LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH

I was sharing the Gospel with an acquaintance and another (I suppose) Christian kept cutting me off in mid conversation to tell me how important it is to love, but to be honest their words and actions just got in the way and made it awkward. I found myself having to re-circle their comments and try to draw them (their words) in to what I was saying. I achieved my goal and later as I thought about the conversation I realized they were disputing and contending with the word not because what I was staying was wrong, but because they wanted to be seen as important and knowledgeable. Now do not misunderstand me here I like the word love. Did you know the word "love" is used 280 times in the New Testament? And did you know the Greeks use eight words (some say 12 words) for what we use one word to mean. For example the word "philia" to have attachment for with a friend, "eros" where we get the word erotica (not a good word for love), "stogy" an attachment as a mother has for a son, or "agape" which means dedicated. In John we read, "For God so loved (dedicated) the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) Jesus dedicated Himself towards the world, He did not love it. There is a big difference between loving someone (you cannot really love a thing) and dedicating yourself towards them. Karen my wonderful wife gave me four wonderful kids, stuck with me as we have romped around the world, and has faithfully served me for almost 37 years. If I only loved her "eros" or "philia" because of her strength and beauty and when it fades as grass (we all like grass will wither and fade) then I too would fade away, but how could I do this? She has dedicated "agape" herself towards me, oh no my friend it is much more than love. Love is never enough. It takes more than love or even loving someone for someone to go to heaven. We can love someone with all that is within us and they still will go to hell unless they understand what sin has wrought in their lives, confess, and repent. Would it not be nice if all we had to do was love someone? Oh no, God has laid out a plan (His big idea) for us to follow (understand what sin has wrought in their lives, confess, and repent) and we cannot change that plan no matter how we try or want too. When we try to change it we are moving outside the fame work of God's plan for salvation, moving in direct rebellion (even in love) to what God has said and done. Christians that dispute the word and try to do things their way do so because of their immature thinking and strong doctrinal beliefs. They cannot cut through all of their religion and presumption and just let the Holy Spirit minister to the person. I am waiting on the right time to let my Christian (she says she is) friend know, but for now I know she cannot handle my words of correction so instead of losing her I will be long suffering and try to include her in things without losing sight of what God is doing. You know our love is a reflection of our emotions and feelings not an expression of one's need for salvation. To say you love someone yet do not tell them the truth of their need to understand what sin has wrought in their lives, confess, and repent is all about your need to be exalted and stroked and not the person's need for salvation. We must love them enough to put up with and endure the scorn, ridicule, and even the loss of their friendship. Paul told the Church at Ephesus, "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" (Ephesians 4:14-15) One can only imagine what was going here there. He did not tell them to just love them, "but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things." Love without truth is useless and destructive, it is selfish, and carnal wanting its way without confronting the sin that is at hand. Sin must be dealt with by us. God has done His part He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place for our sin, but before we can receive our salvation we must "confess" or agree with what God is saying about us is true and that is "for we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) And make no mistake my friend if you agree with "speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things" you will hated by acquaintances, neighbors, friends, and most of all family. I have seen this in my immediate family still to this day we have been excluded in family outings and not made a part of family plans because of our stance on the standards of God's word and the Gospel. Oh my family would say just love them (do not judge me) and everything will take care of its self, wrong. My dear and precious mother (who I believe to be in heaven now) whom I love and cherish so much had this area wrong. We cannot turn our head away from sin (even for the sake of family unity) and say to just love and pray for them that will never lead them to salvation, but gives them excuse and cover to continue in their ungodly ways and lifestyle. As I look back and now can see the condition of the lives (I was told to just love and pray for) involved I can see the word of God is true. Their lives today are even more messed up and sin has strengthened its heinous grip in new ways. No my friend loving them is not enough. Love is not enough. If we come to Christ we all must come the same way: understand what sin has wrought in our lives, confess, and repent now this is God's love.

WTFMT 36 (HGM FROM 19 SEP 16)

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-36

TEXT: "And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him." (Matthew 3:15)

I. ORDER OF RESPONSIBILITY

       A. You are not responsible for the whole world. Jesus Himself fulfilled that responsibility. Your responsibility lies within your own awareness and control.

