You remember the story that Palm Sunday when Jesus rode on the donkey into Jerusalem exactly as the prophet Zechariah had predicted in Chapter 9:⁹ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

It should have been a great day. So why did Jesus weep?

Matthew’s record in chapter 21:⁶ And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, ⁷ And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. ⁸ And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. ⁹ And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. ¹⁰ And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? ¹¹ And the  multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

Matthew’s record in chapter 23: ³⁷ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! ³⁸ Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. ³⁹ For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Luke’s record in chapter 19: ³⁷ And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; ³⁸ Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. ³⁹ And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. ⁴⁰ And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. ⁴¹ And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, ⁴² Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. ⁴³ For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, ⁴⁴ And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

But Luke also records an earlier time of warning in 13:³¹ The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. ³² And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. ³³ Nevertheless I must walk to day, and tomorrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. ³⁴ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! ³⁵ Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Why did Jesus weep?

Because of what they had done to the prophets He sent them

Because they would not allow Him to gather them to His protection

Because they would not receive Him as the Messiah He is rather than the Messiah they wanted

Because they did not recognize God in the flesh

Because the Pharisees (the religious elite) wanted the throng silenced

Because they did not know what belongs to their peace

Questions for reflection

1)  Do you see Jesus as the promised Messiah and have you received Him as Savior and Lord?

2) What things of the earth keep you from seeing Jesus?

3) Will you allow Jesus to gather you and protect you?

The Holy City (Jerusalem) Lyrics by Frederick Weatherly; Music by Stephen Adams

Last night I lay a-sleeping There came a dream so fair,
I stood in old Jerusalem Beside the temple there.
I heard the children singing, And ever as they sang,
Me thought the voice of angels From heaven in answer rang
Me thought the voice of angels From heaven in answer rang.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Lift up your gates and sing,
Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna to your King!

And then me thought my dream was changed, The streets no longer rang,
Hushed were the glad Hosannas The little children sang.
The sun grew dark with mystery, The morn was cold and chill,
As the shadow of a cross arose Upon a lonely hill.

As the shadow of a cross arose Upon a lonely hill.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Hark! How the angels sing,
Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna to your King!

And once again the scene was changed; New earth there seemed to be;
I saw the Holy City Beside the tideless sea.
The light of God was on it’s streets, The gates were open wide,
And all who would might enter, And no one was denied.
No need of moon or stars by night, Or sun to shine by day;
It was the new Jerusalem That would not pass away.
It was the new Jerusalem That would not pass away.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Sing for the night is o’er!
Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna for evermore!

Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna for evermore!

Our challenge – Hebrews 12: ¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. . ³For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds

Our focus -Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

You and I live in a fallen creation. Everyone is born with a sinful, rebellious nature. When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we become His new creation but still retain that sinful, rebellious nature. You and I have an enemy. We did not choose him but he is our enemy. When you receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes your enemy. Jesus said in John 10:
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
So your enemy is out to steal your inheritance, destroy you and take down as many others around you as he can. What are your circumstances today? Do they seem difficult? Do you feel inadequate? Take heart, the battle belongs to the LORD and His victory is assured!

LORD in all capital letters means lord, Jehovah, the I AM, the covenant keeper

Here is the record in 2 Chronicles 20:

Characters:
Descendants of Moab and Ammon-sons of Lot by his daughters
Jehoshaphat the 4th king of Judah approx. 873 – 849 B.C.
Remember the son of Solomon split the kingdom into Israel (10 tribes) and Judah (2 tribes)

The situation
1 It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.

What action did King Jehoshaphat take?
3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,
6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend forever?
8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.
10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;
11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.
12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
13 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.

What did the LORD do?
14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;
15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

How did King Jehoshaphat and his people react?
18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.
19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

What happened and when did it happen?
22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.
25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.
26 And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.
27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.
28 And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD.
29 And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.
30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.

What is King Jehoshaphat’s record?
31 And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
32 And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD.
33 Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.
34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.
35 And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:
36 And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongeber.
37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

Questions for Reflection
1) How has the LORD previously provided for you?

2) Is there a specific weakness you have that you need to talk with the LORD about?

3) Are you seeking the LORD’s leadership or relying on yourself?

4) How much time each day do you spend worshiping the LORD?

5) Do your actions evidence a belief in the provision and protection of the LORD?

6) What is the most important lesson of Jehoshaphat for you?

