their spiritual growth.

It's what many call the Timothy Principle, and it's found in Paul's words to his spiritual son in 2 Timothy 2:2: "The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

Paul discovered long ago that the most effective way to expand the reach of the gospel was to invest deliberately and personally in younger disciples. Although he preached to crowds, he always traveled with a small team. He wasn't a one-man show. He shared his life with people such as Timothy, Silas, Phoebe, Lydia, Luke, Priscilla and Aquilla—and they became spiritual giants. We would be wise to reclaim this forgotten art of personal discipleship.

Here are four guidelines I've developed for effectively training the next generation:

- Get on the same level. One young leader I have been mentoring for a few years, Charles, once told a pastor that he wanted to be trained in ministry. The pastor explained this training process would require Charles to carry the pastor's Bible, pick up his dry-cleaning and serve as a chauffeur. The pastor didn't offer to pray with Charles, take him on a trip or share how to hear the voice of God or lead a sinner to salvation.

Some pastors even groom young leaders to be "armor bearers" who are nothing more than unpaid valets. I've seen some big-city bishops with celebrity entourages—including a guy to carry the preacher's Bible, another to carry his water bottle, another to carry his handkerchief and a fourth to fan him when he's sweating.

This type of leader is infected with a virus known as egotisticus giganticus. He may call himself a "spiritual father" to these men, but they really don't have access to his life. They might as well be his slaves. This is not biblical discipleship. Any real spiritual father (or mother) will invite his disciples to get on his level and learn both the practical and spiritual sides of ministry.

- Be a genuine friend. Young leaders today don't just want to listen to a pastor's sermons or wait outside an office door until he asks them to bring him a cup of coffee. They crave real relationships with humble, accessible men and women of God who can model authentic Christianity. That requires plenty of one-on-one communication. You must invite younger leaders into your life and let them get up close and personal.

Some charismatic churches today have developed a weird lingo that prevents genuine discipleship from happening. While I certainly believe in the role of apostles and spiritual mentors, I don't think we have to throw these titles around. Don't strain the relationship by insisting on a title. Just be yourself, and the anointing on your life will do the rest.

- Offer plenty of ministry opportunities. Before I arrived in Colombia last week, I let my hosts know that Jason was available to speak in churches and youth meetings. Even though they had invited me to speak at a conference, I wanted Jason to be stretched in his faith. He ended up leading several powerful meetings with youth in the city. Then, on the last night, when I was addressing a group of leaders from two churches, I called Jason to come to the platform with me so he could pray and prophesy over people.

We won't effectively raise up younger leaders if we only allow them to carry our briefcases or work at our book tables. They have to do the real stuff! I was so proud of Jason when he called several people to the front of the church and offered anointed prophetic encouragement. The Colombians loved him, and the youth who had been in his meetings lined up to hug him when we left. In the end, Jason realized that he was a ministry partner with me, not just a trainee.

- Impart your life. Young leaders today need to become effective communicators, and they must learn how to flow in the Holy Spirit's power. But we can't just give them a dry, mechanical education. We have to follow the apostle Paul's model. He told the Thessalonians: "Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us" (1 Thess. 2:8).

Discipleship requires sacrifice and genuine love. And it focuses on individuals. As much as I enjoy speaking to crowds, I have learned that often the most effective ministry in the kingdom of God is to the one, not the multitude. Please don't ignore the Timothys you are called to encourage."

Zacchaeus Was "A Wee Little Man"!

"And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isa 32:2).

The natural context of this verse, as we have said before, references King Hezekiah (Isa 32:1). He was to be a vehicle of God... Hezekiah would be the protector of his people, and would save them from the calamities to which they had been subjected in former reigns. Naturally then, we should have no problem in seeing the great spiritual implications that are related... Can a mere man really be "as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest"? Indeed. Jesus was this preeminent man in His earthly days, and continues to be so to His church. However, Jesus has sat down at the right hand of His Father (Heb 1:3; 8:1; 10:12). He's completed His duty (Jn 19:30), even if it be in seed form. Therefore, the ministry to be executed in the future "day of the Lord" will be substantially manifested through His sons, who have been purged and found in His glorious likeness: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God" (Rom 8:18-19). The testimony of Scripture bears witness to this truth... To mere men, the Bible says "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising" (Isa 60:1-3). Our carnal thought patterns often cannot grasp such a high honor as to actually partner with our Lord in the world's reconciliation.. but as I said yesterday, God "hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (2 Cor 5:18-20).