       B. In Numbers 30:5, 8, 12-13, the responsibilities of a daughter or wife before the Lord, through a vow, could be nullified by the father or husband. Responsibilities are limited. Paul wrote to Timothy, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." (1 Timothy 5:8)

      C. Personal responsibility cannot possibly move out to an unlimited extend. You cannot be responsible for going to Asia or Africa if you have neglect your responsibility to provide for your immediate family in order to go to Africa. Perhaps God has led you to go to Africa. But the leading of God is not in question. The question is, "have you fulfilled your basic responsibility?" "First things first" is God's arrangement.

       D. If in our obedience we have God's priorities straight we will bring the glory and honor to Him which He intends. If these priorities are not in order we bring shame to Him. If a wife prophesies and disobeys her Godly husband, it brings shame to the Lord. If a husband preaches, but does not provide for his family it brings shame to the Lord. If a child is a helper at Church, but rebellious at home it brings shame to the Lord. We can do nothing for the Lord if we do not take care of first things first.  

      E. Obedience, and in its proper order, is God's prime concern in the lives of His Children. Thus He brings us under training in order to accomplish this. Training may first begin in natural and mechanical things. Once obedience is learned on this lower level then it is less difficult for God to get it moving on the spiritual level. The Lord uses our parents, pastors, and the Brethren to get obedience into us on the natural level.

       F. Chastisement is training. The Lord does not delight in chastening His children. He does delight in obedience. Thus He continues to chasten in order to bring us to a place of broad benefits. Through Abraham all nations become blessed (Galatians 3:6-9).

      G. God calls each of us to this same faithfulness that our lives may richly flow out to others throughout all ages to come. The far-reaching effect of our faithfulness in obedience is staggering even unbelievable. God train s us for this. We must learn to obey. For this reason we come to the school of obedience in the wilderness.

       H. Once we make proper progression along the lines of obedience we become responsible enough to begin to fulfill God's call into service. This is the time we receive our orders and direction to participate in the work of God. The call of God into service is upon every developed saint without exception.

       I. Paul exhorts us to, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11) The armor of God is not for the weakling. Not all believers are able for it. God is not going to call you into His active service unless there is some ability in you to fulfill that calling. I do not refer to natural ability, but rather the ability which God has been able to implant within you. The obedience and strength God instilled within us.

     J. The reason for the need of inner God-given ability and strength is the battle itself. Paul again gives us the reason, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12) Who are the wrestlers in "we wrestle?" They are not infants.

     K. Before Israel went in to posse the land they had training battles. In the wilderness they fought and defeated within forty-year period, about six kings. In Canaan Land they found and defeated 31 kings.

     L. King David was a man of war, but first he was trained. His first training took place in the sheep field. His second phase of training was on the battlefield with Goliath at a time when he was not yet able to handle armor. His third phase of training came when he was a renegade, on the run from King Saul. From there he went into full scale battle as king, with full armor, subduing kingdom after kingdom.

 

II. PARTING THOUGHTS

   A. In our training we sometimes feel as if we are in full scale battle. That intensity in training is necessary to prepare us. Some believers never succeed in their training. Therefore they never come into the fullness of the battle.

