God's Way Of Revelation
Natural man cannot draw near to God of his own accord, for he is dead in trespasses and sins, dead to God. It will take God drawing his heart out to Him, and giving him grace to come, that the man can be save. It is likewise true that man cannot know God apart from revelation, or that work by which God reveals Himself in truth, according to the Scriptures, to the mind and heart. Paul met Christ by revelation, and so do we. He opens our minds and hearts to recognize that it is Him, and that He is speaking or dealing with us.
The Sorrowing Christ
No one has sorrowed like Jesus Christ. We see Him at the tomb of Lazarus, with sorrowing friends around him. He sorrows for their pain and loss. He sorrows looking over Jerusalem, longing to see the blessing of God upon the city, but knowing that judgment is coming because of their rejection of Him. But upon the cross, bearing the sorrow of a lost and dying world, His sorrow reached its pinnacle when He cried, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"
The Signifcance Of The Shore
The shore is a marker, a limit where the sea cannot pass. Sometimes with the pressure and power of a storm, it shifts, but always never dissappears. It is also a marker of blessing, a place of refuge, a place of peace and fellowship with God. Why? With the panorama of greatness and beauty, in a context of quietness, Jesus called His disciples often to rest, and to hear His words. It is in the quietness that the revelation of Christ goes deep within the soul, when by the Spirit, the truths of Christ are grasped.
The Imperative Of Refocusing
Upon this earth there are many distractions, hindrances, and limitations with regard to doing the will of God, and fulfilling the purpose that God has intended. Again and again, just like the renewing of the Sabbath's rest, the believer needs to refocus, to realign himself with Christ, to take again the position of faith with the new and fresh energy of the Spirit of God. This "fresh oil" is available to every believer for the refreshing of his soul, that he or she may go forth in full assurance of faith on a daily basis.
The Imminent Coming Of Christ
The coming of Christ can be at any moment, any day. This is the teaching of Scripture. Nothing has to occur before His coming, or the church being "snatched away." to be forever with Him. He will come in physical fashion at the end of the tribulation period to set up His kingdom on this earth. But for now we are called to live in the perspective that today, we may be called homeward, heavenward. The issue is living well-pleasing to God on this earth, waiting for the blessed meeting.
The Enemy At The Gate
There is an enemy of God, one which has become the enemy of every child of God. He is an enemy which must be reckoned with, as he will seek to deceive, kill, and destroy all that is good. Christ has provided for every believer a position over this adversary, but it is only lived and known by a close communion with Christ, a submission to His authority, and a refusal to give any ground to the enemy.
Living In The Light Of Christ's Coming
How does one live in the perspective of Christ's coming? What is to be our attitude with regard to His coming, or our going to meet Him? There is present anticipation and the desire and will to be faithful. But there is the quiet seizing of every opportunity to serve Christ in the will of God, according to the calling of God, in utter reliance upon the Spirit of God. This is true waiting...looking to heaven for His appearing, and walking on this earth by faith in the Son of God, daily seeking His righteousness and the knowledge of His will.
Where Justice And Mercy Meet
Balance is a very important matter in the Christian faith. Seeing the mercy of God, contrasted with the justice of God, is essential if we would be balanced. On the one hand God is absolutely holy, a God of absolute truth and righteousness. On the other hand, in dealing with us as sinners, lost and very needy, He is merciful and gracious. So, let us ever look heavenward to see Him as He is, and approach Him in truth, relying upon His mercy and grace.
The Stand Of Faith Part Two
What does it mean to stand? It means taking a position of faith, based on the truth in Christ, for the glory of God. It is the refusal to accept another truth, or attitude than that which has been revealed by the Spirit according to the Scriptures. The true stand of faith is one that is based on the faithfulness of God, according to an accurage knowledge of HIs will.
The Stand Of Faith Part One
It is one thing to know the truth. It is quite another to take one's stand by faith in accordance with the truth against all odds. But this is what we are called to do, for we walk by faith and not by sight. We search the Scriptures to know the will of God, but then, we take our stand, based on that which Christ has revealed to our hearts. Scripture has many examples of those who came to know the will of God, and took their stand to believe God for the full realization of His purposes as they obeyed.