Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength

Holiness

2012-01-16T23:03:00.004-05:00

Holiness befits Thy house, O LORD, forevermore. Psalm 93:5

Holiness is a character trait of all who follow Jesus; who make him Lord of their life. To be holy is to be separated from the world and worldly ways. Yet, it is more than this. It is being separated from my way to the Lord’s way. Separated specifically for His use; His purpose. Being His child, I should exemplify His character and attributes.

I do not dress as the world dresses, neither do I talk as the world talks because I have a higher calling, therefore I will have a greater accountability when I stand before God. Romans 14:10, 12

Motives, for what reason do I accomplish anything? Is it to boast in what I can do? No, motives must be pure. My life in all areas must bring glory to God. My prayer life must be a joy, not a drudgery of presenting an “I want” list to God. Prayer is not only speaking to God the things on my heart, it is listening to Him. How do I deal with my fellowman? If what I do is not done out of love than it has no value. “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he hasn’t seen. I John 4:20

As a child of God I have no will of my own. Jesus surrendered His will to the Father Matthew 26:39. My only desire is to see God’s purpose and will accomplished in my life. The resignation of the will was seen in Mary of Bethany sitting at the feet of Jesus. Luke 10:39 It was present in the apostle Paul who said, “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21. The key is to desire God’s will to be accomplished.

Another perspective on holiness is that it makes me desire to be where Christ is. I am exiled on this planet until He comes again
1 Thessalonians 4:16. My desire for Jesus allows the Holy Spirit to separate me to Christ. The greater my desire, the more I desire to be separated.

I am set apart, or sanctified, by the blood of Jesus. I cannot “work” at holiness. It is a divine process. Ephesians 5:27 I surrender my will, I yield to the Holy Spirit because I hunger and thirst for God. Christ warns those who follow Him, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Obedience must be done in love, not fear 1 John 4:18. If I obey only because of fear of punishment, and then I have not experienced the totality of God’s love. Christ, knowing He was sent to die for the sins of the world said, “I delight to do Thy will, O my God.” Psalm 40:8 He was obedient to the Father’s commandment John 10:18. Jesus did not fear to ask the Father if there were another way for the justice of God to be satisfied to let it be. But God the Father allowed His Son to die, that I may live Luke 22:42. Jesus obeyed out of love. His trust was in His Father to know what needed to be done to take away the sin of the world. So must I trust God to know what is best for me to accomplish His will.

This and much more is the holiness which befits God’s house. I delight to do the will of God that where He is I may be there too.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

The Lord Who Listens

2011-12-19T00:35:00.001-05:00

When I was a child if I were to become angry for one reason or another my mother would instruct me. I wouldn’t have to say a word, but Mom always knew by my expressions, I guess, I wasn’t thinking nice thoughts. “Be careful what you think, God is listening,” she would say. I always wondered how she knew these things. My father was more inventive. When he returned home from work he would say to me, “A little birdie told me you were naughty today.” He explained when he ate his lunch he fed the bird some bread. The bird was so grateful he told my father I had been naughty. I later found out the little birdie was my mother! I still laugh when I think about this!

Today while I was in prayer I asked the Lord how I could verbalize my thankfulness for the Gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you sounds so minutiae in view of the salvation God has given to me; to all who call on His name. Then I thought to myself, there are no words to express the thankfulness I experience but, thank you, Lord. It was then I heard the still small voice say “I know the thoughts that come into your mind, every one of them.” 1 Kings 19:12; Ezekiel 11:5b

It occurred to me as it does over and over, there isn’t anything the Lord does not know about me. In fact, He knows me better than I know myself. Nevertheless, I thought of my mother’s words to me, “Be careful what you think, God is listening.”

These words brought me comfort. The comfort of remembrance of my mother, of the day I found the verse in God’s word telling me how God listens to my thoughts. Psalm 94:19. It is a comfort knowing God cares for me beyond my comprehension to understand.

The comfort of His presence to have the Holy Spirit speak in my quiet time is always a blessing. There is a peace knowing I am receiving instructions, encouragement and guidance, from the Lord.

The comfort of joy knowing God saw me as a child sitting, staring at the baby in the manger wondering how God put on human flesh to come and die for a sinful world. Joy abounds when the assurance of salvation brings to me the anticipation of Christ’s return. He is coming back for me, for all who have claimed the baby in the manger as Lord and Savior of their life. John 14:3

I am very thankful God is God. This simple fact enlightens my life in numerous ways. When I can’t think of what to say, or how to pray God knows my mind and my heart. Romans 8:26, 27. I understand I have a responsibility as a child of God and a disciple of Jesus. John 15:10 Yet, even in obedience there is joy!

At this time of year I have the greatest sense of “family”. I am thankful for all my brothers and sisters in Christ. Although I may never meet them this side of heaven, there is unity in our beloved Savior.

It is my prayer for all who love the Lord Jesus Christ and are thankful to God for the Savior, to realize God hears your thoughts, and the music of joy in your heart for the Son He loves so dearly; the One who was born to die for us. John 3:16

I wish you all a Merry Christmas. May God bless you with spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus, the one true Gift.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Psalm 86:10-12

2011-12-11T01:16:00.019-05:00

This Psalm in its entirety is a prayer of David.

*For You are great and do wonderous things…
God’s work is beyond my mind (which He created) beyond my understanding to describe. I believe Him when His word tells me there is no other God other than Him.
Isaiah 44:6,8 The word “wonder” means God’s works are beyond human comprehension. However, God delights in my thinking of the vast works He accomplishes; works of salvation,the work of refining my faith, healing, and spiritual growth. He enjoys listening to the wonder of mind and heart as I observes the beauty of nature, the vast starry night sky, or the power of a storm. I do not have to understand how God does His wonderous works; I experience them.

*Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth…
God must teach me His way for I do not have the capability to know what
He desires from me. If I choose my own way I choose a path to
destruction; an eternity separated from God. Matthew 7:13,14 Walking and living by faith is a life of learning experiences; each event is an opportunity to grow in faith by trusting God alone. God’s faithfulness never fails. His truth is the only truth which can guide my life. John 17:17

*Unite my heart to fear Your name…
When my heart goes in different directions all at the same time I must make this my prayer. It is easy for my heart to become weighed down with family, friends, even Church. Whenever my heart is overwhelmed I remember Jesus’ words to Martha, “You are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion which will not be taken away from her.” I strive to be a Mary in a Martha world; undivided between competing loyalties. Luke 10:41,42 Fear seems to have a negative connotation; actually the word means to “stand in awe, and reverence.”

*I give thanks to You, O LORD my God with my whole heart…
He has set me free from the death of sin. Romans 6:23 The salvation given to me in Christ Jesus has delivered me from sin; and the Holy Spirit gives me power to overcome sin. My whole heart is healed of its spiritual sickness, and the new life given to me by Christ’s sacrifice gives me liberty to walk in God’s truth; His ways. In Psalm 138:8 David states it this way: “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands.” God’s reply, I will not forget you. I have engraved you on the palm of My hands.” Isaiah 49:15a; 16b

*I will glorify You forever…
This speaks not only of my life on earth, but in eternity. Glorifying God becomes a way of life. One question precedes all actions, speech, and thoughts; that question being, will this glorify God?

My time on this earth is a dress rehearsal for eternity. I won’t get things right all the time, but I know God is watching me strive to obey and please Him. I know He is faithful, forgiving and compassionate. His understanding is unsearchable, I will not be afraid. He knows my hearts's desire is to give Him my very best. Isaiah 40:28

*Scripture taken from the English Standard Version, ESV

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Be Careful How You Listen

2011-10-17T01:20:00.003-04:00

Take heed what ye hear; with what measure ye meet, it shall be measured to you; and unto you that hear more shall be given. For he that hath, more shall be given; and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. Mark 4:24-25

In today’s world there are many false doctrines, multiple Bible translations and ministries filled with secular humanism. Jesus warned His followers to seek after God’s truth amid all the false teachings which are the inclinations of men. Entrapment in sin comes when God’s word is used to promote a false doctrine, a particular group, or to give credence to a false ministry.

Take heed - This is a Greek verb meaning a command to be done in the present and future; a continuous action. Jesus said this to His disciples. He says it to those who follow Him in this generation.

To what ye hear – Another repeated continuous action. Be on guard to what and to whom one listens. Don’t be caught unaware or deceived with teaching which is not Biblical. Check the Scriptures when you are taught something that does not settle with your spirit; seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He will guide in all truth. John 16:13 A true minister will draw people to Christ. He will reflect Christ in his personal life and teach others how to draw near to the Savior.

With what measure ye meet it shall be measured unto you – The time given to learning God’s truths, studying His word, and worshipping is never lost. God will give back in knowledge and wisdom. The more God’s word is appropriated the greater the spiritual growth. Give little, receive little; the result is a slower spiritual growth. To those who hear, and thirst for a deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ, more will be given until Scriptures flow. Proverbs 18:4; John 7:38

From him shall be taken even what he hath – To those use God’s word for personal gain, to promote their agendas, to prey upon the weak in faith, to name a few, will lose God’s words because their motive is impure. The “religious” person who knows verse upon verse, but lives like the devil, in reality is mocking God Galatians 6:7. These types of people, and there are many more, will have God’s words taken from them because they exploit the sacred Holy Writ.

Unto you that hear – For the sincere heart who desires to know and understand God more divine truths will be given. God is acquainted with the humble heart. He knows how I struggle to learn what the Holy Spirit is teaching me. God’s patience is boundless as He waits for me to understand what He is teaching me. The Holy Spirit will return me to a verse I thought I learned from only to find as I re-read it and contemplate what God is requiring of me; my understanding is broadened. I gain knowledge of God that carries me for days thinking on what I have learned until the next time when again I am brought to the same verse to learn something new. God’s word will never be exhausted of lessons to learn! It is a joy to the Father heart of God when His children read His words; to know more of Him, to be more like Christ Jeremiah 33:3. It gladdens His heart to see one who is willing to obey His words and live life according to His commands.

The disciples weren’t hearing Christ’s words for their own benefit. They were listening and understanding which enabled them to bring the Lord’s words to others. Just as Mark brought Christ’s words to me, I must speak the Lord’s words to others.
2 Timothy 2:24-26

God’s truth leads me away from the error of men. Many translators need to be scrutinized. Although the intents of the translators may be admirable, they do harm to the word of God; making the Scriptures compatible with today’s culture lessening the intensity of meaning God intended for His word to project. There is no fear of God when His words lose their intensity; His words are compromised in respect and obedience. Translators, by attempting to make Scripture easy to understand have brought God down to the “human” level, obliterating the sovereignty of God and His holiness. Isaiah 55:8 In their zeal to make the Bible “easier” to understand they have made it more palatable; distorting the words, and the intent of God’s commands. A palatable Gospel leads some Christians on a walk which becomes one of compromise rather than progressive sanctification. 2 Timothy 2:21

An example of the distortion can be seen in the verse I quoted in the beginning from Mark 4:24. The phrase, “Unto you that hear,” does not appear in some translations of the Bible. Another verse is Colossians 1:20 Speaking of the sacrifice of Jesus, “And having made peace through the blood of HIS cross….” Most translations read, “the cross”, when in reality the cross of Christ was His cross, given by the Father John 19:17. Each disciple of Christ has been given a cross to bear. The cross every committed Christian bears is doing the will of God every day. Matthew 10:38; Luke 14:27

Some translations change the verb tense. They choose an alternative description. For instance, Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith…” Translations read, “For by grace you have been saved through faith..” Looking at this, one might think there is nothing wrong with the translation. Yet to me, there is a large difference between ‘ye are saved” and “you have been saved.” Yes, I am saved by grace through faith everyday. The verb “have been” puts being saved by grace through faith as a single past action.

Many will think I am “nit-picking” and everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, when I read God’s word I want to know exactly what He desires to impart to me; not what a translator decides I should know. It is said that the King James Version of the Bible is outdated; it cannot be understood. When I first started working with computers I had no understanding of how they worked. I had to learn by experience, be instructed, and patiently take my time to gain the knowledge I needed to enable me to operate my computer easily and efficiently. The knowledge I needed was accomplished through a process. A process which at times was slow, but I never gave up. I can liken this to reading the KJV. The Holy Spirit has a unique way of making this version understandable. I am not saying all translations are erroneous but one needs to be attuned to the Spirit and pay attention to Him when He enlightens an error of translation.

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught (anything) from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God…” Deuteronomy 4:2; Joshua 1:7 God’s word is to be kept pure, free from continual hindrance of men. It is to be kept in its entirety, nothing added or taken away from it Proverbs 30:6;
Revelation 22:18, 19. Changing God’s words to be “politically correct” is adding to and taking away from the original Scriptures.

Christians are to know the Bible; for God’s word protects from being deceived. God’s truth enlightens the eyes turning people from darkness to light; from the power of Satan to the power of God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith that is in Jesus. Acts 26:18

Listening, studying, and reading the Bible gives confidence to proclaim the truth in the name of Jesus. One of the reasons Jesus spoke in parables was to encourage those who believed to want to know more. Those who did not believe in Him would not want to know what the parable meant. This is one of the reasons Christ repeated the phrase, “If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Desire precedes how one hears. Jesus knew the hearts of all men. John 2:24, 25 When He was alone with His disciples he explained all things to them. And that’s the secret, getting alone with Jesus. He will explain all that needs to be known. Ephesians 1:17

In this day and age it is imperative for me to be careful not to listen to false words, but to walk straight in God’s words that He may be glorified.
Isaiah 30:21

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

God Hears A Yearning Heart

2011-09-14T00:34:00.006-04:00

When I was a child of four and a half years old we had a Beagle puppy named, Lucky. He was like my shadow, everywhere I went Lucky was constantly at my side. One day after hanging the laundry out to dry my mother opened the door to come in the house. She did not know Lucky was waiting for the door to open. He bolted out the door and ran through our yard to the street right into the line of traffic. My mother ran after Lucky and tried to reach him. Sadly, he was struck by a car. All too quickly Lucky was gone. I missed him and cried for a long time. My parents vowed we would never have another dog; and we never did have one.

Growing up I was allowed to have cats and I once had a rabbit, but never another dog. I began to make a weekly trips to the library to bring home books about dogs. I studied them, and decided if I could ever have a dog I would have a Pomeranian. They were small dogs, intelligent, and made great companions. Although it seemed unlikely I would ever be able to afford a dog of this caliper I couldn't help admiring them. Being a purebred they were very expensive not only because of the breeding but because of the standards of the American Kennel Club. They specified among purebred dogs which ones were acceptable to be registered in the club. So I only dreamed of having one of these magnificent little creatures. My desire was tucked away in the closet of my heart; life continued to go on.

When I married my husband he owned a dog who was an Australian and Golden Retriever mix. The dogs name was Pete. Pete was such a dandy dog! Loyal, comical, and big! However, he was an old dog whose hips were giving out; Pete was in excruciating pain. We spent one weekend carrying Pete up and down the stairs to bring him outside. It was no easy chore because Pete weighed ninety five pounds. We did it because we loved him. We knew the end was near when the veterinarian arrived. We stayed with Pete until the end. There, in our kitchen, Pete left us and returned to his Creator. Even now, nearly seven years later we have our moments of grief, but speak of Pete with a great fondness. We know we will see him again.

We were dog less for a few years until Shiloh came into our lives. A breeder did not want her, so our daughter brought her home. She was a German Shepherd and beautiful! You can read how God used Shiloh. The date is July 7, 2009 “A Lesson in Obedience” on the pull down menu. Shiloh was with us for four years. She had a difficult time in the city. Noises confused her and she had outgrown our small yard. There was nowhere to run her, and she became aggressive if anyone came near me. The decision was made by my husband to put Shiloh up for adoption. I had to agree with him because she was a strong dog. It took all I could do to handle her. We would have kept her forever, but there were many factors we needed to consider. The bottom line was we needed to do what was right for Shiloh.

Our Shiloh was adopted by a young couple who owned a fifty acre farm. Although we do not know where she is, the adoption kennel told us Shiloh had found her forever home. We missed her terribly but we were overjoyed Shiloh was at peace. She had a place to run to her heart's content. She would grow strong and live a happy life. Still our hearts were broken, the house was not the same without a dog.

I did not pray for another dog. I found myself online looking at pictures of Pomeranians as well as other dogs. I remember one day thinking, “Lord, it’s in Your hands.” Life continued for a while without a dog in our home.

My husband and I attended our grandson’s first birthday party. The woman who helped us find a home for Shiloh was there. During our conversation I mentioned how lonely our house was without a dog. She said, “I have a dog you can have. She is a Pomeranian, she is seven years old and her name is Morgan. She is a purebred and I’ll give you her papers.” Morgan came to live with us in July.

God used this woman to give me a dog I had been wanting since childhood. I was struck with a sense of awe at what God had done. He had opened the little door in my heart and saw my desire and heard the yearning of my heart. I am reminded of Psalm 44:21”…For he knoweth the secrets of the heart.” Yet, the Holy Spirit continued to echo in my spirit, “Delight thyself also in the LORD and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4

The Hebrew word for “delight" does not mean great joy or pleasure. Its meaning is illustrated in an example of soft clay in the hands. The clay is squeezed until it pushes between the fingers and wraps around them. It is when God squeezes believers to mold them into His desire; He looks for pliability not resistance. He looks for surrender not holding out. He looks for love and obedience, not anger; He looks for humility and not pride. God knows all about me, and He knows about you, too. I never prayed for a dog, yet God knew my desire hidden in a closet in my heart.

Never give up your yearnings, your dreams, or your desires. Get into God’s word and obey it. Follow Jesus’ example and delight to do God’s will. Psalm 40:8 Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance on a straight path. Psalm 5:8 Wait patiently for God to work. It took years and several dogs until God brought Morgan to me. It was His time, and in His way this came about. It was all God; I had nothing to do with it. Don’t ever give up believing God will not bless you.

