Month: August 2004

Hymn 327, “He Who Hath Lead Will Lead”

It speaks of what the Lord will do and perhaps we often sing it. Thinking of looking a little into the future and it has been appealing to me, as being so relevant what the Lord will do in these days of retreat that we spend in His presence.

Malachi 3:6, “For I am the Lord, I change not therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” In the next verse, “‘Return unto Me and I will return unto you,’ saith the Lord of hosts.” He said, “I am the Lord I change not” – similarly, I suppose, that those words perhaps speak to us sometimes as a warning; sometimes as a stern and serious reminder that what God has spoken will forever remain and nothing can change it and no statute of His will ever be removed or altered and the way that He has marked in Jesus can never change, the standards of His teaching can never change and His doctrine will never change. It means all that of course but I was noticing that on this occasion when the Lord said these words, He was speaking it in a context of reminding these people, that even though they had not been what they should have been, yet still they stood before Him and even though they had not been what He would have liked them to have been, yet still He was showing them that they could return to Him and He would return to them.

I, the Lord, change not – I am sure you can remember the sense of wonder that you first knew when God spoke to you in the beginning, the sense of amazement, to think that despite what you were; despite your deadness; despite the sin that had trapped you and kept you in its power, yet God in Heaven was taking notice of you, and that God, the almighty God, was showing Himself to be to you not just the Almighty God and the Creator and judge of the earth, but your Father, the One who looked down on you with a pitying eye and a caring heart and the One who is prepared to reach out to you even in your very lowest state. I am sure we don’t forget the wonder, do we? The sense of wonder that filled our hearts that God, the great God, would even think on me, and that He would be prepared to speak and that He would be prepared to reach out to us, and not just turn away His face in disappointment or disgust at what we are or what we be or where we’ve been, but that He would look upon us and even that He would look upon us with a face that shone and that He would look upon us with a smile of welcome and look upon us with arms outstretched and bid us to come to Him. We don’t forget do we? The first days when our hearts were stirred and we began to understand that God is a God full of compassion and a gracious God, a merciful God.

I am the Lord, I change not – remember first when He looked on us with that tender smile and with those arms outstretched in welcome to bid us come to Him, He still looks on us the same, with the same smile and to bid us come to Him even yet again. I’m sure we don’t forget do we, in the very beginning how it was almost beyond us to comprehend that someone could love us in the state that we were in – that God could love us in the state which we were in, and love us not just in the measure of what we have known of human love or something that could spring out of the human heart, within a measure far greater than that. In fact something far greater than that, without measure, that the wonder to know that He loved us, He loved us so much that He sent His Son, His only begotten Son. He sent Him to live and to die for us that we might have a door of hope and opportunity opened to us that we might be reconciled, and that we might be set free; that there be nothing held against us that every burden might be taken away and all guilt and all heaviness might be taken away. It is almost beyond our comprehension, isn’t it, that we might understand the Lord was looking upon us and wanting to set us free, looking upon us in the state in which we were in – wanting to set us free, and now He is saying to us, “I the Lord, change not – I still feel the same; I still love to set you free.” Though perhaps you may feel somewhat disappointed and maybe you feel somewhat self conscious within yourself, coming into the presence of God, that perhaps things haven’t been just as they might have been, or should have been, the Lord does not change, the One who looked on us in the beginning with a pitying eye with the desire to bless, the desire to save, with the desire to draw us to Himself in reconciliation in Jesus and to be at one with us, He looks at us today, as we gather in again unto Him today, He looks on us with the very same look and with the very same feeling. He has not changed.

Sometimes when we are overcome within ourselves, we feel broken and dragged down by things that we feel that would be grieving to God. Satan tries to tell us, doesn’t he? That God will never look at us again, He won’t want you now, and He won’t hear your prayer and it’s finished, you’re done for; it’s finished because you’ve made a fool of yourself before God – that’s Satan’s words, but it’s not God’s, He doesn’t change. He wants you now, just as much as He ever wanted you and more and He wants you to be His and to remain His, just as much as He ever did. He wants to keep you close to Him and draw you close to Him, just as much as He ever did, He wants to hold you safe and walk with you just as much as He ever did, He does not change. “You return to me,” He said, “and I will return to you.” It tells us in the 80th Psalm, three times in that Psalm, “Turn us again O Lord cause Thy face to shine, so shall we be saved.” Turn us again, cause Thy face to shine. You know what the problem is when sometimes perhaps we don’t feel so conscious of the Lord’s face shining toward us as perhaps we have been at other times. Do you know what the problem is? It’s not that the Lord doesn’t want to look upon us, or not that He doesn’t want His face to shine upon us, but it’s that we need to be turned. We need to be turned back to Him and His voice is saying to us, “You return to me and I will return to you.” If you have a look at this afterwards and just read the words that He said – the words before, that we didn’t read together, and you’ll see some of the things that these people had fallen into and some of the faults that the Lord was pointing out to them, and they were no small things and He had to tell them that He wasn’t happy with where they were and what they had done, but He wasn’t telling them that just to cast them off, was He? He wasn’t telling them that as words of condemnation. He was telling them that to encourage them, that though He knew everything about them, yet still He wanted them to turn back to Him again. Although He knew the kind of faults and problems they had fallen to, serious though they were, yet He was telling them, “You return to Me and I will return to you.” He still feels the same as He ever did. Do you think the Lord who looked upon us in our sin when we were completely dead to Him and He loved us and He cared for us and desired to bless and to save us? Do you think that He would feel any less that way towards us now because we may have failed and may have done the wrong thing? He feels more that way towards us now because though we have failed yet we are His, and though we have failed and not been what we ought to have been, we have tried to please our Lord. We had no thought of Him and we weren’t making any attempt to serve Him or please Him and serve Him and do His will, yet He loved us, and how much more does He love us now, when we have been those who have been all these things. Though our efforts may have been feeble, though we may have failed many a time, we have been those who have been trying to please our Lord, trying to do His will, trying to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. When we were dead in sin, Christ died for us; when we were dead in sin, God loved us, and He sent His Son and He gave everything that He had. He gave His Son, He sent Him into this world to live and die for us that there might be hope, and that there might be reconciliation and how much more; how much more do these things apply to us now and how much more does the Lord like to extend that hand to us now as though we have been made alive to Him and been brought to Him and our feet have been set in the path of Life and our desire is still in that path of Life and our desire is still towards Him to have a love for Him and we are grieved when we fail Him.

