Christ's garden!!

[Boaz]

Christ's garden

(Charles Spurgeon)

"I have come into My garden--My sister, My bride!" Song of Solomon 5:1

The heart of the believer is Christ's garden. He bought it with His precious blood, and He enters it and claims it as His own.

A garden implies separation. It is not the open common; it is not a wilderness; it is walled around, or hedged in. Would that we could see the wall of separation between the Christian and the world made broader and stronger. It makes one sad to hear professors saying, "Well, there is no harm in this; there is no harm in that," thus getting as near to the world as possible! Grace is at a low ebb in that soul, which can even raise the question of how far it may go in worldly conformity.

A garden is a place of beauty, it far surpasses the wild uncultivated fields. The genuine Christian must seek to be more excellent in his life than the best moralist, because Christ's garden ought to produce the best flowers in all the world. Even the best is poor--compared with Christ's deservings; let us not put Him off with withered and dwarf plants. The rarest, richest, choicest lilies and roses--ought to bloom in Christ's own garden!

The garden is a place of growth. The saints are not to remain undeveloped, always mere buds and blossoms. We should grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Growth should be rapid where Jesus is the Gardener, and the Holy Spirit the dew from above.

A garden is a place of retirement. So the Lord Jesus Christ would have us reserve our hearts as a place in which He can manifest Himself, as He does not unto the world. O that Christians were more retired, that they kept their hearts more closely locked up for Christ! We often worry and trouble ourselves, like Martha, with much serving--so that we have not the room for Christ that Mary had, and do not sit at His feet as we should.

May the Lord grant the sweet showers of His grace to water His garden this day!

[Boaz]

Grace found her a maniac—and made her a minister!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"He appeared first to Mary Magdalene—out of whom He had cast seven devils." Mark 16:9

Mary of Magdala was the victim of a fearful evil. She was possessed by not one devil only—but seven. These dreadful inhabitants caused much pain and pollution to the poor frame in which they had found a lodging. Hers was a hopeless, horrible case! She could not help herself, neither could any human support avail. But Jesus passed that way, and unsought, and probably even resisted by the poor demoniac, He uttered the word of power—and Mary of Magdala became a trophy of the saving power of Jesus.

What a blessed deliverance!
What a happy change!
From delirium—to delight,
from despair—to peace,
from hell—to heaven!

At once, she became a constant follower of Jesus, catching His every word, following His winding steps, sharing His toilsome life; and withal she became His generous helper, first among that band of saved and grateful women—who ministered unto Him of their substance.

When Jesus was lifted up in crucifixion, Mary remained the sharer of His shame—we find her drawing near to the foot of the cross. She could not die on the cross with Jesus—but she stood as near to it as she could. She was the faithful and watchful believer—last at the sepulcher where Jesus slept; first at the grave whence He arose!

Thus, grace found her a maniac—and made her a minister!

Grace delivered her from Satan—and united her forever to the Lord Jesus!

May I also be such a miracle of grace!

[Boaz]

The demon was gone!

(J. C. Ryle, "The Gospel of Mark" 1857)

"She begged Jesus to drive the demon out
 of her daughter." Mark 7:26

"And when she arrived home, her little girl was
 lying quietly in bed, and the demon was gone!"
    Mark 7:30

This passage is meant to encourage us to pray
for others. The woman who came to our Lord, in
the history now before us—must doubtless have
been in deep affliction. She saw her beloved child
possessed by a demon. She saw her in a condition
in which no teaching could reach the mind, and no
medicine could heal the body; a condition only
one degree better than death itself.

"She begged Jesus to drive the demon out  of her
daughter." She prays for one who could not pray for
herself, and never rests until her prayer is granted.
By prayer she obtains the cure which no human
means could obtain. Through the prayer of the
mother—the daughter is healed. On her own behalf
that daughter did not speak a word; but her mother
spoke for her to the Lord, and did not speak in vain.
Hopeless and desperate as her case appeared, she
had a praying mother—and where there is a
praying mother—there is always hope.

Fathers and mothers are especially bound to remember
the case of this woman. They cannot give their children
new hearts. They can give them Christian education, and
show them the way of life; but they cannot give them—a
heart to love God. Yet there is one thing they can always
do—they can pray for them.

They can pray for the conversion of profligate sons,
who will have their own way, and run greedily into sin.

They can pray for the conversion of worldly
daughters, who set their affections on things
below, and love pleasure more than God.