Jesus asked the two blind men who followed Him wanting to receive their sight, “Believe ye that I am able to do this?” We must answer in the affirmative for His word promises He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we are able to ask or think according to the power that works in us. Matthew 9:28; Ephesians 3:20 Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible.

Make the Lord your delight your joy, your pleasure; allow Him to squeeze you like soft clay and mold you into His child. Wait and see what He will do, He is faithful; He gives us all things to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

“Come and see…”

2011-07-16T10:06:00.002-04:00

In the book of John there is a scene one could easily pass over while reading. John the Baptist was doing what he was called to do - prepare the way of the Lord. He was preparing people for Jesus, the Son of God. He was baptizing them in Betharbara beyond Jordan. John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Jesus walked on and was busy about His work. The next day, John stood with two of his disciples and looking at Jesus as he walked, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!’

After listening two of his disciples left John and followed Jesus. One of the disciples was Andrew, Peter’s brother. Then Jesus turned and asked, “What seek ye?” In other words, “What do you want?” They said to Him, “Rabbi, (which is interpreted Master) Where dwellest thou? Or it could be said, “Where are you staying?” Jesus said, “Come and see.” They went with Jesus and stayed with Him.

It struck me as I read this, the readiness with which Jesus reached out to these disciples. Those who come to Him are never turned away. It must have been a revelation to the disciples to see the Lamb of God and spend time listening to what He had to say.

Day and night I thought about this Scripture. (I’m still thinking about it) Christ’s three little words have affected my life in numerous ways .My husband and I had a chance to go camping in a beautifully wooded area next to a lake. All the time I could hear the Holy Spirit whisper, “Come and see..” I thought about how God existed before there was time as we know it. In His wisdom and compassion He created time for us. How everything man calls his own, belongs to God, creation, deliverance, promises fulfilled, protection, forgiveness, faith, grace, the list is endless! All the things Christ invites me to come and see are astounding.

Come and see Jesus, for by Him were all things created; from the universe in which I live to the multitudinous stars in the night sky – He made them all.
Colossians 1: 16
Come and see He who died not only for my sins but for the sins of the world.
John 1:29
Come and see the One who rose from the dead; the One who lives forevermore and who has the keys of hell and death. Revelation 1:18
Come and see the King who will return to earth one day to give to all the recompense of their deeds. Revelation 22:12

Jesus invites me, invites me to “Come and see” that I may be made in His image; to learn the many things He has accomplished for me, to look with spiritual eyes on my inheritance and to wait patiently for His return. Romans 8:29;
Jeremiah 33:3; Ephesians 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 1:10.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

In The Holiness of Suffering, There Is Beauty

2011-04-25T01:17:00.011-04:00

But the LORD said to Samuel, Do not look at his appearance, or at his physical stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance but the LORD looks on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

Beauty unseen by the world:
In the suffering we endure there is an unseen beauty. We do not recognize it, we only know this: suffering hurts. Yet, to God, there is nothing more precious and glorious than seeing His chosen ones conform to the image of His only Begotten Son. This is accomplished by accepting the bitter and the sweet circumstances which God allows into our lives. Romans 8:28,29

Profession or Confession:
How worshipfully nominal Christians sing, “Isn’t He beautiful, beautiful O isn’t He?” They bypass Christ’s suffering, and go straight to the victory. They envision the Redeemer glorified and majestically perfect. He is, rightfully so, but only to those who participate in the fellowship of His sufferings. Only those who endure suffering will reign with Him. 2 Timothy 2:12

As faithful disciples acknowledge Christ had to suffer before He was glorified. Those who dismiss His sufferings cannot have an intimate relationship with the Lord. They are “professors” rather than “confessors”. Professors come to Jesus not for Who He is, nor to learn what He commands. They come to receive from Him, rather than to wait patiently on Him. Confessors live out their faith. "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.” Philippians 3:10 When professors discover that suffering is a requirement of discipleship; Christ is betrayed and many follow no more. John 6:66

These type of people existed in David’s time:
Those who spoke of God with their lips and acted ungodly with their actions were in constant battle with David. In Psalm 144:10 David praises God for delivering His servant from the “hurtful sword”. A sword is nothing less than fatal. However, the “hurtful sword” David speaks of here, pertains to the tongue.
James 3:5,9

There were people David believed were true to him, he learned their hearts were not faithful; such was Ahithophel. 2 Samuel 15:12 They laid spiritual traps for him. Their hope was for his downfall. They were persistent like the pounding waves against a sea wall. They relentlessly drove at him with their pretense trying to make his body feeble, his mind weary, and his spirit battle worn. This was his experience when he penned the words, “for my love they are my adversaries…”
Psalm 109:4,5 As Christ’s disciples can relate to David. It in times of persecution the power of the Holy Spirit becomes the battle cry. Determination becomes stronger and courage is undefeated. Battles belong to the Lord, but the victory is ours.
1 Corinthians 15:57

God promises to lead, feed, and guide His people in peace and spiritual warfare. The reply in the spiritual battle is, “Strengthen me according to Your word.” Psalm 119:28 The Psalmist comforted himself with the knowledge that God would take care of his enemies. What was required of David was to stay close to God, drawing his needs from the presence of the Almighty. It would be this that would sustain him. This is also an invaluable lesson to the committed disciple of Christ.

Salvation and Identification:
We are told in Philippians to “work out our salvation in fear and trembling”. Philippians 1:28; 2:12 The word salvation in this sense does not mean the salvation of the soul. It means the gifts of salvation given to us by God in Christ. They are pure gifts and must remain pure. For those who follow Christ, this is a difficult endeavor working out the ministry for which we have been specifically called. Salvation in this verse means deliverance from the snares and hindrances which would prevent the Lord from completing His will in the disciple's life; that which would prevent one from doing the will of God. God’s purpose must be achieved if our affinity with Christ is to be accomplished. John 17:4 This step in the Christian walk is completed by faith. The Christian's desire must be the base of their life and motives. The only desire being: to know and understand God. If He is not desired,the Christian is powerless. Jeremiah 9:23,24; John 15:5

Beauty which is holy:
“Fragments” of God are only understood when the heart is yielded to the Holy Spirit. He is the One who draws the curtain up allowing Christ to be glorified and thus bringing glory to God the Father. Mark 4:33; John 16:13-16 God allowed Christ to be disfigured. Isaiah 50:6-9 But is it understood beauty was the benefit? This concept has probably never entered the mind as applied to identification with Christ. Yet, an emotional “marring”can be experienced when those we love turn against us because we follow Christ. We can endure a physical marring when we endure sickness or disability. Enduring a social marring is experienced when people of the world persecute disciples for their faith in Christ. Until one can learn to accept the marring process the spiritual marring which must take place will never begin. It must begin to make us useful vessels. Isaiah 64:8; Jeremiah 18:4

The carnal nature must be replaced with God’s divine nature enabling the Holy Spirit to flow to others who need His touch. Once acceptance of who we are in Christ Jesus confirms in the heart God's calling, our beauty becomes holy. It is a beauty given by God who ordains each man’s sufferings solely for His own purposes. He did it with each person He called. All carried His mark. All held their faith in God alone. Separation from the world is the mark of commitment. When God instructed Moses to build an altar of stone, He told Moses not to lift a “tool upon it”. For if a man used a tool on the stone, the stone then became polluted. Exodus 20:25 The apostle Peter tells states Christians are to be “living stones”. 1 Peter 2:5 It is need essential to guard against those things which pollute the soul and the body. Pollution derived from the world makes an unfit temple; a temple in which the Holy Spirit is able to dwell.

The furnace of affliction:
While God's His furnace of affliction is endured it might help to remember another thought which is this: God’s love for His children is fathomless. He desires to prepare them for eternity. For God not to replace the human nature with His divine nature would be to obliterate the reality He may never have us for eternity if there is a failure to “measure up”. The yardstick God uses to measure divine character is, suffering. Isaiah 53; 48:10; 2 Timothy 2:12 The endurance of faith, rooted in a relationship with Christ, will bring the Christian through the fires of affliction. The apostle Peter under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit states this so eloquently: “ …That the genuineness of your faith being much more precious than gold that perishes, though is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ”. 1 Peter 4:6-8

Jesus Christ, Our Example:
When Jesus hung on the cross the Father could not look at His Son covered with our sins.Isaiah 59:2 But had the thought ever crossed one’s mind of the Father heart of God? His pain and suffering? He had to turn away, for His heart was torn to shreds as He watched His Son. An innocent spotless Lamb, slaughtered for the sins of humanity. He had to turn away before He destroyed the whole earth.

The Father knew Jesus was sinless. He had to be, in order for the sacrifice to be accepted. Jesus willingly, in obedience to His Father, took on Himself the punishment for the world’s sins. John 10:18 In the midst of the putrid horror the sons of men created on earth, was God’s Messiah. This too, is a fact for disciples of Christ struggling to live out lives in a Godless generation. Though we do not seek to put ourselves on the same level as Christ, the principle is relative. Christ warned us of our lot in John 15:18,19 “If the world hate you, know that it hated Me before it hated you”. Through all Jesus endured; He held His peace. He did not allow His suffering to rob Him of “the peace which passes all understanding”. Jesus knew His life would be the very standard God would use to judge His enemies.
Philippians 4:6,7

Those of Jesus’ day are like the nominal Christians of today. Would a nominal Christian of today, run to a side pierced by a Roman soldier’s spear? As they surveyed the flesh torn, swollen, bruised, disfigured face would they be repulsed; or would they remember a face once defined in strength and gentleness? Would they cradle the lifeless body and remember times of spiritual intimacy? Would it tear their hearts knowing the price of the Sacrifice given? Could they then sing adoringly, “Isn’t He beautiful, Beautiful O isn’t He?” I think not.

Five days before His crucifixion these “type” of people honored Jesus crying, “Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” The same people screamed to have Christ put to death before Passover. The book of James defines this very well. “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble. But do you want to know, O foolish man that faith without works is dead?” James 2:19-21 There are nominal Christians who think all they have to do is believe in the sacrifice of Christ. They fit the Holy Spirit in somewhere and go to church every Sunday. They think to themselves they are doing a pretty good job as a Christian. They live their daily lives making their own decisions, doing their “own thing” until Sunday rolls around. God isn’t in their thoughts from Monday to Saturday. Their Bible stays closed until Sunday morning, if it is opened at all.

The disciple of Christ lives out his or her belief in obedience and worship. They honor God with faith and trust. Their priority is the will of God. They go to church to be a servant to others, not to use it as a social club. Jesus shows the contrast between “believers” and “disciples” in Matthew 7:21-23 It is the reason Jesus stated, “For many be called, but few chosen.” Matthew 20:16

God knew Abraham would command his household after the ways of a holy God.
Genesis 18:19 Just as He knows those of this day and age who still agonize for the price paid to ransom mankind. How is this possible? After two thousand years those who are intimate with God still feel His heartache, His grief. Isaiah 65:2.

Those of today who slander the name of the Savior had their counterparts in that great and mournful day past. They want a God who will take what they desire to give to Him; rather than obey what He commands. They are as those who stood at the foot of the cross and shook their fists at God’s precious Gift. Rather than repent and believe, they gathered together to have a good laugh. They satisfied their self righteousness and animosities with cruel remarks made against a sinless life. They enjoyed their rebellion as they watched the life flow from the Man, Jesus.

All the while God the Father looked down from heaven. With tears in His eyes, and a heart overflowing with grief He announced to all of heaven and earth, “This is My Son in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17 Christ’s obedience was well pleasing to God the Father; it was an act of beauty. God also considers our obedience and suffering for His purpose a picture of beauty. He suffers, also, as He walks by our side. Nominal Christians know of God, but they do not know Him.Isaiah 63:9 Knowing, means to be intimate with the Lord, and proving that intimacy with a life of faith and works. Believing God in the face of great suffering and trials which sre not understood, is a work of faith. The Father uses great suffering to “fertilize”faith. He wants the seed of faith He planted to bloom and become a great tree of His planting. Jeremiah 17:7-10 Romans 12:3 Suffering brings sufficient grace to endure whatever life holds.2 Corinthians 12:9

So maybe, just maybe, as we struggle with our identity, conformity and obedience to God; as nominal Christians gather round our cross to mock and rail on us we will be able to keep our peace as Jesus kept His peace. Luke 9:23;14:27 Then possibly, God the Father will look on us with merciful favor and say, “These are my children, and they are beautiful!”

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

David's Prayer of Trust

2011-04-16T23:28:00.005-04:00

IN THEE: David’s knowledge and experience led him to understand one true fact: the Lord was all David had. It was true, he obtained what was needed for everyday life, and even when he became king, there wasn’t anything he needed to live which wasn’t provided. When it came to matters of the heart, David could only trust God. For David, God was all he needed. For his kingship, his prosperity, even his military learning was from the Lord. He realized that none of what he obtained in this life would be his if it were not for the Lord. Even when folly was in his heart, He trusted God’s discipline. 2 Samuel 11:27

IN THEE: My God, King of the universe, Lord over all creation is my trust. No one knew David’s heart except God; just as He knows all His children’s hearts. David’s trust was born out of the knowledge of his own deficiency and inability to help himself through the many situations in his life. This can be observed in the shepherd psalm he penned The LORD is my shepherd. Psalm 23 David was very familiar with sheep for he kept his father’s sheep. A shepherd does not only tend the flock; he gives his sheep life knowing where to lead them for pasture and water. David’s belief was in the unwavering power of God.

DO I PUT MY TRUST: Trust was precious to David; he entrusted his soul to the Lord for its care and comfort. As a king, David desired trust, he wanted the trust of those who served under him, from the people he ruled; to the captains in his army, and even to the maids who served him David relied on everyone to be truthful and faithful. He understood full well what he was uttering; he pledged His heart to trust God. When his enemies reproached him and those who knew David wanted nothing to do with him; David trusted only God in these dark moments Psalm 31:11-13. During these times David’s deepening commitment within his heart was to trust God.

LET ME NOT BE ASHAMED: David was never ashamed of standing for the true God of Israel. David lived in a time where polytheism (worship of many gods) was prevalent in the societies surrounding him and his people. He loved his LORD God beyond measure. What he is stating here is: do not allow my doubt, my fear, my inability to understand, all my human thinking, enter into our relationship. Let not my foolishness be the cause for my shame. You Lord, are King over all I am; what have I to fear?

David understood his shortcomings and his faults. It was these things he did not want to be a cause for shame in front of God. He did not want to give the enemies of God a chance to gloat. You can see David understood his position as a man in the next statement.

DELIVER ME IN THY RIGHTEOUSNESS: Here again, David realizes his desperation because he had no righteousness of his own. All he could offer God was filthy rags, Isaiah 64:6. He depended on God’s righteousness to cover him. The Lord’s way of righteousness was David’s deliverance; it was what he strived for. Experience taught David he could not trust in his own ways. David’s way of life, doing what he wanted, may have been easier, but it would not have formed his God pleasing character, nor given him joy of spirit. It would have given him a life sown to the flesh. Psalm 31:1David chose his God over his desires.

David strived to keep his heart committed to God and not trust in the feeble arm of flesh. There were times when David had his lapses, as all God’s children do.
Psalm 37:23,24. There were moments when fear and doubt, discouragement would grip David, for he was a man Psalm 32:13. It was then, David encouraged himself in the Lord 1 Samuel 30:6. “But I trusted in Thee, O LORD: I said, “Thou art my God Psalm 31:14.

When I am surrounded by insurmountable adversity I first have to admit, I’m human and I cannot help myself. In my helplessness I am not ashamed to go to God and admit it and ask for His help. If I lean on my own arm, the arm of flesh, destruction will surely come to me.

I must, in the crisis of life know that God has not abandoned me because I am in adversity. He is with me in the fire and the flood Isaiah 43:2. I must trust HIS ways as opposed to my way. I must trust HIS sufficiency; HIS provision; HIS ways. Then as David I can say with confidence: “But I trusted Thee, O LORD:I said, Thou art my God.”

Though David’s body bore the brunt of his troubles, his spirit was able to soar to God’s heart even in affliction. A lesson I will remember.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Wild Horses

2011-04-10T01:02:00.002-04:00

So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:3

While the Israelites wandered in the desert God provided every physical need they encountered. Their clothing did not wear out, neither did their shoes
Deuteronomy 2:7; 29:5. They were walking through the desert according to their own will. The Bible speaks of their many ventures into idolatry; choosing gods who could not speak or hear over the God of Israel. They walked according to the idolatrous nations they encountered rather than what God commanded. God permitted their natural hunger to increase their desire for the only One who could feed their soul.

God needs to teach the human spirit humility. The human heart is naturally prideful thinking it can do for itself. Whatever is needed, “I can do it”. But that is not the truth as Jeremiah 17:9 states the heart of man cannot be trusted. Pride rages wild and free in rebellion.

A person who trains feral horses spends time waiting for the animal to become adjusted to his presence. The next step is to slide his hand on the horses back leaning heavily where the saddle will be placed. Many horses balk at this gesture and quickly move to avoid it. Many more times and steps are taken to assure the horse that it has nothing to fear. The saddle is placed on the animals back; it rebels for the horse desires to be wild and free; free to do as it wishes.

There are some who argue that “breaking” a horse breaks his spirit. It does not; it merely brings the horse under the commands of the rider with the use of the bridle and bit. The horse still has spirit, it is only channeled for a purpose whether its cutting cattle, or rounding up strays, and the horse is liberated with a purpose. The rider and horse become one in unison as they work.

As human beings we are no different. Our spirits must also be taught to act with purpose, the purpose of obeying God’s word. One of the reasons God allowed the Israelites to hunger was to test them, to know what was in their hearts, to see if they would obey Him. Deuteronomy 8:2

God will allow a person to hunger. He may use many ways to accomplish this. When the word “hunger” is used one naturally thinks of food and being hungry. Yet there are many other ways to hunger, finances, companionship, family, love, there are innumerous ways the human spirit can know hunger. God allows this deprivation for one reason that reason being the human spirit’s hunger and thirst for God. Without God, the human spirit runs wild and free doing as it pleases.

