THE INTENTS OF OUR HEART

You know we (maybe I should just say me) often do things like we think God is not listening to what we say. How often do we just carelessly bruise people with our words and actions not concerned to the circumstances and the results. Well my friend God cares and He is looking at the intents of our heart even more than what we do and say. In God it does not matter what we do for Him as much as it matters how we do things. God will not say "much done" to those Christians who will enter into the joys of the LORD, oh no He will say "well done." I hope and pray you can see there is a world of difference here. The church today has a "doing heart" for God instead of allowing God to make them. In what we call the story of the Prodigal Son (strange the Bible does not call him a prodigal) we find this truth play out. In the 15th Chapter of Luke we find the younger of two sons asking his father for his inheritance which is backwards to the way things are to go between two brothers. The Bible is full of stories about two brothers maybe the LORD is really concerned about relationships between brothers. Here is verse 12 the youngest son says, "And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living." (Luke 15:12) Notice his heart condition, "give me" selfish, focused on himself, and his pleasures. He had not allowed God to work in his life to make him to give of himself. My friend if God cannot work in our lives and make us a giver than He cannot use us we will disqualify ourselves for service. I hear so many Christians say they go to church to receive a blessing (like the youngest son give me God) well my friend we do not go to church to receive a blessing oh no, we go to church to be a blessing. All I hear is bless me bless me bless me, how selfish and self-centered the church is today. This thinking comes from the humanistic philosophy that has taken over most churches today -- it is all about me. But do not worry my friend for those who really have a heart for God He has ways to knock this wrong attitude and selfishness out of us. After years of spending all he had the youngest son found himself eating (see verse 16) with the pigs. And yes God has ways to brings us to our senses (see verse 17) and off he went home. Well spending all we have and dinner with pigs will carry us a long way to see the folly of our ways. God has His ways to get our attention and turn us aside unto Himself, if we have a heart for such things. Historically this story is taught about the loving father and he was, but in verse 19 we see something just as powerful as the loving father, we see a change of heart in the youngest son. The youngest son says, "And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants." (Luke 15:19) His time in the pig sty and in spending all of his inheritance was a blessing in his life (seen after the fact) because his words were no longer "give me," but now "make me." This is the real truth of this story. Unless God can brings us to this same place we will not progress one little bit in Him. Oh we will go to church, sing, dance, pay our tithes (I see this most every week), but there is no spiritual growth in the people. They are doing all of the right religious church activities, but they are no better than tingling cymbals and sounding brass and all the while not knowing it which is even sadder. They have been taught wrong for years trying to work up the Spirit, running after people, and all the while they are over into presumption. Now most preachers do not end their message about this story this way. But if you look at the end of the story the youngest son is restored back to his father (which is wonderful), but the Bible does not say his inheritance was restored. He was home in good favor with his father, but there was a price he paid for his waywardness, his inheritance. God was able to change his heart and there was restoration between him and his father, but he experienced a great loss. Let us take heed. The most amazing thing about this story is God knew what was going to happen all along the story. He knew the son would come home and be restored to his father (and maybe his older brother) the entire time. He knew the heart condition of: the oldest son, the father, the servants, the youngest son, and even the people who helped the youngest son spend his inheritance. My friend God knows all things He knows the intents of our heart even in times of great victory God knows what we are really thinking and how we really feel about people and situations. Miriam, Moses' sister found this out the hard way. After the great victory over the army (600 chariots) Pharaoh sent after Moses and the Children of Israel, Miriam and all of the ladies grabbed their timbrels (like a tambourine) and danced and sang, " the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea" and all the people rejoiced, God delivered them again. I can almost see them now twirling, jumping, shouting, and singing. In Exodus 15 we read, "For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. 20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea." (Exodus 15:19-21) What a great victory, but just a few days more on the other side of that great victory we find Miriam, Moses' brother Aaron, and other leaders railing on Moses because he married an Ethiopian before he went back to Egypt. In Number we read, "And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. 3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)" (Numbers 12:1-3) Now the lady Moses married may have been light to dark skinned like we find in Ethiopia today the Bible does not say. Who knows what color the folks in that region were, but all of that is not important what is important is Miriam, Aaron, and the other leaders carried their hatred and anger for Moses marrying the Ethiopian woman through the Red Sea victory. And the Scriptures said, "And the LORD heard it." My friend God always hears our words and takes action have they be what we would call good or bad. In Miriam's case it was bad. Because of her hatred for Moses and his wife God rewarded (remember a reward is something we get from God out from our behavior) her with leprosy and kicked her out of the camp for seven (a period of purification) days. We read again in Numbers, "And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. 11 And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. 12 Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb. 13 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. 14 And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again. 15 And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again. 16 And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran." (Numbers 12:10-16) My friend God is always listening and He always knows the intents of our heart. God knew what Miriam and Aaron had in their heart and let them sing and dance. Please do think because you are singing and dancing God finds you acceptable, oh no He will let you sing, dance, wave flags, but there is a time (like with Miriam) when He will say enough of the singing and dancing time to see if I will be allowed to deal in your heart with some ungodly issues. And never forget there is always something we will pay for our waywardness. What is in our that God knows about? My friend God is listening.