Such prayers are heard in heaven. Such prayers will often
bring down blessings. Never, never let us forget that the
children for whom many prayers have been offered, seldom
finally perish. Let us pray more for our sons and daughters.
Even when they will not let us speak to them about true
religion, they cannot prevent us speaking for them to God.

"She begged Jesus to drive the demon out
 of her daughter." Mark 7:26

"And when she arrived home, her little girl was
 lying quietly in bed, and the demon was gone!"
    Mark 7:30

[Boaz]

4 THINGS CHRIST IS ABLE TO DO

Rev. T.R. Kelley

TEXT: EPHESIANS 3:20-21


Ephesians 3:20-21

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think ,
according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.
Amen.


I. INTRODUCTION
A. NT AFFIRMATION
1. Perhaps one of the greatest New Testament affirmations is that Jesus Christ is able to do what no one else can
do.
2. In Matthew 9:27-31, we read where two blind men followed Jesus, “crying, and saying, Thou son of David,
have mercy on us.”
a. When they approached Him, Jesus asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
(1) When they answered affirmatively, Jesus touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith
be it unto you.”
(a) Their eyes were immediately opened.
3. As you can see, by every test and demand we find that He has the ability and the power to achieve the
impossible.
a. Many passages speak of this truth, and I have selected a few that illustrate the many-sided strength of
the Master, who is the Lord of all life.
(1) And, while I know there is no limit to what Jesus can do, I have selected just four things He is
able do that pertain to us this morning…
II. BODY
A. ABLE TO SAVE TO THE UTTERMOST
1. The first thing Jesus is able to do that I want to focus on today is that He is able to save to the uttermost.
a. Hebrews 7:25 – Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him,
seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.
2. The word “uttermost” may suggest a time element or a horizon of farthest bounds, but primarily it means
“utterly” or “completely.”
a. In Luke 13:11 there is a story of a woman who was helpless for eighteen years.
(1) She was altogether bowed down with her infirmity;
(2) She was helpless.
(a) It is the same word used by the writer to the Hebrews when he describes the power of
Jesus.
1) Our Lord’s power to save is not partial or fragmentary, but complete and final.
3. That is seen also in comparison to the ability of the Levitical priest of old, who had limited authority.
a. Jesus saves from guilt, fear, despair, distress, sin, and death.

a. Jesus saves from guilt, fear, despair, distress, sin, and death.
(1) There is no suggestion here of any priestly intervention of modern supposition, but, rather, the
claim of an eternal priesthood by Jesus Christ.
(a) He lives to intercede.
(b) He alone is the Mediator.
1) “He is able,” cries Peter, the denier.
2) “He is able,” cries the woman who was a sinner.
3) “He is able,” cries Zacchaeus the cheater.
4. In all ages men have confessed that Jesus is able to save completely and fully.
a. And He is still able to do so today!
(1) If you are here today and you have not experienced His saving grace and power, you don’t have
to leave here the same condition in which you came!
B. ABLE TO SUCCOUR THE TEMPTED
1. Second, Jesus is able to succour them that are tempted.
a. Hebrews 2:18 – For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are
tempted.
(1) The Greek word translated as “succour” in this verse simply means, “to aid or relieve.”
(a) In the Middle Ages, “succour,” meant “to run up to help;”
1) Hence, the translators in 1611 were saying that Jesus is able “to run up to help” those
who are tempted.
2. Listen: although it is no sin to be tempted, the fact of temptation is inescapable.
a. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness;
b. He was tempted through Peter;
c. He was tempted in the garden;
(1) In fact, all of His life He faced temptation.
(a) The sinless savior suffered through this.
(b) His humanity was real, and His sympathy is for everyone because He has been where you
are!
3. As I have already said, to “succour” is the ability to run to help.
a. Consider the compassion, fitness, right, and disposition of Jesus to do so.
(1) Bunyan, in The Pilgrim’s Progress, shows Interpreter’s house, with a man pouring water on a
fire, but on the other side of the wall and the fire there is Another pouring on oil.
(a) The One pouring on the oil is Christ, and oil is significant of anointing; and His pouring
oil on the fire is significant of the fact that through His anointing, He intends to keep the fire
burning in your life!
1) Secret energy is given by Christ through the Holy Ghost.
a) Jesus succours those who seek Him…
i. He never disappoints!
C. ABLE TO SATISFIE THE HEART’S DESIRES
1. Third, Jesus is able to satisfy the desires of the heart.
a. II Timothy 1:12 – I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I
have committed unto Him against that day.
2. Paul speaks here of “guarding a deposit.”
a. Just as gold or money is deposited in a bank, so his life was lodged satisfactorily in Christ’s keeping.
(1) He had committed his life.
(a) Jesus has the ability to guard against robbery or loss.
1) He promises in John 10:28 that His sheep “will never perish” because He will give
them “eternal life.”
3. Such ability is the guarantee for the ministry of the gospel…
a. For the body as an instrument of righteous…
(1) For the advancement of character, and…
(a) For life-work and vocation.
4. The responsibility is transferred to Jesus.