I was looking into the experience of Peter and especially what is written about the Lord speaking to him in the last chapter of John, chapter 21, we know what went before that. Jesus had told Peter, hadn’t He, that Satan desired to sift him as wheat. “But I have prayed for you,” He said, “that your faith fail not, and when you are converted, you strengthen your brethren.” Peter had said, “I’m ready to die with you Lord, nothing will turn me, I am ready to die.” We know what happened don’t we? That dark night when Peter succumbed to that pressure of the enemy, and how he denied his Lord and we read a little later on in that chapter 21 of John, where, he along with others of Galilee, went fishing and the Lord appeared to them in the morning standing on the seaside after their fruitless effort, He asked them did they have any meat and they had to say “No.” He said, “You cast on the other side of the ship and you’ll find.” They did that and they enclosed a great multitude of fishes and Peter swam ahead of the others it seems, to go to Jesus, realising this was his Lord and he just wanted to be near to Him. Maybe, Peter may well have wondered, “Just what kind of a welcome am I going to get here? I’ve made a fool of myself, I promised I’d die for Him, I denied Him, failed my Lord the One I love, I wonder what He’s going to say to me.” The thing that appealed to me in reading that passage again, was what the Lord didn’t say what He could have said, but He didn’t say it. He could have rebuked His disciples, couldn’t He? He could have reminded Him of those three times that he denied Him and even said he’d die for Him; He could have reminded him that He’d warned him. “I warned you, didn’t you take any notice; didn’t it sink in, – didn’t you understand? I warned you that Satan was after you, I warned you about praying and the weakness of the flesh, I warned you.” He could have said so many things; could have rebuked him so sternly; could have even scorned him for the failure that he had become after the things that he had said. He said nothing like that. No rebuke, no condemnation, no hard word. He might have mentioned what Job said in the 23rd chapter, he said about the desire to draw near to God, longing that he could have found that place with God, longing that he could speak to God, he said, “Will He plead against me with His great strength, no, with His great power?” He said, “No. He will put strength into me.” Job 23:6, “Will He plead against me with His great power, NO, He’ll put strength into me.” It says in another Psalm, Psalm 85, “O hear what the Lord my God will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn again to folly.” He was to speak peace. Peter on that day, when he might have wondered so much, it might have even been in fear, he knew that he could do nothing else but rush into the arms of his Saviour. There was nothing else he could do, and just as we feel as we come to this place, here in the presence of God, the only consolation there is for what is in our heart, to find rest of heart from a distressed heart, nothing else we can do but fly into the arms of our Saviour, and yet, perhaps we have been wondering what will He say? No rebuke, no condemnation, no hard words, just speaking peace with His people. Jesus spoke to Peter, He just asked him that question, “Do you love me?” “Yes Lord I love you.” “Feed My sheep, feed My lambs.”

I love the way that Jesus, in speaking to Peter, was looking forward. Peter no doubt was looking back a little, a lot of sorrow in his heart, a lot of guilt and Jesus was looking forward, “Feed My lambs and feed My sheep.” You don’t need to bury yourself with self condemnation and you don’t need to bury yourself in your distress and your sorrow, you can go forward. Didn’t He say to him before that, “I have prayed for you” and that “Satan desires to have you, to sift you as wheat but I have prayed for you that your faith fail not, when you are converted strengthen your brethren.” Jesus knew where he was going to go and what he was going to do. He knew the bitterness that was going to come into Peter’s own soul because of what he himself had been and failing his Lord. He knew all that, but He was looking forward even then, wasn’t He? Looking forward to this converting of this man, this change that would come because of how the Lord dealt with him in his failure; because of what he had learnt himself and because of what it had been put into him. He said, “You strengthen your brethren after you have been through this valley and through this experience you are going to come out a strengthener of your brethren; you are going to be a stronger man; you are going to be a feeder of sheep, you are going to be a helper of souls; you are going to be something that you haven’t been to this time, because when you have failed, you came to Me and I was able to help you look forward.” Not to be taken up by looking back or taken up by the depth of the hole from which he had sunk, but looking forward.

God has kindly gathered us in again to the place that means so much to us where we can feel we can do nothing else but to fly into the arms of our Saviour, in this place He wants us to know this converting again, this turning again, this knowing again of His face shining upon us, and He wants us to be able to look forward and to remind us that what He has ever been to us, He still is and desires to be and ever will be, and He doesn’t change. The One who gave His life to save souls and to bring the blessing of God to souls, it’s still His desire towards us as His people to bring the fullness of God’s blessing, to keep us in His Salvation, it doesn’t change. His love towards to us, it doesn’t change, His purposes they don’t change, His feeling towards us, it doesn’t change, He still wants us to be His and to keep us; to keep us His forever and wants to send us forward again in the strength that we receive from Him as we wait in this place, so that we would go on to better things and may go on to please our Lord more and to be more of a help to others. May it be so for us all.

Hymn 69

Matthew 18:3, “Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus said there was no way to enter; it is impossible to enter unless there is a change in their lives. The question in my heart is, “Was Jesus speaking to men in the world, to the Pharisees or Sadducees?” I find it is not so–he was speaking to His 12 disciples, men who had left all and had been doing it for years. He said, “You cannot enter unless there is a change in you–you must change and become like little children”–these words are serious. These 12 men had made a great sacrifice–they had left their work and left their homes, their family, their father and mothers, and had done a lot for Jesus’ sake. They had made an immense sacrifice for Jesus’ sake. If you don’t change, you cannot enter He said; all your sacrifice will be in vain unless there is a change in your spirit and you become like little children. These men had good things in their hearts, they had faith and they had love, they were willing to sleep outside and have no home, but all this sacrifice would be in vain unless they had the spirit of a little child. We could do a lot in sacrifice, in caring for the people of God, in our service to God, but all would be in vain unless we have the spirit of a little child. It is this which touches my heart. It should touch the heart of every person gathered here, for we want to leave here with the spirit of a little child–it is very important.