Step by step as the trainer worked the horse, the Holy Spirit works on the human spirit; God’s mercy and forgiveness give life purpose. God does not break the human soul, He liberates it. It is liberated in His Son, Jesus Christ. Christ gives life purpose if we are willing to wear the holy bridle, bit and saddle and become one with God. When the relationship is refused His hand leans heavy on a person wherever He desires until they realize the futility of doing things their own way. God’s word is true, he disciplines everyone He loves Hebrews 12: 5,6

It was discipline and training which brought the horse to its full potential. It is the discipline of the human spirit which proves to God we are determined and willing to win His heart.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

"Life…From Above"

2011-04-02T11:02:00.005-04:00

We have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding…in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord…and may please Him in every way; bearing fruit…growing in the knowledge of God…strengthened with all power…so that you may have great endurance and patience…joyfully giving thanks the Father who has qualified you to share…in the kingdom of light…the kingdom of [Jesus] the Son He loves…for He is the beginning and the first born from among the dead…[And] I have become [a] servant [to you other members of the body of Christ] to present to you…the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages… Colossians 1:9-13, 18, 25-26

It is no earthly discovery, this new life that has been given to us. Nor is it a product of human wisdom – something we reasoned out, or conceived in our own minds – this life from above which we are bound to guard so carefully. No, for we have something far better than human mysteries to give out to the world.

Here is the truth we guard carefully and deliver to a dark world: Our great and mighty Father – who created the universe and all that is in it, seen and unseen – has sent down from heaven the seed of a new kind of life. So lavish is His love that He is scattering seed everywhere. The seed is contained in His Word, which forms in us right thinking about God. It trains us not only in holy thinking, but in right living. His truth does not make “sense” to men whose minds are darkened, because it is higher than our natural minds and goes against all our low and darkened ways.

And yet, in His love, He broadcasts His seed on the poor soil of our heart – corrupted as it is with fears of loss and death, and with longings for things that can never give us the life we crave. And, by a miracle, His Word takes root. Then, because of His great love, He Himself tends this seed by His Spirit, until the root is firm.

We know that this great gift of new life is of highest importance to God. How? Because he did not send a servant – a mere angel – to plant this new life in us. He sent His own Son. Listen to what we are telling you, so no one will lead you astray with their wrong ideas or false teachings. He sent Jesus to reveal to us His true heart – the heart of a loving Father.

For Jesus is the Lord of this creation. He is the One, who, with the Father both conceived and created the heavens. He set the boundaries of the oceans – and more than that, He governs the mysterious laws that hold all the elements in their delicate balance. He measured the seasons and set the schedule by which the days grow longer or shorter… Yes, all things – in heaven and earth that passes within its currents, fire, and air, spirits in the heights and depths – He holds the key to their well being and peace. The Father sent the Son to this, His own now –fallen creation to announce the gift of new life.

Now the worldly powers impose their government, and their plans, by pressure and the use of terror. But God does not impose His will over us in this way, Take note of this – for there are already false teachers among us who use fear to manipulate. No, God came to us as the Son of Man, in gentleness and humility. Indeed, He is the King of all creation – and yet He came as a Savior. By His life and death, He gently persuades us … for what kind of God would He be if He had to resort to force?

In Christ, therefore, God invites us to share in this new life. He does not argue and threaten. In Christ, God reveals Himself as a lover, and showing us all that we might enjoy by learning to live close to Him. At a later time, the Father will indeed send Jesus Christ to be the Judge of all – and no one will be able to ignore His coming, as they do today. But now He does not harass us with constant criticism and pointing out our many faults.

Consider the witness of those Christians who know best. They are so sure of His love for them, and eternal life is already so strong within them, that nothing can make them deny the Lord – not even when they are tortured or thrown to the wild beasts in the arena. No, in fact, every day more and more and more courageous men and women are forsaking this earthly life which they cannot keep. And by their deaths they demonstrate the power of life eternal, which they cannot lose. As they fall to the earth, they scatter seed of new life, too. John 12:24 And every day more are added to the body of Christ, for they see we have nothing to fear.

Can this be the work of men? Impossible, for it goes against the so – called earthly wisdom. No the kind of life that rules over all things – even death – this can only come down to us by the power of God. It is a sign He has come among us… and that His new reign among men is now beginning. Revelation 5:10

LETTER TO DIOGNETUS
(Author unknown)

Taken from: “You Give Me New Life” A Forty Day Journey in the Company of THE EARLY DISCIPLES by David Hazard

Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Justin Martyr – A Man Who Stood For Truth

2011-03-26T23:10:00.004-04:00

Justin Martyr was the son of a Roman colonist in Samaria, Justin (ca. A.D.100-165) prepared for a career in philosophy – big business in those days. When he was about thirty, he met an old man while walking along the seashore. “Ask God to open the gates of spiritual light for you,” the man told Justin, “for you can never perceive God, or know His truths, unless the Spirit of God enlightens you.” “When he walked away,” Justin wrote later, my spirit was set on fire…His was the only useful philosophy I had ever found.” He was converted almost on the spot.

The Romans and the Greeks were dismissing this “new religion” of the Christians. In their attacks Justin found his sacred calling. He opened a philosophical school in Rome, debating angry pagans who wanted Christians rooted out. In his “apologies” – the first written defense of the Faith – he showed how the Logos in fact planted the light of reason in all men everywhere, so that we would recognize Him when He walked among us, incarnate. John 1:1
Praised for his holy, heroic life, Justin inflamed the pagans with his appeals to abandon their outmoded and decaying religion and for that he was beheaded about
A.D. 165

Our Choice
Now what I am commanding you today is not to difficult for you beyond your reach...See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you... Deuteronomy 30:11, 15-16

The prophetic Spirit speaks to us of things that are to come – He speaks with certainty, as if they have already happened.

David spoke of the coming of Christ, for example, and of His suffering and death. (See Psalm 22) These prophecies were given more than fifteen hundred years before Christ!...And more recently, what has been shown us by the prophetic Spirit through the apostles makes us look forward with certainty and excitement to the incorruptible eternal life that lies ahead of us.

And yet there is some confusion among you. Some are teaching that because an event is foreknown to God and predicted to us every event is inevitable. They claim that we believe in destiny, or fate, in the same way the pagans speak of fate. This is untrue.

Specifically, we have heard from the prophets that punishments and rewards will be given to each man and woman according to their actions. Revelation 22:12
If these rewards and punishments were already fixed by fate, nothing would be left to our will and choosing. And if one person is fated to be good and another evil, no one’s actions are good or bad. If the human race has not been given the power of choice and free will – to avoid shameful behavior and embrace what is good – then we are not responsible for our action.

Isn’t the struggle between good and evil in your own soul enough that such thinking is nonsense? Each of us depends on the strength of the Spirit to walk uprightly with God and man – or we choose to pursue temptation and fall under the power of sin. And make no mistake; what we do is always a matter of our own free choice.

Consider, I say your own spiritual struggles when temptation falls upon you. Are you not pulled sometimes this way and sometimes that way – torn by opposing desires? If you were fated to be good or evil, why would you struggle at all? You would not be able to go back and forth in your mind, thinking: Yes, I’ll go ahead and do this thing…it won’t matter, God will forgive me. Or, No this thing is wrong and goes against God.

The pagans, of course, fail to understand why we would resist our “natural desires” at all. They say there is no such thing as “virtue” or “vice.” They say that right and wrong is only a matter of opinion. The higher wisdom that comes from above – from the One who is Reason itself – shows us that such thinking proceeds from the lower reasoning abilities of man. Mostly, man’s reasoning is an attempt to justify our impiety and wickedness.

What we teach is this: Those who choose to live good lives can fully expect rewards well- deserved rewards from the Lord in eternity – and in a sense are destined. Likewise, those who choose evil are destined for punishment – and this to their own choosing because they have been forewarned and mocked the warning.

Let’s be clear that our teachings springs form a different starting point, a different source than the beliefs of pagans. For they believe that man is just the same as animals, trees, with no real power to choose. We know that God has made man of a higher order, and the power to choose is his. Psalm 8:5

So God does know ahead of time what men and women will do with their lives. Ephesians 2:10 He decrees that they will be rewarded – that is, He will do to us according to what we have done. This gives us a different view of the prophetic Spirit.

For God is always speaking to the human race, warning us, guiding us. By His Spirit, He causes us to reflect on our choices, remembering that one day we must answer to Someone who is higher and wiser than ourselves.

Learn to see His warnings; this is one way He shows His care for us. Fir His laws and warnings are not meant to be grieve and burden us. The Spirit of prophecy is one way He guides us into lives that are safe from the ruin of evil – lives that are peaceful, happy and free.

By this, I think you can see that there is no room for “fate” or “destiny, as the unenlightened pagan philosophers think.

Justin Martyr
First Apology

Taken from:”You Give Me New Life”
A Forty Day Journey in the Company of the Early Disciples
By David Hazard

Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Ignatius – Ignited for Christ

2011-03-19T02:46:00.008-04:00

There is a great book, “You Give Me New Life. A 40-Day Journey in the Company of the Early Disciples.” It is filled with devotional readings arranged and paraphrased by David Hazard. Years ago, my dear Bible study teacher (now with the Lord), gave me a copy as a gift. I have used it constantly for encouragement and as a learning tool while reading my Bible.
One of the writings was a letter written to the Ephesians by a man named Ignatius.
Ignatius (Ig-nah-tea-us) In A.D. 69, he succeeded Barnabus as second overseer of one of the most important centers of early Christianity. His passion for Christ is as a fiery as his name suggests.
Undoubtedly, he absorbed a certain inner fire by sitting under the teachings of the apostle Paul who had recently been martyred.

When he wrote the letters we have from him, his arms were weighted with chains. Between A.D. 98 and 117, the Emperor Trajan decided this gentle old man was dangerous and had him arrested. The crowds in Rome’s colosseum saw him torn apart by wild beasts for their afternoon pleasure. Men from various churches had been sent o accompany Ignatius – our great fortune - and they brought letters from his hand to five congregations; also one to his young friend, the bishop Polycarp.

He loved Christ so much and longed to be with Him. Listen to him plead to the churches, begging them not to do anything that would prevent his death – “Let me be ground like wheat by the wild beasts!” He wanted to only follow Jesus through the door of martyrdom into life eternal. His boldness tells us we are the losers, we who cling to our worldly possessions and comforts.

Living Stones, Fitted Together
As you come to [Christ], the living Stone – rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:4-5

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed [into the Church] for the say of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:30-32

[Ignatius’ Comments]
You are the living stones in the Father’s spiritual temple I Peter 2:5. And you are being shaped and fitted into the sacred dwelling of God – that is, His Church.
I will tell you how this shaping takes place. You must be lifted up from this earth, this life, as by a crane. By that I mean you must follow the way of the cross in which you exchange your lesser will for God’s higher will. Your inner man can only escape its natural self-centeredness and live according to God’s spiritual design - no matter what it costs you – as you are pulled up out of yourself by the “rope” of the Holy Spirit. In this way the Spirit lifts you to the cross – for you cannot lift yourself – and there you exchange your old way of seeing and doing and living for a new way, in God.
For your part, let faith be your upward guide – I am speaking of spiritual vision, by which you fix your eyes on the soul of Christ. Love is all you need to strengthen you as you journey this higher pathway. Love for God, and His love in you for others.
Now remember I am talking to you about taking your place in the building that is of God. And the other stones in this building will not fit easily against you at first. Your attitude should be this: We are all friends and companions on the way. And no one should think of himself as greater or lesser than anyone else.

Each one of you is the bearer of God, and a bearer of the holy virtues shown us in Christ. Each one of you is like a small chapel, part of a great cathedral which is God’s mystical Church. Let your only adornment be in spirit, then, as you obey only the voice of Jesus our Lord.
I know you have already entered the spiritual Church, because you love nothing in this worldly life, only God.
Pray and do not give up, where it comes to others in the church – remember, just like you they are in the process of being shaped and fitted by God into His dwelling. Pray that your brothers in Christ may also understand how they may imitate God in Christ. Let them be instructed by the gentleness, meekness, kindness, and humility they see in you – not merely by your words, or the correctness of your doctrines.

So when your brother is angry with you – you be mild. When they are strong-willed, self centered, and boastful – you be humble. When they abuse you – commit yourself to praying for them. When they are double-minded, or deceitful – for even fellow Christians can act like perfect children of the devil at times – you stand in a spiritual faith.
Even if a brother should be cruel to you, be gentle. Don’t imitate them, imitate Christ. Teach your brothers by for bearing their foolishness and lack of spiritual maturity: be eager to lead them by living in the Spirit of Christ 1 Thessalonians 1:6
Remain in Christ, then. Let the Holy Spirit lift you to the cross – and beyond, to the place where your inner man stands, raised with Christ. Let the Spirit purify you, by overruling and directing the reactions of your lower nature. In this way you will grow to be like Christ – and you will destroy the works of the devil as he tries to tear apart the spiritual home of God.
I tell you in this manner of living with each other is urgent. For in this way God comes through us to His people to inhabit the earth.

Ignatius,
LETTER TO THE
EPHESIANS

Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com
Taken from: “You Give Me New Life: A 40-Day Journey in the Company
THE EARLY DISCIPLES” By David Hazard

Running to Papa

2011-03-12T15:40:00.003-05:00

We have a little four year old grandson who is the light of our lives. He has quite a personality, and a great sense of humor. I am thankful to the Lord for using our little one to elaborate on a spiritual truth.

One evening while I was preparing dinner, Xavier asked me, “Nana, Where’s Papa?”
“He’s upstairs,” I said, knowing what his next question would be. “Is he working on his sermon?” “No” “Is he on the telephone?” “No” With determination in his little voice, he said to me, “I go see Papa.” Like a flash of lightening he ran up the stairs. I listened, and I heard the door to our upstairs close. Then I heard the sweetest sound of little feet – thump, thump, thump, running across the carpeted floor as Xavier went to see his Papa.

This little occurrence brought to my mind the Scripture found in the New Testament book of Romans chapter 8 verse 14,15 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God…but we have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

I began to think of Jesus and His life. Everything He accomplished was not on the spirit of the moment, but after a great amount of prayer with His Father. He is my Example. 1 Peter 2:21

Just as Xavier allowed nothing to stop him from seeing his Papa; I am determined to allow nothing to keep me from my heavenly Father. I am invited to run to His throne, to come boldly before Him to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of my need. Hebrews 4:16 Jesus paid dearly for this privilege afforded me. Jesus knew I would need to “run to Papa” with every situation which affects my life.

The pitter patter of Xavier’s little feet reminds me I will always be a child in the eyes of my heavenly Father. I will always need to be taught, to learn, to know and understand it is my Father’s good pleasure to answer my prayers. Jesus is my example in all facets of my life. If the Son of God prayed and was heard, I also must go to God with whatever my need may be. Whether I need to thank God, praise Him, or ask for His forgiveness; He is always there to meet my need. He is always listening.

Xavier knows that once he is upstairs it is but a moment and Papa’s large hands wrap around his waist. He is lifted into his Papa’s waiting lap to be hugged and loved. I know when I pray to my heavenly Father His love encircles me and lifts me up to a place that is not of this earth. I am blessed!

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Jesus

2011-03-05T10:10:00.001-05:00

“He is precious.” 1 Peter 2:7

‘As all the rivers run into the sea, so all delights center in our Beloved. The glances of His of His eyes outshine the sun; the beauties of His face are fairer than the choicest flowers; no fragrance is like the breath of His mouth.
Gems of the mine, pearls from the sea, Peter tells us that Jesus is precious, but he did not and could not tell us how precious, nor could he compute the value of God’s unspeakable gift.
Words cannot set forth the preciousness of the Lord Jesus to His people, nor fully tell how essential He is to their satisfaction and happiness.
Believer, have you found in the midst of plenty a sore famine if your Lord has been absent? The sun was shining, but Christ had hidden Himself, and all the world was black to you; or was it night, and since the bright and morning star was gone, no other star could yield you so much as a ray of light. What a howling wilderness is this world without our Lord!
If once He hideth Himself from us, withered are the flowers of our garden; our pleasant fruits decay; birds suspend their songs, and a tempest overturns our hopes. All the earth’s candles cannot make daylight if the Sun of Righteousness be eclipsed. He is the soul of our soul, light of our light, life of our life.
Dear reader, what would you do in the world without Him, when you wake up and look forward to the day’s battle? What would you do at night, when you come home jaded and weary, if there were no fellowship between you and Christ?
Blessed be His name, He will not suffer us to try our lot without Him, for Jesus never forsakes His own. Yet, let the thought of what life would be without Him enhance His preciousness.’

From Morning and Evening – Charles H. Spurgeon
www.mycalvaryslove.com

The Lord’s Hidden Ones

2011-02-26T19:22:00.003-05:00

You may be very discontented with yourself. You are no genius, have no brilliant gifts and are inconspicuous for any special faculty. Mediocrity is the law of your existence. Your days are remarkable for nothing but sameness and insipidity. Yet you may have a great life.
John did no miracle, but Jesus said that among those born of women there had not appeared a greater than he.
John’s main business was to bear witness to the Light, and this may be yours and mine. John was content to be only a voice, if men would think of Christ.
Be willing to be only a voice, heard, but not seen; a mirror whose surface is lost to view, because it reflects the dazzling glory of the sun; a breeze that springs up before dawn and says, “The dawn! the dawn!” and then dies away.
Do the commonest and smallest things as beneath His eye. If you must live with uncongenial people, set to the conquest with love. If you have made a great mistake in your life, do not let it becloud all of it; but locking the secret in your breast, compel it to yield strength and sweetness.
We are doing more good than we know, sowing seed, starting streamlets, giving men true thoughts of Christ, to which they will refer one day as the first things that started them thinking of Him; and, on my part, I shall be satisfied if no great mausoleum is raised over my grave, but that simple souls gather there when I am gone and say,
“He was a good man, he wrought no miracles, but he spoke the words of Christ, which led me to know Him for myself.”
George Matheson

THY HIDDEN ONES- PSALM 83:3
Thick green leaves from the soft brown earth,
Happy springtime hath called them forth,
First faint promise of summer’s bloom
Breathes from the fragrant, sweet perfume
Under the leaves.