4. The responsibility is transferred to Jesus.
a. To be safeguarded by Christ brings the secret of poise and peace.
(1) All our hopes and aspirations find their proper relationship in His will.
(a) Prayer, dedication, commitment – these find focus in this keeping power.
III. CLOSE
A. ABLE TO KEEP FROM STUMBLING
1. Finally this morning, He is able to keep us from stumbling.
a. Jude 24 – Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the
presence of His glory with exceeding joy…
2. Consider the dangers of the way and the weaknesses of life.
a. Look only to God, who can transform all things.
(1) We become sure-footed in slippery places because of His steady hand.
3. The difference between “faultless” and “blameless” should be understood, today.
a. A child’s sketch is not faultless, but it may be blameless.
(1) As a work of art it lacks perfection through inexperience, but to the parent it reveals the love of
a devoted heart.
4. Presently we are like this…
a. Not without fault, yet blameless in God’s sight through our heart’s intention and aim towards Him.
(1) But one day we shall be “faultless,” for Jesus will present us so to the Father!
B. ALTAR CALL
1. Matthew 13:58 tells us that Jesus “did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”
a. Christ was not able!
(1) Why?
(a) Unbelief is the only barrier preventing Him.
2. Do we limit Him?
a. Do we have trust and confidence in Him to save, to succour, to satisfy, to keep us utterly?
(1) “Believe ye that I am able to do this?”
(a) “Yea, Lord.” (Matthew 9:28).
(b) “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief,” the father of the possessed child
honestly said to Jesus in Mark 9:24.
3. He can do just that today!
a. He can help you believe even while you are struggling with your doubts!
(1) Ephesians 3:20-21 –
(a) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.


[Boaz]

Free!

"If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
John 8:36

To be made free implies a liberty from the WORLD
and the spirit of covetousness in the heart. If we
were to follow into their shops some who talk much
of 'gospel liberty', we might find that the world's
fetter had not been struck off their heart—that they
had a 'golden' chain, though invisible to their own
eyes, very closely wrapped round their heart.

And there is a being made free from the power of SIN.
I greatly fear, if we could follow into their holes and
corners, and secret chambers, many who prattle about
gospel liberty, we would find that sin had not yet lost
its hold upon them, that there was some secret or open
sin that entangled them, that there was . . .
some lust,
some passion,
some evil temper,
some wretched pride or other,
that wound its fetters very close round their heart.

And also there is a being made free from SELF . . .
proud self,
presumptuous self,
self-exalting self, flesh-pleasing self,
hypocritical self,
self in all its various shapes and turns,
self in all its crooked hypocrisy and windings.

"If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

[Boaz]

And they overcame Him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Rev. 12:11)
This is the last reference in the Bible to the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ; here it is the overcoming blood, enabling believers to withstand the deceptions and accusations of Satan. There are at least 43 references to the blood of Christ in the New Testament, all testifying to its great importance in the salvation and daily life of the believer.
Judas the betrayer spoke of it as 'innocent blood (Matthew 27:4) and Peter called it 'the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:9). It is the cleansing blood in 1 John 1:7 and the washing blood in Rev. 1:5, stressing that it removes the guilt of our sins. Paul calls it the purchasing blood in Acts 20:28 and the redeeming blood twice (Eph. 1:7); Col. 1:14, see also 1 Peter 1:18-19, Rev. 5:9), thus declaring the shedding of His blood to be the very price of our salvation. Therefore, it is also the justifying blood (Rom. 5:9) and the peacemaking blood (Col. 1:20). Its efficacy does not end with our salvation, however, for it is also the sanctifying blood (Heb. 13:12). There is infinite and eternal power in the blood of Christ, for it is 'the blood of the everlasting covenant" (Heb. 13:20). The first reference in the New Testament to His blood stresses this aspect. Jesus said, at the last supper: 'This is my blood of the new testament (same as 'covenant') which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:28). Let no one, therefore, even count the 'blood of the covenant. . an unholy thing" (Heb. 10:29), for the blood of Christ is forever innocent, infinitely precious, perfectly justifying, always cleansing and fully sanctifying.

