"But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him."
There is much to be said of a study through the Scriptures on godliness. HE that is faithful, righteous and holy in the work of God is godly. And here is this truth revealed in this SCriptures to direct our hearts and minds toward the Lord that hears prayers. Who does He hear prayers from? Anyone? No; 'If I regard iniqutiy in my heart the Lord will not hear me'; But He does hear the prayer of the godly and the holy. But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly - word study, to know;
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Psalm 3:4
"I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of His holy hill. Selah"
So much is to be gleaned throughout all these Psalms. It is difficult to pick just one verse to glean from. But since prayer is of the utmost importance I will focus on this verse for us in our studies. I cried unto the Lord - the prayer is lifted up unto the Lord God Almighty; There is no one else to call upon. And note, it is not just saying words, it is a cry being lifted up. There is a pressing need to the heart and soul. In verse 1, David tells us his enemies have increased against him. They speak harsh words against God and his faith in God. But as ever true, David turns to the Lord with his need. Oh, brethern, that you would learn to turn to Him for everything! PRaying without ceasing is adoring and worshipping Him, as well as seeing the people around you lost and perishing and knowing that God is the only ONe that can save them. It compels a soul to cry out to the Lord. When God removes the fleshly scales from our eyes and hearts we see and know the great need within the church and the world. WE see the world perishing and cry out; we see the church robed in sin and cry out. Both works within us to compelt us to go to Him Who is able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think. How great is the Lord God Almighty, Who is faithful in small and great things! But if the cry is not offered, what then? How silent are so many who need to cry out? Prayers left unanswered and the goodness of God thwarted becasue the weakness of men to pray. They are so unmoved by the affairs of life round about them, that they have no desire to cry out ot Him. Much damage to the kingdoms work is done because of the cry which has been silenced. Do you remember that verse that gives description, "These that give no rest to crying out to God, day and night"? Day and night, they cry out; where are those today? What presses sore to you heart that causes you to cry out? Or are you silent to things round about you? With my voice - God has imparted a blessed gift of voice for us to use for His glory; Now isn't it amazing that these specific three words are added to the first part, "with my voice". You see it is not enough to say in your heart, think it in your head or write it down, let your voice cry out to the Lord. Men will go to ballgames and go hoarse shouting and lifting up their cry for vanity, why not the Lord's desired will? A voice given is a gift given and that can be taken away. What preacher is useless without a voice? A singer without their voice? It is not to be taken for granted but cherished as a blessing from God. Spurgeon commanded his pupils to exercise the voice box, just as an athlete trains their muscles for the event. You and I are to use our voices to lfiting up a cry unto the Lord for the needs around us and in us. Did John not know something was happening when there was silence in heaven for the space of a 1/2 an hour? And so does hell and heaven know that something is amiss when God's people are silent? Afraid to pray, afraid to witness, afraid to sing praises, something is not right. Use your voice for Him. Do you not know that we shall give an account of everything spoken and not spoken before His judgement seat? And He heard me - The blessing of answered prayer; It may not say that God answered, it just says 'He heard'; but God hears so that He may answer. The phrase to fear and worry over is when 'God does not hear their prayer'. David lifted up his cry with his voice and God gave ear and attention to his need. How many Christians wonder as they pray, "Is God hearing me?" 'Why doesn't God answer me?" And these are legitmate concerns and questions and ones that we need to answer. Does God hear all prayer? No; Will God answer all prayers? No. The will of the Lord be done. 'His eyes behold His children to show Himself strong'.
