Luke 14:26-33
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." Sounds like a message to be digested by a mature Christian, doesn't it?
"For which of you , intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it--- lest, AFTER HE HAS LAID THE FOUNDATION, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'this man began to build and was not able to finish'." What does "coming to Him", "counting the cost" of starting and "laying the foundation" mean to you regarding our salvation through/in Christ Jesus? Could Jesus be saying to those who are considering accepting the Lord's salvation by being born again that they should know what they are getting into?
"Or what king, going to make war against another king, DOES NOT SIT DOWN FIRST AND CONSIDER WHETHER HE IS ABLE with ten thousand TO MEET HIM WHO COMES AGAINST HIM with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation AND ASKS CONDITIONS OF PEACE. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple".
I believe the Lord showed me a clear example of what Jesus is saying here. I had heard sometime ago that there are few medical school students who leave school or fail out; very few (less than a few percent). Yet medical school is one of the most rigorous of matriculations, both in intensity of study and length of time to graduate. Very expensive! Would seem to me that those circumstances would produce many dropouts. Why not? The medical student has already counted the cost- he/she knows what is expected long before application.
Now apply that to our Christian population. Is that what we see, a small percentage of dropouts? Maybe the converts to Christianity are not being informed of the cost of discipleship. Maybe the prospective converts should be read this before they lay the foundation so they may finish strong!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Persistence
Luke 11:5-8; 18:1-8
Luke 11:8 "I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs". As I understand it, this portion of scripture separates between the relationship we have with God as Christians and those who, in their fellowship and intimacy with Him, continue to come to Him for who He is, for He is the bread of life(John 6:48) and the bread that came down from heaven (John 6:41).
Luke 18:5-8 "yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her lest by her continual coming she weary me". Jesus then advises us to "hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes will He really find faith on the earth?"
We should not be content with just a distant relationship with God (I say this to those who have been justified by the Blood of Jesus Christ). We must understand that "continual coming" to God through church fellowship, bible study and prayer will be met with all the bread of life that you need- Jesus Himself.
Some time ago, I felt the Lord put this message into prayer-form as a blessing for me to confess. "If you will continue to come and cry out to Me for Me day and night even though I bear long with you, I will give you all the bread of life that you need (all of Him that you need which is more than enough) and avenge you for My righteous cause". This would be a good confession for any Christian.
The final sentence asks how much faith Jesus will find when He comes. How many will He find who are willing to continue to come, to cry out to Him for Him even though He bears long with them in what He said He would do for those who diligently seek Him!
If you would like to discuss this or any previous messages, please feel free to call me, George Harlow. (609)312-1178
Luke 11:8 "I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs". As I understand it, this portion of scripture separates between the relationship we have with God as Christians and those who, in their fellowship and intimacy with Him, continue to come to Him for who He is, for He is the bread of life(John 6:48) and the bread that came down from heaven (John 6:41).
Luke 18:5-8 "yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her lest by her continual coming she weary me". Jesus then advises us to "hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes will He really find faith on the earth?"
We should not be content with just a distant relationship with God (I say this to those who have been justified by the Blood of Jesus Christ). We must understand that "continual coming" to God through church fellowship, bible study and prayer will be met with all the bread of life that you need- Jesus Himself.
Some time ago, I felt the Lord put this message into prayer-form as a blessing for me to confess. "If you will continue to come and cry out to Me for Me day and night even though I bear long with you, I will give you all the bread of life that you need (all of Him that you need which is more than enough) and avenge you for My righteous cause". This would be a good confession for any Christian.
The final sentence asks how much faith Jesus will find when He comes. How many will He find who are willing to continue to come, to cry out to Him for Him even though He bears long with them in what He said He would do for those who diligently seek Him!
If you would like to discuss this or any previous messages, please feel free to call me, George Harlow. (609)312-1178
Saturday, April 21, 2012
The Old Wine is Better?
Luke 5:36-39
"Then He spoke a parable to them: 'No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise THE NEW MAKES A TEAR, and also the piece that was taken out OF THE NEW does not match the old.
"And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else THE NEW WINE WILL BURST THE WINESKINS AND BE RUINED. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new, for he says, 'The old is better'."