There was a man we met 40 years ago who had made his choice to serve God. He had been professing for two years when we met him, and it was very clear that he loved the things of God, the way of God. He lived for God and had a very clear vision and revelation of God. He started very well, but this man died outside of the way of God. He walked in this truth for 30 years; he took part and always gave a testimony, always prayed and was very faithful. He could preach to others also. He wanted to correct others and it was then we understood he had never had the spirit of a little child. He had been in the truth for many years and left everything for this very truth. He left it but the last years of his life were spent outside. It would seem that he never had the spirit of a child. It is so important for you to have the spirit of a child because you cannot enter heaven without it. We could do a lot of things; you could follow me but all is in vain if you do not have the spirit of a little child. Who has the best future in the world? Who has a wonderful future in this life? In the natural sense, it is a child. In the spiritual sense, it is the person with the child spirit that has a wonderful future in this life. They have the promise of eternal life, for they can grow and make progress–they can learn things. In a little child’s first years of life there are many changes–there is growth, but there is no growth in older people, and if I do not have the spirit of a little child, there will be no spiritual growth in me and I will be stuck where I am and stay there.

There are two stories of children in the Bible and both cried. Moses was a baby, very little, maybe two or three months old, and he was in the river in a basket. The daughter of King Pharaoh came and saw the child, who wept– she heard his cry and these tears and cry changed his life. Moses had no future in this life, as King Pharaoh had said all male children were to be cast in the river. He did not want Israel’s children to have a future, so the babe Moses had no future, not even a week. But Pharaoh’s daughter came and saw the babe weeping and had compassion on him and had mercy. Pharaoh had made a law which included his own house, a strong law, “Take all the male children and throw them into the river,” but the cry and the tears of the child was stronger than the law of the king. There is a power and strength in the tears of a child before God for He hears the cry from our heart when we have the spirit of a little child. All this changed Moses’ future and now he could live for years in Pharaoh’s house; now he had a future.

Then we have the story of Hagar, the mother of Ishmael, in the desert. She was cast out of the house of Abraham and now found herself and the child in the desert. The child cried, and also the mother. There was a noise from both of them and it says God heard the voice of the child, but not the voice of the mother. What was the reason God heard the cry of the child and not the mother? They both were needy and were in a hard situation. It was because there was a different cry coming from the mother than the child. The child had a need and wanted to drink something, for it was hot and so he cried. He needed help and it was a cry of need. Hagar cried because of her spirit, and she cried because she felt she had a right to cry, because she had been in Abraham’s house and was the mother of his child. She felt, “I’ve done everything that is right; I have done my part and I became the mother of his son and now I am thrown out–it is not right!” She pitied herself, and it was a cry of self-pity, “Poor me, I have had an injustice done to me, what is Abraham thinking, why is his wife so cruel?” We could understand her thoughts and why she cried like this, but God did not hear this cry; He heard only the voice of the child. Sometimes we think it is not right and we ask, “Why, why”–question upon question. We fight against things and seek to justify ourselves. We say our own words and even say God is not right in this. We just don’t see it, but God does not hear a cry like that, and hears only the cry of the child, a pure cry of need, a need for water, living water from God. If we have this sort of cry we have a future.

In Matthew 18:10, it tells us about angels. Little children have angels who always see the face of the Father. They are for His little ones, not for adults, those who are big in themselves; no, they are only for those who have the spirit of a little child. We have an angel who sees the face of God, but if I am not a child then my future is limited. I can see clearly that my body is not like it was 40 to 50 years ago; my vision and my hearing are not the same and I have lost some of the sensitivity of hearing. I am also becoming stiff–all this is all so different for a child. The spirit of a child is very important to us. We see Lazarus, not in the house, but in the bosom of Abraham. One time I saw a photograph of a father and mother and their children–big children, small children, and a babe–there were six children. Which one of the children is sitting in the bosom of the mother? It was the babe. Lazarus was like this because he died as a child, having the spirit of a little child. The rich man died as a great man, for he was not a child but was big.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem and King Herod got to hear of it by his magicians, his wise men. The wise men were asking questions, “Where could they find the king that was born?” They knew He would be born and they had fear just as Herod had fear. He asked the wise men to let him know when they had found Him so that he could worship Him also. Herod was a strong king with great authority but he had the fear of a little child–he trembled and he feared. The king of this world, the devil, also fears the little child, especially when he sees the spirit of a small child; he becomes fearful. Let us take care to have the spirit of a little child because Satan fears it when he sees that spirit of a child. It is when we have this thought of being big that we have no help available to us.

Simeon, in Luke 2, went to the temple to become acquainted with Joseph and Mary and when he saw the child Jesus, he took him up into his arms and said, “I have now seen the salvation of God.” Right there in their midst was the salvation for the world! He saw the world in darkness, yet he also saw salvation in the small child in the arms of His mother. This is the solution to all the problems and differences in the world and amongst us in the Family of God–it is for all of us to have the spirit of a little child, for this brings us peace and is our salvation. Simeon saw that the salvation of the world lay in the spirit of a little child.

He was not listed with the troops abroad

He carried neither bayonet, nor gun,

No grateful throng stood ready to applaud

The devastating battle he had won;

He fought his pride, his selfishness, his ease,

The battle was deep in his own heart

And though he conquered all his enemies

No chant of triumph sounded in the Mart.

His name is not upon the honor roll.

No medals spangle on his manly chest,

But the God who looks upon the soul

Hath kept a place for him among the blest

Because he conquered self: the only foe

Who could have dealt to him a mortal blow.

Hymn 217, “My Savior’s Love”

Convention was a family reunion. If we’re with the lamb of God – we’re not going to lose power to overcome this obstacle.

I Peter 2, “Choose in generation… called you out of darkness into His miraculous light.”

Psalms 23, “paths of righteousness for His Name sake.” You bear your Father’s name, so don’t shame it.

When we do things out of love, we probably won’t remember. It’s a spirit one feels from the inside.

We need to appreciate the love God gives to us and therefore we should appreciate doing what is right. Find the “I want to” button.

Hymn 386, “Christ for Us”

Jesus spoke, Jesus resurrected…those are miracles. We received Christ within.

Acts, “…up through you into Heaven….” / Revelations 1, “… all kingdoms see Him…” Jesus knew He was going to be the lamb and was going to be hated and despised by you and me. He was going to bring hope and salvation. The first coming was when we accepted Him into our hearts.

Revelations, “… every eye shall see Him.” We’re thankful for His resurrection. We should see Him as our Redeemer and our Savior – from a lost eternity. We are thankful that He gave His life for us.

In Luke, He showed His Father’s business. Don’t turn your back on the Lord. He will come to us in the clouds. So, we need to be looking upwards. Never once did He transgress. Jesus never once glorified Himself, but glorified His Father. He didn’t fulfill His own desire. This was God’s plan (for Jesus to die in His prime / for Jesus to be who He was).