So much is to be gleaned throughout all these Psalms. It is difficult to pick just one verse to glean from. But since prayer is of the utmost importance I will focus on this verse for us in our studies. I cried unto the Lord - the prayer is lifted up unto the Lord God Almighty; There is no one else to call upon. And note, it is not just saying words, it is a cry being lifted up. There is a pressing need to the heart and soul. In verse 1, David tells us his enemies have increased against him. They speak harsh words against God and his faith in God. But as ever true, David turns to the Lord with his need. Oh, brethern, that you would learn to turn to Him for everything! PRaying without ceasing is adoring and worshipping Him, as well as seeing the people around you lost and perishing and knowing that God is the only ONe that can save them. It compels a soul to cry out to the Lord. When God removes the fleshly scales from our eyes and hearts we see and know the great need within the church and the world. WE see the world perishing and cry out; we see the church robed in sin and cry out. Both works within us to compelt us to go to Him Who is able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think. How great is the Lord God Almighty, Who is faithful in small and great things! But if the cry is not offered, what then? How silent are so many who need to cry out? Prayers left unanswered and the goodness of God thwarted becasue the weakness of men to pray. They are so unmoved by the affairs of life round about them, that they have no desire to cry out ot Him. Much damage to the kingdoms work is done because of the cry which has been silenced. Do you remember that verse that gives description, "These that give no rest to crying out to God, day and night"? Day and night, they cry out; where are those today? What presses sore to you heart that causes you to cry out? Or are you silent to things round about you? With my voice - God has imparted a blessed gift of voice for us to use for His glory; Now isn't it amazing that these specific three words are added to the first part, "with my voice". You see it is not enough to say in your heart, think it in your head or write it down, let your voice cry out to the Lord. Men will go to ballgames and go hoarse shouting and lifting up their cry for vanity, why not the Lord's desired will? A voice given is a gift given and that can be taken away. What preacher is useless without a voice? A singer without their voice? It is not to be taken for granted but cherished as a blessing from God. Spurgeon commanded his pupils to exercise the voice box, just as an athlete trains their muscles for the event. You and I are to use our voices to lfiting up a cry unto the Lord for the needs around us and in us. Did John not know something was happening when there was silence in heaven for the space of a 1/2 an hour? And so does hell and heaven know that something is amiss when God's people are silent? Afraid to pray, afraid to witness, afraid to sing praises, something is not right. Use your voice for Him. Do you not know that we shall give an account of everything spoken and not spoken before His judgement seat? And He heard me - The blessing of answered prayer; It may not say that God answered, it just says 'He heard'; but God hears so that He may answer. The phrase to fear and worry over is when 'God does not hear their prayer'. David lifted up his cry with his voice and God gave ear and attention to his need. How many Christians wonder as they pray, "Is God hearing me?" 'Why doesn't God answer me?" And these are legitmate concerns and questions and ones that we need to answer. Does God hear all prayer? No; Will God answer all prayers? No. The will of the Lord be done. 'His eyes behold His children to show Himself strong'.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Psalm 2:8
"Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."
Ask of Me - Who else to ask of but the Lord?; "Ask and it shall be given." Come to the Lord and ask through your prayers and petitions. Why should I ask of man when the Lord's hand is suffecient? How oft have I looked to my own hands or asked of others and was smote with conviction over my failure to ask of Him. If He has promised to hear and answer then why is His people so faint in asking of Him? It is the sin of unbelief and the sin of neglected prayer. The church does not pray, nor does it ask for things of Him. And when they do ask, they ask amiss. How great is our sin in this of failing to ask of Him. It shall be revealed unto us when we stand before Him, how much He was willing to offer, and how much we missed out on because we did not ask. And I shall give thee - word study, to give; Here we are again with direct words from the Lord, 'I shall give thee'. Does God lie? No. Then is this not truth for us to anchor on? He has given much to those that asked. But how much more is He willing to give unto those that seek Him and ask of Him. 'I will give thee', is for us to root and grow our faith in Him. It is the expectancy of a child of God that holds fast to what God has said. They pay little attention to man, they give little place to their own thoughts and words, for the flesh fails, but they know God is faithful. 'I shall give thee' and has He not done everything to make us His Own. He provides for us, HE saves us, HE fills us, He answers us, HE loves us, all because He shall give us. There is much joy to be found here in this phrase, know it, memorize, meditate on it and let it feed your soul. The heathen for thine inheritance - the Lord granted the children of Israel the promised land to fulfill this; as well, He grants us spiritual souls in direct answer to prayer; It is for us to understand, as best we can, the ways fo the Lord. HE had promised Abraham the promised land. And after 400 years in Egypt, He brought them up and in to possess the land. But the heathen nation swere already there. The Canaanites, the Jebusites, the Girgashites and all the other -ites were there. God delivered them to Joshua for their inheritance. And He would have done more to give them their inheritance of the heathen but they fell to a whoring after false gods. Now again, ask and I will give thee the heathen - to me I use this verse not for earthly gain of land, but for souls. It is my prayer for the lost, they are heathen. And the inheritance is their souls for His kingdom, stars in the crown for His glory. Many want to dominate the heathen, rule the heathen, but let us pray for the heathen to the saving of the soul.