TEACHING FOR HGM ON 19 APRIL 16

Notes from Home Group Meeting (without margin notes) on 19 April 16

 

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-32

TEXT: "And the Lord said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock." (Exodus 33:21)

 

  I. CLOSER TO GOD GREATER THE REVELATION

       A. There is always a place for revelation. About a half century ago the song writer Cleland B. McAfee penned, "There is a place of quiet rest near to the heart of God." There is a place for such a revelation of rest that it changes the life. The children of Israel did not move toward this place, near the heart of God. Their history portrays them moving more away from God than toward God. Here at Sinai they withdrew from God. But Moses came toward God.

      B. In our approach toward God, we first, see and know very little. We do not know of the existence of a place near His heart. When we do learn of it, we do not see, perceive or understand it. "So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was" (Exodus 20:21) In out progressive revelation in God we constantly move toward the unknown. Some believers today are just like most of the those people under Moses' command, afraid of the unknown.  

      C. The unknown is usually the place to which God calls one for revelation and impartation. The unknown is a place where you meet very few people. But it is the place of greater and clearer revelation. It is the place near God where He talks with man face to face. It is the place where visions and dreams are laid aside for more direct communication.

      D. It is there the picture of the shield and banner fade. There He is seen to be that which natural things cannot portray. In that place there is no symbolism nor parable. Face to face with God of the universe!! Communication there is in the realm of the spirit, not in words of many language. Almost nothing of this high realm can be explained.

     E. In the darkness, God reaches down to pull a few up, beyond the known. I cannot explain any further as to how it takes place and what it is. It transcends the knowledge of man. "There is a place by Me," God said, "And you shall stand upon a rock."

     F. The standing upon the rock is very significant in the context. The need of a rock or stability underneath us is necessary. Without it God would not give such intensive revelation as He gave to Moses. Far less revelation than Moses had has swept away to ruin more than one preacher or teacher. Even revelation which can be expressed in language was taken by some as carried into paths of error. We need something unmovable under our feet. "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand."

    G. The solidity and immutability of the Word of God is certainly a rock upon which one can stand. "The words of His hands are verity and justice; All His commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever; And are done in truth and uprightness." (Psalm 111:7-8) There is somewhat of an echo of this in the words of Paul; "I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand." (I Corinthians 15:1)

 

II. PASSAGE OF DANGER

    A. There is a rock. God will provide. "So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. (Exodus 33:22) God will continually shield us from and sustain us in the dangers present in the glory of high revelation and impartation

    B. Peter was exposed to dangers in the manifestations on the mountain of transfiguration. If he had his way, that would have been headquarters, with Moses and Elijah sharing the headship with Jesus. (Luke 9:33) But God protected Peter from himself by redirecting him. (verses 34-36) Peter saw this tremendous manifestation with his natural senses. Even on that high level there is danger and a need for protection. How much greater the danger and need for protection on the higher level of seeing with the spiritual senses.

    C. One of the greatest dangers in revelation and manifestation is presumption. Peter presumed! Presumption is based upon a lack of the awareness of certain things, or not seeing the "big picture." That is, one does not usually consider that which he does not know. Revelation and manifestation, in themselves become a directive to certain people. A person can easily be misled by this, since the whole picture is rarely, if ever revealed.

    D. This is why we must depend upon the leading of the One Who knows all. When Peter saw all that glory and manifestation, he thought he was seeing the whole. That was the most he had ever seen. It was so great and glorious, that there was no thought in Peter that could be something more to this than meets the eyes. Thus, the danger of presumption.