Sound the Battle Cry-William Sherwin, 1869

1. Sound the battle cry! See, the foe is nigh;
Raise the standard high for the Lord;
Gird your armor on, stand firm every one;
Rest your cause upon His holy Word.
o Refrain:
Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner,
Ready, steady, pass the word along;
Onward, forward, shout aloud, “Hosanna!”Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.

2. Strong to meet the foe, marching on we go,
While our cause we know, must prevail;
Shield and banner bright, gleaming in the light,
Battling for the right we ne’er can fail.

3. O Thou God of all, hear us when we call,
Help us one and all by Thy grace;
When the battle’s done, and the vict’ry’s won,
May we wear the crown before Thy face.

listen to the trumpet- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UzedyfBq2M

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti

Sometimes life’s circumstances feel overwhelming and stormy. Perhaps you feel like you are in unchartered seas, alone, about to go under. Paul reminds us of this truth:
Romans 15:
4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

So let’s examine a record in scripture from Mark 6:
44And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

Notice several things
The disciples were exactly where Jesus had directed them-vs 45,47
Jesus saw their toiling-vs.48
Jesus did not come directly to them, vs48-He is always a gentleman, never forces Himself on you
The disciples did not recognize Him –vs 49-50 (How often are you not expecting Him or
expecting Him to help in some other way?)
Jesus’ immediate response was assurance and correction of the problem-vs.50
The disciples did not appreciate the miracle of feeding the 5,000 when they were in trouble-vs 52
To the fact of the strong wind John adds this information in John 6:
16 And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.

So it is dark. Jesus was not come to them. The sea arose because of the wind. It wasn’t just physical exhaustion but also what they see and hear. How many times in the storms of life are you physically exhausted because of what you see and hear?

Questions for reflection
1) What do you learn from this record?
2) What comfort does the record give you?
3) What is your hope?
4) What about your current circumstances seems like the wind, contrary to you?
5) Why do you suppose it is sometimes difficult to recognize Jesus in the midst of life’s storms?
6) What has Jesus done for you that need to remember when you are in life’s storm?

The Haven of Rest – Henry L. Gilmour, 1890

My soul in sad exile was out on life’s sea, So burdened with sin and distressed.
Till I heard a sweet voice, saying, “Make Me your choice”; Then, I entered the ‘Haven of Rest’!

Chorus:
I’ve anchored my soul in the ‘Haven of Rest, I’ll sail the wide seas no more.
The tempest may sweep o’er wild, stormy, deep; But in Jesus I’m safe evermore.
In Jesus I’m safe evermore.

II.
I yielded myself to His tender embrace, In faith, taking hold of the Word.
My fetters fell off, and I anchored my soul. The ‘Haven of Rest’ is my Lord.

III.
The song of my soul, since the Lord made me whole, Has been the old story so blest.
Of Jesus, who’ll save whosoever will have A home in the ‘Haven of Rest’.

IV.
How precious the thought that we all may recline, Like John, the beloved so blest,
On Jesus’ strong arm, where no tempest can harm; Secure in the “Haven of Rest.”

V.
O come to the Savior, He patiently waits To save by His power divine;
Come, anchor your soul in the “Haven of Rest,” And say, “My Belovèd is mine.”

West Creek Harmony – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfXqexNvQzo

Haven of rest Quartet -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUGTGUe478o

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let’s run with patience the race He has set before us, looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti

God cursed the ground for man’s sin- Genesis 3:
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Jesus Christ took the penalty for man’s sin
Matthew 27:
26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

Mark 15:
15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,
18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!
19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.
20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

John 19:
1 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

Jesus Christ loves you and is willing to call you “Friend” John 15:
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

The Day He Wore My Crown Lyrics
The city was Jerusalem-The time was long ago
The people called him Jesus-The crime was the love He showed
And I’m the one to blame-I caused all the pain
He gave Himself the day He wore my crown

He brought me love that only He could give-I brought Him cause to cry
And though He taught me how to live-I taught Him how to die
And I’m the one to blame-I caused all the pain
He gave Himself the day He wore my crown

He could have called His holy Father and said “Take Me away! Please, take Me away!”
He could have said “I’m not guilty And I’m not going to stay
I’m not gonna pay”

But He walked right through the gate And then on up the hill
And as He fell beneath the weight He cried, He cried “Father, not My will”
And I’m the one to blame – I caused all His pain
He gave Himself the day He wore my crown

And I’m the one to blame -I caused all His pain
He gave Himself The day He wore my crown
Listen to instruments with lyrics-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBVzpmqnY-A
Listen to singing with pictures- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFuEzhrFryQ
Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let’s run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti

From the time you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior until you successfully cross the finish line into His physical presence, He has a unique race for you to run. It’s a marathon not a dash.