Lift them! what marvelous beauty lies
Hidden beneath , from out thoughtless eyes!
Mayflowers, rosy or purest white,
Lift their cups to the sudden light
Under the leaves.

Are there no lives whose holy deeds
Seen by no eye save His who reads
Motive and action-in silence grow
Into rare beauty and bud and blow
Under the leaves?

Fair white flowers of faith and trust
Springing from spirits bruised and crushed;
Blossoms of love, rose tinted and bright,
Touched and painted with Heaven’s own light
Under the leaves.

Though unseen by our vision dim,
Bud and blossom are known to Him;
Wait we content for His heavenly ray-
Wait till our Mater Himself one day
Lifteth the leaves.

God calls many of his most valued workers from the unknown multitude.
Luke 14:23

“Others may do a greater work,
But you have your part to do,
And no one in all God’s heritage
Can do it so well as you.”

This past week, I have been enduring the “flu”. Every movement was an effort; my muscles ached, and I could hardly breathe. My Bible lay in my lap for I was too weak to hold it. I talked with the Lord and told Him that I didn’t feel like I was bringing Him any glory; how could I possibly do anything that was worthwhile? He answered with the above devotional found in one of my books. No matter how sick I am I can still bear witness to the Light. We are roses in God’s Garden of life that our fragrance will remind all we encounter we have been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Bless The Lord, O My Soul

2011-02-19T02:51:00.005-05:00

What a glorious week it has been! I have been meditating on two verses which the Holy Spirit brought to mind.

The first one was Psalm 103:1-3 “Bless the LORD O my soul, bless the LORD and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases…”

Whenever I was bound in my mind to complain, and silently tell myself no one cared, and my thoughts were filled with anger, I concerned myself with things until I was frazzled. The Holy Spirit brought this verse to mind. He wanted me to do what I didn’t feel like doing at the moment – praise the LORD. Yet, I dared not disobey; slowly I began with blessing the LORD. Then I came to the phrase “and all that is within me. ”What exactly is the meaning of these words? So I began to study, and found the phrase has the connotation of having everything that is within me, every faculty, heart, will, affections, emotions in harmony to the Spirit. Everything needed to be surrendered to the praise of God; it needed to be employed for the sake of the LORD’S holy name.

How could I praise the LORD when my thoughts were of myself and what I was thinking? It took an act of my will to slowly begin to bless the LORD. When I wanted to flare with anger over something, I thought again and repeated, “Bless the LORD..” When I was exhausted beyond words, “Bless His holy name…” Each time I made a conscious effort to turn all that was within me towards the praise of God I was overcome with peace. 2 Corinthians 10:4 I was then reminded of Isaiah 26:3 which states: “He will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee.” The teaching of the Spirit was to show me how much I got in the way. My frustrations easily turned to anger which swiftly made its way to hatred and complaining. Not a good combination!

I can say now without a doubt I have learned to meditate on blessing God because I don’t want to be disrespectful to His holy name. I am not to forget all his benefits. The word “benefit” actually means “treatment”; I am not to forget God’s “treatment” of me. I am a sinner saved by grace through faith. Both grace and faith God gave to me, the only thing I gave were my sins. Ephesians 4:7; Romans 12:3

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities – I had to stop and think, it says ALL my sins. I was,to say the least,humbled with that little word ALL. Everything I had gone through which brought me to the point of raging anger paled compared to this tiny word - ALL.

Who healeth all thy diseases – I know God has the power to heal my physical pain and sickness; put He also has the power to show me my spirit’s sickness and heal it. The human spirit becomes sick when it can only see itself, and listens to the lies it breathes. Jeremiah 17:9 One of the duties of the Holy Spirit is to bring these “sicknesses” to light that they may be dealt with and healed. Hebrews 2:11 There’s that little word again, ALL my diseases, not some, not a few of them, but ALL of them. Praise God!

The second verse I meditated on was in the book of Malachi. I was thinking of all that is going on in the world; wars, floods, earthquakes and every type of corruption one can name.

I saw in Malachi that judgment was pronounced because of the people, their insincerity and unbelief. There are times when Godless people prosper and it seems so unfair but judgment will come on them. Psalm 9:17 Then there were some people who questioned whether it really paid to serve God. These scenes from God’s word could describe the social atmosphere of the times in which I live.

The prophet Malachi also charged the people with defrauding, or cheating God. They robbed Him by withholding their tithes and offerings. God promised if they gave what was due Him He would open the windows of heaven and pour out such a blessing there would not be enough room to hold it all. Malachi 3:10

The Scripture I found a comfort to think on speaks of those who feared, or reverenced God. They spoke one to another of the goodness of God. Then God leaned down from heaven and listened to what was being said. A book of remembrance was written before the LORD, a book of all who thought upon His name. “They shall be mine, saith the LORD in that day when I make up my jewels…” Malachi 3:16-18

It makes me strive more each day to recount the Spirit’s lesson to me; to forget myself and things which bother me; to think about God’s treatment of me.
Matthew 16:24

It is my prayer and my hope by sharing this blog that whoever comes wanting to think on the LORD that maybe God will lean down and hear what is being read that others may have their name written in God’s book of remembrance.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Jehoshaphat's Battle, the Lord’s Victory

2011-02-11T22:32:00.003-05:00

2 Chronicles 20:1-17

1. Jehoshaphat is warned of a great multitude coming against him –
Verse 3 “And Jehoshaphat feared and set himself to seek the L0RD…”He was petrified with fear; his first thought was to seek the LORD rather than to trust the advice of men.

2. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah -
Verse 4 “So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD…”

3. Jehoshaphat prayed and reminded God of Who He is -
Verses 5-12 “Are You not God in heaven and do You not rule
over all the kingdoms of the nations and in Your hand is there power
and might so that no one is able to withstand You?...”

Jehoshaphat reminded the LORD of His promises:
“Are You not our God who drove out the inhabitants of this land before
Your people Israel and gave it to the descendants of Abraham, Your friend forever? James 2:23 Jehoshaphat reminds God of the prayer of Solomon when the temple was dedicated. 2 Chronicles 6:20 “And they that dwell in it, have built a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, If disaster comes upon us - sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine – we stand before the temple and cry out to You in our affliction and You will hear and save.”

4. Jehoshaphat admits his helplessness –
“And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir – of whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of Egypt…” Verse 11
Jehoshaphat and all of Judah were content, and living in peace when enemies whom God did not allow Israel to destroy came to them in war.

5. Jehoshaphat proclaims his dilemma –
“Here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit.”

6. Jehoshaphat petitions God for a defense –
“O our God will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor so we know what to do.Verse 12.

ThenJehoshaphat makes a great statement of faith –
“But our eyes are upon You…”

To Jehoshaphat’s prayer God responds –
While all of Judah with their little ones, their wives, their children all stood before the LORD God’s Spirit came upon Jahaziel,

“Do not be afraid or dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go out against them. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still. See the salvation of the LORD who is with you. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them for the LORD is with you.”

The people respond to the word of the LORD –

“And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground and
all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD worshipping the LORD (Verse 18)

Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites stood up and praised the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high.

Jehoshaphat instructs the people (Verses 20-21)
Jehoshaphat has the people arise early in the morning to go to the place of battle in the Wilderness of Tekoa. He teaches the people to praise the Lord for the outcome of the battle for the LORD would triumph.

“As they were going out Jehoshaphat stood and said: "Hear me O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God and you shall be established; believe His prophets and you shall prosper. And when he consulted with the people he appointed those who should sing to the LORD and who should praise the beauty of His holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying, Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever.”

God’s action on behalf of His people –
God did as He said He would and He fought the battle for His people:

“When the people began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah and they were defeated.” The people of Ammon and Moab destroyed the people of Mount Seir; then the Ammonites and Moabites destroyed one another; no one escaped.

Judah saw the action of the LORD. They were given the spoils of war which took them three days to collect; armor, precious jewels, clothing and more than they could carry. On the fourth day they all assembled in the valley and blessed the LORD. They then returned to Judah and Jerusalem rejoicing with joy for the LORD had caused them to triumph over their enemies.
“And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they had heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.”

What meaning does this have for me in this day and age? What jewels of learning may I extract from this teaching in God’s word?

When I am faced with a multitude of problems – the enemy of doubt, of preoccupation, with conditions beyond my control, and many other things, I am in the midst of battle.

I go to the Scriptures and read,“Abraham believed God…”
In an impossible situation Abraham chose to believe God and for that God was Abraham's reward. Genesis 15:1 Jehoshaphat gives me a pattern, a strategy, for applying myself to seek God.

I choose not to focus on my problem, but to focus on Who God is, Who is He to me? He delights in hearing from my heart just Who I believe He is and what He has accomplished for me in the past. Thinking on all the ways God has intervened in my life gives strength to my faith.

I need to clasp on to the illumination of promises God gives to me in His word; promises that are for my particular problem. The Holy Spirit is a great Teacher. When I am in a quandary over the many promises; He shows me ones I need to focus on, which one will aid me in prayer.

I admit my helplessness to God. Many situations, multiple circumstances, are a part of life, however, when many troubles rise up against me, I can do nothing but seek the LORD; deliverance comes from Him alone. I need to speak of my situation to Him, but the outcome of what I have placed before Him belongs to God.

Job stated; “I know You can do everything.” Job 42:2 Before I see an answer to prayer I praise God. I praise Him for the answer I know will come. The resolution to my dilemma will be His answer; not my manipulation to receive an outcome I would want. When the people of Judah and Jerusalem began to sing praises to God the ambushes came to destroy the enemy.

God acts on the behalf of His children. He understands what is best for me. I must remember the enemy of the LORD will feed my doubts and fears. Satan does not want me to triumph in Christ; he does not want my eyes on my heavenly Father; nor does he want me to have any Christian growth.

My action is to bless the LORD with praise. He has not forgotten me in my time of need; even though I may weaken as I wait for Him, He never forgets. God is a Master Strategist and I must have faith while I wait for Him to move on my situations, circumstances and my enemies.

What will the spoils of war be for me when God fights my battles? The spoils of war are serene fellowship with God, spiritual and physical rest, peace and the joy of knowing I waited, trusted, and believed in the LORD my God.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www. mycalvaryslove.com

Psalm 92: An Exhortation to Praise the LORD

2011-02-05T19:10:00.003-05:00

It is good for the soul to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to His name. It is a taste of the life to come. The giving of honor and glory to God puts within a peace that the world cannot give. One can have everything and still lack peace for the soul; as to have nothing, but still have God’s peace. It is good to tell others of God’s works on our behalf.

God shows His lovingkindness in the morning by waking the soul to another day. Each day belongs to God; He graciously gives it to His creation to praise Him. We show His good works by having faith in His lovingkindness and faithfulness. He is faithful in the nights of suffering, and loneliness, His presence is always near the brokenhearted. Isaiah 57:15; Psalm 147:3

It is impossible to comprehend the work of God’s hands; for God Himself is incomprehensible. Men’s work is allowed by His Creator; but who can work like God? His work cannot be measured; His thoughts are very deep and cannot be fathomed. The greatness of His work should lead us to think of the greatness of His thoughts, and of His heart.

Workers of iniquity flourish; they prosper like new lush spring grass, thick and green. They flaunt their power and their assessment and it appears they have the evidence of God’s favor, but the opposite is true.

The Psalmist states that the LORD anoints his horn, meaning He anoints the one He has called. The Holy Spirit is symbolized by oil. So when the enemy rises with malice and vicious plans God anoints His beloved with the power to do battle. 1 John 2:20 There is no need to fear any enemy. Psalm 27:3; 118:6

When the wicked rise against the people of the Lord the temptation is to fear them; but one can triumph when they are disabled and can no longer do any more mischief. It must be remembered that though it is a desire to have enemies endure the suffering they have caused, one must pray for them also. Maybe God in His mercy would allow them to repent of their deeds. Matthew 5:44, 45

“The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree; he shall flourish like a cedar in Lebanon.” When God gives grace, He gives abundant grace; God’s trees shall grow higher and taller like the tall cedars in Lebanon.
Psalm 61:3. They shall grow nearer to heaven, a tree rooted in the LORD God is stronger and fit for use; it is stately and full of lofty boughs. James 4:6

Trees of righteousness are not planted in common ground but in the house of the Lord. They do not grow by themselves for God tends them with grace by His word and His Spirit from which they receive all the nutrients they need to keep them spiritually alive and fruitful.

Trees are known to be long lived and increase with fruit in their old age. Unlike the grass of the wicked which is short lived, trees are hearty, alive and are able to survive. It is said the more you press a tree down, the more it grows. The plans the wicked plot against the righteous are the very substances which makes the tree of righteousness flourish. The righteous flourish beneath their burdens; as it is God who makes all things grow.

In the last verse of Psalm 92 the Psalmist uses his analogy of God being his rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. The Lord is true to His promises and faithful to every word He has ever spoken. He will remain with and finish the work He has begun. Philippians 1:6 One commentator put it this way: “I have chosen Him for my rock on which to build, in the clefts of which to take shelter, on the top of which to set my feet. I have found Him as a rock, strong and steadfast and His word as firm as a rock. I have found there is no unrighteousness in Him. He is able, and will be as kind as His word makes Him to be. All that ever trusted in God found Him faithful and all- sufficient, and none were ever ashamed of their hope in Him.”

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Overcoming The Enemy

2011-01-30T01:20:00.026-05:00

Jesus had a specific lesson in mind when He sent out the disciples. He wanted them to rely on what they had learned as they experienced being taught following Jesus. There was another lesson He needed to put within their hearts; the lesson of obedience to His instructions, and glorifying the Father in their life.

In Luke 10 Jesus appoints seventy-two men giving them specific instructions for their journey. When they returned they were filled with joy because they said “even the demons submit to us in Your name” But Jesus reminded them, “I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven.” Though Jesus did not go with the men physically, His heart and eyes went with them. Each conquest against the adversary’s dominion caused Satan to lose ground; each healing, each bit of preaching loosened the hold of the devil on the souls of men. The advancements for the cause of God brought Satan down from the heights he desired to dwell and rule. Isaiah 14:12 Ephesians 6:12 Satan falls from heaven when he falls from the throne of men’s hearts. Acts 26:18

Then Jesus says this: “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Luke 10:18,19,20

Jesus gives Christians the right to command; to act on His behalf. He gives His permission to use His name. John 14:13 The name of Christ is victory for no matter what battle is engaged Christ has already won. Trampling on all the power of the enemy leaves it in rubble and ruin and gives way for the kingdom of the Messiah to advance.

It is interesting that Jesus named the snake and the scorpion by name. If you look at the characteristics of both symbolize people who afflict the Believer. Snakes relates not only to sly and cunning, sneaky people, but to demon spirits; Satan being called the old “serpent”. Revelation 12:9;20:2 Satan was once an angel but turned devil by pride. 1 Timothy 3:6 Snakes will take every opportunity and wait until their prey is assured before they strike. Being aware that Satan can turn himself into an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 Believers too, must guard against pride not allowing it to overtake the heart.

The scorpion can be related to those whose wicked actions, words, and plans are a deadly sting to the Believer striving in the faith. They attempt to paralyze with fear, threaten with death, or harm in one form or another.

Matthew Henry says it this way: (1.) An offensive power, power to tread on serpents and scorpions, devils and malignant spirits, the old serpent: “You shall bruise their heads in my name,” according to the first promise, Gen.3:15. Come, set your feet on the necks of these enemies; you shall tread upon these lions and adders wherever you meet with them; you shall trample them under foot, Psalm 91:13
(2 A defensive power: “Nothing shall by any means hurt you; not serpents nor scorpions, if you should be chastised with them or thrown into prisons and dungeons among them; you shall be unhurt by the most venomous creatures,” as St. Paul was (Act 28:5), and as is promised in Mark 16:18 . “If wicked men be as serpents to you, and you dwell among those scorpions (as Ezekiel 2:6), you may despise their rage, and tread upon it; it need not disturb you, for they have no power against you but what is given them from above; they may hiss, but they cannot hurt.” You may play upon the hole of the asp, for death itself shall not hurt nor destroy,
Isaiah 11:8,9 Isaiah 25:8

The “authority” given from Jesus is a right and a privilege to the child of God who live by faith. It is not just power to enable one to come against the kingdom of darkness; it is power with authority; power to act on behalf of Jesus. The power of the enemy contains no authority. It is a power which allows the devil to do something. Satan wants mankind to believe he has authority, but he doesn’t. He is the enemy of all good and the accuser of God and man.
Matthew 13:28 Revelation 12: 9-12 Ezekiel 28:11-17

Overcoming the enemy requires the blood of Jesus. Christ made a public spectacle of all powers and authorities triumphing over them by His cross. Ephesians 6:13 Colossians 2:15 In heaven it is told “they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” They overcame the devil and his minions by the Lamb’s blood and their testimony of belonging to Jesus. These precious souls did not shrink back from death but bravely proclaimed their allegiance to the Lamb. Revelation 12:11
To those who overcome, Jesus promises to give them the right to sit with Him in His throne just as Jesus overcame and is seated with the Father in His throne. Revelation 3:21 Allegiance to Christ is not a personal matter. It is commanded Luke 9:23

Overcoming the enemy gives victory in Christ. John the Baptist said, “A man can receive only what is given to him from heaven” John 3:27 No matter what is faced in life, whatever lot given one must believe to be more than a conqueror through Him that loved us. Romans 8:37

As I journey through God’s word this year I am presently reading the book of Job. Each time I read the book I am amazed at the degree of suffering this man endured. One of my favorite verses I use for prayer is “I know You can do everything; no thought can be witheld from You.” Job 42:2 The goodness and grace of God will complete the journey from earth to the heavenly home because it is His plan. Nothing will separate the Believer from that plan; no scenario Satan can imagine, or any strategy can he may initiate will thwart God’s plan of our eternity with Him. Christ gave His life for our assurance that our physical death will only be a gateway to a glorious resurrection. The Holy Spirit is our seal of ownership and a guarantee of what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:22

No matter what is received in this life, the ultimate comfort and reassurance is that of belonging to the Lord. Romans 14:8 The promise of Jesus rings in my heart, “My sheep listen to My voice, I know them, they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all, no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” John 10: 27-29

The apostle Paul in the book of Romans teaches the power of the enemy has no hold on the Christian. “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?...Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus who died-more than that was raised to life is at the right hand of God interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For Your sake we face death
all day long;
we are considered as sheep
to be slaughtered.” Psalm 44:22

No, in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I think the apostle Paul covered every contingency to make sure there can be no doubt. The enemy cannot overcome the Christian.1 John 4:4 Prayer, reading God’s word, living in Christ, and listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit will keep one prepared.1 Peter 5:8,9

Author~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Jesus, My Mainstay

2011-01-23T00:36:00.006-05:00

Life is often analogized as a “voyage”; a launching out on life’s sea; and weathering the storms of life. When life’s circumstances are favorable it is said to be “smooth sailing’; when times are not so good, phrases such as, “the stormy sea of life”; and adrift are used to describe bad times.