We shouldn’t be ashamed to be with His fellowship. The will of God was complete in Jesus. We need the will of God constantly. We have the greatest privilege because we are counted with the faithful few. We have the liberty to serve and love Him while we’re here. Put our lives in order for His return. We are a separated people. We should acknowledge that we’re God’s people. To whom shall He come? And, what will we have when he comes? We should always accept Him.

Our eternity matters. He wasn’t contaminated with anything evil, but He came to an evil world to save us. His bread, His life, the wine as we partake…His blood. We’re here to glorify God (not ourselves).

Genesis 12, “And, there was a famine in the land.” Abraham went down and later Isaac went down, and so on – and Jacob went down, then Joseph.

Ruth – the day the judges rule – there will be a famine in the land. This world is a famine. There is bread for the seed in the 19th century (and now in the 20th century). When your life has been delivered from a world of famine, it’s just like the house of God – as He delivers the truth to us (delivers us from evil – an evil world of famine). In Ruth, Naomi passed on the word about the famine coming. There was nothing to feed our soul until God sent His seed.

Micah 5:2, here is your one life…among millions and millions in this world. There has been something born into your life, the Son of God. The day came when the bread came (was born) into the house of life. There was bread there for the soul.

Revelations 7:17, God shall wipe away all their tears. You can have a famine due to no rain. There’s neither bread nor water for our soul out there, but there is one that can deliver all of this. Dwell on what is in this House of God so we can be more thankful.

Hymn 205, “Thou Has Been My Help”

(Open Congregational Testimonies)

Hymn 28, “Come, Let Us Follow Jesus”

The miracle is the beginning to receive something from God. Natural life has a beginning and an ending. But, with this fellowship – there is no ending and it doesn’t have to have an ending.

John 4 talks about the woman’s beginning. The experience is parallel (for a beginning and an ending). The same beginning is leading to the same kind of fellowship in far away lands. This beginning must have a continuing. When we leave, don’t speak of ourselves – but of God.

When we read about Steven, when Steven looked up into heaven – it’s a continuing… a “comma”… part way through a story. A comma (,) is like a gravestone. When one dies at 100 years old, that’s just a tiny fragment of time. Keep a balanced attitude. Steven was filled with the love and power that was a process. He was willing to begin and continue.

The man on the cross next to Jesus had a vision. That man could not take one physical step. Jesus asked His Father to forgive others for what they were doing (“For they know not what they do”). The other 2 men were amazed that His Father could forgive Him. One of the two men had that vision. What was really there on that cross: 1 man alone…far from God and 2 men who were united as brothers (Jesus and the man who had that vision). The very miracle that needs to happen in everyone’s heart is a beginning and a continuing.

When Jesus was born – those who were looking down…singing…Luke 2:10, “Christ the Lord.” Angels were singing a song with great assurance. They know He was going to receive a little help and then become the Savior.

What we talk about at convention is not imaginary (not like utopia). It’s the power of God that we cannot fully understand, but we see the result of it. We have a visible reality. We see a light beyond the natural light. That wonderful light – that’s in our lives.

Luke 2:29, it brought peace into His heart. We can have the same feeling as Simon had. God would like to give us a taste of help. You will then see His miracles.

John 17:20 (“…one of us”) – What Jesus prayed for that day is being fulfilled and that can be fulfilled today. How much of this prayer are we fulfilling? We can help fulfill what Jesus was praying for. We can help others know what Jesus taught. He is the Son of God.

II Peter 1:13 (“…of His majesty.”) He wasn’t talking about lack of hope, but going onto something better.

Acts 14:22, Acts 13:43 – Continue!!!

Hymn 328, “Ere We Part”

Hymn 294, “A Life of Overcoming”

Genesis 49:16, sometimes we’re overcome and feel that we have more failures than victories. Sometimes the enemy wants to overcome. Jesus is the alpha and the omega and He is the overcomer. Jesus is our comfort and our strength…everyday and every hour – in thy Father’s house, where the provision is, where it is safe. Don’t hold back your problems. Tell it (them) to God and ask Him.

Ask for forgiveness. The people can’t do it (help forgive us of all sins), but God can. Miracles do take place in our lives. “The troops should overcome him, but he should overcome at the last.” We will overcome in the end with our right path that we’re on.

Deuteronomy 33 (About Dan) / Revelations, the 12 tribes. It’s a matter of growth. Take the right steps that God can help you. It’s important to grow with the willingness of God. We have to be healthy little children in order to grow.

John the Baptist – he grew. The Lord increased in stature. Have more fruit.

Do we understand our calling?  We should.  The borrower is a servant to the lender.  We’re only borrowing this life.  We depend on each other.  The workers depend on us (the saints).  This interdependent fellowship is great for all.

“Lend to many nations” (but don’t borrow).

Having our own well (our own water) so we may be able to share it with others.  You can have so much effort, but the cost is nothing.  You can give and keep giving, you’re not going to be afraid of the cost, but you’ll get your water (your treasure / eternal paradise with God).

A cup of water of Jesus will never lose its eternal reward.  Becoming a lender after you are a borrower is very gratifying.

Revelations 20:6, it’s the saints that are going to rule and reign with Christ (not the workers).  It excludes the workers so that the workers are free to take this gospel to every corner of the earth.  That’s not possible until after the first resurrection.  We are “joint-heirs” in this kingdom with God.  We’re living today in the day of the Gentiles.  God fulfills His promise in His own time and in His own day.

Matthew 24 (read), “For when the world might end, what is the sign of His coming?  The Father knows when He is coming.”

God wanted to preserve the world by choosing Noah to build the ark.  God said, “Come thou” (into the ark).  The family waited.  “Today’s the day / replenish the earth.”  Noah first built an alter (used animals for a sacrifice).  We must understand what our job is and what God’s job is. We don’t question God’s perfect plan.

The disciples pointed out the beauty of the temple.  Jesus reminded them there will not be one stone left upon another (it’ll all be flattened).  About 32-37 years later – it was destroyed.  They didn’t leave 2 stones together.  God will know we’re His children with knowing the love we have for each other.  God is here to preserve and keep.

Thessalonians 4:14, “Those who have died, God will bring with Him.”

Matthew 24 (at the end of the chapter), caught up in the air to meet with Him.  “The powers of heaven will be shaken.”

Luke 15:31, in this parable, there are 2 kings and 2 kingdoms. One kingdom is of our hearts…and we make the decisions there. The other kingdom is the Kingdom of God, which is greater. Why we still have time, ask that King – can we please meet (not as enemies)?