Sometimes in the process of running your race, you may feel like your circumstances are a desert with no oasis in sight. Remember feelings are just signals about what is going on around you. Feelings are never a sin. No one can tell you how you should or should not feel. Your feelings belong to you. How you respond to the feeling may be a sin.

Things to remember when you feel like you are in a hot and dry place, scorched, in need of His living water.

Jesus Christ loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love! Jeremiah 31:

³The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Jesus Christ promises to run through the desert with you. Hebrews 13:

⁵Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Jesus Christ promises to guide you safely through the desert.

Isaiah 58:

¹¹ And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

Psalms 32:

⁸ I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

What is faith? Hebrews 11:

¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 

Why is faith necessary? Hebrews 11:

⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Who is Jesus Christ? He is God, good, a stronghold, changeless, consistent

John 1:

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

² The same was in the beginning with God.

³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

⁴ In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

 

Nahum 1:

⁷ The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

 

Hebrews 13:

⁸Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

 

Philippians 1:

⁶ Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Is Jesus Christ limited by time? NO

2 Peter 3:

⁸ But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

What is His purpose for you? Specific works and an expected end

Ephesians 2:

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Jeremiah 29:

¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jesus Christ promises living water

John 4:

¹³ Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

¹⁴ But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 6:

³⁵ And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

 

John 7:

³⁷ In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

³⁸ He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

³⁹ (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

It is Well with My Soul – Horatio Spafford

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

It is well, with my soul,It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll, No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, The sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord! Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

Refrain

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain

This hymn was writ­ten af­ter two ma­jor trau­mas in Spaf­ford’s life. The first was the great Chi­ca­go fire of Oc­to­ber 1871, which ru­ined him fi­nan­cial­ly (he had been a weal­thy bus­i­ness­man). Short­ly af­ter, while cross­ing the At­lan­tic, all four of Spaf­ford’s daugh­ters died in a col­li­sion with an­o­ther ship. Spaf­ford’s wife Anna sur­vived and sent him the now fa­mous tel­e­gram, “Saved alone.” Sev­er­al weeks lat­er, as Spaf­ford’s own ship passed near the spot where his daugh­ters died, the Ho­ly Spir­it in­spired these words. They speak to the eter­nal hope that all be­liev­ers have, no mat­ter what pain and grief be­fall them on earth.

Listen and read the history- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8_EfDqF7YI

 

Questions for Reflection?

1) Why do you feel like you are in a dessert?

2) What are the barriers to your dream achievement?

3) Are you in the desert because of a choice? Your own or someone else’s?

4) Is there some amends you need to make?

5) What do you want to say to Jesus Christ?

6) Is something keeping you from fellowship with Jesus Christ?

7) Will you choose to trust Jesus Christ, even in the desert?

 

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

How many times have you asked Him that question?

Are you asking that question now?

What are some of the emotions behind the question? Disappointment? Discouragement? Betrayal? Unfulfilled desires? Broken promises? Broken dreams? Loneliness? Loss? Dismay? Fear? Broken heart?

You and I live in a fallen creation. We can not see God face-to-face. Every human being has a sinful, rebellious nature. When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we receive a new nature that wants to serve Him and live His way. But that sinful, rebellious nature wants to control the new nature still.

Centuries before Jesus Christ came to earth as a man, the prophet said this about Him – Isaiah 53

² For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

⁴ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

⁸ He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

⁹ And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

¹¹ He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

 

Jesus Christ was not handsome to look upon. Neither was He well-built or taller than everyone else. When He went to the cross to pay the penalty for your sins and my sins He saw His seed –you and me. He endured the agony and death because He saw the end result – His resurrection, the tearing away of the enmity between us and God, a restored relationship with God so you and I can have a personal relationship with Him now and one day have a relationship physically in His presence forever.

 

When Jesus Christ came to earth as a man this is what He did- John 11:

³⁵ Jesus wept

 

When Jesus Christ came to earth as a man this is what He taught –Luke 12:

⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

⁷ But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Jesus Christ completely understands you-Hebrews 4:

¹³ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

His invitation to you includes no strings attached and no prerequisites-Matthew 11:

²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 

Peter gave this advice- 1 Peter 5:

⁷ Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

Does Jesus Care? – Frank E. Graeff, 1901

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained Too deeply for mirth or song, As the burdens press, and the cares distress And the way grows weary and long?