We see this great truth evidenced so clearly in the Gospel of Luke:

"And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully" (Lk 19:1-6).

How interesting that this humble sycamore tree was the vehicle used for Zacchaues' spiritual reconciliation! This tree was that vessel by which the man "received [Jesus] joyfully" (vs. 6). How amazing! In Scripture, trees are constantly presented with human characteristics; Trees are symbolic of Jesus, nations and the church: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted" (Ps 1:1-3). Isaiah tells us that those who put on the oil of joy and the garment of praise will be likened to "trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD" (Isa 61:3a). And why? It's always "that he [God] might be glorified" (Isa 61:3b). This symbolic truth repeats itself from cover to cover (Ps 105:33; Eccl 2:5-6; Song 2:3; Isa 7:2; 14:8; 44:4, 14; 55:12; 61:3; Jer 7:20; 17:8; Ezek 17:8; 19:10; Hos 14:6-8; Matt 12:33; 13:31-32; Jn 15:8; etc). Friends, "The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted" (Ps 104:16).

What a wonderful thought that these "men as trees walking" will actually partner with King Jesus in reconciling the world to Himself! Did you realize that God has created you to be His partner? This isn't only a title, but a duty also; Character without function is useless! The Spirit wouldn't go to such great lengths to sanctify the people of God for a vain purpose. He is creating His great character within us, so that we can function as His partner! He has committed unto us the ministry and word of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18-20)! And what an effective tool of reconciliation this "tree" was for Zacchaeus! It was a vehicle for him who genuinely "sought to see Jesus" (vs. 3), but could not, "because he was little of [spiritual] stature" (vs. 3). Friends, the nations too are of little [spiritual] stature - they simply do not know how to commune with God - they cannot meet with Him, as Zacchaeus. How will God reach them? How will He reconcile them unto Himself? How will His power be displayed and poured forth? How will He draw them out (Song 1:4; Jn 6:44)? As always, God will have a vessel, a human tool, a company of sons, a plentiful drink in the wilderness of humanity just waiting to be poured out! "I drew them with cords of a man..." (Hos 11:4). Will that be you? Will you let the Spirit purge you and change you into His vessel of reconciliation? "And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isa 32:2). The earth desperately waiting.. will this be our testimony?

"When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it" (Isa 41:17-20).

Come Lord Jesus, and be glorified in your sons!

Joyful Endurance!

Can we be happy in our trials?

“What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?” (Job 7:17-18)...

We often look at our trials and struggles from an earthly and selfish perspective.. But what about from God's point of view? The Father is in the process of magnifying us as the bride of His Son, Jesus. He has set His heart upon us! But in order for this to happen, He visits us every morning, and tries us every moment. We know that it was when the people endured this process, from blessing to cursing, that the Lord separated the tribe of Levi (Deut 10:6-9), typical of the bride of Christ. He blesses us and deals with us because He is building the image of Jesus inside of us. It can be dirty work!

However, this is why we can glory in tribulations. “… we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Rom 5:3-4). The word for “experience” here means, “approved and tried character”. This is the path to "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col 1:27). There are no shortcuts.

From the testimony of Scripture, we know that eventually our tribulation will birth in us the character of Jesus (Ps 17:15; Job 19:26; 1 Jn 3:2-3; Isa 4:4; Zech 13:9; Matt 3:10-12; etc). Dear reader, of this we can be certain, for "He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap..." (Mal 3:2-3). Therefore, we don’t have to be in utter anguish over our trials and tribulation, as Job was. We need to learn from his mistakes. Rather, let's realize that God has set His heart upon us! We are marked men and women! Be happy; be grateful! “What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?” (Job 7:17-18)

I’ve often asked myself and the Lord, “why can’t the fire of God just swoop down and immediately consume every part of me that isn’t pleasing to Jesus? Wouldn't that be a bit easier?” And slowly but surely, the Holy Spirit has answered me in my ignorance...