Throughout the hours and days of my life Christ is my mainstay. You don’t hear the word, “mainstay” very much. It’s a nautical term used to describe the strong rope that steadies and supports the main mast of a sailing vessel. I think of Jesus as the guide that keeps my sails in line as I engage on life’s voyage. He is my anchor in life’s sea.
Hebrews 6:19 NIV

Another meaning of the word, ‘mainstay’ is a ‘principal support.’ When I become weary with all this life hands me I know I can trust Jesus to support me by the grace of God. I believe for extremely difficult times God has a very special grace for those undergoing severe trials. 1 Peter 1:5 NIV

When there are times life’s storms seem to overwhelm me I immediately think of the apostle Peter. When Christ bid Peter to walk on water Peter did walk on the water until he took his eyes off Jesus. He heard the wind, felt its effects and saw the waves. He was not looking at Jesus; he was looking at his fear. Peter was afraid of drowning. It is easy to see Peter’s love for Christ as he walked on the water to reach Him. Peter’s faith did not fail him for an eye of faith is at the bottom of all fear. This was one incident where Christ was able to show Peter how easily fear overcomes faith. My eyes must remain on Christ. I cannot look at the circumstances for if I look to them, dwell on them, and try to arrange my freedom from them, I am not looking to Jesus. At this point, He is not my mainstay; my desire is what I am leaning on. Like Peter, I will sink in the ocean of my own making.

When Jesus came to the disciples walking on the water, His first words to them were, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ Jesus was instilling in them the spirit of courage. Jesus wanted them to choose courage over fear; choose to face danger, difficulty, uncertainty, or pain without being overcome with fear. Fear will deflect one from a certain course of action.

Hence, the mainstay rope on a sailing ship moves the sail enabling the sailing boat to maintain its course. Jesus is the one I need to focus on, wait on, and seek in prayer to alleviate the fear that can become a hindrance to my relationship with Him and a deterrent to the course He has chosen for my life.

Throughout all my days Jesus guides and assists me in the many circumstances of life. He has sailed this way before me. God knows what I will do. Psalm 139: 1-4 NIV If I happen to begin to sink, I can rest assured Christ will reach for me as He reached for Peter. Hopefully, prayerfully, I won’t sink because Jesus is my mainstay. I will not choose any other support, nor rope to steady my mast as I sail on towards home on the ocean of life.

VOYAGE OF FAITH

‘For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things in bringing many sons to glory, to make captain of their salvation, perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:12

A darkened day on the sea of my soul;
Clouds of gloom were content to stay.
Until, Jesus spoke these words to me:
“Do not live amid cares in the anxious realm;
For I, your Captain, pilot this soul’s helm.
I will guide you though rough waters, safe and sound.
I will place you on a much higher ground.
Soul’s filled with fear have no place in Me.
It is for your own good I say this to thee.
Rest your head upon Me in sweet repose.
Your Father cares and He knows,
Not only your needs, but your soul’s desire;
Surrender then, to the Refiner’s fire.
Blessings I have promised will appear;
Have faith in God and do not fear.”

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Being A Servant Of The Lord

2011-01-14T23:54:00.005-05:00

The simplest actions put me to thinking, it’s strange. The other day I was washing my hands. I looked at the bar of soap and asked myself what makes soap so special? What are its characteristics? Is it the bar's fragrance? Does it leave a certain aroma on the hands once it is used? Then it came to me, being a servant of the Lord is like soap. I know, you’re wondering if I’ve lost my mind! Think about it,though. Being a servant of the Lord is like soap because each time soap is used it gives a little of itself; and leaves an aroma, a fragrance on the hands.

In 2 Timothy 2:24-26 the apostle Paul writes to the young Timothy. He instructs him about the characteristics which should embody the servant of the Lord.

The first thing he advises Timothy is that a servant must not quarrel. It’s alright to discuss a subject but the important thing is not to argue with one another. If I am talking about the Lord with an unsaved person and they want to argue with me, I'll walk away. Better I should pray for them than to have my spirit in a tumult. Or, if speaking with a contentious Christian who wants to argue, I'll walk way. Paul instructed Timothy “Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value and only ruins those who listen. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” 2 Timothy 2: 14, 16 Walking away is an act of kindness. I do not become involved in an argument but neither do I allow my Christian brother or sister to continue in their spirit of provocation and contention.

A servant of the Lord must be able to teach. This is where Bible reading comes in. Jesus said, “…The Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14: 26 How can the Holy Spirit remind me of everything Jesus has said if I don’t read His words? Teaching involves telling others about God’s fulfilling His word in my life; I tell my children, my friends, and people I meet in the checkout line at the grocery store. Whenever I tell someone about what God is doing in my life, I am in effect teaching them about my heavenly Father, and Jesus my King.

The Lord’s servant must also not be resentful. The King James Version uses the word “patient”. The thought being “to suffer; to put up with”; whether it is another Christian who causes suffering, an unruly child, persecution, illness, whatever the case may be, it must not be a reason for me to become resentful of others who are not suffering as I am. Each Christian endures their unique suffering. When someone tells me they have prayed for patience, I cringe.Praying for patience brings trials to teach one to be patient, and not resentful. I would rather have God determine what I need than to ask for something I think I need!

Living for Christ in a Godless society naturally attracts opposition. One needs to be ready to give an answer to every one the reason for the hope in my heart. 1 Peter 3: 15, 16 The Living Word Christ, is the true Light. Yet, many in today’s culture follow false lights and are lost. 2 Corinthians 11:14

Gently and with respect the lost need to be instructed. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and lead them to knowledge of the truth. Then maybe they will come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil which makes them captive to do his will. It is tragic to think of the number of people who will go to hell because no one said a word.

When I speak to people, I don’t know if what is said will bear fruit immediately. I don’t look for that, I just speak as I am led by the Holy Spirit. The person may totally refuse what I have said, however, a year, five years down the road it may bear fruit. It’s not up to me to decide if the fruit will ripen. It is my job to plant the seed. 1 Corinthians 3:6

If you are a stay at home mom with little ones. You havebeen given the greatest opportunity to teach and influence your little ones about God and the gift of His Son. You can teach them to pray, to sing, to be joyful in the Lord. You can start by telling other moms what God is doing in your life and helping them whenever there is a need. Matthew 5:14

If you are a young father, working, caring for your family, doing all you can to be a godly dad. You are showing your children what God is like - He provides. you have a unique opportunity to support ministries which preach the Word of God and reach out to the poor. You can help others further the compassion and provision to those who need to hear salvation's story. Matthew 6:3,4

If you are elderly and you can only give a little. The song says: "Little is much when God is in it. Labor not for wealth or fame there's a crown and you can win it if you go in Jesus name." You can pray the Lord of the harvest send workers into the field. Matthew 9:38

Every time I share Jesus it costs me a little of myself. Speaking of God, and confessing Christ to the unsaved, or when I help another Christian it costs me; in time, and in resources. It not only takes me out of my ‘comfort zone’ it also identifies me with Jesus. Luke 12:8,9 The apostle Paul reminds me to think of others before thinking of myself for he says, ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made Himself nothing. Philippians 2: 3, 5, 6, 7

Like a bar of soap I am used of the Lord a little at a time to help others. Prayerfully, the fragrance of the Lord is left behind as I serve Him in whatever capacity He desires.
2 Corinthians 2:14; Colossians 1:13, 14

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

The Silence of the Lord

2011-01-07T23:09:00.005-05:00

One day this week I baked cookies for my family. As I added each ingredient to the recipe a thought came to me. “Are there any ‘ingredients’ missing in my relationship with Christ?” The Holy Spirit brought to my mind 2 Chronicles 32:31. ‘God left him, to test him to know everything that was in his heart.’ This is speaking of Hezekiah whom the Lord blessed abundantly,and made him a very rich man. When foreign envoys came to visit Hezekiah they were shown everything he owned, and all the improvements he made to Jerusalem. The Lord did not leave Hezekiah He remained silent. He did not instruct Hezekiah, nor encourage him;neither did He tell him who to associate with or who not to associate with, and no warning of the impending war. The Lord wanted to witness how Hezekiah would act,and what he would say to the men of the world. Could the Lord trust Hezekiah to remember the things learned from his relationship with God? Sadly, Hezekiah took credit for all his riches. He also took credit for all his accomplishments, too. This incident showed the Lord Hezekiah’s heart was filled with pride. Yet, Hezekiah was a godly man. 2 Chronicles 32:32

I wondered if Hezekiah ever believed God was distant from him. Have you ever had those moments when God seems far away? I’m sure David had these times. One can observe from some of his psalms his desperation. Jesus cried from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you left Me?” Matthew 27:46 I have to believe that the Lord is not far from me. Still, there are times when I wonder why God is silent. His Word promises He will never leave me, nor forsake me. Hebrews 13:5 His presence is always near to me, even if He does not speak. Psalm 91:15 I don’t always understand God’s purposes, yet I know He tests the heart. Jeremiah 17:9,10 I trust God to know what is best for me. As a child there was a plaque which hung over my bed. It read, “I believe in the sun when it does not shine. I believe in God even when He is silent.”

Years ago I came across a vignette. It was in a book my father gave me. The book was entitled, “Streams in the Dessert” by Mrs. Charles E Cowman.

“He answered her not a word.” Matthew 15:23
“He will rest in His love.” Zephaniah 3:17

“It may be a child of God reading these words who has had some great crushing sorrow, some bitter disappointment, some heartbreaking blow from a totally unexpected quarter. You are longing for your Master’s bidding you, “Be of good cheer,” but only silence and a sense of mystery meet you – “He answered her not a word.”
God’s tender heart must often ache listening to all the sad, complaining cries which arise from our weak, impatient hearts, because we do not see that for our own sakes He answers not at all or otherwise than seems best to our tear blinded, short sighted eyes.
The silences of Jesus are as eloquent as His speech and may be a sign, not of His disapproval, but of His approval and of a deep purpose and blessing for you.
“Why art thou cast down, O…soul?” Thou shalt yet praise Him, yes, even for His silence. Listen to an old and beautiful story of how one Christian dreamed she saw three others at prayer. As they knelt the Master drew near to them.
As He approached the first of the three, He bent over her in tenderness and grace with smiles full of radiant love and spoke to her in accents of purest, sweetest music.
Leaving her, He came to the next, but only placed His hand upon her bowed head, and gave her a look of loving approval.
The third woman He passed almost abruptly without stopping for a word or a glance. The woman in her dream said to herself, “How greatly He must love the first one, to the second He gave His approval, but none of special demonstrations of love He gave the first; the third must have grieved Him deeply, for He gave her no word at all and not even a passing look.
“I wonder what she has done, and why He made so much difference between them?” As she tried to account for the action of her Lord, He Himself stood beside her and said, “O woman! how wrongly thou hast interpreted Me. The first kneeling woman needs all the weight of My tenderness and care to keep her feet in My narrow way. She needs My love, thought, and help every moment of the day. Without it, she would fail and fall.”
“The second has stronger faith and deeper love, and I can trust her to trust Me however things go and whatever people do.”
“The third whom I seemed not to notice, and even to neglect has faith and love of the finest quality, and her I am training by quick and drastic processes for the highest and holiest service.
“She knows Me so intimately, and trusts Me so utterly that she is independent of words and looks or any outward intimation of My approval. She is not dismayed nor discouraged by any circumstances through which I arrange that she shall pass; she trusts Me when sense and reason and every finer instinct of the natural heart would rebel – because she knows that I am working in her for eternity, and that what I do, though she knows not the explanation now, she will understand hereafter.
“I am silent in My love because I love beyond the power of words to express, or of the human heart to understand, and also for spontaneous response to My love, without spur of anything to call it forth.”
He “will do marvels” if you will learn the mystery of His silence and praise Him, for every time He withdraws His gifts that you may better know and love the Giver.

I cannot recall how many times I have read this; particularly when the Lord has graced my life with His silence. There have been many sorrows, many heart pains and just as many disappointments in my life, but I trusted the Lord. I have received great joy. He knew I did not understand His purpose, however, I could sense His comfort even when He chose to be silent. For so long I thought His silence was due to something I had done or something I had not done. Now I have learned His silence is a testing to receive greater blessings. So I pass what I have learned to you, to help you and comfort you in your time of the Lord’s silence.

It has always benefited me to have examined my heart. 2 Corinthians 13:5 I enjoy the ongoing communion with the Holy Spirit. Whether I am doing something such as baking, sewing, and crocheting; or just cleaning the house; it is always a joy to listen for His whispers; and to be taught by Him.
I must always remind myself not to lean on my own understanding, but in all ways trust the Lord; acknowledge He is God alone, and He will make my life’s road straight even as we walk in silence. Proverbs 3:5-6 Isaiah 42:16

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

God Has Promised Strength For The Day

2010-12-31T23:56:00.003-05:00

As I look back on all of God’s blessings, care and provision for the past year I am amazed. I see God’s hand sending this blog, His Word literally, around the world. I see His care of me, my family, along with His provision for us all. Tonight as I write this I am suffering with a sinus infection along with a cold. I know the Lord is aware of it, so I continue to write, trusting Him.

As a child my parents taught me this song by Annie Johnson Flint:

God Hath Not Promised
God hath not promised skies always blue
Flower strewn pathways, all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labour, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing kindness, undying love.

God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptations, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labour, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing kindness, undying love.

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain, rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labour, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing kindness, undying love.

Whenever I am going through anything I always think of the Lord’s reply to the apostle Paul. The Lord’s reply to the apostle’s prayer for the removal of his ‘thorn in the flesh’ was: “My grace is sufficient for you; My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 In other words the weaker I am the greater God’s power is exhibited not only to me, but to those I come in contact with.

Enduring afflictions does not only have to do with health, but could come in many and varied life experiences. I am acquainted with a woman who totally committed herself to God’s will for her life. Shortly after surrendering to the Lord, she had a dream. She was in a glass foundry. She saw a man take hot liquid glass from a furnace and put a long thin pipe to his mouth. He made a beautiful blown glass vase. In the background the woman saw another man. His face was hidden from her. At the end of his long, thin pipe was a gorgeous diamond. He was about to put it in the furnace to fire it. She began to scream at him, pleading and crying telling the man not to put the diamond in the fire. She could not reach him, something or someone was holding her back. She screamed, “Don’t put that in the fire. You’ll destroy it!’ The Man looked at her, she realized it was Jesus. He said, “No My child, it will only make it more beautiful.” The woman awoke and thought of the verse, “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48:10. Afflictions burn the dross from the soul and create dependence on God rather than dependence on self. For fourteen years the woman suffered heartbreak after heartbreak until God brought her to a place in life where He wanted her. If she had gone her own way she would never have the relationship with God she now enjoys. God not only brought her through her suffering; He taught her through the pain and sorrow.

Whatever I suffer I know God allows for reasons known only to Him. The apostle Peter tells me that as I endure I am kept by the power of God. 1 Peter 1:5 I should not think the things I suffer, strange; but I should rejoice because I am a partaker of Christ’s sufferings. It’s one of the most difficult things do.

1 Peter4:12; 2:21 Yet I give it my best because God’s word instructs me to do it. I think more than enduring various trials and suffering I don’t want to disappoint God. I think of Jesus singing a hymn before being arrested and going to Calvary. Matthew 26:30; Paul and Silas after being beaten and jailed sang praises to the Lord. Acts 16:25 Why should I not sing praises to God who has given me His salvation? No matter how difficult things are or become I know I have my salvation and for that I praise God.

For all that is endured I know I have the promise of God’s strength. One of the verses I pray is Psalm 138:3. “In the day when I cried thou answered me and strengthened me with strength within my soul.” I no longer count on myself for anything. It is the Lord who gives to me of Himself; strengthening me for whatever I need to endure the pain, the sorrow and trials of life. Just as the diamond was made more beautiful with the firing I know when God has tried me I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10

God has promised me His grace, and I know all His promises are ‘yea and amen in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 1:20 Though life’s road may be difficult, I have peace because my Lord knows me, and He walks with me though the flood and the fire. Isaiah 43:1b; 2

To all who read this, it is my prayer you will lean on Jesus and celebrate Him every day of the year. It is my sincere hope that God will bless you and keep you as walk with Him in this New Year, 20011.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

The Wonder of Christmas

2010-12-25T23:21:00.003-05:00

This morning while I was having a cup of coffee I began to think of all the gracious things the Almighty has accomplished for me in His Son, Jesus Christ. Thinking on Christ brings one to a place of utter humility. James 4:6,8

God needed no help from Mary, nothing from Joseph; He needed no assistance from anyone to become Man. Yet I know, God reached down and gently, tenderly placed within a young, virgin’s womb, His only Son. My human mind cannot comprehend the wonder of it all. When I read of Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel; her readiness to serve God; I am truly encouraged and inspired. Luke 1:38

When I think of the precise timing of events from the ruling of the Romans to the star in the east, to the occupation of the shepherds, to the census which brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem among many other facts I see God in it all. He arranged for everything to be in order for the entrance of the King.