What is the significance of new garments and wine? I would say that the new garments and wine are meant to replace what is old. Jesus instructs that new wine must be put into new wineskins; new wine into old wineskins will cause the old wineskins to burst and the new wine will be wasted. I would say Jesus is first informing those of the day that they should not attempt to receive the new, in fact they cannot receive the new victoriously without making room in their hearts to be a new creation. The revelation to man that he must be "born again" is not the last revelation he/she will receive, is it? I thank God He has continued to reveal Himself/His will to me since I received the Lord's salvation! Each time He speaks by His word we must be willing to "make room for the new", otherwise what He is attempting to reveal will be lost.
Assuredly, there were those who said to themselves regarding Jesus' ministry and the impending new testament: "the old is good". We must be aware that we who have received His salvation can put ourselves in the same position, saying: "what I have learned from Him to this point is enough", especially if we have heard the same teaching on a given subject for a while. What you have heard about/from Him to this point will not be "good or enough" if He has more to reveal to you so that you may be made to walk just as He walked!
"Then He spoke a parable to them: 'No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise THE NEW MAKES A TEAR, and also the piece that was taken out OF THE NEW does not match the old.
"And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else THE NEW WINE WILL BURST THE WINESKINS AND BE RUINED. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new, for he says, 'The old is better'."
What is the significance of new garments and wine? I would say that the new garments and wine are meant to replace what is old. Jesus instructs that new wine must be put into new wineskins; new wine into old wineskins will cause the old wineskins to burst and the new wine will be wasted. I would say Jesus is first informing those of the day that they should not attempt to receive the new, in fact they cannot receive the new victoriously without making room in their hearts to be a new creation. The revelation to man that he must be "born again" is not the last revelation he/she will receive, is it? I thank God He has continued to reveal Himself/His will to me since I received the Lord's salvation! Each time He speaks by His word we must be willing to "make room for the new", otherwise what He is attempting to reveal will be lost.
Assuredly, there were those who said to themselves regarding Jesus' ministry and the impending new testament: "the old is good". We must be aware that we who have received His salvation can put ourselves in the same position, saying: "what I have learned from Him to this point is enough", especially if we have heard the same teaching on a given subject for a while. What you have heard about/from Him to this point will not be "good or enough" if He has more to reveal to you so that you may be made to walk just as He walked!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
The Power of His Resurrection
On a Sunday in April, Christians formally celebrate the biblical depiction of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
On Easter Sunday 2007, I was at a sunrise worship service when I received a word from the Lord, saying: "I(Jesus) suffered, I died, I was buried; on the third day I rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures". We know that Jesus presented Himself to the disciples after His resurrection (John 20,21). Instantly after the word from the Lord, He reminded me of Ephesians 1:19-23 which reads, "and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us WHO BELIEVE, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the DEAD and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power, might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come, and He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." What the Father did for Jesus, He wants to do for us.
Hebrews 9:16, 17 reads "For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator (Jesus). For a testament IS IN FORCE after MEN ARE DEAD since it has no power at all while the testator lives." Men are dead or this Man is dead? Certainly the Jesus is the Testator. Why does the Word clearly read MEN? The New Testament is not in force (in essense, walking just as Jesus walked) unless men are dead. Physically dead? No. Dead to what? Ask Him! He will be glad you did. He knows exactly what is in your way and is keeping you from experiencing the full force of His New Testament! He wants to fill all in all! He will resurrect all who will lay down there lives for the one He has in mind!
On Easter Sunday 2007, I was at a sunrise worship service when I received a word from the Lord, saying: "I(Jesus) suffered, I died, I was buried; on the third day I rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures". We know that Jesus presented Himself to the disciples after His resurrection (John 20,21). Instantly after the word from the Lord, He reminded me of Ephesians 1:19-23 which reads, "and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us WHO BELIEVE, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the DEAD and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power, might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come, and He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." What the Father did for Jesus, He wants to do for us.