First and foremost, if we are going to be like Jesus, and have the ministry of Jesus towards the earth (Rom 8:18-20), then we too must, as Jesus was, be fully acquainted with human suffering, and overcome it. This "reckoning" was the reason why He became a man in the first place: “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, [in order] that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people” (Heb 2:17). Therefore, our ministry of glory will only likewise increase as we suffer through the purging hand of God. We want so bad to be in Jesus' image, but often forget what that image entailed.. how did Jesus attain to such glory? Philippians tells us His glorious exaltation was a direct result of His humbled life and defeated carnality (Phil 2:5-11). He was glorified because He overcame: "[Jesus] being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name" (Phil 2:8-9). Why do we expect it to be any different in our own lives? The divine dealings that our Lord faced on a daily basis slowly enabled Him to become acquainted with His partner for eternity! It made Him a perfect vessel of reconciliation... And this will be the mode of our coming ministry too: "[God] hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation" (2 Cor 5:19).

Can we likewise surrender to the hand of God, His divine dealings, and His sovereign judgments? One sign of a spiritually mature man or woman is someone who can recognize these trials and be truly grateful for that which is perfecting and enabling our coming eternal union with the bridegroom (Rom 5:3-4; Col 1:27)! "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you" (1 Pet 5:10). What's more is that we will also be fully acquainted with the glory of God. We will, as Jesus, be fully introduced to our divine side and our human side, not only the dealings of God, but thankfully, the blessings of God too: a perfect ministry of the overcoming saint!

I stopped asking the Lord to deliver me from this and that, and don’t get me wrong, that has its place. But we need to understand that the work God is doing inside of us is far greater than anything we could ever ask for. Those details will be taken care of. I actually found myself grateful for the struggles I have endured (and do endure) because I loved Jesus all the more! I wouldn’t trade that for the world! I want to be an overcomer, but in order for that to happen I must overcome something.

So let us ask again... can we be happy in our trials? Yes we can! "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: 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" (1 Pet 1:7-8).

Why Am I Here?

Part 3 of 3 - The Doctrine of Man

Finally, let us ask, what is God's purpose for man? We have seen man's origin, and man's basic composition.. but why is he here in the first place? It should come as no surprise that God has a divine reason for everything He does. He moves with definite purpose: "I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it" (Isa 46:11). We read in Scripture that God has "saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (2 Tim 1:9). What then is this purpose?

Relationship. Primarily, God's purposes with man involve relationship. Throughout Scripture, God's desire for genuine fellowship is revealed. From the time that God sought Adam "in the garden, in the cool of the day" God has been seeking fellowship with man (Gen 3:8). However, the goal of sin is to halt this relationship, even as it caused Adam to hide from God: "your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you" (Isa 59:1-2). It's only through the blood of the New Covenant that this relationship can be fully realized. By the precious blood of Jesus, God is made able to indwell each believer, making fellowship constantly available: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you... If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (Jn 14:16-20).

Character. Secondly, God created man to reproduce His character and nature. He wants us to bear the family "image and likeness" (Gen 1:26). Jesus is said to be the "express image" of His Father's person (Heb 1:3). Likewise, we too are to partake of His divine nature: "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity" (2 Pet 1:4-7). We too are to overcome sin and become the "sons of God" (Jn 1:12), fully conformed to the image of King Jesus (Rom 8:28-29; 2 Cor 3:18; 4:4), bearing the divine family image, nature and virtue.

Function. Furthermore, God wants man to share in His function of rule. Man is not only to become something (character), but also to do something (function). In short, God wants mankind to share in His dominion (Gen 1:26). To do this, man must subdue an enemy (Gen 1:28). In man's first encounter with his enemy (sin), he lost (Gen 3). Man lost his dominion and came under bondage to Satan, sin, sickness and death. Now, through the Lord Jesus, who has conquered all, man's dominion and function can be restored, even as his nature and character are restored.