 Refrain

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark With a nameless dread and fear? As the daylight fades into deep night shades, Does He care enough to be near?

 Refrain

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed To resist some temptation strong; When for my deep grief there is no relief, Though my tears flow all the night long?

 Refrain

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye” To the dearest on earth to me, And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks, Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

 Refrain

 

Check it out = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtE_Leex7Nw

 

Questions for Reflection

1. How certain are you that Jesus Christ cares for you?
2. Have y responded to His invitation to come to Him? Will you respond?
3. Is there something that keeps you from Him?

   Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

Research shows that how one views the future will guide what one does today.

While doing my graduate research at Penn State, I encountered two adults who saw barriers to the realization of their dreams.

First I met a woman with the life roles of wife and mother but she wanted to be a school teacher. It was difficult for her to see beyond her current circumstances. After some reflection, she was open to the possibility of taking some evening classes leading eventually to a degree. She realized her children would grow up, leave the nest and her life responsibilities would change. She also saw the possibility of getting experience by volunteering at her children’s school and investigating the possibility of serving as a teacher’s assistant. She saw practical steps toward the eventual realization of her dream!

Second, I met a gentleman with the life roles of husband, father, family bread-winner and science teacher but he wanted to be a surgeon. His life responsibilities seemed to present barriers for his dream achievement.   After some reflection, he saw the possibility of gaining an emergency medical technician license. He began investigating avenues for on-line and/or part time medical school classes.  He saw practical steps toward the eventual realization of his dream!

So where are you today? Do you have a dream?

What about your circumstances seem like barriers to your dream achievement?

Where you are is no mistake according to Ephesians 1:

⁹ Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

¹⁰ That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will

Pour out your heart to Jesus Christ and ask His advice and direction. He loves you unconditionally and cares for you.

Psalms 32:

⁸I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

⁹ Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

¹⁰ Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

¹¹ Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Proverbs 3:

⁵Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Making it practical

What will be different in the future if your dream is your reality?

What must happen for your dream to become your reality?

What about your dream motivates you?

What about your dream energizes you?

What are your key strengths?

What do these words mean to you, Psalms 37:

⁴ Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

⁵ Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

⁶ And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

⁷ Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

 

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

Window #1 -Joseph had a dream

Genesis 37:

⁵ And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

⁶ And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:

⁷ For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

⁸ And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

⁹ And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.

¹⁰ And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

¹¹ And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

You remember what happened as written in the book of Genesis.

His brothers sold joseph for 20 pieces of silver. 37:18-28

Potiphar bought Joseph as a slave 39:1

The LORD was with Joseph 39:2

Joseph refused to be seduced by Potiphar’s wife and was thrown into prison. 39:7-20

But the LORD showed mercy to Joseph. 39:21

God gave Joseph the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream 41:25

Pharaoh placed joseph in a position of authority. 41:44

Window #2 -Joseph names his firstborn son

Genesis 41:

⁵¹ And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.

Window #3 -Joseph names his second son

Genesis 41:

⁵² And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Window #4 –Joseph’s dream becomes reality

Genesis 42:

⁶ And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.

⁷ And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.

⁸ And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.

⁹ And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

Window #5 –Joseph shares what he learned

Genesis 50:

¹⁵ And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.

¹⁶ And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,

¹⁷ So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

¹⁸ And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.

¹⁹ And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

²⁰ But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

²¹ Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

²² And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father’s house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years.

²³ And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph’s knees.

²⁴ And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

²⁵ And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.

²⁶ So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Window #6 –God’s faithfulness endures

Exodus 12:

⁴⁰ Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.

⁴¹ And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.

⁴² It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.

Exodus 13:

¹⁹ And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.

Questions for Reflection

1) Do you have a dream?

 

2) Do you see how fulfillment of your dream will give glory to God?

 

3) What barriers do you see toward fulfillment of your dream?

 

4) Are there any practical steps you can take right now toward fulfillment of your dream?

i.e advanced Bible studies, formal education, seek advice from your pastor, ask other believers to pray for direction

 

5) Will you trust God for fulfillment of your dream?

 

6) What do you see of Joseph’s perspective in the names he gives to his sons?

 

7) When you reflect on God’s faithfulness throughout the life of Joseph, what are your thoughts?

 

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

What is fear?

Fear is a problem emotion

Fear is a feeling you aren’t in control.

Fear brings feelings of loss of control and doubt that God can or will help.

Fear prevents expression of honest feelings.