[Boaz]

The Four Altars

•   Altars in the Bible signify places of worship and sacrifice, and the lives of Bible characters in the Old Testament are often marked by the altars they made.

•   Altars can teach us much about our worship today, because worship is not just an ACT, it is a LIFESTYLE!

•   Worship is the means by which I enter the presence of God, but it is also the means by which I welcome God to enter into the affairs of my life, my family, my church, my city and my world.

•   Psalm 22:3 (KJV)  But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

•   Psalm 22:3 (NKJV)  But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.

•   Psalm 22:3 (Japanese literal translation)  The praise of Israel builds a big chair for God to sit on.

•   My worship determines the dimensions of my forward advancement along the pathway of discipleship – I will advance no further than my worship (lifestyle) grows!

•   We have an unalterable need for an altar!

•   God’s Word provides four examples of this in the life of Abraham:


The Altar of Salvation

Genesis 12:6-7  6And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. 7And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

•   When Abraham first received his promise from God, “the Canaanite was then in the land.” The flesh still ruled! Abram, a young man from an idolatrous culture, had to step out on faith and obey a God he had never seen! God honored him, even though there were adversaries!

•   Faith is stepping out on nothing and landing on something!

•   Our salvation begins with faith, because we can’t receive anything from God except by faith!

•   Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

•   Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance (FOUNDATION) of things hoped for, the evidence (PROOF) of things not seen.


The Altar of Determination

Genesis 13:3-4  3And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; 4Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.

•   After Abraham had his remarkable experience with God at his first altar, he made a trip to Egypt (a type of the world). Why? We’re not told, but we do know that it ended in disaster – he almost lost his wife there to Pharaoh’s harem! He also found out how fearful and weak he was on his own.

•   Egypt was not part of the territory God intended for Abraham! When he finally determined to come back to his “promised land,” he returned to “the place where his tent had been at the beginning” and he put down his stakes. This was his altar of NO RETURN!

•   This is an altar every Christian must come to at some point. Our arrival there doesn’t mean there will never again be trials, tests or stumbling. But once the stake is driven, once the altar of determination is constructed, you will never again return to the world – NO MATTER WHAT!

•   Those who refuse to build this second altar inevitably end up backsliding away from their first love!

•   IT’S ALL IN YOUR DETERMINATION!  If your human will was strong enough to resist God before you got saved, it is certainly strong enough to resist the devil now that you are filled with God’s Spirit!

•   I have decided to follow Jesus!
The cross before me, the world behind me!
Though none go with me, still I will follow!
Take this whole world, but give me Jesus!

[Boaz]

•   Hebrews 11:15-16  15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

•   Build your altars of no return!  In your beliefs!  In your convictions!  In your marriage!  In your home!  In your life mission!


The Altar of Occupation

Genesis 13:17-18  17Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. 18Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD. 

•   Abraham had been given the promise that the land would be his, but then the Lord called him to actually pace it off – TO MEASURE OUT THE DIMENSIONS OF GOD’S PROMISE!

•   It is one thing to have a PROMISE and quite another thing to have a POSSESSION!  And the only way to get from one to the other is to PURSUE!

•   When Joshua prepared to enter his promised land the Lord told him that he could have whatever he would FIGHT for!

•   Joshua 1:3  Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

•   The word “tread” in this verse is “barak,” which means “take up your weapons and fight for it!”


The Altar of Dedication

Genesis 22:9  And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

•   The final altar in the life of Abraham was the “altar of the unexpected,” where God did something that seemed totally against the promise He had made. In Abraham’s mind, things were moving backwards – BUT HE STILL TRUSTED GOD!

•   Daniel 3:17-18  17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

•   This is often the most puzzling part of God’s work in us … to apparently “kill” His own promise! But with God, there is always a resurrection! And having an altar that says “no matter what” is the secret of living for God with JOY!