Reproduction. Finally, God wants mankind to reproduce "after our kind". This is of course a natural truth, but also a spiritual one. The seed of sin in Adam was reproduced in his children. Adam's seed were tainted with sin, after Adam's image rather than God's: "And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image" (Gen 5:3). This necessitates a new spiritual birth in which those who have been "born again" and have become the children of God by redemption, reproduce "after their kind". Thus, the New Testament exhorts us to "be fruitful" (Col 1:10; Jn 15:16), and records that the disciples of Jesus "multiplied" (Acts 6:1, 7). When relationship, character, and function are operating as they should, reproduction will be the natural result.

And thus we see the origin of man, the composition of man, and the purpose and function of man.. He was created by divine might, composed of divine faculties, and given a divine purpose for existence, and a divine function in his existence... God's entire purpose with creation revolves around His church: "to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Eph 3:9-11). Are you grateful today? "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28). Amen.

What is Man, that Thou art Mindful of Him?

Part 2 of 3 - The Doctrine of Man

The Psalmist asked, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?" (Ps 8:4). The simple answer is, man is MANY things..

As we saw yesterday, man is a created being. God said, "Let us MAKE MAN in our image, after our likeness" (Gen 1:26-27). The word "create", as used in the Genesis account, means "to make something out of nothing, to bring into existence". The word "make" means "to fashion or form as a potter forms a vessel of clay". Thus, man is a created being (Gen 2:27; Rev 4:11; Ps 139:14-16; 104:30; 1 Cor 11:9; Isa 45:12). He wholly owes his existence to God: "The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life" (Job 33:4).

Man is a dependant being. The fact that man owes his existence to a Creator makes him a dependent creature. He is not self-existent, and thus cannot be independent. Whether realizing it or not, he is totally dependent upon God for his very breath. It is in God alone that "we live, and move and have our being" (Acts 17:23-31). The Psalmist has rightly said, "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light" (Ps 36:9).

Man is an intelligent being. Man possesses reason, intelligence, imagination, and the ability to express his thoughts in language. This is of course far superior to the mere animal creation that some believe we sprang from. They are simply creatures of habit and instinct (Gen 2:15; 2:19-20; Isa 1:18; Matt 16:7; Gen 11:6; 8:21; Job 35:11; Rom 1:21).

Man is a free being. God created man with a free will, and the ability to choose right and wrong. This fact makes man a moral (and therefore responsible) creature. Just as God created the angelic hosts with the power of choice, He likewise created us. Man is not a robot, a machine, or a will-less creature. God desired a creation that would respond to Him willingly and freely. This necessitated man having a free will (Jn 7:17; Heb 3:7, 8, 15; 4:7; Jn 1:12-13).

Man is a moral being. Because man has a free will, he is therefore a moral creature. God placed a moral conscience within us to give us a moral sense, and the ability to distinguish right from wrong. This too is a faculty that no mere animal has. Before the fall, man was created in a state of innocence, purity and uprightness. He was ignorant of evil. In this upright state, his conscience was inactive until he sinned. The moment he sinned, his conscience began to work and his thoughts began to accuse and excuse him. Yet, this conscience is not a perfect moral standard. The only true standard for conscience is the Word of God, as interpreted by the Holy Spirit (Jn 8:9; Acts 24:16; Heb 9:14; Rom 2:15; 1 Cor 8:7; Tit 1:15; 1 Tim 4:2).

Man is a loving being. God is love, and love must have an object to exert itself, as well as an object that can reciprocate that love (1 Jn 4:16-19). The created universe, with all its glories, simply cannot respond to the love of God. The brute creation cannot enjoy or reciprocate God's love either. It would be completely un-pleasurable for God to create an unresponsive, un-affectionate, and will-less being, unable to reciprocate the love bestowed upon him. Thus, man was given these capacities. The answer to the heart cry of God was the creation of a loving mankind! He was created by love, for love, and to love (2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:25-27).