BE NOT CONFORMED

They say if you want to hide something from someone do it in front of them. As a school teacher I have learned the skilled talkers do not sit in the back of the room, but in the front. So too with Scripture. One of the most preached on and recited verse in the Bible is Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2), but it almost is the most ignored verse in the Bible. I find it amazing (God is so amazing) God allows us to live in an environment of cause and effect making our own choices and learning from them as we suffer the consequences. And a part of the learning process is the ignoring of Scripture meant for our benefit. I would like to get deep here for a moment by making a statement and then expounding on my thought. Where there is a lack of judgment the expression of mercy can be a fault. wow I hope you were sitting down. In other words from lack of judgment the mercy we give may be wrong to give. I know this is deep, but we can get through it. For example: having a love for the truth is more important than knowing all truth. How we go hard after the understanding of truth when all we really need is just a desire for truth. Or having a love for God is more important than to be used in ministry and moving in God in powerful ways. How we go hard after being used in ministry by God when all we have to do is have a love for God and He will take it from there. The same truth holds true as we consider not being conformed by this world. Paul knew the look and actions of the outward man reflects the inward work in man done by God. Paul knew, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee." (Proverbs 23:7) He knew how we think inwardly will reflect us outwardly. No matter how hard we try we cannot change this divine spiritual truth. Thus, if you look and act like the world no matter how much you say you love God you love the world more than you love God. It all goes back to the duck . . . if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, smells like a duck, and sounds like a duck it probably is not a chicken. The Bible says, "come out of the world, and be separate" (the word "separate" means judgment) and the only way we can come out of the world is in our thinking and our approach to the things in the world. John knew this also, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15) Now I can find myself here at times loving things of the world. Did you get the end of that verse, "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" not that we have sinned and on our way to hell, but "the love of the Father is not in us." And why? Because we have the love of the world in us and good and evil cannot come from the same fountain. How can we say we love God and have our (Christians) bodies tattooed, our face and bodies pierced with shinny things, or our pants hanging around our knees, and so much more? All of these are expressions of the world that project a message and thinking that is anti-Christ born of man's exalting his flesh over Christ. I hear Christians say I am just expressing my artistic nature, no they are expressing their carnal ungodly nature that has not be dealt with by God. Now many would say David you are judging and I would say you are 100% right I am judging. Not judging is one of the biggest reasons why the Christians are is such a mess (and the world sees it) they have no ability to judge themselves, others, and ungodly situations that get them off track with God. Did you know there are some people you cannot hang around and there are some places you cannot go and still serve God. We are conformed to the world by our outward world-like appearance, like different colored hair, wearing the latest clothing styles (modesty in all things reveals a heart dealt with by God), following Hollywood and the "beautiful people," but more from our inward heart condition that rejects a holy God and what He stands for. How can we say we love God and our life is so plugged in to hand held devices where technology has replaced time spent with the LORD? No my friend we have been deceived by the god's of this world. Make no mistake there is a god of this present world called technology and the more Christians (even in our church services) go after it the less God will be welcomed into our lives. We will displace God and His Holy Spirit with the mind pleasing sensations and logical way of technology to connect with man instead of a holy God. Jesus is not hip nor is He on line. He is the saviour of the world and we must come His way. Through the message of the Cross, death to our selfishness as He deals and judges in our lives. A few years ago we went up in a small little town far back in the mountains of Pinhook, VA over the 4th of July ministering with Pastor Niki from Silistra, Bulgaria and his wonderful family. Now Pinhook is in the kuntry (not country) back where you have to pump in sun shine. I was talking (to mainly older folks) about judgment and asked who carries their cell phone in their right rear pocket and many hands shot up. I was surprised, but then I said, who told you to put your cell phone in your right rear pocket? The hands slowly dribbled down in shame. They have been conformed (without them really knowing it) by the worldly practice of stowing a cell phone in a right rear pocket. How subtle and deceptive the world can be in small areas that always leads to bigger areas of our lives. They are hanging on trying to walk a Christian walk, but with no judgment of discernment. They are not able to tell what is going on around them in the Spirit or what the will of God for them is in their daily living, they are so drunk with "stuff." These Christian have no clear judgment. How much of the self-gratifying pleasures are we drinking? How much do we load ourselves up with what the world has to offer? How much of this cup to we drink? Our self-centered, self-indulgences is greatly seen from the lack of judgment and the inability to judge ourselves. One of the greatest dangers of being self-centered is the inability to know the difference between that which is darkness and that which is light. Their thinking and ability to make correct and righteous judgments about situations, others, and themselves is the difference between life and death. Before we can judge we need to have an ability of discernment to know the difference between righteousness and unrighteousness, holy and unholy, and Godly and ungodly. Without this ability we will not be able to judge ourselves nor will we be able to judge righteousness judgment. God began this divine spiritual principle in the Old testament in the Book of Leviticus, "Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out. 23And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. 24But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people. 25Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. 26And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine." (Leviticus 20:22-26) and has carried it forward into the New Testament. Peter knew something about judgment. "For the time is come that judgment (separation) must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17) Whenever we judge something there is always a separation. This tomato is ripe this tomato is not ripe so I will not select this unripe tomato. So too in our lives. This situation is ungodly this situation is not so I will separate myself from the ungodly situation. Right or wrong there is a judging and separation. Once we come to a judgment we judge it and it is either condemned or accepted. Whether it is unclean or clean is beside the point. If we judge it as unclean then it is unclean whether it is or not. We make a judgment so that we can separate things that are not of God, condemn them, and so that they do not follow us along our walk with the LORD, if not they will follow us to heaven. The main reason we are conformed to this world is because we have been deceived (our flesh revels in disobedience and deception) by the gods of this world and because we really do not have an understanding and a love for God. Where does Judgment begin and what are the results? When we are separated from others and become the LORD's in a fuller way we are brought to development and growth. God expects us to grow into maturity to the extent that we will be able to judge ourselves and others. Self-judgment can only be accomplished by those who have matured enough to see themselves in the perspective from how the LORD sees things. Sin CANNOT take root in us if we are "truly" convinced of God's love for us and His forgiveness. Sin is not an issue with God, but it is with man. This understanding will also prevent us from desiring to willfully sin. We understand God's desire towards us in a greater way, we hold the mystery of the Gospel in a higher esteem thus we have no desire to sin, we simply do right. Doing right becomes natural to us, it becomes our way of life. If we do not learn now to judge ourselves we will not be able, we will not have the ability to judge worldly things around us nor the Angels. We will not be free to move and touch lives with the life of Christ, even in the smallest matters, and why? Because within us is such a poor representation of the life of Christ.