NOW I KNOW

He left his father’s land, and boyhood dreams were in the past
He held his son, God’s promise, what more would his Friend ask?
“To yonder’s mountain, Abram, take the fire and take the wood”
So, trusting still, they climbed the hill, knowing that what came would come for good.

And when the altar was all finished and the wood was all in place
He looked with love and sadness into his young son’s face
“God has asked this of me, there’s no less that I can do,
I have withheld nothing – I never dreamed He’d ask for you.”

And then the wind blew softly, God leaned close and whispered low
“If I ever wondered how you loved Me, now I know.”

I had left this world behind me and my dreams were in the past
But I held a few choice treasures – what more would my Friend ask?
“Go to yonder’s mountain, take the fire and take the wood”
So, trusting still, I climbed the hill, knowing that what came would come for good.

When my altar was all finished and the wood was all in place
I looked with fear and trembling into … my own face!
“God, what are You asking?  There’s no less that I will do.
I’m yours for whatever – all I have belongs to You.”

And then the wind blew softly, and my Best Friend whispered low
“If I ever wondered how you loved Me, now I know.”

The mansions were all finished and the gold was all in place
I looked in awe and wonder into the Lamb’s dear face
And then I cast my crown before Him and I bowed myself down low
If I had ever wondered how He loved me … now I know.

[Boaz]

IS YOUR ALL ON THE ALTAR?

You have longed for sweet peace, and for faith to increase,
And have earnestly, fervently prayed;
But you cannot have rest or be perfectly blest,
Until all on the altar is laid.

Would you walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
And have peace and contentment always;
You must do His sweet will to be free from all ill,
On the altar your all you must lay.

Oh, we never can know what the Lord will bestow
Of the blessings for which we have prayed,
Till our body and soul He doth fully control,
And our all on the altar is laid.

Who can tell all the love He will send from above,
And how happy our hearts will be made,
Of the fellowship sweet we shall share at His feet,
When our all on the altar is laid.

Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart, does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest and have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.

[Boaz]

Your Praise Will Never Replace Your Prayers
By bishop Steve Crews
•   Psalm 29:2  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
•   Worship is a divine command.
•   God’s people are to be a worshipping people.
•   Worship is our response to God’s love, His holy presence, His greatness, and His deeds.
•   We are to worship God alone, not other gods, not idols, not human heroes, not angels.
•   Our worship is not to be mechanical, but from the heart.
•   Our worship must be grounded in godly and obedient living.
•   Worship includes awe, praise, thanksgiving, joy, music and song, clapping of the hands, lifting of the hands, kneeling, boasting, crying, volume and even dancing. It is to be exuberant!
•   True worship can bring blessing, guidance, boldness, deliverance, joy, and a deeper sense of God’s presence.
•   True worship can even convict sinners, when they come into contact with God’s presence.
•   True worship can even silence the enemy!
•   There is only ONE KIND of person that is exempt from the command to praise the Lord …  
o   Psalm 115:17  The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.
o   Ecclesiastes 9:4  For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
o   Matthew 8:22  But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
o   Matthew 22:32  I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is notpruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am stro
•   But with all the powerful things that praise can do, there is one thing that it CANNOT do.  Your praise will never replace your PRAYER!
•   Ephesians 6:11-18 (Amplified Version)
•   Ephesians 6:18 (AMP)  Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
•   There are some things that prayer can do that praise cannot do (and vice versa).
•   Prayer and praise are not meant to compete with each other, but to complement each other.
•   But while we have made great strides in the realm of worship, PRAYER IS A DYING ART IN THE CHURCH!
•   We can talk all day on the phone  or spend hours counseling with someone who can’t do anything about our problem, but we have a hard time praying for five minutes to the One who can fix it!
•   We can survive without many things in life, but we CANNOT survive spiritually without prayer!
•   Here’s why your praise will never replace your prayer: PRAYER EMPTIES THE HEART OF ITS BURDENS, ITS BONDAGE AND ITS BAGGAGE.
•   Matthew 5:8  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
o   KATHAROS – from this word we get catharsis and catheter (to clean out the heart)
•   Here’s why your praise will never replace your prayer: Prayer acknowledges that the answer is beyond your ability. I don’t have to fix everything! I don’t have to know everything! .  But I can POINT you to the Answer!
•   Here’s why your praise will never replace your prayer:

[Boaz]