Fear stops you from appropriate responses to threatening situations

Fear is the absence of faith – 211 Bible references to fear

 

Saul’s example with fear

1 Samuel 18:

¹¹ And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

¹² And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.

¹³ Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

¹⁴ And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.

¹⁵ Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.

²⁰ And Michal Saul’s daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.

²¹ And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

●David’s example – 1 Samuel 17:

³² And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

³³ And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou [art but] a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

³⁴ And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

³⁵ And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered [it] out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught [him] by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

³⁶ Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

³⁷ David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

³⁸ And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.

³⁹ And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved [it]. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved [them]. And David put them off him.

⁴⁰ And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling [was] in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

⁴¹ And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield [went] before him.

⁴² And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was [but] a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

⁴³ And the Philistine said unto David, [Am] I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

⁴⁴ And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

⁴⁵ Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

⁴⁶ This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

⁴⁷ And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.

⁴⁸ And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

⁴⁹ And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang [it], and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

⁵⁰ So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but [there was] no sword in the hand of David.

⁵¹ Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

What to do with your fear

●Psalm 56:

² Mine enemies would daily swallow [me] up: for [they be] many that fight against me, O thou most High.

³ What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

●Psalm 4:

⁸ I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

●1 John 4:

¹⁸ There is no fear in love but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

●Romans 8:

¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear but ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba, Father.

●2 Timothy 1:

⁷ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Reasons not to Fear

Psalms 23:

⁴ I will fear no evil for Thou art with me

Psalms 27:

¹The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalms 118:

⁶ The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do unto me?

Hebrews 13:

⁶ So that we may boldly say, the LORD is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

●What you fear right now is not a surprise to God. He is all-knowing

1) What are you afraid of losing?

2) What are you afraid you can’t control?

3) Before David faced Goliath, he slew the lion and the bear. Are you facing a lion or a bear or Goliath?

4) How has God prepared you to face this lion or bear or Goliath?

5) What feelings are prevented from expression by your fear?

6) What types of situations are emotionally threatening to you?

Read Zephaniah 3:

 ¹⁷ The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

 

Are there times you need His might?

His will is to save you – How and when does He do that?

His will is to rejoice over you.  Why is He rejoicing?

In what will He rest?

His final word is love –  What does that mean for you?

His will is to sing over you.

(It won’t be about your mistakes or failure because His song is joyful!)

What words might He sing over you?

A lullaby?

Encouragement?

Your future? (It won’t be death, destruction)

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Coach Patti

While you remain in this fallen creation, in your human body, with your sinful rebellious nature, Jesus Christ is intimately concerned and involved with the details of your circumstances. He has a good purpose for everything he allows to happen to you.

1) Jesus Christ is refining you to be more like Himself.

Hebrews 12:

⁰⁹Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

¹⁰ For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

¹¹ Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Malachi 3

¹ Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

² But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:

³ And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

⁴ Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

2) How Jesus Christ refines you is unique, different from His actions with others.

Isaiah 28:

²³ Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.

²⁴ Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?

²⁵ When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place?

²⁶ For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.

²⁷ For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.

²⁸ Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen.

²⁹ This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

Proverbs 17:

³ The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts

Job 23

¹⁰ But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

More from 1 Peter 1:

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

⁶ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

⁷ That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

⁸ Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

⁹ Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

3) Jesus Christ controls the refining fire. He will allow it to be as hot as needed for His purpose. He will not allow it to burn you. The refiner’s fire:

• melts down and purifies, separates the      impurities that ruin value
• burns hot -refiner must place the metal where      the fire is the hottest
• is controlled – forest fires destroy      indiscriminately

Refining silver requires holding the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames are hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The silversmith has to sit holding the silver, keeping his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver is left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. How does the silver smith know when the silver is fully refined?  When he see his image in it. Imagine! Jesus Christ is watching to see His image in you!

4) Remember Jesus Christ has an ultimate goal for you- when His work in you is complete. The very first time you pass into His physical presence and look on Him, hear His voice – you will be without spot or wrinkle!

Ephesians 5:

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

²⁶ That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

²⁷ That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Questions for Reflection

1) How do you focus on the Refiner not the fire?

2) How do you see this refining fire affecting you?

3) How do you see this refining fire preparing you?

4) What matters to you about the refining fire you are in right now?

5) How does this refining fire play out in your behavior?

Rejoice in the Lord by Ron Hamilton
God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.

I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.
Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best,  and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.

chorus

O Rejoice in the LORD
He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.

Check it out on youtube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iJLgasicRI

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus!

Coach Patti