NO FLESH SHALL GLORY

Not sure if you all caught the Olympics this year, but I did at times. I guess I am not dead yet because at times I found myself cheering on my country against another country (or one person against another) for something as silly as a gold, silver, or bronze medal. In the Olympics from its early years the reward or prize would be a laurel crown and at times would be held over the victor's head as someone (usually a slave) whispered in their ear all glory is fleeting. How petty and often foolish we can be when striving, training for years, enduring hardships for years, dedicating ourselves to reach a goal or to beat a time while neglecting the things of God. Now I will not say all of the athletes at the Olympics in 2016 fit this statement, but I would be surprised if more than 1% of all of the athletes really knew God. I seldom heard the word God mentioned, but the Muslims did a good job of this. Now I could be wrong and will be the first to admit it after all "no one knows one's heart" right well maybe that statement is not true 100% of the time. Jesus tells us, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man." (Matthew 15:18) (also see Matthew 12:34) In other words whatsoever is in our heart (where are our treasures what we think is really important) is what we talk about. If I want to know what you like or who you like all I have to do is let you talk and you will tell me everything you like to do and who you like and do not like. My old boss at US Europe Command in Stuttgart, Germany showed this spiritual truth every time we sat down and talked shop. We would talk about critical US military issues in the world revolving around Europe, African, the Middle East, and Russia, but all he had to do to get me really going (his words not mine) is ask how my ministry and church is doing and out of my mouth would roll out the love I had in my heart for the people and the work God gave me . We cannot resist talking about things we really like and things we really do not like. We as flawed humans saved by grace love to speak our mind and tell anybody who will listen what we think and our opinion on issues. But in God dedication and commitment to earthly rewards and medals (scores and times) are NOT the measure of a successful man. Paul in 2 Timothy gives us the standard in God whereby we can receive the crown, "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." (2 Timothy 2:4-5) In God the crown (reward or medal) of a race does not go to the smartest, the one swiftest of foot, or to the strongest, but to the one "except he strive lawfully." The key word here is "lawfully" it means within the law or framework God has designed something to be done. The Olympics has strict rules in which to compete, but don't you know God's rules are stricter? And why? Because His rewards are of eternal value not temporal. Here is the divine spiritual principle, the greater the rules, the greater the reward. Funny to know the only rules for salvation is to repent then believe (in that order), but to be used of God and to be able to carry His mysteries and wondrous message in your heart and life, no flesh must glory in His presence. There must be a spiritual death to our: selfishness, self-seeking, pride, arrogance, presumption, and all that is in our carnal nature through His dealings and judgments. It is when our flesh is killed God can be glorified if not and until then we will exalt ourselves over each other and God at every opportunity. We will try to take advantage of each other and God in everything we do. Every relationship we enter will be built on our self's ability and strength and glorying in each seemingly important achievement, but in reality they are fleeting and will pass away as the clouds move in the sky and as the water rolls across the rocks. No my friend the Olympics is nothing more than man exalting his flesh; striving to run faster and longer, jump higher, swim longer and faster, you name it while shaking their fist in the face of God and saying I do not need you. It is a time when all in the world comes together in unity of the spirit of competition and not in unity of the Spirit of God. It is a time when man strives to reach into the heavens and pull God down in the eyes and heart of many people on the earth so they could glory in their flesh. In the newspaper I read and on the TV I heard Olympic village life (where most of the athletics stayed) was nothing more than drunken orgies (24/7) where drugs and sex by all comers flowed freely and I believe this. The heart of man does not want to abide under restraints or limitations, oh no when out of the restraint of authority, especially God's authority, the best man will be is in open rebellion and reprobation. We see a time like this in the book of Genesis when King Nimrod (the mighty archer see Genesis 10:9) built a tower for one purpose