Why would God love me this much? Love me to the extent He planned the birth of His Son to save me? Although I am assured of God’s love for me I do not always understand His awesome works. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Last evening, I was reading my Bible. I read, ‘God is love.’ 1 John 4:8 I thought, in a way, there are no words to describe His love. His love is in person, Jesus Christ. At this special time of year, my thoughts are toward the wonder of the incarnation; the mercy, grace and goodness of God. My heart overflows with thanksgiving, praise and adoration. Out of love God gave His Son to me, my eternal 'Christmas Gift'. Do you become overwhelmed thinking of God sending His Son to earth for you? God commanded His Son to lay down His life for the sins of the world. John 6:38; John 10:18 Jesus was obedient to the will of the Father and His command.

Whenever I read ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace….Isaiah 9:6 I am in awe. Everything I need or ever will need God has already provided in His Son, Jesus Christ. My heavenly Father, God of provision, has made a sure way for me to spend eternity with Him.
1 Corinthians 15:25, 28

Isaiah tells me His name is ‘Wonderful.’ I cannot comprehend it in totality.
I simply must bow my head and say, “Yes, Lord, You are truly full of wonder!”

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Jesus, the Giver of Life

2010-12-19T03:49:00.007-05:00

Reading my Bible before retiring I read how Jesus raised a young man from the dead in Luke 6. One of the items I noticed was the phrase “He was the only son of his mother and she was a widow”. I believe Jesus foresaw His own mother in this woman.

It is not known what happened to Joseph. Scripture is silent concerning him after they went to Jerusalem. Jesus lingered behind after Mary and Joseph started on the road home. They realized Jesus was not with them. It took them three days to find Him. He was sitting in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers both listening to them and asking them questions. When Mary and Joseph found Him they were amazed. Mary said to Him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them,Why did you seek Me? Did you not know I must be about My Father’s business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spake to them. Luke 2:41-49 NKJV This is the last anything is heard of Joseph. It is assumed He died shortly before Jesus began His ministry, others believe He died while Jesus was a teenager. Being the eldest Son, the care of the family was the responsibility of Jesus when Joseph died. Mark 6:3 NKJV

Paul S. Taylor states: “Although Jesus was clearly legally related to both parents (to Mary, by being born from her, and to Joseph by legal adoption) He was not genetically related to them or to His brothers and sisters.

For thousands of years, every human child has been born with an inherited sin nature and sinful flesh. Romans 8:3 NKJV This is the result of our sinful first parents, Adam and Eve to whom we are all genetically related. Each generation (without exception) has sinned. Romans 3:23NKJV and passed on its sinful nature and the curse of death, to each succeeding generation (the biblical doctrine of imputation of sin Romans 5:12-19 NKJV) There is only one exception in history. Although Jesus grew in the womb of Mary, in the same manner as any baby, He was different from all other babies. It appears that Jesus was not genetically related to Mary or to Joseph, for both had an inherited sin nature. Jesus was sinless, and one may reasonably assume without genetic flaw, since He was to serve as the spotless, sacrificial Lamb of God.”
When Gabriel spoke to Mary, Christ was already within her. God accomplished this by fiat. Psalm 33:9 NKJV Hebrews 10:5 NKJV

Jesus took the responsibility of caring for a family who didn’t believe in Him. But His mother kept all the things Jesus said in her heart. Luke 1:47 NKJV One can only imagine what Jesus endured growing up in His family. Though Scripture is silent the sin nature inherent in every human being provokes one to jealousy, prejudice, sarcasm, and suspicion. Sorrow was a part of Jesus’ every day life knowing his family did not believe He was the King born of a virgin. Jesus knew this from experience. Matthew 10:36 NKJV Psalm 69:8NKJV His family and relatives thought Him to be “out of His mind” when He taught and preached. Mark 3:21 NKJV

His brother’s sarcasm was always a part of Jesus’ life. In John 7:1-5 They did not believe in Him; they mockingly said to Him, “Show Yourself to the world.” It is no wonder Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus. He could relax in a family atmosphere. He could talk and teach without interference or criticism. More importantly Mary, Martha and Lazarus believed in Jesus, the Son of God.
John 11:5 NKJV

As I stated previously I believe Jesus saw His own mother in the widow of Nain. He knew this life for Him would end on a cross. Isaiah 53:3NKJV states that Jesus was a Man of sorrows; acquainted with grief. Jesus yearned within Himself; His whole being felt for this woman. He did not want the woman to cry, having no hope, no future. Without a son to provide for her she would have a life of destitution. Jesus told her, “Do not weep”; then He raised her son to life. Returning the young man to his mother delighted the heart of Jesus. The Lawgiver Himself had overruled the Old Testament Scripture forbidding touching a dead body Numbers 19:11, 16 NKJV in order to perform this act of mercy. The law had never been intended to be unmerciful.

It is no wonder Jesus did not entrust His mother to any of His brothers. They were not at the cross; they did not believe. Jesus entrusted Mary to John; to care for her; and provide for her needs. He did not leave His mother destitute.
John 19:25-27 NKJV As much as Mary was able to do, she followed her Son, she believed in Him even though she did not understand all that was to happen to Him, the bond between mother and Son was not broken.

In the young man of Nain I see myself, dead in sin. I am so thankful to God for sending His Son to rescue me and raise me to life in Him. “But when the fullness of time had come God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” Galatians 4:4-5 NKJV Jesus gave me life; gives life to all who believe in Him.

When I think of the immaculate conception of Jesus, what God did to accomplish it, and all the blessings given to me; I have enough Christmas gifts to last me through eternity. I am also aware of the great suffering Christ accomplished for me. The gift of life Jesus gives is a gift to be cherished not just for Christmas, but for every day throughout the year.

…He was there alone… Matthew 14:23

On a dark Judean night
Jesus sat by the fire’s light;
Friends were sleeping
Most were at home.
Now Jesus sat all alone.
No one dared to feel His pain.
No one cared to ease the strain.
There was no one to cradle Jesus.
He sat silently, within
His heart He cried,
“For you My friends, I will die.
I surrender My all that you may live
Eternal life shall be Mine to give.”
Lonely, but not despaired,
Jesus knew His Father cared,
Of His heartache and His pain
The world’s loss and heaven’s gain.
He raised His tear filled eyes
Toward the dark Judean skies;
There He found the strength for His soul.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Immanuel - God With Us

2010-12-11T01:37:00.004-05:00

Each year when Christmas comes I remember the many experiences I had as a child. My parents would make a special day of taking me in town to Boston. It is a memory not easily forgotten even after all these years.

The streets of Boston were literally lined with lights. Not just lights which decorated the store windows, and lamp posts; but moving displays. The camels used by the three kings had movable legs bringing them to the blinking star; shepherds also with sheep whose legs also moved as they walked to a stable.
The Boston Common was deluged in light displays of decorated trees and Christmas related stories full of lights.

Whenever I see lights, whether they are Christmas lights, or just plain city lights on a dark night I think of Jesus’ words. “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify you Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV

There are those who interpret good works in this verse as the social gospel; doing good works for others that they who do the works may gain salvation. Christians are to do good works, but not to be saved; because Christ saved us we do good works. Still, this is not what Jesus was speaking of here. He was speaking of the Father’s good works given in Jesus Christ. Salvation, forgiveness, justification, sanctification, grace, holiness, spiritual blessings, the list is endless. He will continue His good works until the day Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 NKJV

Jesus is the Light of the world. John 8:12 NKJV As a Christian I am to reflect His light; showing the world the Father’s good works in me. I am to shine the light of Jesus to a sin darkened world. When a world full of unbelief views my way of life and the works I do to advance God’s kingdom they will have no excuse to reject Christ. 1 Peter 2:12 NKJV The more fruit I bear I show I am a disciple of Christ bringing God glory just as Christ brought glory to the Father. John 15:8; Galatians 5:22,23 NKJV

Reflecting the light of Christ to a dark world convicts their hearts of the void they have without God. Seeing the Light within a Christian may cause these people to desire God. They will see Immanuel, God is with us . 1 Corinthians 14:25 NKJV
Whenever the enemies of God viewed those who were faithful to the Almighty they could not deny the LORD was not with them. Zechariah 8:23 NKJV

Jesus had no problem keeping His light from shining. He had to concentrate keeping His light within! John 17:2 NKJV I, on the other hand, have a problem allowing Christ’s light to shine. There is to much of me and not enough Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s job is constant. He prunes, pulls and cuts the Adamic nature in my soul; in doing this He makes way for the light of Christ to shine releasing the fragrance of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 2:15 NKJV

In the C.S. Lewis classic, “The Voyage of the DawnTreader”, Eustace leaves the company of those on the ship to avoid work. He takes a walk and becomes lost. He ends up in a deep valley. There he witnesses the death of a dragon that lived there. He enters the cave once inhabited by the dragon and finds an unspeakable amount of gold. He puts an arm bracelet on his arm. Weary from his walk and his fear, he falls asleep. He awakes with a pain searing in his arm; the arm with the bracelet. He tries to remove it, but he cannot. He realizes he has become a dragon. Later, Aslan, the great Lion of Narnia takes Eustace to a pool of water. He tells Eustace to undress himself. Eustace bites the dragon scales from his body and removes them. Aslan then instructs Eustace to get in the water; Eustace obeys, however, scales keep returning. Aslan then tells Eustace, “I will have to undress you.”

Eustace receives new skin and is immediately transported to rejoin his cousins on the ship. Eustace relates to Edmund, how when he removed the dragon scales it didn’t hurt nearly as much as when Aslan removed them.

This chapter showed me how careful I must be while I live in this world. One can become so involved with things which seem not to harm in any way. However, without knowing it I can become involved in sin. The windows of my soul become darkened, not allowing Christ’s light to show through. I then must repent; the dragon scales must be thrown off. Proverbs 15:10 NKJV Instead of walking steadily forward, I have taken four steps backwards when I let sin dim the light of Christ. Isaiah 59:2;Psalm 66:18 NKJV Diligence keeps the windows of my soul clear. God’s word and the Holy Spirit’s constant conviction are the “cleaners” I use to aid me as I exist in this world.

Living in this world can be difficult, but it is not impossible for God is with me. He sent His Son to deliver me from sin. Matthew 1:21 NKJV He gave me the Holy Spirit to convict me, and direct me on life’s road. In all ways, every day He is Immanuel, God with us.

Author~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Christ the Beloved

2010-12-04T17:03:00.013-05:00

Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister my spouse, thou hast ravished my heart with one look of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck. Song of Solomon 4:9

There are many interpretations of the book the Song of Solomon. Some say it is a book on the joys of marriage; while others say it is an instruction book of how to keep love alive with which I have to agree. There are those who look at the Song of Solomon and believe it is Christ speaking to His Bride, the Church. I tend to believe it is a description of Christ and the intimate Believer. I further believe one is able to live in a realm of the Spirit; a realm where few enter because they are not aware of the intimacy Christ desires.

From the first book of the Bible it has been God’s longing to commune with His people. Exodus 25:22 There was a yearning in God’s heart for what He experienced with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:8. In a perfect world man chose against the God who loved him. God prepared to give His own Son to rescue them from a hell they created. God’s longing for intimacy with the human heart bankrupt heaven. John 3:16

Christ is allowed by some, who are drowning in a pit of sin, to rescue them. However, He may not be allowed to dwell in heart He rescues; to reveal things He is longing to do in the life saved and to teach the Believer. For this reason, mankind has allowed Satan to rule his nature. 1 Peter 4:2 Humans find it difficult to think of love as sacrificial because they have been wallowing in filth for centuries. When my children were growing up I impressed upon them that love is not an emotion, it is an action. If they were engaged and said to their intended wife or husband, ‘I love you,’ they had better be prepared to die. Philippians 2:3 I would .tell them when you love someone, you put their needs before your own, Jesus said, ‘As the Father hast loved me, so have I loved you.’ Jesus died to prove how much He loved us. He put my need, your need, and the world’s need before His will. Matthew 26:39

Obedience is an act of love. ‘Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it. Luke 8:15 If the heart is not in line with God’s word, no amount of self sacrificing will put it in line. Obedience first, above all, brings the heart before God’s eyes.

Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse…Imagine yourself alone; searching for one person you want to spend your life with, to love, to joy in, and to create memories for a lifetime. One day you find such a person. One look can take your breath away as time stands still for you to absorb your dream come true. You spend time looking at one another, talking, going places, enjoying each other’s company. It’s painful to be separated. Separation brings longing and pain; a void, a discomforting silence, even sadness. Your world revolves around the love of your life.

With one look towards Christ, the intimate believer captivates His heart. His breath is taken away in anticipation of the relationship in which He will engage. The constant communion will bring joy to His heart. He will give revelations of His heart to those willing to make the time for Him. Those who do not desire to break communion and fellowship with Christ know the desire of His heart. We are the brothers and sisters of Christ during our time on this earth. Mark 3:35 There is coming a time when obedient believers become the bride of Christ, His Spouse Hebrews 5:9; Revelation 19:9; 21:9

Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck…In the eastern culture gold chains were given to children who were obedient. 1 Peter 1:4 Many chains signified an obedient child of whom a great political dignity could be given. It was a sign to all who observed the gold chains the child could be trusted because of his obedience; could be trusted to be obedient in whatever position they were given. In Ezekiel 16 the Scripture speaks of God finding Israel, a foundling child. One of the things He does is put a gold chain about her neck. Ezekiel 16:11

Christ finds us, a wayward people, shackled about the neck, wrists, and ankles with the manacles of sin. He presents the key, His own precious blood, which opens the locks and sets the captive free. Our reconciliation to God by way of Christ and the cross is our first gold chain. Christ places the gold chain about our neck as we choose to be obedient; to be yoked to Him for life. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Single hearted, serving God only; single vision, seeing Christ only; being obedient to His Word; walking the straight and narrow captivates the heart of Christ. He delights greatly having a heart which desires to be with Him as much as He desires to be there. Matthew 7:14; Luke 22:15 Jesus is desire personified.

The ones Jesus saw in His heart and mind as He was dying on the cross have chosen Him for the love of their life. They are willing to be obedient to the yolk. Matthew 11:29 They are willing to do all He commands. Christ knows they will make mistakes, but He loves them and provides a way of forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 Joyfully, they endure all to commune and have fellowship with Christ... They are willing to come apart from family, friends, money, talents, works, everything to devote time to be with Jesus, praising and worshiping Him alone; always conscious of His presence within. They are willing to forsake their will for Christ’s delight. Making a quiet time to be alone and read the Scriptures is where one can “talk” to Jesus It will not be known the fullness of joy His joy until we stand face to face looking at our Lord and Savior. 1 Peter 1:8; 2:7

For the committed believer there is no greater intimacy known than to be joined to the Lord in the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17. There is purity found only in Christ which cannot be discovered or received anywhere but “in Him.” There is no fear of treachery. Malachi 2:14 Christ will never “lash out”, or mistreat the soul He so sacrificially loves. His very life of no retribution under persecution exhibits the innocent and pure heart which beat within the chest of Jesus. There is no fear in love, perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18

The intimate believer knows with a single hearted look, words spoken in love, one act of obedience will cause the heart of Jesus to be captivated in rapturous joy. His beloved has taken one more step in obedience to become more like Him. Trials may pursue us, sorrow may engulf us on earth, but we can rise to the heavens with praise and thanksgiving in a union where only Christ and His beloved exist. This is the longing of Christ; the Spirit beckons to lead us ‘further up and further in’.*

In this season of Advent it’s not the gifts, the celebrations, nor the bright lights and Christmas trees. It is about the Gift given over two thousand years ago. A Gift of wonderful love; one that can never lose His desire, or His power. God proved His love for us in Christ; we prove our love by obediently desiring to be with Christ at all costs. God the Father has entrusted to us a most precious Gift. Let us give Christ the rapturous joy He waits to receive not just during the Christmas season, but every day of the year.

*C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle

Author~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Psalm 11 - The Lord Our Faithful Defender

2010-11-27T15:56:00.007-05:00

There is no one we are to place our trust but God. Loved ones, as much as they care for us cannot save our soul nor help us in spiritual battles. God searches the heart and He knows the thoughts of those who have reverence for Him; those who walk in His ways. Matthew 10:28; Psalm 2:12

“Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide.” Micah 7:5 People judge Christians by what they say and their actions. Some criticize what we know to be the truth, or lessons we have learned from God’s word. Their words and criticism are like arrows shooting to the heart. We are only wounded in this type of battle if we allow their strategies to gain God’s territory; the territory of the heart. Falling prey to self pity, sorrow, and depression weakens the inner man and gives to the enemy full victory. Ephesians 3:16 A child of God has no reason to engage in such negativism. The heart is the dwelling place of Christ. The Christian soldier is duty bound to never surrender to anyone or anything that which belongs to God. 2 Timothy 2:3, 4; Revelation 3:20

From the day the grace of God through Christ’s atonement touched our heart it became His to live in; to do with as He wishes. Psalm 115:3 Within the heart His throne is set up and to be occupied by no one but Himself. No matter what others may do openly or in secret to try to bring us down the Lord will defend us. He will destroy the arrows and the shields of the enemy. This can only be accomplished if we take our eyes off our own defense and put our eyes on Jesus. Psalm 76:3

It is not just worldly enemies we have to consider, but spiritual enemies as well. It is impossible to flee as a bird to the mountains. The spirits of darkness have their strategies to catch and entrap us anywhere, anytime. They use their bows of temptation and condemnation. They shoot arrows of doubt, fear, and all kinds of malignity straight to the heart. It is their hope to rob the trust which one puts in God; and to destroy and kill the believer’s faith. There is a little piece by an unknown writer about the tools Satan uses. I always think of this when the edges of discouragement creep near me. I thought I would share it with you.