Ask of Me - Who else to ask of but the Lord?; "Ask and it shall be given." Come to the Lord and ask through your prayers and petitions. Why should I ask of man when the Lord's hand is suffecient? How oft have I looked to my own hands or asked of others and was smote with conviction over my failure to ask of Him. If He has promised to hear and answer then why is His people so faint in asking of Him? It is the sin of unbelief and the sin of neglected prayer. The church does not pray, nor does it ask for things of Him. And when they do ask, they ask amiss. How great is our sin in this of failing to ask of Him. It shall be revealed unto us when we stand before Him, how much He was willing to offer, and how much we missed out on because we did not ask. And I shall give thee - word study, to give; Here we are again with direct words from the Lord, 'I shall give thee'. Does God lie? No. Then is this not truth for us to anchor on? He has given much to those that asked. But how much more is He willing to give unto those that seek Him and ask of Him. 'I will give thee', is for us to root and grow our faith in Him. It is the expectancy of a child of God that holds fast to what God has said. They pay little attention to man, they give little place to their own thoughts and words, for the flesh fails, but they know God is faithful. 'I shall give thee' and has He not done everything to make us His Own. He provides for us, HE saves us, HE fills us, He answers us, HE loves us, all because He shall give us. There is much joy to be found here in this phrase, know it, memorize, meditate on it and let it feed your soul. The heathen for thine inheritance - the Lord granted the children of Israel the promised land to fulfill this; as well, He grants us spiritual souls in direct answer to prayer; It is for us to understand, as best we can, the ways fo the Lord. HE had promised Abraham the promised land. And after 400 years in Egypt, He brought them up and in to possess the land. But the heathen nation swere already there. The Canaanites, the Jebusites, the Girgashites and all the other -ites were there. God delivered them to Joshua for their inheritance. And He would have done more to give them their inheritance of the heathen but they fell to a whoring after false gods. Now again, ask and I will give thee the heathen - to me I use this verse not for earthly gain of land, but for souls. It is my prayer for the lost, they are heathen. And the inheritance is their souls for His kingdom, stars in the crown for His glory. Many want to dominate the heathen, rule the heathen, but let us pray for the heathen to the saving of the soul.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Psalms 1:1
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."
It has been many years since I first committed this first Psalm to memory. Such teaching and joy it is has brought to my soul. We have the largest book before us, 150 Psalms (chapters); the largest Psalm (chapter) is Psalm 119 and the shortest Psalm (chapter) is Psalm 117. We have many writers, mostly the beloved David penned these words of inspired zeal. It is said that Spurgeon, ever a lover of the Psalms, worked over 20 years on his commentary and writings of the book of Psalms. It is there that you may find a deeper and holier place of study on this blessed book. As we begin, may God speak to us in wonderful ways through this blessed book. Blessed is the man - a blessing is began with upon a certain type of man; Note it is the negative part of blessing described by this verse. You get a blessing for not doing these three things to be mentioned. A person sneezes and everyone around says, 'Bless you'. But the writer here says, if you don't do these three things then, you are a blest man. And if you ask of people today, in and out of the church, 'Are you blest?' They always refer to temporal blessings. They loook to their health, family, possessions as their blessings in life. And those are blessings from God's merciful hand. But what of spiritual blessings? 'Blessed is the man in the Lord'; what does that mean, 'in the Lord'? Are we ale to count them? Are we able to see them? Or do we just know they are there? 'Blessed' can only be by God's hand. If He withdraws His hand, the blessing is removed and ceases. Man cannot manufacture this. 