and that was to be able to put an arrow in the heart of God. The people under King Nimrod on the earth at this time said, "Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." (Genesis 11:4) Out of their own mouth came their punishment. God has been dealing with this type of thinking (even in me sometimes) in man since time eternal. Man always wants to make "a name for himself" thus the heart and spirit of the Olympics, but God wanted nothing to do with what King Nimrod and the people on earth wanted. You see they wanted to come together in one language. If all can speak the same language then communication, thoughts, and ideas (even though ungodly) will flow freely and man will press himself higher in his thinking and in the eyes of other men while God is pushed down in the thinking and thoughts of man, thus man glorying in his flesh. God acted, "And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. 7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. 9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth." (Genesis 11:5-9) I do not believe globalization (every nation of the world working together to benefit each other) is what God has in mind for His (all souls, Ezekiel 18:14, belong to God even the unsaved) humanity. God has separated the races (back in Genesis) by separating the languages and man has been trying to reverse what God has done ever since. Most of the deeds and laws passed by governments in America and other countries of the world are anti-Christ and anti God's word. And why? Because the heart of man not under the restrictions and limitations of God is in open rebellion and wants to resist all that God says is true and healthy for man. In direct rebellion to God and His word. In 1963 prayer was taken out of schools and now we see the mess the school system in America is in now we have kids killing kids. In 1973 abortion was legalized giving women the "right" (in God we have no rights except what God gives us) to choose life over 9 months of inconvenience in direct rebellion to God and His word. In 2015 homosexuality and the whole LGBTQ agenda (through gay marriage decision) was made legalized in the land of America in direct rebellion to God and His word. The flesh of the Court systems of America said, we know better than God so we will exalt our flesh and shake our fist in the face of God. Well, history is full of civilizations and countries who thought and acted like America, strewn over the eons of time in destruction and desolation. Make no mistake my friend God will not allow America or any nation to exalt their flesh over Him. There will come a time when God says, "enough is enough" and visits them like He did with Nimrod and the Tower of Babel, but much worse. God knows the longer man works together the more he will go astray. God is a God of boundaries man wants no boundaries. God is a God of borders man wants no borders. God is a God of restrictions and limitations while man wants no restrictions or limitations. God knows limitations and restrictions ends in fulfillment and purpose. This is why the nominal and denominational churches are wandering in unfulfillment and lack of purpose. Their purpose is to glory in their structure, by-laws, and loyal followers thus glorying in their flesh, but God does not operate that way. And this is why most of the nominal and denominational churches are empting out. Even unrighteous people know truth when they hear and see it. I hear a non believers say they despise the church for becoming like the world. The world is looking for a savior (found only in the person of Jesus Christ), but the church is glorying in their flesh and offers salvation in the name of its denomination or process of which there is no salvation found. Paul tells us the truth and hits us hard in the stomach, "And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:28-31) Now this is an example of reverse truth. "The base things of the world, and things which are despised" that God hath chosen are not the things of the world, but the things of God, the things the world would consider to be "base" and "despised." Remember, spiritual things are foolish and not received by man until they allow the Holy Spirit to open up their understanding and heart. Paul too helps us with this, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) How foolish it must sound to people who glory in their flesh. Ah a mystery of God. When we glory in our flesh or others flesh we admit to God, "we know not the things of God" because of the lack of our spiritual awareness. But the real danger in this verse is, "neither can he know them" this speaks of a potential lack in the individual that can only be met by allowing the Holy Spirit (and He will do His job) to deal and judge in their lives, until then they are dead to God and all that God stands for is foolishness to them just like the Olympics.