According to Jesus’ works, we will count the cost. To give up our all – that is a great cost and it’s worth it.

We cannot afford to meet the King as an enemy and worry in fear about that day of destruction. With this new King – He is a ruler of peace in our heart. We alone cannot bring peace into our own kingdom. We don’t know what’s best for our kingdom, but God knows. He will bring us a prosperous kingdom. Leave all decisions to God.

Colossians 3:15, the love of God and for God rules in my kingdom in my heart…a love of God for me. Let nothing arise up in your heart that tries to take “first place” or that challenges His rule.

Hymn 85, “The Savior With Me” (1st and last)

Numbers 10:29 / Mark 4:35, tells about a journey. These days our journey is of our heart. God is concerned about our heart – not our actual heart, but the center of our being for those things that are good for us and for the Kingdom of serving Him. Uplift Jesus constantly.

Exodus, God gave a message to Moses and asked Moses to show you his way. God said, “My presence will go with you.” Moses said carry us not up hence (if your presence doesn’t go with us, don’t carry us up there). Wanting for “me, myself and I” is a dangerous road.

Psalms 23, we cannot go through the valley alone. The disciples took Jesus in a boat. He is still the same (yesterday, today and forever). Paul wrote “Christ in you – the hope of Glory.” The disciples took Jesus on the water (Jesus remains the same). They took Him Just as He was.

Genesis – “Let Us make man in Our Own image.” This is heart business.

Psalms 17, last verse…I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness.

Luke 2, when Mary and Joseph took their son to perform a ceremony, they were on their way home. Mary and Joseph supposed that Jesus was in the midst of them. That part was a little dangerous…“supposedly”. We cannot suppose He is with us. Either He is or He is not (in our lives). If we go to a lost eternity, we take the blame. Could we suppose He is with us and He’s not? What part does He have in our hearts? We shouldn’t use Jesus for our “Emergency Exit.” He needs to be our Lord, King…and our complete all.

Storms come because the master is not at helm. We need to get to the source of all our problems. When He arrives, when we see Him, we will be like Him.

Revelations, Jesus knocks on the door and He will sleep with us (give us peace). We are only loaned (for this life).

Hymn 368, “I Am Satisfied Indeed”

Hymn 206, “Gracious Redeemer” (Last 3 verses)

(Open for Testimonies)

Hymn 306, “He Waits for Thee”

Jeremiah 32:38-39, a choice, one way… right or wrong. Be thankful for walking in the way…the perfect way. We may fall, but we can rise once again. If we are willing, God will give us grace to walk with Him. God has given us “meeting shoes” (for us to walk in the way – His way). He has made provisions for us to keep walking…with one heart and one way. This is an unchanging way. Physically we change, but the way does not. We are the people of God. Take every forward step to reach the heaven abode. This way is a self-denial way…a praying people.

Acts 16:17 / Matthew 7:14, “narrow is the way.” I’ll do this for your good, but for also the good of your children. You “train” up a child…a disciplined people. Our commitment is with God…every Sunday morning.

“Be ye courteous – one to another.” This way is a courteous way with courteous people. Know the training and use it wisely. It would be said if they went to the world and were disciplined and then went back to the way and it wasn’t there.

Public prayer should be brief.

Have courage to know what is right and wrong and to say your mind (to your children, friend, etc.).

Be of concern, even if the people are of “trained people.” In a home, you will know if the home is harmonious. You’ll know if workers are friends (just getting alone) or companions.

Love teaches us how to give.

Be thankful the way is still narrow. This is a way that does not change us / humanly fashion or the ways of the world.

Our leader is Jesus.

There is power with prayer.

The Father who sees in secret – so, people pray in secret sometimes. Keep our meetings brief, sharp, and focused.

Anything (this way) alive – it will not be dead.

Pray from heart always, with an open and tender heart.

Psalms 25:9, be meek. Humility doesn’t need to be advertised. It will be advertised itself. Through one’s tears – we can show our humility. We can only humble ourselves. When we want help – we can go to an elder brother or elder sister. It isn’t self of what one is, or what one has done.

Psalms 139:24, an overwhelming way. This way is a way that has no end. “Man-made” ways are not in existence. If they are – they’ve changed. This way is everlasting.

Enjoy the fellowship with a redeemed blood. People aren’t telling what they’ve done, etc. They’re only telling what He has done. “Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God.” God requires – 1) Simple honesty and 2) Walk humbly.

Service means a lot to God. Bring something to Sunday meetings – not from our hearts or thinking, but from God’s heart. This is a heart religion. If you have a lot in your heart – your brain doesn’t have to do a lot of talking. The best faith is with those who are visiting / talking with pure-hearted people.

Ask God for forgiveness, cleansing, and ask Him for us to submit more.

One leader = Jesus. We follow Him. Humbly follow Him. Keep “coming” unto Jesus. Have a humble resignation.

Hymn 345, “I Will Journey All The Way”

References about sanctuary / thankfulness for prayer. Through prayer – it can be one’s only way to reach God’s heart.

Psalms 73:17 / Genesis 3, Adam and Eve were faced with a choice. Be thankful for the power of God (for He meets our needs). Jesus in the garden – when He passed the cup (“not My will but Thine”). The road that was true, right and holy is the road Jesus took.

Satan disturbs our prayers with worry, fear and self-righteousness. God will take us down a road that is right.

Hebrews talks about “the minister of the sanctuary.” When you feel the need for love, we can go to our sanctuary. It is His plan we don’t have to walk in darkness, but in light – so that it will cleanse us from all sins. “We’re a joint-inheritor” of the riches of heaven (eternal life).

People who are cruel – they “know not what they do”… they don’t know the big picture. Perhaps that is their way of building a wall of not letting love in. We can ask for forgiveness in others and in ourselves. Intercede for others and pray for others.

John 17:11 (“…these in the world…keep…”) Jesus knew God wanted nothing more than to keep His own. If Jesus prayed and asked for things for others, we can do the same in the safe sanctuary.

Hymn 220, “More Love To Thee” (Verses 1 and 3)

For every deeper pain, we can allow God to do a much deeper work.  So, we can go forth with a sweeter savor.

For every measure – is a profit to our soul.  Each of us has a mill (that we should let it do its work).

Don’t be left behind in the soil.  Grow upwards and let the deeper work happen.