'blessed' is the man that has God's favor, Spirit and grace and mercy. Temporal blessings may or may not be granted and given by the Lord. But the spiritual blessings are present with His faithful ones. First mark of a blest man: walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly; The three actions taken upon a blest man are walk, stand and sit. These are also the same three actions described and used by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. WE have said much about this verb, to walk, throughout our studies so far in the Bible. It is a constant reference to spiritual health for the man that walks with the Lord. But here is the negative side, 'not to walk with the ungodly'. Nor to give ear to their counsel of practiicing and enticing sin. The evil of man continues to deepen in our generation. Men speak folly just as plainly and as openly as ever today. Chrisitans, being in the world but not of the world, hear it. But what do we do when we hear it? Pray for the lostness in those souls immediately. But see what the Spirit would have you do as a witness. But for the church at large, they hear this sin and they give place to it. They follow the counsel of the ungodly. 'Let us eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die'. And is this not the attitude and lifestyle of many in the church? They have given to walk in this counsel. It is to hear and know what is righteousness and holiness and what is vanity and sin. Absence of the Word in the heart and void of time with God makes most Christians suspectible to give place to this ungodly counsel. But if to be blest, then you must recognize, fear the wrath of God and not give place to walk with them. SEcondly, the blest man is nor standeth in the way of sinners; word study, way;
It has been many years since I first committed this first Psalm to memory. Such teaching and joy it is has brought to my soul. We have the largest book before us, 150 Psalms (chapters); the largest Psalm (chapter) is Psalm 119 and the shortest Psalm (chapter) is Psalm 117. We have many writers, mostly the beloved David penned these words of inspired zeal. It is said that Spurgeon, ever a lover of the Psalms, worked over 20 years on his commentary and writings of the book of Psalms. It is there that you may find a deeper and holier place of study on this blessed book. As we begin, may God speak to us in wonderful ways through this blessed book. Blessed is the man - a blessing is began with upon a certain type of man; Note it is the negative part of blessing described by this verse. You get a blessing for not doing these three things to be mentioned. A person sneezes and everyone around says, 'Bless you'. But the writer here says, if you don't do these three things then, you are a blest man. And if you ask of people today, in and out of the church, 'Are you blest?' They always refer to temporal blessings. They loook to their health, family, possessions as their blessings in life. And those are blessings from God's merciful hand. But what of spiritual blessings? 'Blessed is the man in the Lord'; what does that mean, 'in the Lord'? Are we ale to count them? Are we able to see them? Or do we just know they are there? 'Blessed' can only be by God's hand. If He withdraws His hand, the blessing is removed and ceases. Man cannot manufacture this. 'blessed' is the man that has God's favor, Spirit and grace and mercy. Temporal blessings may or may not be granted and given by the Lord. But the spiritual blessings are present with His faithful ones. First mark of a blest man: walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly; The three actions taken upon a blest man are walk, stand and sit. These are also the same three actions described and used by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. WE have said much about this verb, to walk, throughout our studies so far in the Bible. It is a constant reference to spiritual health for the man that walks with the Lord. But here is the negative side, 'not to walk with the ungodly'. Nor to give ear to their counsel of practiicing and enticing sin. The evil of man continues to deepen in our generation. Men speak folly just as plainly and as openly as ever today. Chrisitans, being in the world but not of the world, hear it. But what do we do when we hear it? Pray for the lostness in those souls immediately. But see what the Spirit would have you do as a witness. But for the church at large, they hear this sin and they give place to it. They follow the counsel of the ungodly. 'Let us eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die'. And is this not the attitude and lifestyle of many in the church? They have given to walk in this counsel. It is to hear and know what is righteousness and holiness and what is vanity and sin. Absence of the Word in the heart and void of time with God makes most Christians suspectible to give place to this ungodly counsel. But if to be blest, then you must recognize, fear the wrath of God and not give place to walk with them. SEcondly, the blest man is nor standeth in the way of sinners; word study, way;
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Job 42:5
"I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee."