WTFMT 35 HGM 23 AUGUST 2016

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-35 TEXT: "And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying," (Numbers 9:1)

I. MORE ABOUT OBEDIENCE

       A. Part of His indwelling life is obedience. One of the reasons for which God brings us into the wilderness and the unknown is to learn obedience.
       B. The first few lessons of obedience are not difficult. God did not immediately tell the Israelites to go up and possess the Promised Land. But one of the first lessons was relatively simple. "And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel." (Numbers 14:5)
       C. He starts teaching us obedience in the small things. Things we think are not important to God, things that we believe are insignificant, things that God does not notice. As a new believer we cannot handle the heavier things of God. But, moving in obedience in the small things of God will qualify us for moving in the bigger heavier things of God.
       D. By learning to develop an understanding of the importance of obedience and the ability to recognize His voice we then can move in a greater understanding of what obedience to God is. In other words; We understand and move in greater obedience to the Lord by being obedient to the Lord. How can we can grow in the Lord if we do not do what He is teaching us?
       F. If we cannot hear the Lord's voice and move in obedience in small things we will not be able, in the future, to move in greater things of the Lord.
      G. The passover was instituted while they were in Egypt. Once they were in the Wilderness of Sinai, the Lord commanded them to keep the Passover. In this way they could begin to exercise obedience to the Lord in times of freedom or times when we can exercise our free will.
      H. If obedience was not learned in the wilderness, the children of Israel would not enter the Promise Land. The first relatively simple lessons in obedience soon fade into the background in light of more difficult lessons thrust upon us as we progress in our schooling. Obedience in the glory of His presence, when there is water aplenty, is not to difficult. What is much more difficult is obedience in darkness without water. In our difficult terrain we learn the most about obedience. Thus it is necessary that God takes us over rough roads to train us properly.
     I. Proper training in obedience prepares us (it is hoped) to obey without questioning. When God speaks and leads, He does not usually say why or explain the purposes. If we learn our lessons well, we will walk in His command without asking , "why?"
    J. After we learn not to ask why, the next trick we use to get our way is to make stipulations. This will not work. We must learn to follow Him without questions and without stipulation and without deals. Obedience should be based upon nothing but that which God commands. Our lives may depend on it.
   K. Immediate obedience may save our physical life or preserve us from other dangers. For more important reasons than our physical well-being God wants us to learn obedience. This is why in the school of obedience God gives us a very rough course. Usually one does not know what's going on in the realm of obedience until it is completed.
    L. Little did King Saul realize that failure in his test of obedience would cost him his kingdom. (I Samuel 15:11-28) In disobedience there is loss. In obedience there is gain, not just for the one, but for many others. "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (Romans 5:19) There is no substitute for obedience. Some folks will pray rather than obey.
    M. A lady was playing the organ, God directed her to pass out tracts beginning with her nearest neighbor, but she was so taken up with her tearful worship and the presence of God she ignored God directive. A second time the Lord urged her, but still she continued to play the organ. About two hours later she heard a great commotion outside. She looked and saw at the nearest neighbor home am ambulance, fire truck, and police. She later found out that the neighbor, alone at home had committed suicide.
    N. Obedience is better than the tearful joy of basking in the presence of God. Nothing will take the place of obedience.

II. PARTING THOUGHTS
    A. Obedience is of great importance. It goes beyond ourselves into an ever broadening area. If we were the only one involved in our obedience, the importance would be greatly diminished. Consider the case with the disciples of Jesus. Their obedience has reached out over two thousand years to touch our lives.
    B. We are one grain of wheat, one seed. We come into God's life and obedience. We fall into the ground and die to self. Now there is a production which touches the lives of many. Where does it end? It never does. And this is just your obedience, no one else's.

