Feet Made To Walk On High Hills

Habakkuk 3:17-19

 

Habakkuk was a prophet within the Old Testament, but his words ring as true today as then. He was distressed about the state of the nation of Judah. Rebellious behavior had rendered them worthy of punishment. God raised up the Chaldeans to administer that punishment. Judah is nonproductive and cut off. There is no blossom nor fruit; failed labor and no yield; the fold and the stalls are empty (there are other places Judah wants to be).


Habakkuk's response to this revelation: "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength. He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills." Must be some serious hills to walk on, the feet to which require God's creative formation. I suppose that, out of the Chaldean instrument, a remnant was produced. Habakkuk, and they, carried on in righteousness.

I am impressed that His instruments continue to this day. Now Jesus Christ is the great High Priest to administer the instrument. "I in them, and You in Me; (so) that they may be made perfect in One   (the Father and the Son), and that the world may know that You have sent Me (because of the like testimonies of those who agree with Habakkuk), and have loved them as you have loved Me; .....that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me
(John 17:23,24).


"Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."(Matthew 7:14)

But! The gate is open to all those who are willing.

Consider The Goodness And Severity Of God

Romans 11:19-23, 1 Corinthians 10:1-5, John 15:1,2

"You will say then, 'Branches were broken off that I (Gentile believers) may be grafted in.' "

Well said. Because of unbelief, they (unbelieving Israel) were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the GOODNESS and SEVERITY of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness. Otherwise YOU ALSO WILL BE CUT OFF. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again."


"Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with MOST of them God was not well pleased for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness."


"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away (breaks off); and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."


The story of unbelieving Israel is documented throughout the scriptures. Before the Christ, Israel was disobedient to God. Although "baptized into Moses in the cloud and the sea", most defied God's prophet to them and, subsequently, were broken off as branches of the olive tree, which is a representation of God's kingdom on earth.


Those who have received the salvation of God through Jesus Christ have been baptized into Christ and should understand that means "into His death".  Just as unbelieving Israel, if they were to discontinue their unbelief would be grafted in again to the olive tree, so should we new testament believers be not haughty but fear God. Pruning and casting off (or breaking off) are both done with a knife. Make sure you are on right side of the knife by "being even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble"(2 Peter 1:10). Neither will you be broken off!

Foolish, Weak and Base Things

 1 Corinthians 1-3; Galatians 1-3  

 

Most recently, we read that the churches of Ephesus, Colosse and Thessalonica had received accolades for their "faith in Christ and sincere love for all the saints". Even the church at Philippi Paul commended for their "progress and joy of faith" and "having always obeyed, not as in my (Paul's) presence only, but now much more in my absence".


The churches at Corinth and Galatia do not receive the same congratulations. Without condemning them because of their shortfall, Paul certainly rebukes their quarreling; the divisions amongst them based upon which disciple they are following; envy; their turning away from Him who called them in the grace of Christ to a different gospel, even to the point of "bewitching".


In both accounts, Paul reminds them (and us) that we "preach Christ crucified"; "to know nothing among them except Jesus Christ and Him crucified"; "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me". Our crucifixion in Christ does not happen when we receive His salvation, the opportunity begins there. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we "for His sake are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:36,37).


"Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness". To the natural man, our crucifixion in Christ is foolish, weak and base (not high or lofty). Paul knows that we must be crucified in Him so that the churches may continue to be and the natural man may follow.

Faith In Jesus Christ IS Faith In God

Ephesians 1:15,16; Colossians 1:3,4; Mark 11:22,23;

2 Thessalonians 1:3-5

 

"Therefore, I also, after I heard of your FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers......" (Ephesians 1:15,16)

"We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS and of your love for all the saints......" (Colossians 1:3,4)

I would like to examine the likelihood that the church in Ephesus, Colosse and Thessalonica had received (accepted as truth and were willing to walk in the light of) an understanding from God which graduated them, so to speak, to a place where God could continue to build. Foundation; initial floor; subsequent levels from there. Paul seemed ecstatic over what he had heard they "had".

"Have FAITH IN GOD (have the faith of God; have the God kind of faith). For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea', and does not doubt in his heart but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says" (Mark 11:22,23). The majority of the chief priests and scribes would not receive Jesus for who He is: the Christ Of God. They were unwilling to humble themselves under God's mighty hand and in His sight. The result was fruitlessness in them and those who listened to them. The mountain between them and God was intact. Could Paul be rejoicing because the churches mentioned had recognized the mountain and were speaking to it? Had he recognized that they were speaking to the mountain and doubting not, able to overcome unwillingness through Him? Did he understand that, if they wouldn't, they couldn't become all that he knew God wanted for them?