•   Matthew 6:10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
•   God’s will is ALWAYS done in heaven, but SELDOM done in earth. Why? Because that depends on PRAYER! Prayer is the umbilical cord that connects Heaven to earth and births the will of God in your life. Prayer brings what is happening in God’s house to YOUR house!
•   But I know someone who prayed and still walked through a terrible trial. Here’s the difference: IF GOD GOES WITH YOU  IN TROUBLE, HE’S  THERE  TO GET YOU OUT!
•   Here’s why your praise will never replace your prayer: Worship is a one-way street (God doesn’t worship US!), but prayer is a two-way street!
•   The reason many people don’t get an answer in prayer is because they never LISTEN in prayer. Don’t call God up and dump on Him, then walk out! LISTEN!
•   Some people have lived a lifetime manipulating others – BUT THAT DOESN’T WORK WITH GOD! (That’s why they pout!)
•   Many modern Christians only perceive God through their church. What happens when you’re ON YOUR OWN?
•   Here’s a final reason why your praise will never replace your prayer: PRAYER CHANGES ME!
•   God never changes, because He’s perfect! Prayer doesn’t change God – it changes my attitude, my opinion, my perception, my decision, my perspective – ME!

[Boaz]

Jesus!

(Octavius Winslow, "Evening Thoughts")

What is our path to glory, but the path of
tribulation, of suffering, and of death? Our
Lord and Master, in the expression of His
wisdom and love, forewarns us of this: "In
the world you shall have tribulation."

What are all the supports of the believer in
seasons of trial, suffering, and bereavement,
but so many manifestations of the life of the
Lord Jesus? This it is that keeps the soul . . .
buoyant amid the billows,
strong in faith,
joyful in hope,
soaring in love.

Thus is Jesus . . .
the life of every grace,
the life of every promise,
the life of every ordinance,
the life of every blessing.

Yes, of all that is really costly and
precious to a child of God, Jesus is . . .
the substance,
the glory,
the sweetness,
the fragrance,
yes, the very life itself!

Oh! dark and lonely, desolate and painful indeed
would our present pilgrimage be, but for Jesus!

If in the world we have tribulation; in
whom do we have peace? In Jesus!

If in the creature we meet with fickleness and
change; in whom do we find the Friend who loves
at all times? In Jesus!

When adversity comes as a wintry blast, and
lays low our comforts; when the cloud is upon
our tabernacle; when health, and wealth, and
influence, and friends are gone; in whom do
we find the covert from the wind, the faithful,
tender Brother born for adversity? In Jesus!

When temptation assails,
when care darkens,
when trial oppresses,
when bereavement wounds,
when heart and flesh are failing;
who throws around us the protecting shield,
who applies the precious promise,
who speaks the soothing word,
who sustains the sinking spirit,
who heals the sorrow,
who dries the tear? Jesus!

Where sin struggles in the heart, and guilt
burdens the conscience, and unbelief beclouds
the mind; whose grace subdues our iniquities,
whose blood gives us peace, and whose light
dispels our darkness? Jesus!

And when the spark of life wanes, and the
eye grows dim, and the mind wanders, and
the soul, severing its last fetter, mounts
and soars away, Jesus, in that awful moment,
draws near in form unseen, and whispers in
words unheard by all but the departing one,
now in close communion with the solemn
realities of the invisible world, "Fear not;
I am the resurrection and the life. He who
believes in Me will live, even though he dies!"

[Boaz]

You shall not be ashamed
"Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale." - Isaiah 29:22
1. Believe the Lord
"For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."
- Romans 10:11
2. Obey the Lord
"Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments."
- Psalms 119:6
3. Wait upon Lord
"And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me."
- Isaiah 49:23
4. Upright before Lord
"18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied."
- Psalms 37:18-19
5. Trust the Lord
"They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded."
- Psalms 22:5

[Boaz]

All Of God’s Commandments Are For Our Good

Zac Poonen

God has always required obedience from man. Under the old
covenant, the Israelites were given commandments to obey.
But they discovered that they could not keep God’s laws
perfectly.

Under the new covenant, God promises to write His laws in
our hearts and minds so that we will not only obey Him but
love to obey Him. God’s promise is: “I will put My Spirit
within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you
will be careful to observe My ordinances.”(Ezek. 36:27)

It is only through obeying His commandments that we can have
fellowship with God.