OUR GREATEST NEED

As we step back and look at our "needs" we often go to God and beech Him to meet our needs, but in fact nowhere in the Bibles does God say He will meet our "needs." Now please do not get me wrong God does care (to a degree, but not as much as we think He does) about our physical concerns, that is because He knows we have greater "needs" in our lives than what to wear, eat, drive, or a place to live. Matthew puts things in proper perspective when he said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) all of "these things" are the things we wear, things to eat, what to drive, and the place to live. I always find it funny when I go to Africa, India, Nepal, etc. and visit the home of Christians from these areas who do not have nice clothes to wear, food eat, something to drive, or a place to live some would say God has not met their needs. Well I would beg to differ with them. I would say God has met their needs, but not in the way most Christians today believe or have been taught. I find it strange how some Christians use the Gospel as a crutch to soften the troubles of life while others use the Gospel as a way to survive. Each of us has varying amounts of information about God and many are satisfied to use this information to get what they want from God by manipulating Him while others are content with just being grateful for the things that God gives them. One of the most misquoted Scriptures in the Bible is, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) we like "his riches in glory" part and connect our needs to them, well it does not say "needs" it says "need." "Needs" are things, "need" is the attitude about caring for things. Another misquoted Scripture is, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7) Most Christians say, "casting all your cares," but it does not say cares, it says care. Cares are things, care is the attitude of caring for things. So we are to cast our attitude for caring about things (what to wear, eat, drive, or a place to live) on the LORD, because "he careth for you." Our "needs" consume most of our day, but I wonder how this world and our walk with the LORD would look if we spend more of our time concerned about the "needs" of others? Now to be fair there are some Christians who 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. Now that is a need worth casting our care on. The LORD 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 we are approaching the Kingdom Age. I really believe what many Christians call the church age (I do not really know for sure) is winding down and the LORD will (maybe soon) return for those have allowed Him to move them past satisfying their "needs" into a personal relationship with Him. Jesus said that we cannot enter the Kingdom, except we first become as little children. Luke tells us, "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein." (Luke 18:17) Jesus could be talking about the kingdom age I do not know, but probably is talking about what the kingdom of God is, "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14:17) You know little kids do not worry if their parents have paid the electric bill, have food to eat, drive a nice car, oh no all they really worry about is does their parents really love them. Now here is where it gets deep. It is important for us to understand that the LORD may move in ways that differ from our past expectations or experiences. This means that our approach to this present stirring within our spirit must be with a child-like trust and faith. 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) And later in 1 Corinthians, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:12) The LORD's response to our seeking may be in a way that is not familiar to us or that may appear offensive to our intellect. The Children of Israel had this test at Sinai, but failed and only Moses could have communion and receive an impartation from God. 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... that I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.” (Proverbs 8:17, 21) 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 He will become interested the more in us. The LORD is saying that He will respond in a special way to those who seek Him “early” (those that seek Me early shall find Me). This “early” means that we quickly set aside whatever we were doing and respond to His quickening presence in unquestioning, unqualified anticipation of all that will follow, without any attempt on our part to understand why, what or to have our needs satisfied. One of the biggest draw backs in our relationship with the LORD and our brothers and sisters is us putting our selfish needs first in our lives. When we put the LORD first and in all things acknowledge our utter dependence upon Him then He will make Himself known to us, and also, He will work on our behalf. As a result, we will receive spiritual substance 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 words and deeds reflect our relationship with the LORD. Our primary calling is not to ministry, miracles, the "things" in what the church today prays for, but come to know the LORD and spending quality time in fellowship with Him. As we are faithful in our part He will be faithful in His part. The important thing is that we have spent time with the LORD so we might receive the something that is to be given in the outworking expression to our brothers and sisters. Our time of preparation is very important as we can only give that which we have received. Thus as we spend time in His presence, the LORD will impart into our lives the potential for all that pertains to our calling. It is one thing to be called, but another to be sent. After all many are called, but few are chosen. Those chosen are not chosen because they have been called (many are called) oh no those chosen were chosen because they choose the LORD first. Our correct choices establishes our future especially in God. In Matthew Chapter 13, a sower went forth to sow. Some of this seed fell by the wayside and was eaten by the birds. It is very important that the seed (Word of God not money and things) falls into carefully prepared soil for our being in the center of His will and purpose for us. The distance from the hardened soil of the wayside to this prepared soil is but 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 the important thing is the changes that are taking place within us rather than what we are accomplishing. When I was a young Christian (and maybe even now at times) there have been times 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 us was for us to take one step to the side out of the way. When I did this He was there. He had been there waiting for me to wear myself out, so I would yield and come His way. I was trying to force the LORD to move as I thought He should. All I had to do was 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” not only as a child, but also 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. As we do this the LORD will draw us to Himself and impart into us an adequate supply of that which we need to meet our "need" (which is more of Him) that He might send us forth to preach the word, heal the sick, and cast out devils. What is our greatest need? To come to the LORD with a child-like faith.