And finally, man is a triune being. There are 2 basic theories pertaining to man's composition: the Dichotomous Theory says that man is 2-fold, consisting of a spirit/soul combination and a body. The Trichotomous Theory says man is 3-fold, fully distinguishing between spirit, soul and body. What does the Bible say? The Bible tells us that mankind was created in the image of the 3-fold Godhead.. thus man too must be 3-fold: man is a spirit, has a soul, and is housed within a body (Heb 4:12; 1 Thess 5:23; Gen 2:7; 1 Cor 2:14-3:4; Matt 22:37; Deut 6:11; 4:29; Mk 12:30). The spirit of man is that part that is joined unto the Lord, perfected at his salvation (Heb 12:23; 1 Cor 6:17). The spirit is conscious of God, and capable of knowing God (Jn 4:24; Prov 20:27; Job 32:8; 1 Cor 2:11; etc). The faculties of the spirit of man are conscience and communion. The soul of man is the seat of his mind, will, carnality, intellect and emotions. This is the self-conscious part of man. This is the place where evil is derived (Mk 7:20-23). This is also the source of man's self image (Prov 23:7), man's will (1 Chron 29:9; Exod 35:5, 29; Ps 9:11), and man's overall attitude, good or bad (Isa 65:14; Acts 2:46; Prov 25:20; Ps 14:1; 102:4; Prov 23:7; Jer 32:40; etc). Often times, in Scripture, the English words for "soul" and "spirit" are used interchangeably. Their meanings in the original languages, however, do often differ. The body of man is the sensory and world-conscious part of him. This aspect is simply the physical aspect of man, similar to the brute creation. The Bible calls the body a house (2 Cor 5:1), a tabernacle (2 Cor 5:1-4; Jn 1:14; 2 Pet 1:13), a temple (Jn 2:21; 2 Cor 5:19; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19-20; 1 Kgs 8:27-28), and a sheath, that is, the place that houses a sword (Dan 7:15, margin). The Bible says that the body of man is earthy (1 Cor 15:47; Ps 103:14; Gen 2:7; 3:19), is a body of humiliation (Phil 3:21: "vile body"; Job 19:25-27), and is governed by the senses. In due time, God will redeem the body of the believer from all corruption and mortality, making it like the Lord's glorious body (Phil 3:21; 1 Thess 4:15-18; 1 Cor 15:51-57; 2 Cor 5:1-5)! Hallelujah!

To be continued...

Where Did I Come From?

Part 1 of 3 - The Doctrine of Man

As another has well said "The Scriptures clearly teach that the original man was the direct result of a creative act of God... being the masterpiece of creation." As such, there are many questions that we have asked concerning mankind, his origin, his overall composition, and his purpose.. How is he to be the masterpiece of creation?

Not surprisingly, the Scriptures provide us with the answer..

One of the biggest curiosities about man is concerning his origin. "Where did I come from?" is a question on the cusp of countless lips.

There are many humanistic theories concerning the origin of man. Probably the most common of our day is that of Atheistic Evolution. This theory holds to spontaneous generation, that is, all forms of life evolved from a more primitive, and simpler form of life. Cell matter must have evolved into more complex life forms, and then to fish, and then to birds, animals, apes and finally man. However, this theory neglects the fact that several "missing links" in the transitional stages have never been found. This theory, therefore, is built on supposition. It fails to adequately account for the origin of matter and life because it rejects God - the originator of matter and source of all life.

Another popular theory is that of Theistic Evolution. This seems to be accepted as the best of both worlds. This theory holds that higher forms of life evolved from lower forms, but that the lower forms were created by God. However, Scripture teaches the creation of the species, not their evolution. All fish, birds, animals and man were created in their order to reproduce "after their kind" (Gen 1:25), not to evolve to some higher form. A reptile can only produce a reptile, a monkey can only produce a monkey, etc. An animal simply cannot produce a man.

The final theory that we will observe is that of Theistic Creation. This theory (I call it a "truth", rather than a mere theory) holds to the Scriptural fact that God is the one and only life-source, the originator and maintainer of all forms of life, and the One who created all to reproduce "after their kind". God created the heavens and the earth, the universe of worlds and the galaxies (Gen 1:1). God created the archangels and the angelic hosts (Col 1:16-17; Rev 4:11). God created the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the animals of the earth (Gen 1:21-25; Jn 1:1-3). And finally, God created mankind - the highest creation of God on this earth - the masterpiece of His doings (Gen 1:26-31), made in the very image of God!

To be continued...