Matthew 5:20, God wants the deeper work of righteousness within…not just the appearance.  The unclean city is the continuous battle.  In the garden, Jesus took care of the root.  The greatest struggle had expired.

Our tongue has no power.  It’s a member without power.  The deeper work we need done is in our heart.

The greatest work is not staying together.  Accept our righteousness.  The greatest work is the miracle of staying together and loving again.

We should go to God for man, not man for God.  When God is working – we’re on-lookers.  We feel that.  We leave everything up to God.  Maybe we haven’t made a right beginning and the devil uses us.  But, now is the time to start and/or continue that path to God.  Even though you had no foundation – God can still speak with you for you to follow.

John 14:6 and John 6:44, these are 2 very clear foundations.  “No man cometh to the Father except through Jesus.”  It’s not when you feel that the time is right.  We’re answerable to God no matter what life we’re living.

You’re accountable for the life you live.  Acknowledge all our thoughts – that we’re without hope, even our kindest things and attentions; our actions or things that have never been expressed.  He will bring us to a place of repentance.  A complete change.  He’s seeking to draw us.  You could still have a good life and be satisfied, but still have things missing.

Souls do not belong to God because God can stir up one’s heart.  He will draw men and women to themselves through Him.  This sincerity that we have, God will open up our hearts and in earnest.  Don’t let anything ever move you – even though it was done and it’s not with sincerity.  With speaking to God, you must be doing it sincerely and earnestly.

John 17:3, “Life eternal that they might know the truly God…”  We want the change, Jesus will make in our lives before the grave.  Don’t always focus on eternal life, but how Jesus can effect our lives today… a purpose to life.  He offers things that will outlive this life.  He will change your life that is a better quality of life for the eternal.  (“… Eating My flesh / drinking My blood…”)

Jesus showed that we could live in the world and even above the world.  “A dead fish goes down stream.  However, a live fish can swim against the current.”  Don’t be victims of the things of the world.  People who don’t know God are like the dead fish – just following along.  Sometimes people live so long in the dark – they forget what it is like to live in the daylight.

Our heart is wicked.  People make decisions and they don’t know the results.  If you hear God calling, stop and listen.  Being moved to read your Bible is God awakening you.  God can deal with you then.

When you feel you have a need (for prayer or for things in your life) – ask God about them.  Surrender!  The Bible can come alive when you pray (through prayer).  Let God work in our lives.  If you have learned obedience, it will make you submit to God easier.  The Lord makes life worth living…from eternity’s point of view.

Hymn 69, “To Whom, Lord, Shall We Go?”

Matthew 13, parable of the soils, then parable of the Field – the treasure in the field.  The two parables.  The seed (the word of God) can be sewn in our hearts.  In both of them and teaching of Jesus, we can have 100 fold, 60 fold, and 30 fold.  Never be satisfied if there is more (fold).  So, try to get there (to God) closer than you ever have.

There is one 1 of 4 kinds of seeds that is fruitful:  1) Wayside soil was never cultivated, so the seed wasn’t sewn (and cannot be sewn);  2) Stony soil, you can’t cultivate a stone.  The roots are unable to grow deep due to the stones.  The stones would have to be removed.  3) Thorny soil, thorns are different.  It’s growing thorns well, but it’s using up the seeds.  Those weeds have to be controlled.  [The grace of God will put seeds into our heart.]  We have to be careful of the thorns (in life).  4) One was a good soil…a 100 fold, 60 fold, and 30 fold.  100% is nothing compared to a 100 fold.  A single fold (1 fold) is 100%.  One fold is another one just like it.  A fold is 100 times more than 100%.  100 fold means 10,000%.  Anything that God helps us with is better than anything, but don’t just give 1% or a small percentage.  Go for it, give God your all.

Jesus spoke of 5 parables that day about soil and seed.  The mustard seed is the Palestine mustard seed.  “The mustard seed is like the kingdom of heaven.”  If you just get it right – you’ll see how small it is and what it will become.  It’s capable to become a shrub.  It changes from a shrub to a tree.  The branches become thick and birds can then hide in the tree for safety.  This parable is not about birds in trees – but those seeds are inside a little pod.  (Merlin had someone picked the pod and broke every pod and counted the average per pod – 3 times for each pod).  It’s so much greater – this kingdom of heaven and the treasure – this way.

Know the peace in our lives and the joy and comfort of His word and the workers God sent to us.  When “I was a stranger – He took me in.”  Jesus said that with possibility – some 100 fold, 60 fold, or 30 fold.  We’re a part of God’s kingdom.  It’s a glorious calling (to be saints).  You can still pray with sincerity.

Verse 44, the treasure is hidden in a field.  You cannot buy the treasure, but you can buy the field – as long as there is seed to be put back into that field.  There will be plenty of seed already, but you still have to work at it.  You can’t exhaust the field as long as you have a handful of seed.  We’re responsible on how much we share in this field.  (Eight parables in all.)

Luke 13:20, leaven: a power within. The gospel brings a power to our lives…an inner power.

I Corinthians 4:20, the kingdom of heaven is in power, not just words. “There is none good, save one.” “God is good” (Jesus said to a man that asked). The power of God will continue to work as we believe.

Hymn 63, “Precious Seed”

(Prayer)

Hymn 402, “Lord, Grant My Life”

This race doesn’t get easier. No comparisons between the creation and the creator. No comparison between my will and God’s will.

The only sure thing is [in?] the work [world?] is change. Being forced to change can hurt. However, it is for the better. It is worth it.

Psalms 22:14, “I am poured out like water.”

Luke 22:44, pray more earnestly – pour out thy soul. Don’t bend to self. He did come back for us.

The word is sharper – we need to handle it with care.  God stretched the heavens and set the constellations in order; He is well able.  He wants to do a fine work, a careful work.

Jeremiah 17:1 – …“well able… to handle…”

Ezekiel 18:23, shows the heart of God.  Sinners will turn and their sin will be taken away.  He wants to work in our heart with His holy spirit (with a touch of a dove).  We should revere His power.

Titus – “earnestly contend the faith” (that was delivered to the saints).

Paul wrote to Timothy to say He should be a good soldier.  We’re called to contend with God.  How you prepare everyday is how you’ll perform in battle.

Two examples on how Jesus prepared (found in place of prayer):  1) Luke 6:12-13 – we need to have an earnesty and urgency that God will have for us.  2) Matt. 26:39 – Peter prayed for this 3 times – when the blood hit the ground.  He (Christ) never saved self, so the life He led can be trusted.  To serve God – you need complacency.  God will not accept 2nd best.  God longs to give us His greatness.