The finishing chapter of Job and here are the words of Job. I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear - let the ear be open not only to hear but to listen; 'For how shall they hear, unless a preacher declares to them'. 'Speak oft of Thy Lord', is the venue of hearing, when someone is speaking. But if there is silence about God, then know one can hear. Is it possible that this is the problem today? This society knows little of God and about God because men are silent about Him. The church is guilty party over this. How much do they hear about God in a worship service? Tozer said, 'Make sure your more in the Presence of God than inthe presence of men'. But the church wants peoples attention so much. They crave attention and neglect time with God. And because they are not with God, they do not know God. But those of the remnant that get alone with God,must speak of Him. Their thoughts are filled with His wonders, His glory, His Presence. Their heart and mind is full and it must usher forth out of them to declare all His wondrous works. If you have nothing to say about God it is because you don't know Him. And because of this great sin, the ears of the people hear nothing about God. Except the vile usage of His Name by their foul mouths. Set your self in the midst of those that know God and give ear to them of His ways. Open the ear and hear Him speak of His mighty deeds in the Word of God. Why church? To hear of Him. Note these facts: Every ear will hear of Him; 'The Gospel has appeared unto all men'; 'Faith cometh by hearing, hearing by the Word of God'. But now mine eye seeth Thee- word study, to see; Job was now in the full revealed Presence of God. God had come to him. Such occassions throughout the history fo the church reveal when God's people have seen the Lord in His fullness. It is not a huge number of times, which is why we should savor the preciousnes of the moment when God chooses to reveal Himself. Our human eye is limited when we only see the physical. We are much like Elishas servant, Gehazi, we need the prayer of the true saint to open our eyes to see the spiritual. What has your eyes seen so far in this life? Have you seen the power of God? Have you seen miracles? Have you seen answered prayers? What have you seen that only be described as 'God did that'? And know this, that after the works of God,for many see the work of God's hands, but they fail to see God Himself. 'I see You'. He saw God, not the works, not the outward manifestations of God, but God Himself. Ravenhill once said, 'What we need, is God in our midst'. What we need is God. And if we had God then we would have enough. Not methods, programs, labors of our own making, just God. 'Mine eye sees You, O Lord', and that is enough. 'Whom in heaven but You; and there is none on the earth that I desire besides You.' Oh, that the scales were taken away and we would see God. And think not that that is the remedy for all evils. For the chidlren of Israel saw and heard God on the mount and still they worked their rebellious spirits to provoke Him. The true test is 'looking unto Jesus' and keeping our eyes there on Him.
The finishing chapter of Job and here are the words of Job. I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear - let the ear be open not only to hear but to listen; 'For how shall they hear, unless a preacher declares to them'. 'Speak oft of Thy Lord', is the venue of hearing, when someone is speaking. But if there is silence about God, then know one can hear. Is it possible that this is the problem today? This society knows little of God and about God because men are silent about Him. The church is guilty party over this. How much do they hear about God in a worship service? Tozer said, 'Make sure your more in the Presence of God than inthe presence of men'. But the church wants peoples attention so much. They crave attention and neglect time with God. And because they are not with God, they do not know God. But those of the remnant that get alone with God,must speak of Him. Their thoughts are filled with His wonders, His glory, His Presence. Their heart and mind is full and it must usher forth out of them to declare all His wondrous works. If you have nothing to say about God it is because you don't know Him. And because of this great sin, the ears of the people hear nothing about God. Except the vile usage of His Name by their foul mouths. Set your self in the midst of those that know God and give ear to them of His ways. Open the ear and hear Him speak of His mighty deeds in the Word of God. Why church? To hear of Him. Note these facts: Every ear will hear of Him; 'The Gospel has appeared unto all men'; 'Faith cometh by hearing, hearing by the Word of God'. But now mine eye seeth Thee- word study, to see; Job was now in the full revealed Presence of God. God had come to him. Such occassions throughout the history fo the church reveal when God's people have seen the Lord in His fullness. It is not a huge number of times, which is why we should savor the preciousnes of the moment when God chooses to reveal Himself. Our human eye is limited when we only see the physical. We are much like Elishas servant, Gehazi, we need the prayer of the true saint to open our eyes to see the spiritual. What has your eyes seen so far in this life? Have you seen the power of God? Have you seen miracles? Have you seen answered prayers? What have you seen that only be described as 'God did that'? And know this, that after the works of God,for many see the work of God's hands, but they fail to see God Himself. 'I see You'. He saw God, not the works, not the outward manifestations of God, but God Himself. Ravenhill once said, 'What we need, is God in our midst'. What we need is God. And if we had God then we would have enough. Not methods, programs, labors of our own making, just God. 'Mine eye sees You, O Lord', and that is enough. 'Whom in heaven but You; and there is none on the earth that I desire besides You.' Oh, that the scales were taken away and we would see God. And think not that that is the remedy for all evils. For the chidlren of Israel saw and heard God on the mount and still they worked their rebellious spirits to provoke Him. The true test is 'looking unto Jesus' and keeping our eyes there on Him.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Job 41:8
"Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more."