Hebrews 9:16, 17 reads "For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator (Jesus). For a testament IS IN FORCE after MEN ARE DEAD since it has no power at all while the testator lives." Men are dead or this Man is dead? Certainly the Jesus is the Testator. Why does the Word clearly read MEN? The New Testament is not in force (in essense, walking just as Jesus walked) unless men are dead. Physically dead? No. Dead to what? Ask Him! He will be glad you did. He knows exactly what is in your way and is keeping you from experiencing the full force of His New Testament! He wants to fill all in all! He will resurrect all who will lay down there lives for the one He has in mind!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Invested in what He has given
Matthew 25:14-30
The Parable of the Talents begins by stating that "the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability, and immediately he went on a long journey". A talent was an amount of money.
We read that the servant who had been issued five talents traded with those and made another five; he who had been issued two gained two more and he who had been issued one hid what he had been given, investing nothing into what he had received. We read that the Lord was pleased with the two who had increased what was given them but he who handed back what was given was "wicked and lazy"- the talent given him was taken away and added to he who had ten.
"For to every one who has, more will be given; and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have; even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth". Is the Lord teaching us that if we don't double our money we shall be cast into outer darkness? The servants who HAD the given talents made more talents: the servants that HAVE a revelation of Jesus Christ INVEST themselves (all their heart, soul and strength) in the revelation, and as they put action to that faith, more is given and eventually they will HAVE in abundance. Those who do not HAVE will not INVEST themselves in what the Lord has revealed to them; they assign inaccurate attributes to God (notice the two profitable servants had nothing bad to say about their Lord); even what they HAD will be taken away. I am impressed this means that at some point God had made Himself real to this sort of person. Instead of acting on the revelation of Jesus Christ, they turn from it, ultimately to their destruction.
The Parable of the Talents begins by stating that "the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability, and immediately he went on a long journey". A talent was an amount of money.
We read that the servant who had been issued five talents traded with those and made another five; he who had been issued two gained two more and he who had been issued one hid what he had been given, investing nothing into what he had received. We read that the Lord was pleased with the two who had increased what was given them but he who handed back what was given was "wicked and lazy"- the talent given him was taken away and added to he who had ten.
"For to every one who has, more will be given; and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have; even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth". Is the Lord teaching us that if we don't double our money we shall be cast into outer darkness? The servants who HAD the given talents made more talents: the servants that HAVE a revelation of Jesus Christ INVEST themselves (all their heart, soul and strength) in the revelation, and as they put action to that faith, more is given and eventually they will HAVE in abundance. Those who do not HAVE will not INVEST themselves in what the Lord has revealed to them; they assign inaccurate attributes to God (notice the two profitable servants had nothing bad to say about their Lord); even what they HAD will be taken away. I am impressed this means that at some point God had made Himself real to this sort of person. Instead of acting on the revelation of Jesus Christ, they turn from it, ultimately to their destruction.
Monday, March 19, 2012
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
Matthew 25:1-13
"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom." Sounds pretty good so far- ALL these virgins were making there way to the bridegroom.
"Now five of them were wise and five were foolish (Jesus instructs us to prepare, gird ourselves and serve Him). Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish (unprepared) said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out'. But the wise answered, saying, 'no lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy (now trying to GET prepared), the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward, the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."
It seems to me this parable is about our current state of readiness which is a function of our desire for intimacy with Him. In the end, it made little difference to the bridegroom that the unwise (unprepared) virgins knew of him; or that they moved in his direction when they heard of his coming; or that they tried to get ready to come to him after they found themselves unprepared. No, the bridegroom in the parable was interested in the virgins who had BEEN ready for him to come. Apparently the wise virgins had done everything they understood to do so, when the bridegroom came, they were ready to go to him!
Review the scripture and ask the Lord to reveal to you your state of readiness. When He comes for His Church, you will be glad you asked and that He will be pleased to have you.
"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom." Sounds pretty good so far- ALL these virgins were making there way to the bridegroom.
"Now five of them were wise and five were foolish (Jesus instructs us to prepare, gird ourselves and serve Him). Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish (unprepared) said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out'. But the wise answered, saying, 'no lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy (now trying to GET prepared), the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward, the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."