WTFMT 34 (HGM 26 JUL 16)

Teaching note for HGM on 26 Jul 16

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-34 (NKJV) TEXT: "These are the statutes and judgements and laws which the Lord made between Himself and the children of Israel on Mount Sinai by the hand of Moses." (Leviticus 26:46)

I. KNOW AND LIVE
       A. God gives direction that we may know His ways. WE need to pay attention! Here are the instructions, not for the Israelites only, but also for us today. This is the setup, in shadow for them, in reality for us today.
       B. "That you may live," is the purpose of God's commandments. "Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers. "So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord." (Deuteronomy 8:1,3) Experience is to teach that the Word which God gives is life to man.
     C. The law was not given to kill the people. God said this in "Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and mu judgements: which if a man do, he shall live in [by] them: I am the LORD." (Leviticus 18:5) All that God gives His people is designed to lead them into the fulfillment of life. Both the path leading to life and the path leading to death were revealed to His people.
    D. The path which we follow will be the path of our own choice. The blessings of life are set in the path of God. "And all these blessings of life shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shall hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God." (Deuteronomy 28:2) "But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not [your choice] hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee." (Deuteronomy 28:15)
    E. God's choice and provision are that we might have His life and benefit from its blessing. But our choice is that which determines our final outcome. We determine the path which will lead us to our eternal dwelling place, whether in God's glory or in the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)

II. HIS DWELLING PLACE
     A. Dwelling places are very important to God. Numbers 1:1, Exodus 25:8, I Chronicles 17:5-6, and many more verses speak of God's desire for a dwelling place. God was willing to live in the wilderness for forty years without complaining about the provisions or about not having a dwelling place. (I Chronicles 17:5-6)
    B. In the wilderness God gave Moses the plans for His dwelling place. This dwelling place was built and set up in the wilderness. And in the wilderness God inhabited it. If the wilderness is good enough for God to live in, it should be good enough fro His children.
    C. I would like to live where God lives. If He lives in Heaven, I want to be there. If He is living in the wilderness, I want to be there. If He is living in the valley, I want to be there. If he is living on top of the mountain, I want to be there. Location is very immaterial to me. It always has been in this earth. It doesn't matter where God is; that's the place for me. Many believers sing C.F. Butler's hymn, "Where Jesus is, 'tis heaven there." But very few will believe it.

III. PARTING THOUGHTS A. God wants to get as close to His people as possible. First He wants to dwell "in" them. That will not be accomplished over the entire population. There will be some that will be suitable only for God's dwelling "with."
      B. God does not always get the entirety of that which He seeks. He is not willing that any should perish, but some do. He will be content to get what He can. He looks to certain quality people for His dwelling place, forever.
     C. Some people want to live in Heaven forever. But the forever situation is you in God and God in you. Even the new earth may not be a forever situation. The geographic location is of no importance. God could camp in Hell. Even in that place He would be your shield. The powers of Hell have no adverse affect upon the God.
      D. There is no power greater than God!! There is no power which can burst into God and wreck everything there. Earthly circumstances cannot destroy that arrangement of God in you and you in God.
      E. In this present world, in tribulation, in distress, in anguish, in despair, in trouble, God wants to live in you, and wants you to live in Him. He intends this to be a constant and permanent arrangement. He does not want you to leave Him. He says, "I'll never leave you."
      F. Some individuals whom God brings into the wilderness will leave God because of the situation. God doesn't want that. He wants you to stick with Him, for He has brought you into the wilderness in order to make you His dwelling place. Be content to live where God lives, so that He can live in you.