Hymn 393, “I am Now a Child of God”

Romans 8:29 (and 15) and I John 3, “The Father hath bestowed upon us… / … we shall see Him as He is.” The story of adoption: in one sense – we’re born into His spirit. However, we are a part of being adopted by God. When you’re adopted and are shown love – you will respond. You will see that yourself as well as others will see it.

Our position – it is because we have a need and God will give us a place in Him. Keep His holy name clean and pure, because ye are shown love. As we’re led by the spirit, we will continue to be more like Him.

Ephesians 1:10, even though we have never met other people from other conventions, meetings – we will have our family reunion in heaven.

Revelations, it’s the multitude that cannot be numbered. God wants some of our private time, also. What a wonderful family we have and the love that goes beyond a family love.

Hymn 201, “Lowly at Thy Feet”

(Prayer)

Hymn 347, “Once We Were Wandering”

I Peter 1:3, God has brought us hope, not because we’re worthy, but because we’re needy.

Acts 6:8-15, especially verse 8 which indicates Stephen full of faith and power.

I Peter 3:4, whatever experiences that we go through – there’s always hope. You can be thankful for your experiences / your struggles. They may be costly, but if we’re willing – God will trust in us and give us hope to have a peace and quiet spirit.

Hymn 380, “Search Me, O Lord”

Psalms 139, “God is a heart specialist / a heart surgeon.” Like in life – there’s a lot of pain and suffering and with God’s help, we will heal. We need to have a heartbeat of heaven – having God remove any hardness to replace it with tenderness. A soft heart is like the heart of Jesus – of grace and truth. The depth of one’s repentance can make a heart even softer (i.e., David).

Ezekiel 11, God will give them the land of Israel. He will take away the stained heart. He can take out the stony heart. Have our heart in the right condition. He does speak to our hearts. God still has love for a perishing world. A soft heart will go all the way with Him with the spirit of Christ in us.

Hymn 244, “My Heart is Resting”

Mark 16:15 (“Go to Milltown”), believing always brings action. He that is baptized – that is action. You can be abundantly satisfied with everything that is brought into His house. You must do your part.

We need to obey the gospel. You must live in the Truth – rather than explain it. We have Jesus (even though we’re a non-denominational name)…when asked.

The power of the gospel is awesome. Power of a new day…a gentle power is Jesus. We can be thankful for the power of the gospel. We need to be responsible for bringing the fellowship of the gospel to everyone.

By grace – you’re saved through faith.

God is fire – He brings a warmth to everything. We can never let that fire go out.

Cast all of your sins into the depth of the sea. Acknowledge all of your sins to God and you will be forgiven.

The Lord leads us, He guides us and every need will be met. Don’t launch out on your own. Be a humble saved person. True humility rips our hearts. The hope of the gospel.

The Lord is honest of reaching all of us. We must admit all of our sins.

Revelations 14:6, another angel fly (i.e., just like the 2 workers going to a home to stay {story Harry told}).

Hymn 216, “The Perfect Love”

Acts 28, thank God and take courage.

It’s okay to pray for a miracle… something that would change our life for the victory.

Have a wonderful day in your life (the best day) and have a better day the next day.

Malachi (read the entire book).

Have more than what your parents have in order for you to have for your children.

Acts 4:2, taking back before He left… taking so much / being “re-supplied.”  In a figure – we’re going home with evidence with the resurrection of power.  God is not limited to what He can do for us.  He would like to send us away- full (when we leave convention, meetings, etc.).  We want to take the purity of the message home with us.

Hymn 24, “From Every Stain”

Ephesians 1:4-6, you need to be a child of God to understand grace. We need to look beyond the kingdom of heaven. If we’re not of this world, we’re part of the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom is a pure and holy place.

We’re here to be made clean – free from stain. We need to be pure in heart and through Jesus we’re cleansed from all sin.

Keep a pure mind. Sometimes our prayers are earthbound and not beneficial to us. Sometimes before we pray – we already have the answer in our mind. However, when we pray – we should go with an empty mind and heart and God will then speak to us.

Having simplicity – to believe it as it is written. Sometimes we look for justification. That’s not right. We read the Bible in its simplicity and accept it all as it is. We need to be careful about our steps (i.e., the media.)

Having a pure conscience…never let your conscience be your guide because it can lead us into problems. Example: Two Japanese women and Ivan were in Japan standing along a dirt road waiting for the bus to come. The bus came and they bowed to Ivan to let him get on first. He bowed back because in our custom it was taught to be women and children first (unlike their custom where it is taught to put men first). After a couple of times of bowing, the bus driver drove away.

We need a conscience given to us by God…by being born again and to teach us what’s right and what is in His spirit. We need to put the world’s lust, greed, envy, etc.- all to one side. We are like adopted children. God has sent His son to come and get us.

Ephesians 1:7, God planned redemption long before He sent His son. This earth is just a testing ground. Love was born into us. When Ruth’s husband died and she brought back her husband, she slept at the feet of Boaz – for he was the one that could redeem her. Every day (especially Sunday) we should give our all.

Ruth 3:8-13, Boas awakened at midnight and wanted for Ruth to lift up her skirt and he would redeem her. She would then be in the fellowship with God and His wings.

In Australia, the rice fields were burned and one chicken was burnt to death in the field; but under the chicken there were 4 little chicks. It’s like Jesus taking us under His wings.

I Corinthians 11:24-27, “You do this in remembrance of me.” You partake of these emblems worthily. We should first examine ourselves. During the past week, did I forget to forgive someone or did lust take over my body? If we’re not worthy while taking of the emblems – it is our own damnation. Pray the night before, morning also. Examine ourselves and ask God to cleanse us and forgive us all. Jesus gave His life for us so that we would know eternal salvation.

When we’re spiritually sick, it’s hard to get up and pray, go to meetings, etc. So, we want to be awake for the coming of Christ. Keep the world separate than the world that is the kingdom of heaven.

Hymn 384, “Cleansing for Me”

Hymn 26 – Thy Life Was Given for Me

We find we are giving our life over and over again.

Genesis 22, when Abraham was spoken to and he said, “Here I am” (or ‘Here Am I’) and to lift up his eyes and be allowed to see what God wanted him to see. He saw Jesus. The faith in him meant that God would provide and God did provide. God gave His son to be slain.

Luke’s gospel, the disciples and Jesus going a little farther and that His prayer was very costly because He was going to be the lamb slain.