God is continuing His words to Job about His creation. At the beginning of this chapter He begins to share and speak on the levithan, sea creature, sea monster, or whatever your translation may say. God tells of this creatures greatness and we have a parallel with it in the book of REvelation, 'that old dragon'. It is a comparison to be made for us in this reading becasue of the middle part of this verse, 'remember the batttle'. In the margin of my Bible I ahve written these words about the battle, 'the war of holiness'. There is a battle that rises to meet us each day between our flesh and the Spirit. 'The flesh and the Spirit are always contrary the one to the other.'
God is continuing His words to Job about His creation. At the beginning of this chapter He begins to share and speak on the levithan, sea creature, sea monster, or whatever your translation may say. God tells of this creatures greatness and we have a parallel with it in the book of REvelation, 'that old dragon'. It is a comparison to be made for us in this reading becasue of the middle part of this verse, 'remember the batttle'. In the margin of my Bible I ahve written these words about the battle, 'the war of holiness'. There is a battle that rises to meet us each day between our flesh and the Spirit. 'The flesh and the Spirit are always contrary the one to the other.'
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Job 40:4
"Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upn my mouth."
In the midst of God speaking, Job is allowed to speak in verses 4 and 5 and then the Lord continues. And what does Job say? Behold, I am vile - any soul that sees themselves in the light of His holiness will say this; It has always amazed me, that any recorded event in the Bible or during revivals, that when God came down or revealed Himself, this is the result of men. They see their true state of vileness, wickedness, in light of His holy Presence. It's like His light and holiness reveal every spot within us. How men cringe at the appearance of God Almighty. And do you think that you or I will fair any better? Absolutely not. We will bow, we will cower, we will fear in His holy Presence. All our sin to be brought up before our minds and condemned in His Presence. How much more should we then seek to see our own wickedness and vileness now? LEt the Holy Spirit come and search us and find and reveal our iniquity so that we may put it away from us. LEt us recognize it, confess it and repent of it. There is no reason to hold on to it. I cannot understand why sin grieves my heart of my own making, while others practice sin without any regrets. They live in sin, they practice it, they surround themselves in it, and there is no remorse over offending a most Holy God. LEt us search and hearts and try our ways, and see if there be any wicked in us. And how can we understand the need of a Savior to save us from our sins if we don't see our sins? Know that works, good intentions, hope so attitudes will not mend the vileness within. Only the blood of Christ can cleanse us and freee us from sin's hideous stains. And the only way of true cleanisng for the church today is to see our vileness in His sight. We need to see it and hone up to it. 'Let no evil ways be found in you'. ' Put away all evil from you'. What shall I answer Thee? - great questions of the Bible; what shall any man say about his sin when He meets God face to face? First, 'evey knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord'. To all scoffers,haters ofGod, self righteous, unbelieveing will profess with their mouth that Christ is Lord indeed. And even though they profess and they bow the knee, what has that done about the problem that keeps them from God, their sin? Their sin still remains, and there at the judgment seat of Christ it shall all be revealed. But even now within our own life, God speaks to us about our sin. Habakkuk said, "I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the twoer, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved." What do you say when the Holy Spirit convicts? What shall any man say, "I am vile". Know the truth of the matter, we are wicked and in our flesh dwells no good thing. Seeing ourselves as we truly are, causes us, compels us to go to Him, Who is faithful to forgive and cleanse. 'What shall I say to His forgiveness? I will give thanks a thousand times over, that a sinners can be made spotless. What shall I say to His mercy? Undeserved, but rejoicing in Him not passing me by. What shall I say of His grace? How amazing, how precious, how wonderful for grace. We have no answer for our folly but to have faith in Him Who has made a way for our redemption. No excuses, no reasons, we are vile; yet, while in my vileness Jesus loved me and died for me to redeem me. I will lay mine hand upon my mouth - put your hand upon your mouth lest you speak as a fool unto God; Better to hold your tongue and thoughts silent than to speak in foolishness, especially unto God, Who already knows our thoughts. But in the Presence of the Lord, seeing He knows us already, there is no need to speak. Our actions have already spoken, our lives are being lived for what and who or Who we want them to be. That's the reason of that old saying, 'This man be dead, yet speaketh'. A man's life and actions tells what he is. What does your life say about you? Job was in the Presence of the Lord and even though he and his friends had spoken words for 34 chapters, when God began to speak, there was nothing to say. I have heard people say that they was going to tell God when they saw Him. Listen, brothers and sisters, we are not going to tell God anything. Seeing God will be adoration and wonder and leave us speechless. And truly what can we say, just behold Him and glory in His Presence. 'There's no other, such a friend or brother, the sympathizing Jesus'. Knowing my vileness, I see and behold His scars that He was bruised for my iniquity, He was wounded for my transgressions and He desires to make me whole for His glory. What shall I say? So let it be!! for His glory!! Amen and Amen for all His church!!