 

III. PARTING THOUGHTS

    A. Not many escape the danger of lofty heights. Not many individuals can ascend the Mount of God and handle it all perfectly the rest of their lives. Moses failed. He struck the rock in presumption, instead of speaking to it as God ordered. But, God called him His friend! King Uzziah found lofty heights in God, only to lift up his heart (to become presumptuous) and fail (II Chronicles 26:5,16-21)

    B. Although it is difficult to maintain a lofty level in God, it is not impossible. For with God all things are possible.

FIRST IN OUR LIVES

Each of us has varying amounts of information about Jesus, and many are satisfied with this. But some (I wonder why not others) are being stirred to seek a higher level of spirituality in which they experience not only His presence or power, but have an active personal relationship with Him. Jesus desires to make Himself personally known to us. It is essential that we respond to this inner stirring of the Spirit especially at this present time as things seem to be collapsing while unfolding. Jesus said that we cannot enter the Kingdom (which is righteousness, love peace and joy in the Holy Spirit not a place or even a concept) except we first become as little children. In Mark Jesus tells us, "Allow the little children to come to Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say to you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” (Mark 10:14-15) Did you know little children are not that intellectual and unforgiving like most adults? Little children for the most part are obedient and can play (without causing problems) with about anyone. It is also important for us to understand that the LORD may move in ways that differ from our past expectations or experiences. The Children of Israel (In Exodus) never knew this and could not relate to God on Mount Sinai when He wanted to spend time with them. This means that our approach to this present stirring within our spirit must be with a child-like trust and faith. God's ways are high above our ways, but at the same time God's ways are foolish to the wise and strength to the weak. Paul tells us, “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” (1 Corinthians 1:27) The LORD's response to our seeking may be in a way that is not familiar to us or that may appear offensive ( most often when we resist Him) to our intellect. The LORD may do this to see if we are really sincere and if we are willing to accept Him on His terms. Herein is the test of our child-like faith and trust, “I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me.” (Proverbs 8:17) The LORD will respond to the expression of our heart’s desire to know Him. As we vocally express to Him our love for Him, “LORD, I love You” and you are first in my life He will respond to our heart and spirit felt approach. In the LORD's approach back He will respond in a special way to those who seek Him “early” or "those that seek Me early shall find Me." This "early" could mean we are to seek Him early in our lives as children so the years of our youth will not be lost in the stubble of misgivings and youthful waywardness we all seem to experience, but I think this “early” means that we are to quickly set aside "early" in the problems and circumstances we face in life, even "early" whatever we were doing and with a single purpose respond to His quickening presence in an unquestioning, unqualified anticipation of all that will follow without any attempt on our part to understand why or what. And when we put the LORD first and in all things acknowledge our utter dependence upon Him, then He will make Himself known to us. He then will work in our behalf and as a result we will receive a spiritual impartation from him which means that our lives will become a witness of His life. This is the “testimony of Jesus,” which is the expression of His life flowing out through the expression of our relationship to Him. Our primary calling as we put Him first (all else will follow in time) in our lives is to come to the LORD spending quality time in fellowship with Him. As we are faithful in our part He will be faithful in His part. This ministry may take many forms; from the expression of our personal experience as a witness to another, to our being called into some level (I shudder to call it higher) of ministry. In Matthew 13, a sower went forth to sow seed, which is the word of God and not money or abilities. Some of this seed fell by the wayside and was eaten by the birds. It is very important that the seed falls into carefully prepared soil if God has called us to be a teacher, if not scattering the seed as a sower broadcasts the seed will work fine with an Evangelist. But please know the distance from the hardened soil of the wayside to this prepared soil can be only one step. This step that we take into the place of preparation is very important, but while this inner work of the Holy Spirit is taking place, there may be no evidence of a harvest. This should not concern us as during this time of change, oh no the important thing is the changes that are taking place within us rather than what we are accomplishing. There have been times (I think we all experience them) when I have struggled to meet the LORD trying all kinds of ways, but getting nowhere. Then I became quiet and found that all the LORD required of me was for me to take one step to the side. When I did this He was there, He had been there all the time just waiting for me to wear myself out so I would yield and come His way. You see I have been trying to force the LORD to move as I thought He should. All I had to do was put Him first, yield, and come His way in child-like faith. The demands of our soulish desires are very real and ever present. To seek Him “early” requires of us a time of heart preparation. This involves a crucifixion of these self-centered desires with a determination to seek the LORD and spend time alone with Him. We must become serious concerning spiritual things. As we put the LORD first He will draw us to Himself and impart into us an adequate supply of what we need for our daily bread and what we need to build for the future. Written by David Stahl