It seems to me this parable is about our current state of readiness which is a function of our desire for intimacy with Him. In the end, it made little difference to the bridegroom that the unwise (unprepared) virgins knew of him; or that they moved in his direction when they heard of his coming; or that they tried to get ready to come to him after they found themselves unprepared. No, the bridegroom in the parable was interested in the virgins who had BEEN ready for him to come. Apparently the wise virgins had done everything they understood to do so, when the bridegroom came, they were ready to go to him!
Review the scripture and ask the Lord to reveal to you your state of readiness. When He comes for His Church, you will be glad you asked and that He will be pleased to have you.
Monday, March 5, 2012
An Exhortation Which Speaks To Sons
Hebrews 12:1-6
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (in many cases martyrs), let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with ENDURANCE the race that is set before us (good to know there is some order to this salvation in Christ Jesus- He sets our race before us!), looking unto Jesus, the author (originator) and finisher (perfecter) of faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God(where all overcomers in Christ Jesus are to be seated {Revelation 3:21}).
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the EXHORTATION WHICH SPEAKS TO YOU AS TO SONS: 'My son, do not despise the chastening (discipline) of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives'."
Not quite the exhortation that healing or His hand of provision would bring but it is my conviction that the man will not become complete in Christ without it. The Lord is teaching us that we should be empowered, strengthened to carry on by His chastening, rebuke and scourging. The saints in Christ mentioned in chapter 11:30-40 are watching and praying for us!
The faith of God in Christ Jesus brings a revelation to us as to how we should respond to others AND our call to serve in His church. All along the way we will encounter opportunity to serve God as opposed to self-direction - to be led by His revealed and living Word or the carnal wisdom of man. Jesus knew what His call was, even as an adolescent informing His mother Mary that "I must be about my Father's business". The Word exhorts us to look to Him - what He was willing to do for us! Consider Him, who endured such hostility from sinners and to forget not this exhortation.
12:7,8 "If you endure chastening (which He is Lord over), God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening (will not be chastened), of which ALL (in Him) have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons". Wow!
12:10,11 "For they (human fathers, probably Israel's religious class) indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward IT YIELDS the peaceable fruits of righteousness to those who have been trained by it".
I pray that, as you read this discussion, you will seek, knock and ask Him to reveal what He knows you need to hear in this matter. We must be willing to partake fully of suffering with Him unto death and burial of self-service so we may rise up IN HIM and walk just as He walked! Remember, He has your race ready to reveal to you.
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (in many cases martyrs), let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with ENDURANCE the race that is set before us (good to know there is some order to this salvation in Christ Jesus- He sets our race before us!), looking unto Jesus, the author (originator) and finisher (perfecter) of faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God(where all overcomers in Christ Jesus are to be seated {Revelation 3:21}).
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the EXHORTATION WHICH SPEAKS TO YOU AS TO SONS: 'My son, do not despise the chastening (discipline) of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives'."
Not quite the exhortation that healing or His hand of provision would bring but it is my conviction that the man will not become complete in Christ without it. The Lord is teaching us that we should be empowered, strengthened to carry on by His chastening, rebuke and scourging. The saints in Christ mentioned in chapter 11:30-40 are watching and praying for us!
The faith of God in Christ Jesus brings a revelation to us as to how we should respond to others AND our call to serve in His church. All along the way we will encounter opportunity to serve God as opposed to self-direction - to be led by His revealed and living Word or the carnal wisdom of man. Jesus knew what His call was, even as an adolescent informing His mother Mary that "I must be about my Father's business". The Word exhorts us to look to Him - what He was willing to do for us! Consider Him, who endured such hostility from sinners and to forget not this exhortation.
12:7,8 "If you endure chastening (which He is Lord over), God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening (will not be chastened), of which ALL (in Him) have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons". Wow!
12:10,11 "For they (human fathers, probably Israel's religious class) indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward IT YIELDS the peaceable fruits of righteousness to those who have been trained by it".
I pray that, as you read this discussion, you will seek, knock and ask Him to reveal what He knows you need to hear in this matter. We must be willing to partake fully of suffering with Him unto death and burial of self-service so we may rise up IN HIM and walk just as He walked! Remember, He has your race ready to reveal to you.
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