In the midst of God speaking, Job is allowed to speak in verses 4 and 5 and then the Lord continues. And what does Job say? Behold, I am vile - any soul that sees themselves in the light of His holiness will say this; It has always amazed me, that any recorded event in the Bible or during revivals, that when God came down or revealed Himself, this is the result of men. They see their true state of vileness, wickedness, in light of His holy Presence. It's like His light and holiness reveal every spot within us. How men cringe at the appearance of God Almighty. And do you think that you or I will fair any better? Absolutely not. We will bow, we will cower, we will fear in His holy Presence. All our sin to be brought up before our minds and condemned in His Presence. How much more should we then seek to see our own wickedness and vileness now? LEt the Holy Spirit come and search us and find and reveal our iniquity so that we may put it away from us. LEt us recognize it, confess it and repent of it. There is no reason to hold on to it. I cannot understand why sin grieves my heart of my own making, while others practice sin without any regrets. They live in sin, they practice it, they surround themselves in it, and there is no remorse over offending a most Holy God. LEt us search and hearts and try our ways, and see if there be any wicked in us. And how can we understand the need of a Savior to save us from our sins if we don't see our sins? Know that works, good intentions, hope so attitudes will not mend the vileness within. Only the blood of Christ can cleanse us and freee us from sin's hideous stains. And the only way of true cleanisng for the church today is to see our vileness in His sight. We need to see it and hone up to it. 'Let no evil ways be found in you'. ' Put away all evil from you'. What shall I answer Thee? - great questions of the Bible; what shall any man say about his sin when He meets God face to face? First, 'evey knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord'. To all scoffers,haters ofGod, self righteous, unbelieveing will profess with their mouth that Christ is Lord indeed. And even though they profess and they bow the knee, what has that done about the problem that keeps them from God, their sin? Their sin still remains, and there at the judgment seat of Christ it shall all be revealed. But even now within our own life, God speaks to us about our sin. Habakkuk said, "I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the twoer, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved." What do you say when the Holy Spirit convicts? What shall any man say, "I am vile". Know the truth of the matter, we are wicked and in our flesh dwells no good thing. Seeing ourselves as we truly are, causes us, compels us to go to Him, Who is faithful to forgive and cleanse. 'What shall I say to His forgiveness? I will give thanks a thousand times over, that a sinners can be made spotless. What shall I say to His mercy? Undeserved, but rejoicing in Him not passing me by. What shall I say of His grace? How amazing, how precious, how wonderful for grace. We have no answer for our folly but to have faith in Him Who has made a way for our redemption. No excuses, no reasons, we are vile; yet, while in my vileness Jesus loved me and died for me to redeem me. I will lay mine hand upon my mouth - put your hand upon your mouth lest you speak as a fool unto God; Better to hold your tongue and thoughts silent than to speak in foolishness, especially unto God, Who already knows our thoughts. But in the Presence of the Lord, seeing He knows us already, there is no need to speak. Our actions have already spoken, our lives are being lived for what and who or Who we want them to be. That's the reason of that old saying, 'This man be dead, yet speaketh'. A man's life and actions tells what he is. What does your life say about you? Job was in the Presence of the Lord and even though he and his friends had spoken words for 34 chapters, when God began to speak, there was nothing to say. I have heard people say that they was going to tell God when they saw Him. Listen, brothers and sisters, we are not going to tell God anything. Seeing God will be adoration and wonder and leave us speechless. And truly what can we say, just behold Him and glory in His Presence. 'There's no other, such a friend or brother, the sympathizing Jesus'. Knowing my vileness, I see and behold His scars that He was bruised for my iniquity, He was wounded for my transgressions and He desires to make me whole for His glory. What shall I say? So let it be!! for His glory!! Amen and Amen for all His church!!
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