“Once upon a time it was announced that the devil was going out of business and would sell all his equipment to those who were willing to pay the price. On the big day of the sale, all his tools were attractively displayed. There were Envy, Jealousy, Hatred, Malice, Deceit, Sensuality, Pride, Idolatry, and other implements of evil for sale. Each of the tools were marked with its own price tag. Over in the corner by itself was a harmless looking, wedge-shaped tool very much worn, but still it bore a higher price than any of the others. Someone asked the devil what it was, and he answered, "That is Discouragement.” The next question came quickly, "And why is it priced so high even though it is plain to see that it is worn more than these others?" Because replied the devil,” It is more useful to me than all these others. I can pry open and get into a man's heart with that when I cannot get near him with any other tools. Once I get inside, I can use him in whatever way suits me best. It is worn well because I use it on everybody I can, and few people even know it belongs to me." This tool was priced so high that no one could buy it, and to this day it has never been sold. It still belongs to the devil, and he still uses it on mankind.

Our own will works against us in this scenario and we become trapped deep in the mire. (Psalm 40:2) Satan counsels his fallen minions to destroy the Christian at all costs. God has Satan on a tether. God determines how He will use Satan’s plots against us. John 19:11 No matter what we may endure God works all out for our good. Romans 8:28 Our trust is strengthened, faith grows, and peace is knowing God is on our side. Romans 8:31 God trusts us to use what He has given to us in Jesus when these attacks com into our life. Job 1:6-12 Satan has no defense against the blood of Christ. To him, it is like acid burning through metal. He flees at the very mention of it. We must not retreat. This is why the amour of God covers the front of the body. Never run and let the enemy see your back! Eph.6:10-16

In battle we are to stand at the front lines. Many of us do not because human flesh is clung to more readily than the cross of Christ. When human emotions are put above the needs of God our spirit’s growth is stagnate. Growth becomes non-existent when we look at our circumstances; when we try to work our way out of problems. This does not mean we are to obliterate our emotions, for they are part of our human nature. However, our willingness to surrender our human feelings to Christ is a deciding factor in our Christian growth and maturity. If we fail to surrender our feelings to Christ, but cling to them then we are not for truth at all costs, are we? "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus". (Phil. 2:5) He surrendered His will to the Father to stand for truth and fight against deception in all forms. Matthew 26:39

God's vision of man is scrutinized as He searches the heart. Jeremiah 17:10 On the front lines of battle the Lord is looking for faithfulness. He observes in whom or what we place our trust. The wicked have already lost because they say there is no God and their help must come from their own strength. Psalm 14:1 They will pay the ultimate price for having rejected God the Father, Jesus His Son and the Holy Spirit.
God's face is towards the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. He rides upon the wings of the wind to assist and defend His children. Psalm 18:10; Nahum 1:7 Whoever touches us, touches the apple of God’s eye. Zechariah 2:8 We should learn to praise God for His deliverance from our enemies. We would do well to remember the works of God on behalf of His people. When the children of Israel went out to battle the order of the march put Judah first carrying the standard or banner. Judah means ‘praise’, Genesis 29:35; Numbers 10:14. Before they engaged in battle they thanked God for the victory with praise. The lessons I learned from this are many. Yet, the main one is found in Psalm 60:12, “Through God we shall do valiantly; for it is He that shall tread down our enemies.” I go to God with what I am facing, He takes care of the enemy and I am victorious only through Him. 2 Corinthians 2:14
Who is He that defends us? Jehovah Nissi, the LORD our Banner!

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Why Do Birds Sing?

2010-11-20T09:50:00.002-05:00

One day I was visiting a friend. She asked me, “Do you know why birds sing?” I said, “No not really.” She proceeded to inform me of an article she had read in the local newspaper. It detailed the reason birds sing. They sing to mark their territory; they want to inform other birds of their claim to ownership. I thought on this concept. I had always believed birds sang because that is what God designed then to do.

The next morning I awoke before dawn which was unusual for me. I heard the birds singing while it was still dark. I listened closely to each little inflection and tone. The quiet voice of the Holy Spirit spoke saying, “I will teach you why the birds sing.” True to the Scriptures, He taught me. 1 John 2:27

Humans tend to think of twenty four hours as starting in the morning; morning light going to the dark of night. It is not so with God. His days go from night to morning. “The evening and the morning were the first day…” Genesis 1:5 God always pushes away the night with a song. Isaiah 30:29

The dawn of salvation drives away the darkness of the sin darkened world of mankind. The people which sat in darkness have seen a great light. Matthew 4:16 Little birds usher in God’s light, to push away the darkness, temporal as well as spiritual darkness. They announce the opportunity for new life which God puts in each day. Birds were created remind mankind of God’s faithfulness to His word. Matthew 6:26

Little birds have existed since the dawn of creation. Genesis 1:20 They have the least, they trust the most. They survive as a living testimony to God’s provision and His care. If God cares for the “least” in creation, how much more will He care for the human soul? Matthew 10:29-31 Birds depend on their Creator to send gentle breezes to lift them high in the sky. Their trust is intensely ingrained in the One who watches over them; they take flight with no thought that the wind will not come. Assured the gentle breeze will aid them. We look to the sky and see them soar confidently over our heads.

Christians need to be so intimate with Christ trusting in His provision of sacrifice. His taking our sins upon Himself should be reason for great rejoicing in the darkest of our spiritual nights. I can remember a time when I was bereft of all I needed to survive. No food, no finances, no transportation and no one to help. Yet, in this dark hour of my life I could thank God for my salvation; for songs of comfort found in His word. I could rejoice when all around me seemed dark. Knowing God provided for my salvation encouraged me. I believed He would provide for my immediate needs. I was not disappointed for God did deliver me.

Praise is the means God uses to lift our spirits heavenward. It gives flight to our souls to reach heights never known. Our life is but a vapor, which only lasts for a little while. James 4:14 Our salvation is for eternity. The things we suffer are but for a moment and work for us an eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 3:17, 18 As the days of pain and drudgery pass and we ask ourselves, “Why?” ; remember on His way to the cross Jesus sang a hymn of thanksgiving. Mark 14:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:18

The little feathered friends we see every day serve as God’s testimony of faithfulness to His creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Winter, summer, spring and fall God’s provision is ever present and seen in His small and trusting birds. Can we be as trusting as these little ones while we walk by faith? We must, for we will be called upon to give an account as to the reason we did not sing in the night; especially when God’s simplest creatures revealed how it was done.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Staying Focused: Doing The Will Of God

2010-11-13T01:12:00.007-05:00

And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem and Jesus went before them, and they were amazed, as they followed, they were afraid. And He took again the twelve and began to tell them what things should happen to Him. Mark 10:32

For years I have recorded my life experiences in journals; doing this keeps me from becoming stagnant. Within the journals I am able to look back over the years and see my spiritual growth. I remember writing the entry I have written below. I would like to share it with you. I am amazed at the way God teaches us through His words. Verses I have read for years take on new meaning and comfort when the Holy Spirit opens my eyes. I thank God for His Word.

The Entry
The Holy Spirit graciously brings this verse to me repeatedly. I have been praying and waiting. What does the Lord desire me to learn from this verse; what does this verse suggest for my life? Maybe there would be something I could relate to others from my experience to illustrate how the Lord mercifully and patiently teaches His children.

I can see from this verse God desires me to have the same ‘drive’ or force for His purposes in my life; the same determination which Jesus exhibited to accomplish the will of the Father. Jesus was allowing nothing to sway, slow or hinder Him from going to Jerusalem where He would suffer and die for the sins of the world. He received the command from the Father, and He was obedient to that command. John 10:18 The disciples were amazed that Christ could go on with such fervor knowing all He was going to experience. Jesus was so absorbed with doing the Father’s will it enveloped Him in great thought while He walked ahead of His disciples. Am I that committed to God’s will for my life?

The disciples were not only amazed watching Jesus, they were afraid. They were afraid for the eminent danger in going to Jerusalem. How very malicious the Sanhedrin would be against their Master, against those who followed Him, and those who associated with Jesus. I gladly follow Jesus, I don’t fear God’s call on my life. What does shock me is the hatred I am met with because I choose Jesus. Hatred from my own family, the brothers and sister I grew up with, shared life experiences with, hate me. It should come as no surprise to me but being human, rejection is not one of my favorite things. It affects my perspective. I have experienced rejection all my life from various sources. It just hits harder when it’s your own family who does the rejecting. Matthew 10:36; John 15:19; Isaiah 50:10

Recently I tried to reach out to my sister who was suffering. I was greeted with hatred, anger, and bitterness. I was shocked and hurt to be accused of untruths my sister spoke about me. For a moment I lost sight of God’s will for my life because of the emotional hurt I sustained. I found myself continually asking myself, “How could she do this?” It took the work of the Holy Spirit continually bringing this verse to me. He helped me to understand once more the compassion and understanding of God.

In researching the above verse I found this was the third time Jesus had taken His disciples aside to explain what was going to take place when they reached Jerusalem. Jesus was keeping the disciples focused for the purpose to which they were called. He had given them a mission which needed to be completed. Jesus knew His bodily presence would soon be taken from them, but the purpose to which they were called is eternal. Matthew 4:19 Jesus said He would never leave them, He promised to be with them always. John 14:18 He promises the same to me; to all who follow and are His disciples in every generation. As Jesus dealt with the disciples, He deals with me. He tells me He understands my hurt; He better than anyone understands rejection. He encourages me to go on for the purpose for which I am called to fulfill the will of God in my life.

Though the disciples didn’t understand all that was going to occur, Jesus understood there would come a time when their understanding would be enlightened.
“And they understood none of these things; this saying was hid from them; neither knew they the things which were spoken.”
Luke 18:31-34
Still, patiently, lovingly, Jesus took them aside and repeated again the sequence of events in Jerusalem even though they did not understand. This encouraged me when I read this knowing Christ is very patient, kind, understanding and loving. He has walked this way before me. He knows the way I take. Job 23:10

I do not understand things I endure, but I trust God, that in His time He will reveal the reason for His allowing people and particular situations in my life. My duty is obedience; keeping focused on the purpose for which I am called. I cannot allow anything to distract me. Where would I be if Jesus allowed distractions to rule Him? Where would the world be without a Deliverer? John 1:29 In all ways Jesus is my Example. John 13:15; 1 Peter 2:21. I gave all the hurt to the Lord. I have asked Him to remove anything that was keeping me preoccupied, and not centered on His plans, His purposes for me.

This was a loving lesson which has greatly benefited me. My great Example and Teacher Jesus, has shown me how to stay focused, not allowing anyone or anything to distract me from God’s will for my life. He also teaches me to pray for my enemies. He prayed for His enemies while on the cross. Can I not pray for my enemies even when they are my own family? By praying for them, God will receive all the glory; and that is just as I desire it to be. Psalm 37:4;
Matthew 5:45

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Psalm 25: A Prayer for God ’s Guidance and Deliverance

2010-11-06T22:07:00.021-04:00

1.Unto thee O LORD do I lift up my soul.
Drawing near to God requires a sincere heart for unless the heart is lifted up, the uplifting of eyes and hands mean nothing. Lamentations 3:41 David committed his body and soul to be under the protection of God. Psalm 31:5 David’s sincere desire for God is evident in Psalm 42:1

2. O my God I trust in thee; let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me.
David asked God for help, but he did not want to be disappointed of his hope, God’s help, nor his deliverance. Psalm 119:16, Romans 5:5
Let not my enemies triumph over me: Neither his temporal enemies or his spiritual enemies. Satan and the rebellious men of the world who rejoice and triumph when they assume the saints are forsaken by God. These types of enemies say there is no help for David in God. Psalm 3:2

3. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be shamed which transgress without a cause.
David not only prays for himself but for all the saints in general. David prays that those who look to God, worship Him, discover His love, and enjoy His presence will come to know Him as a refuge and strength in time of trouble. Psalm 46:1 Those who out their trust in God will not be ashamed of their expectation and hope by the delay of what is prayed for, nor for the denial of what is asked for.
Let them be ashamed that transgress without a cause: In other words, those who act treacherously, covertly inciting rebellion against David; treating him with cruel hatred rather than with respect for his position as king. They had no reason to rise up against their king, for David guided and governed over the people according to the Law of God; with the integrity of his heart and by the skillfulness of his hands. Psalm 78:72

4. Show me thy ways and teach me thy paths.
The way of grace, mercy and truth; the ways You, God have ordered and directed your saints to walk in such as the path of duty, the ways of worship and the call to prayer. A greater knowledge desired by a good man as well as more grace to enable him to walk accordingly to God’s delight. There were so many thoughts crowding David; he feared reverting to his own ways concerning his deliverance from this terrible situation. David was very weary and exhausted from the rebellion of those he loved and cared for in his kingdom. So he asked God to show him the way; teach him to do the right thing. A prayer we should remember; when we are besieged with situations which seem to difficult to bear. David understood if he walked his own path he would be abandoning his God.

5. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Lead me in Your word, God, the Scriptures of truth, the Gospel which is truth itself. John 17:17 David prayed God would lead him by His truth that he may be a reflection to lead by example, by teaching the rule of faith and practice. David realized God was the only one who could teach him about truth. David knew he could trust God to teach him. God is the only One who can see the human heart. The king counted on God to reveal things about himself, his life, and his enemies. God knew David better than David knew himself.
Psalm 78:70, 71
For thou art the God of my salvation: God is the Author of salvation whose infinite wisdom brought us His Son. Since God had done great things for David at other times in his life; his hope was of a granting of his request to God.
On thee do I wait all the day: No matter what David did in his daily routine, both public and private, all the people David knew and the situations he faced as king meant nothing to David, he trusted none of them. His main concern was to wait on God. While waiting for Him, we wait on Him.

6. Remember, O LORD thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses for they have been ever of old.
David looked back to the things God accomplished in his life. He looked forward to the future and asked God to remember His treatment of the Lord’s chosen king. David’s language here is that of one who always thought God to be kind and gracious in His dealings and blessings. If we would recall God’s goodness to us in the past we could lay a foundation of prayerful thanksgivings for the blessings to come. If we saw and fully understood all that has happened in our life; this should spur us on to prayer. Our prayer also should be a prayer that God would deal with us in the future as He has in the past.
For thy lovingkindnesses have been ever of old: David knew the history of his people and God’s care for them, all His acts were full of lovingkindness and truth

7. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness sake, O LORD.
David takes full responsibility for his conduct and his life. David could ask God to remember all He had done for him; but he could not ask God to remember what David had done to Him. He could only pray and ask God to forget all the sins David committed against Him by his words, his deeds, and his thoughts. David‘s prayer was that he would not be visited with the fruits of his conduct as he went on in life. He asked for all his sin to be forgiven and forgotten. Should we not pray the same?
According to thy mercy: David pleads no goodness of his own but casts himself on the mercy of God. In this way David did rightly by praying, and hoping for deliverance from his present troubles, but also for the pardon of his sins. Psalm 66:18

8. Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He will teach sinners in the way.
God is essentially, singularly and independently good in His own nature and He is providentially good to all His creatures. He extends grace, mercy, and forgiveness to his people. He is upright because all His works are righteous. He is faithful to His promises. When you think of all the goodness God there is confidence in choosing to respect His instructions and guidance.
Psalm 25:4
Therefore he will teach sinners in the way: He will teach them concerning their evil ways by the conviction of His word and the Holy Spirit. John 16:8 He will bring them out of the darkness of sin, into His light. He will teach them His own ways and the methods of His grace saving sinners by Christ; along with the paths of faith and duty. Psalm 51:13

9. The meek He will guide in judgment, the meek He will teach His way.
The meek, the depressed in mind, miserable, and afflicted see themselves as lost and undone; without hope. They cry out wondering what must I do to be saved. Who are the meek, but those under a burden of sin; weighted down. Heavy laden, to heavy to rise, they crawl rather than walk. Contrite and broken hearts are the ones the Lord will lead by His Spirit into the truth as it is in Jesus. The great truth of salvation by the Lord’s Anointed. The Holy Spirit will lead in all truth. John 16:13 The Spirit will enable those who have committed to Christ to rightfully discern what is pleasing to God. He will alert the Christian to every lie the world presents as truth. The Spirit will also lead gently into every truth of the Gospel as they are able to bear them.
Mark 4:33
And the meek He will teach in His way: He will teach the justification of sinners by the righteousness of His Son. Those who are humble and confess their sins; their unworthiness and throw themselves on the mercy of God in Christ will be declared justified by the Lord. God is opposed to the proud and self righteous who feel they have no need to be taught of the Lord. James 4:6

10. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such that keep His covenant and His testimonies.
The oaths spoken of here are not the paths the Lord desires us walk in, but the paths He has walked to give us the grace and truth of His salvation in Jesus Christ. Sending His Son to die for us comes from the Father heart of God which is filled with compassion and pity for His people. The faithfulness of God is engaged to keep all His promises, for all God’s promises are yea (yes) and amen in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 1:20. For those who embrace Christ there is no fear of punishment, and we are given power over sin through Him.

11. For thy names sake, O LORD, pardon my iniquity for it is great.
When God forgives sin, He forgives all the sins we have committed, not just a few, but all. Psalm 103:3 Here, David prays for God‘s pardon in mercy by blotting out all David’s past transgressions. Any sin we commit no matter how little we think it is, or how great the sin may be, all sin is against God. David was a man like you and me. He made his mistakes. The Scriptures give us the key to what David was asking God to do. It is found in 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God puts our sins under the blood of His Son. He tosses them into His sea of forgetfulness and tells us, “No Fishing.” Once we confess our sins and ask for God’s forgiveness and repent, He will never bring those sins up to us again. If they are thought of it is our old nature in us thinking we have to do works to be free of past sins. Satan will play the old blame game and try to rob us of our faith at any cost. We need to be vigilant. Our adversary is a lion going about seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

12. What man is he that feareth the LORD? Him He shall teach in the way He shall choose.
How joyful is the person who has the fear of God put into his heart; whose covenant grace causes no fear of punishment but a pardon for His goodness sake 1 John 4:18, 19. Those who love the Lord and trust Him are careful not to offend Him. They also, hate sin and avoid it. One who cherishes the worship of God in every way and performs it with reverence will serve the Lord with godly fear. Godly fear is a reverence and a moral respect for a Triune God.
God will lead and teach in the way the Lord prescribes; a way well pleasing in His sight. It is God who teaches one to profit. Isaiah 48:17. The word profit has little to do with money or riches. It means ‘valuable”. God teaches His children how to be valuable for His kingdom. A great happiness comes to those who have their steps ordered by the Lord and follow His direction.