Exodus, one lamb in the morning and one lamb in the evening to be slain as an offering. Beginning the day with the lamb and ending the day with the lamb. We can ask where would Jesus go or how would Jesus feel?

We know how He prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Think of Jesus as the lamb and there will then be victory. Search thine own heart first. The life which I lived by in the flesh, I now live in the flesh.

Matthew 13:44, a parable is picture to the eye, story to the ear, and a picture to the heart. Jesus told this story…the field where there is the will of God. The treasure – is Jesus. Nothing outside of Jesus will give us a heavenly reward.

The man – is you. Men, women, boys and girls… who can find a field – find a treasure and make it their own. Rest in your heart and mind. We must find the field before finding the treasure. It’s sometimes not easy to find that field.

Fruit of the spirit – is the treasure. Fruit of love is torn. Fruit of the spirit is ripened and we make the treasure our treasure in our heart. “The man hid the treasure in the field, sold all he had (his own way) and then he bought the field.” He bought the treasure with obedience, willingness, etc. We have to get to heaven with willingness over and over again. He bought the field then, there was the treasure.

It’s good to buy the field and then find the treasure. The treasure is to throw yourself into the kingdom of heaven. See Job…he faced many tests. Prosperity, poverty, grieving, sickness (ill health), conflict (with the fighting God), misunderstanding, then his own imagination (when he thought God turned away). He learned his experiences were without a cause, but not without a purpose. The unseen lies behind the seen.

If you keep yourself in the faith of God, you’ll keep yourself in the will of God. God wasn’t punishing him – God was teaching. Job bought a treasure – unity. The devil likes to attack the unity of everything man has. Job paid with tears, money, everything and he’s a good example of finding the treasure.

Joseph’s treasure was bread…when he ought it. He said, “I humbly forgive” when he was in the pit (while his brothers were eating bread) and when he was sold and when he was accused. He was bread to the Egyptians, to his brethren and to God.

Joseph paid a price. He sold all he had and the treasure was bread. Sell all you have and buy the field.

Hymn 195, “Lord, We Rest in Peace Abiding”

I Peter 1:8, joy that is unspeakable.  Rising above and beyond the limits of… that is our joy in Christ.  Joy that’s ascending.  Sadness can turn to great joy.  You can miss out on the pain and suffering and still miss out of the joy.  The joy of the birth of Christ and the resurrection of Christ.

Isaiah 35:10,  “everlasting joy upon their heads” – may we know how to rise up and know.

Hymn 153, “Jesus Alone Can Save Me”

Read I Samuel 23:14.

Matthew 4, when Jesus was weak (fasted) and Satan came to Him. Jesus stayed true to His word, to His Father and Satan left.

John 8:28, Jesus was hidden within His Father’s will.

Hymn 371 is a good example. There’s no place of safety except within the will of God. Fight the battle with God’s help.

Hymn 381, “Heart and Purpose” (Carol’s choice)

God isn’t asking us to settle for something less. He has chosen our place for Him. “Focus less on the vehicle and more on the destination.”

Luke 16, the rich man relaxing while Lazarus was outside gathering. The first time on the other side, he was homeless. Point others and yourself to the homeland and the journey we have to make.

Revelations 22, the picture of the homeland is more beautiful than anything. The word of God is not bound. If we didn’t know anything else, but to be with Jesus – that is enough. Depart and be with Christ – the homeland. Funerals are a time of victory and rejoicing because they have gone home. When life seems dreary, His pathway leads to endless day – to home.

Hymn 177, “Low at Thy Throne” (Donna’s choice)

II Peter 2:10, Many are called, but few are chosen. The predestination is that all would be chosen. Who are to be chosen? They are the ones that choose to be chosen. We must continue this.

In Matthew 22:1-4, regarding the wedding feast… only a few were chosen for that wedding.

Matthew 22:11, the king chose a man (one of the guests) to be there, but he was without the wedding garment. Then, the people in the vineyard were chosen to be there- but some were told, “Go from me.” “We must choose daily to be a little child.” (The people of the vineyard didn’t love the workers more.) “Make our election sure.” When David had the experience (when he was young) against Goliath – he chose to have a “child-like trust.” There are many “Goliaths” out in the world.

You must choose to trust in God. Example: A boy was sitting on a bus. People got off and people got on. One woman was concerned. She asked, “Do you know where you’re going?” The boy said, “No.” She then asked, “Do you know when to get off?” The boy then said, “No.” She then asked, “How do you know where to get off then?” The boy said, “My father’s the bus driver.”

Face your sin… wanting nothing but the faith of your Father. Continue to choose to be chosen. Choose to be a little child.

Mark 16:14, “Equation” – mathematical, where there’s an equal sign – where they are equal. Equations are conditions and results.

Proverbs 29:1, hardening your neck by repenting and repenting will eventually make your neck not turn… turn to be soft (that is). We stray, wander, and we’re going to reprove. But, we don’t want to get to the point of not being able to turn our head.

Mark 16:16, “Believe = ‘It’s true and I agree with it and I’m going to do it.’” If we don’t believe, we are condemned. Being baptized is not necessarily all the steps…it’s just a further step. Continue to take steps.

John 6:54, think of the flesh of Jesus is the outside (outwardly) side; what man sees. Understand the blood of Christ…inwardly…the side that only God saw. We want to partake of what Jesus saw – inwardly and outwardly…making that a part of us.

John 15:1-2, 4-6, we can’t bear fruit unless we’re abiding in the vine. (We wait to abide in that vine – that fellowship.) If we’re part of that vine, but not bearing any fruit – we won’t last that long. Not only abiding in Christ; we could be attached to the fellowship and bear no fruit. Christ will (and must) abide in us.

Matthew 10:38, but if we take up our cross, our result with Him will be more worthy. Simon took Jesus’ cross to the place of death. Where will we take up our cross? Many times we feel like we must die… and that’s denying ourselves. Take up your cross and follow Jesus. When you hear the words taken up by God’s servant, don’t get taken up by God’s servant – but by who sent the servant.

Revelations 3:20-21, there’s a knock and a call. This happens continuously – if we have faith and hear both.

Revelations 1:18, keys for door / letting someone in or out. If we’re in the will of God and we know it – we’re living a heaven on earth. If we’re in the will of God and not know it, we’re living a hell on earth.

Revelations 3:8, with the open door, you need to have a little strength and faith.

Hymn 155, “Incline Your Ear”