Obedience however is something that many believers have not
understood. Most believers have so misunderstood ‘grace’
that they consider obedience to be an Old Covenant
requirement. God’s commandments, as a result, are considered
to be a heavy burden. This is a Satanic deception. It is the
result of an ignorance of God’s love. All of God’s
commandments are for our good and are meant to set us free.
They all originate in the heart of a God Who loves us
perfectly.

Moses says (concerning God giving His laws to Israel at
Sinai), “At God’s right hand there was a fiery law for His
people - indeed (this proves that) He loves His people”
(Deut.33:2,3 - margin). The fact that God gives us His laws
is a proof of His intense love for us.

Some of God’s commandments may require self-denial on our
part. But in the long run we will discover that they are for
our very best. A father doesn’t give commands to his
children to burden them or harm them - but only to help
them. This is how we need to see the commands that God gives
us too. To have faith is to believe in a God Who is perfect
in love. When we have such faith, we will delight to do
God’s commandments, at any cost.

Here lies the reason for so much of our defeat. The Devil
has convinced people that God’s commandments are either
unnecessary, or a burden. If we don’t understand why God
calls us to do something, that only proves our own
immaturity. One day, when we are a little more mature, we
will understand.

When children are compelled to go to school, they may not
understand why their parents won’t allow them to stay at
home and play. They may think their parents are being very
hard towards them. But it is love that makes those parents
compel their children to get an education.

Like those little children, we too don’t often understand
God’s ways. But if we believed in His love, we would obey
all His Word and submit to all His dealings, without any
question.

Consider the matter of suffering. Why does a God of love
allow us to go through suffering? That’s because suffering
is a part of the syllabus in our spiritual education. It is
through suffering that God leads us on to maturity. If you
have not had much opportunity to suffer, you certainly could
not have learnt much in life that has any spiritual value.

Perhaps you grumbled and complained so much the last time
you had a little suffering, that God now allows you to go
your own way. That is sad, when God puts you on the shelf
like that. I’d rather go through suffering every day of my
life than be set aside by God on a shelf.

It is foolish to compare ourselves with others, when God
leads us through suffering. That would be like your children
wondering why they have to go to school when the poor
children in the slums can play in the mud all day. All of
God’s dealings with us are in perfect love. He wants us to
be happy - not with the superficial, frothy happiness of the
world, but with that deep, everlasting happiness that comes
through holiness of life. And there is just no way to be
holy except through suffering.

“He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His
holiness.”(Heb.12:10).

Jesus was the happiest man Who ever walked on this earth.
Yet He was the One Who suffered the most. His happiness came
out of doing the will of His Father - not by having an easy
way through life. He knew His Father as perfect love and so
He joyfully submitted to all that the Father sent His way.
That was the secret of His life.
------------------------------------------------------------

[Boaz]

Oil in the Vessel
by Arthur W. Pink

Recently a brother in the Lord wrote calling our attention to the comparisons and contrasts between the wise and foolish virgins of Matthew 25. The substance of his remarks was as follows. They have seven things in common. First, all the virgins were in “the kingdom of heaven”: by which we understand, the sphere of Christian profession. Second, they were all of them “virgins”: not five virgins and five harlots: by which we understand, they all claimed to belong unto Christ. Third, they all “went forth to meet the Bridegroom”: they were one in purpose, having a single end in view. Fourth, they all had “lamps,” the same sort of lamps. Fifth, they all “slumbered and slept.” Sixth, they all heard the cry “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh.” Seventh, they all “arose and trimmed their lamps.”

There are six points of difference between them. First, five of them were “wise” and five of them were “foolish.” Second, the wise “took oil in their vessels with their lamps” (v. 4), but the foolish ones did not do so. Third, at the crucial moment the foolish virgins had to acknowledge “our lamps are (slowly but surely) gone out” (v. 8 margin). Fourth, the foolish virgins “went to buy” oil (v. 10), the wise ones had no need to do so. Fifth, the wise were shut in with the Bridegroom, but the foolish were shut out (v. 10.) Sixth, the foolish virgins were disowned by the Lord (vv. 11, 12).

Commenting upon the above our friend pointed out that, “There is a certain class today who differ not from the children of God as to their testimony: its purity, its orthodoxy, its sincerity. These are not Spiritists, Russellites, or the daughters of the Mother of Harlots, but ‘virgins’.doctrinally they are pure. They are pictured as going forth ‘to meet the Bridegroom,’ not one to the ‘desert’ and another to the ‘secret chambers’ (Matt. 24:26), seeking a false Christ. The Object of their service was the same Person which the wise virgins were occupied with. The vital point in their ‘foolishness’ was not that they ‘slumbered and slept’ but that they had no oil in their VESSELS. Their was oil in their ‘lamps’.the testimony or doctrine.but none in their vessels or souls.”