"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, SO THAT we ourselves boast of you among all the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgement of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.......(2 Thessalonians 1:3-5).

Jesus' teachings will endure forever. They are life to those who find them. Have this faith in Him!

Love Rejoices Not In Iniquity

I Corinthians 13:4-8, Luke 14:28-30

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy;  love does not parade itself, is not puffed up (arrogant); does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; DOES NOT REJOICE IN INIQUITY, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."


Webster's Dictionary defines the word rejoice as "taking delight" (one definition of two); iniquity as "a violation of right or duty"(one definition of two). Could we say that the love of God in us takes no delight in the violation of right or duty of your brother(sister) in Christ?

"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'."


"And when he (Moses) went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, 'Why are you striking your companion?' Then he (the fighter) said, 'Who made you a prince and a judge over us? DO YOU INTEND TO KILL ME AS YOU KILLED THE EGYPTIAN?' " Exodus 2:13,14


Do you think that each statement in bold type could have been replaced with words from the Father which promote the works of His truth? This man began to build, and although I see his weakness, I will do what I can through prayer and works of faith to help him finish. Thank you, Moses, for reminding us not to fight.

Taking delight in the truth that comes forth from God's word brings His quickening, by the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ, who did all these things perfectly and completely! If you are willing to ask the Father in His name to show you how to hunger and thirst after righteousness, you shall be filled. There will be less and less room in your heart to rejoice in iniquity!

Arise And Go To The Street Called Straight

Acts 9:10-17

"Now there was certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, 'Ananias.' And he said, 'Here I am, Lord.' So the Lord said to him, 'Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight'. Then Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon Your name'. But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake'. And Ananias went................"

It started with a vision from Jesus Christ. It finished just like Jesus said- Paul received his sight and was filled with the Holy Spirit.

"So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth; it shall not return unto Me void (empty, without fruit), but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)

Faced with the threat of imprisonment, or worse, at the hands of Paul, Ananias followed the vision and voice of Jesus Christ. The threat considered was overwhelmed by the words of Jesus upon the good ground of his heart. His blessing was the enduring fruit that came from/through Paul in Christ Jesus. If you have taken steps that have not ended as fruitfully as Ananias', don't give up! Call unto Him and He will answer you, and SHOW you great things, mighty things that you do not know! We can't do things that we don't know. Knowing in part produces error. Steadfastness toward obedience with repentance is the vehicle to knowing Him just as He already knows us!

Making Friends; Influencing Jailers Acts 16:9,10; 16:16-34

 

Please read Acts 16: 9,10; 16:16-34


We read that Paul, Silas and others made their way to Philippi in Macedonia. Paul had received a vision: a man was pleading with him to come and help them. In the midst of their journey to that man, whoever he was as far as Paul knew, the troop was intercepted cunningly by a young girl possessed by a spirit of divination. This girl was indentured to men who made "much profit from her fortune-telling". Paul understood, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that this girl was, essentially, telling their fortune. One could ask, "What did she say that was wrong?" The answer would be, "Nothing". But the spirit that was behind that divination was certainly up to no-good: those spirits never are! It would be like the feeling you get when you know that someone is telling you something they know you would like to hear; and you can just tell they don't mean it!


Paul's act, in the name of Jesus Christ, angered the masters of that girl. The proceeds they would receive from that girl's divination had dried up, at least for a time. They didn't appreciate Paul's intervention. "These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe." Ah, yes, thank you so much for your concern for your city. Anyway, the authorities were moved by their concern for their Roman city, beating and then jailing Paul and Silas. Paul and Silas responded with prayers and song to God.


Now, to that man who was crying for their help. In their worship of God, He showed up, through an earthquake, loosing everyone's chains. Instead of running from the prison, they stayed; not exactly the response expected from prisoners. The keeper of the prison saw the prison doors opened and, supposing the prisoners had fled, was about to do himself in. Paul stopped him, assuring him that they were all still there (in other acts by the apostles, they left the prison. But their work wasn't done here!) . The jailer asked, " What must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household." He and his family believed because Paul and Silas heard (or in this case, saw) and acted in accordance through difficulty.


How many of us have heard (in our spirit, or saw), have started in that direction, have run into difficulty along the way, and stopped or retreated. The jailer's life depended upon Paul's and Silas' obedience. Paul was a mature believer at this point. I think he knew God better than most. Stopping/retreat is a function of knowing in part. Paul and Silas would not stop/retreat in the adversity. As we continue to press toward the mark for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, we will receive just what Paul received, knowing God just as we are already known (by Him); following Him wherever He goes!