The above has deeply impressed the editor once more with the great importance of making sure individually whether there be oil in my vessel: the “vessel” is the soul, the “oil” is Divine grace in it. Whatever may be the precise signification of “behold the Bridegroom cometh”.whether it refer to the hour of death, the “premillennial return of Christ,” or the Day of Judgment.one thing is clear: it points to the crucial testing time. As our friend further points out: Balaam had oil in his “lamp,” as also had Judas when Christ sent him forth with the other Apostles to “preach” (Matt. 10:5-7), yet their hearts were destitute of the saving grace of God! What a terrible discovery for the foolish virgins to make: “our lamps are gone out”.a discovery made too late to do them any good.

This parable of the “virgins” is indeed a searching and solemn one. It has deeply exercised many a sincere soul. It has caused not a few genuine saints to wonder if, after all, the “root of the matter” were in them. It has given real point to that exhortation “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves” (2 Cor. 13:5). On the other hand, vast numbers of professing Christians are quite unmoved by its pointed message, complacently assuming that they are numbered among the “wise” virgins, and taking no trouble to seek proof that the oil is in their vessels. Strangest of all, perhaps, some of the Lord’s own people scarcely know how to set about the task of ascertaining their state, and are so suspicious of themselves they readily conclude that their vessels are devoid of the vital oil.

The key passage for the significance of this Scriptural figure is, “Thy God hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows” (Psa. 45:7), where the reference is to the Mediator, for God “giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him” (John 3:34); in consequence thereof, He is “fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into Thy lips” (Psa. 45:2). The holy “oil” was first poured upon the antitypical Aaron, and then it runs down to all the “skirts of His garments” (Psa. 133:2), that is, to the meanest and feeblest Christians. Just as the little finger or toe is animated by the same life and vitality as actuates the head and heart of a person, so every Christian is vitalized by the same Spirit as was given to Christ, the Head. As the Spirit sanctified the human nature of Christ by fitting and enriching it with all grace, so His grace is communicated to all His members.

The “oil,” then, in the vessels of the wise virgins refers to the life of the Spirit in the soul of a Christian. It is the presence of Divine grace in the heart.in contrast from knowledge in the head or correctness of outward deportment.which distinguishes the actual possessor from the empty professor. How important then is it that we spare no efforts to ascertain whether or not that Divine grace resides in us! Yet at this very point Christians encounter a real difficulty: as they honestly and diligently look within they perceive such a sea of corruption, ever casting up mire and dirt, they are greatly distressed, and ready to conclude that Divine grace surely cannot be present in such hearts as theirs. But this is a serious mistake; as genuine oil is distinguishable from counterfeits by its properties, so grace in the soul may be known by its characteristics and effects.

But the exercised soul should begin his search for indwelling grace with it definitely settled in his mind, that, in every heart where grace resides there is also an ocean of sin; and just as oil and water will not mix, but continue to preserve their distinct properties even when placed together in the same vessel, so the flesh and spirit will not combine in the Christian, but remain in opposition to each other unto the end. Admitting, then, a sea of depravity within, my object is to find out if there be any “oil” at all which the surgings of sin are unable to destroy. When I see smoke, I must infer fire (however flickering), and if I can discern in my heart any spiritual grace (however feeble) I must infer the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Be not unduly discouraged, then, dear Christian friend, because you discover so much filthy water in your “vessel” (the editor does the same), but rather confine your attention unto searching for the “oil” within you, and remember that the presence of the same is to be determined by its properties and effects. Let us name a few of these. First, oil illumines, therefore are the blinded Laodiceans bidden to go to Christ for eyesalve (anointing oil) that they may see (Rev. 3:18). Now where Divine grace has been bestowed that soul is enlightened. True, says a serious reader, but the point which exercises me so much is, Is my enlightenment a spiritual and supernatural one, or merely a natural and intellectual one, acquired by the mind being instructed through sitting under sound teaching? Those mentioned in Hebrews 6:4 were “once enlightened,” yet no saving work of grace had been wrought in them!