13. His soul shall dwell at ease and his seed shall inherit the earth.
His soul will lodge in peace having made peace with God through faith in Christ. David is not speaking of human procreation. The seed he is describing are “spiritual’ children. Paul referred to Timothy as his son in the faith. 1 Timothy 1:2 God’s word says “after his kind”. Cows don’t have kitties, and birds don’t have bunnies. Spiritual people beget spiritual children. David looked forward to a time when those who chose God would bring forth spiritual children in a peaceful land. Matthew 5:9 It is incumbent upon every Christian to bring forth spiritual seed to the glory of God.

14.The secret of the LORD is with them that that fear Him; and He will show him His covenant.
The secret of God’s purposes for those redeemed by God’s Son; His design and call on their lives; the deep things of the Spirit are revealed to those who respect and love God. Deuteronomy 29:29 The secrets of His providence are made known to those who fear Him before they come to pass. Such as Abraham with Sodom and Gomorrah Amos 3:7; David spoke the words of the Messiah in Psalm 22:1; Isaiah foretold of the Prince of Peace who was to be born of a virgin Isaiah 9:6, Jesus saw Nathanael under the fig tree before Philip told him of Jesus. John 1:48 Jesus told us this is what the Holy Spirit would do. “He will tell you things to come.” John 16:13
God also shows us His covenant of grace which was prepared for us from eternity. God reveals Himself as Covenant God and Father; gives us His Son as Mediator; and puts His Spirit within us. He implants grace to seal us in blessing and bear witness to those who have received a pardon, justification and adoption; to committed saints He works His great and precious promises. 1 Timothy 2:5

15. Mine eyes are ever towards the LORD for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
David looked to God as Creator and Sustainer of life. We have the blessing of looking to God as our Father who knows and understands His children; knows not only our needs, but also our desires. David set the Lord before him, always. No matter what David was doing he was conscious of God. David set the Lord before him always which was well pleasing to God.
Psalm 16:8 David was confident God would pluck his feet out of the net his enemies had lain to entrap him. Just as our corrupt human nature can be an enemy to us. We can become ensnared and captivated and sometimes we are unable to free ourselves. Deliverance comes from the Lord Jesus who not only delivers us from ourselves, but also from Satan’s devices and snares. 1 Corinthians 10:13 David believed if his foot were caught like the foot of a bird is caught in a snare, the Lord would break the trap and David would escape. We see that David’s prayer was answered. He was able to return to Jerusalem and rule God’s people. Our prayer is answered every day in every way. 2 Corinthians 1:10 Galatians 1:4

16. Turn thee unto me and have mercy on me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
David knows from experience that God hears the cry of His children. Psalm 18:6
David felt so alone and desperate; he would not put his trust in any man but rather wholly trusted the Lord. David did not trust in his riches, or in his position. This psalm was written when David had to flee the palace in Jerusalem because of the revolt and of his son, Absalom. Absalom tried to usurp the throne of his father for his own evil purposes. David was bereft of home and family. His sorrow was great. He poured out his heart to God and cried. Psalm 62:8

17. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; O bring thou me out of my distresses.
David’s enemies increased as all the people went over to Absalom. Sorrows, fear, hunger, weakness, all were enemies of David’s soul. David was not without those who pledged their allegiance to him. However, God used this hurtful situation to teach David about Himself. This is what we must remember when we are suffering, fearful, filled with sorrow over hurt and abuse. God will use everything we endure to teach us about His character, His love, and His grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9; Romans 8:28 David’s heart was enlarged with the knowledge he gained about God during this time in his life. He reaped a spiritual bounty learning to wait on God.

18. Look upon my affliction and my pain and for give all my sins.
David wanted God to take note of his suffering and pain. The toil and fatigue of his body running place to place seeking safety only added to his mental fatigue. David desired not only God’s deliverance, but he wanted God’s compassion and pity. Just as we do when we are enduring painful, hurtful times; times when we cannot rest because we are upset. We not only want God to deliver us, but we want Him to soothe our pain with His compassion and tenderness. We should search our hearts for any unconfessed sin, or unforgiveness, or ill feelings we may have that we like David may ask forgiveness for all sin. Psalm 66:18

19. Consider mine enemies for they are many; and they hate me with a cruel hatred.
David was surrounded by enemies who hated him. They were so cruel they did not want to remember the goodness extended to them from David as king. They hated the fact he was the king! They set about to do Absalom’s bidding determined to have Corruption on the throne, rather than a godly king. They were crazed with hatred and wanted David’s life. Their hatred was evident by their actions and their allegiance. They were incensed with abhorrence because David followed hard after God. Psalm 63:8 Here is another instance where we can relate to David. As Christians people show their hatred for us because we follow the Lord Jesus. Hateful people are used of the evil one to try and stop the Word of God from going forward; they belittle Christ’s sacrifice and scoff at any belief in the Triune God. The Lord did not allow David’s enemies to triumph over him, neither will our enemies triumph over us. Psalm 60:12

20. O keep my soul and deliver me let me not be ashamed for I put my trust in thee. David’s feared for his life, and his soul. He cried out to God to preserve him. God is the keeper of His beloved children. We cannot keep ourselves from sin, Satan, the world and falling as we live out our Christian walk. Prayers to God should be for His keeping power. 1 Peter 1:5 David’s trust in God would not allow him to be ashamed or disappointed while waiting for God to act. God has given so many promises to us in His word; however, we must learn to wait His time.

21. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait on thee.
David trusted God to know his complete love for him and his right standing as a man full of love and respect for His God. David patiently waited for His deliverance to come. God was faithful and David was thankful for the way the Lord had worked things out allowing David to return to his kingdom.

22. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
David was not only concerned for himself, but for all of Israel. David looked forward to the day when God would send the promised Redeemer to redeem the people from the desire of her enemies, from death itself, the last enemy to be destroyed which will put an end to all troubles. 1 Corinthians 15:26; Isaiah 35:10

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

God’s Love for Israel

2010-10-30T18:00:00.006-04:00

When I was a child I hardly heard anything concerning Israel. Now whenever I listen to the news there is always an item concerning God’s land and His chosen people. Numbers 6:27; 1Kings 9:3; Psalm 50:12

The utter revulsion which exits towards Israel and her people in this present society angers me to the point of rage. I have lived in a Jewish community; they were my friends and benefactors. I lived across from the synagogue; and I have cleaned the schoolrooms within the synagogue. Whenever I engage a Jewish person I think of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob and the land promised to them from God. When I see society’s great hatred for the God of Israel, it is plain to see why the Jews are also hated.

I have sat in church for over 50 years and never heard a minister preach on Romans chapter 11. Preachers faintly allude to the principle of the chapter, but I do not remember ever doing a church Bible study on the remnant of Israel.

The apostle Paul begins in Romans chapter 10, “Brethren, my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” He then proceeds in verses 1-5 to outline their zeal without righteousness. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.” Christ is the fulfillment of the law. Matthew 5:17-18; Galatians 3:24-25

Israel misunderstood the purpose of the Law for the Law pointed to the righteousness which is attainable only by belief in Christ. They also misunderstood the scope of the Law. The righteousness which is universally available to all who respond to God’s revelation of Himself through the Law. By Paul’s time, many had substituted works for faith. Rather than seeking redemption in God’s mercy, they pinned their hopes on their own religious achievement. Paul finishes chapter 10 showing how righteousness is by faith in Christ.

Then we come to Chapter 11. Paul begins the chapter with a question. I say then, “Hath God cast away His people”? God forbid. (Certainly not!) For I am also an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, the tribe of Benjamin.
Paul expected a negative answer to his question; therefore, he immediately follows it with, “God forbid.”

Verse 2-4 “God hath not cast away his people which He foreknew. Wot (Know) ye not what the Scripture saith of Elijah? How he maketh intercession against Israel saying, “LORD, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone and they seek my life.”
God answered Elijah with a startling answer.
“I have reserved to Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knees to the image of Baal. The LORD God was well aware of who His people were and who were not His people. 1 Kings 19:18; 2 Tim 2:19 The phrase “His people which He foreknew” means those with whom He was once intimately related. This deals with national rather than individual destiny and is a strong argument to show that God has not terminated His plan for Israel.

Verse 5 “Even so then at this present time, also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” Election literally ‘the chosen ones’; these are the ones like Paul who have believed and are believers today.
It was my experience to sit in Bible class and have a person ask, “What about the Jews, they don’t believe in Jesus? Our Pastor was very quick to point out there are Messianic Jews who do believe in Jesus. God’s dealings with Israel are God’s dealings and we should keep that in mind.

Verse 6 “And if by grace then it is no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Paul is saying here, you can’t have it both ways; it either had to be grace or works. It has to be of grace, for salvation is entirely of God. We are told in Isaiah 64:6 all our righteousness is as filthy rags. Works are the pitiful attempts of humans to offer to God what they believe He desires; what they believe will "buy" their salvation. God has no desire to see corrupt and vain works from sinners. Isaiah 1:14 Thanks be to God for His mercy and grace providing for us Jesus who gives us His righteousness. Romans 2 Corinthians 5:21 Those depending on works reject the grace of God. A grace He abundantly shares with those who will accept it. 1 Peter 1:10

Verse 7 “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election (the elect) hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.” This is a judicial blindness like Pharaoh Romans 9:18 Israel is blinded fulfilling Isaiah 29:10; Matthew 13:14.

Verse 8 “According as it is written, God hath given them a spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this day.”

Verse 9, 10 “And David saith, “Let their table be a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block and recompense unto them. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their backs always.” Paul quotes from David in Psalm 69:22, 23 David foresaw Israel’s quandary. . It must be remembered that God is working according to His eternal plan. Scripture anticipates the condition of Israel as it exists today. God is not surprised, neither should we be. If it were otherwise we should be troubled. God is still on the throne and He has an everlasting love for Israel.

Verse 11 “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid; (Certainly not) but rather through their fall (trespass) salvation is come unto the Gentiles for to provoke them unto jealousy. In order to combat error Paul asks this question. Many think Israel has fallen completely out of God’s program. Is there no future for Israel? Paul illustrates their apparent rejection is not permanent because of God’s purposes and promises to Israel.

Verse 12 Now if the fall (trespass) of them be the riches of the world and the diminishing (failure) of them the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fullness. Paul is building to make his point when he asks this question. The whole situation with Israel brought salvation to the Gentile world. If God allowed Israel’s blindness to include the Gentiles in His plan, how much more will God do for Israel’s restoration? Though to some, Israel may seem dead, God will bring her back to abundant life.

Verse 13-14 The apostle is making a case for his ministry to the Gentiles. He tries to provoke the Jews of his day to jealousy that they may see their need for Christ and salvation through His sacrifice.

Verse 15 “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall receiving of them be but life from the dead?” Here again, Paul is warning the Gentiles showing that the putting aside of Israel is not a finality. It is because of Israel’s blindness the Gentile world received the greatest blessing – the gospel. When Israel is restored there will be even greater blessings because they are God’s people. Isaiah 14:1

Verse 16 – 18 “For if the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root be holy so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and the fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.”
Here is the crux of all Christendom. We did nothing to “get saved”. It was all because of the grace and mercy of God that salvation came to us. The root Paul speaks of here is the covenantal promise to Abraham which anticipated the blessing to the Jews and the Gentiles. Genesis 12:2,3 Israel’s essential nature is holy, set apart for God. The firstfruit signifies Abraham; the branches refer to Israel individually. We do not support anything. It is because of God’s promises to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob salvation came to Christians. Galatians 3:7, 14
Some of the branches being broken off means that Israel is set aside, but there is a remnant. The wild olive tree grafted in among them is bringing in the Gentile world. It does not displace Israel, neither does the “church’ displace her. Paul explains there is a unity of the church with Israel as enjoying the same blessings without usurping one another.

Verse 19-24 “Thou wilt say then, ‘The branches were broken off that I might be grafted in. Well because of unbelief they were broken off and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded (prideful), but fear; for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed, lest He also not spare thee. Behold the goodness and severity of God; on them (Israel) which fell severity, but toward thee (believers), goodness, if thou continue in His goodness. And they also if they abide not in unbelief shall be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if thou were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which be the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

When God is finished with the Gentiles He will reinstate Israel. Israel was set aside because of their unbelief. The Gentiles now have favor because they believe. Therefore they should not be proud, but realize that the past and present intrinsic nature of Israel does not deter God. Gentiles should realize that God is capable of setting them aside and grafting Israel in again. His word testifies this is exactly what He will do. Isaiah 27:6

Verses 25-33 The apostle Paul then goes on to say he does not wish for the Christian Romans to be ignorant of these mysteries. He cautioned them not to be wise in their own conceits. In other words they are not to think of themselves as “better” than Israel because they believe the gospel. Romans 11:25 National salvation will come to Israel. The fulfillment of the new covenant Jeremiah 31:31-34 will become a realization when Jesus returns to earth to set up His kingdom. Paul weaves together Psalm 14:7, Isaiah 59:20-21; Jeremiah 31:31 to show that he understood the Old Testament literally and that the Old Testament prophesied Israel’s deliverance from sin. God cannot do otherwise because of His promises to the patriarchs and His unconditional covenants. God has temporarily set Israel aside for the sake of the Gentiles, but He has not forgotten them. He will fulfill His promises to His people.

For those who try to grasp the magnanimity of God’s plan Paul offers solace in verse 34 when he asks, “For who knows the mind of the LORD or who has been His counselor? Or who hath first given to Him and it shall be recompensed to him again? For of Him, and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory for ever. Amen

God is the source of all things- of Him; God is the channel of all things-through Him; God is the goal of all things- to Him and Man’s only proper response to God is to worship Him. We serve an Almighty God whose love is boundless. Praise is to God!

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Lead Me to Calvary

2010-10-22T21:52:00.004-04:00

We see in the Old Testament Scriptures that God required a spotless lamb for sacrifice, the atonement for sin.
Leviticus 22:19-21 “Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish…But whatsoever hath a blemish that ye shall not offer, for it shall not be acceptable for you.”

The lamb had to be without physical deformity of any physical blemish. The physical condition of the lamb was important. No blemish or deformity meant the lamb’s blood was pure. The lamb of the Old Testament sacrifice was a “type” or “symbol” of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 1:29 “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world”.
When God set in motion the atonement of His people by way of sacrifice, He spoke to Moses. God said “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that maketh atonement for your souls.” Leviticus17:11

When Cain murdered Able God asked Cain, “Where is Able thy brother?” Cain replied to God, “I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” And God spoke to Cain saying, “What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.” In the Hebrew the word “blood” is “bloods.” Not only was Able murdered, but all Abel’s posterity was gone. Genesis 4:8-10 The bloods of the innocents have a voice; how much more does Christ's sinless, perfect blood speak for us?

In Mark 15:21 we meet “Simon of Cyrene.” Cyrene was an important city of Libya in North Africa which had a large Jewish population. Simon had with him his two sons, Alexander and Rufus. He was just passing by when the soldiers compelled him to carry the cross of Jesus. In the Greek, the word “compelled” means “pressed into service”. Men condemned to die were usually forced to carry the beam of the cross, often weighing between thirty and forty pounds to the place of crucifixion. In John 19:17 we are told Jesus started out carrying His cross. We believe He carried the whole cross, not just the crossbeam. He was weakened by the physical abuse He suffered. The method of Roman flogging was not limited to the middle back as depicted in various movie productions. It covered the whole torso, from the back of the neck to the heel of the foot. Unsupervised Roman soldiers didn’t stop there. They didn’t care where they hit Jesus. The flagellations were not restricted to just His back.

One does not know the Savior, until he is intimately acquainted with His Blood.
Simon knew nothing of Jesus until he picked up the cross saturated with the blood of the Savior and placed it on his shoulder. At that moment Simon was the first to come “under the blood” literally and spiritually. His life was forever changed. He believed Jesus to be the Lamb of God. In Romans 16:13, Paul greets many of the Roman saints. Among them is Simon’s son, Rufus.

I need not go into detail concerning the suffering Jesus endured. Only to say it must be remembered His eyes were swollen, nearly shut. Therefore, Jesus may have placed His hand uponSimon's shoulder. If this were so, then, Simon led Jesus to Calvary. Jesus’ blood loss, dehydration and starvation, said nothing of His spirit. As Simon led Jesus, Jesus was giving Simon the strength to carry the cross.

How does all this apply today, to those who believe in Jesus, the Christ?
Once we were strangers, just passing by. Like Simon, we knew nothing of God until His light shined into the darkness of our hearts. 2 Corinthians 4:6; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 2:8 Remember, Simon was “pressed into service,” just as we are when God calls us into the fellowship of His Son.

Jesus said to His disciples, to all who would follow Him, in Luke 9:23, if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. Jesus was speaking figuratively here. Our “cross” is doing the will of God for each day. It is a total commitment to Christ in all we do. Whether it’s running errands, working, caring for children, whatever we are called upon to do. A relationship with Christ is to be observed by the whole world. Just as Simon carried the cross before the whole world of his day

When we cannot see our way because of life’s circumstances, Christ has His hand upon our shoulder to lead us through the hardships, sorrows, and afflictions of life. He promises to lead and counsel us along life’s road.
"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." Psalm 32:8

Within the perfect blood of the Savior is the power to endure; to overcome whatever we must suffer. Acts 14:22 states: “…and we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” We were chosen in the “furnace of affliction, in misery, and want.” Isaiah 48:10 Jesus was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Isaiah 53:3 God chose to reveal His power in the humanity of His Son, in His blood.

We need to remember, for those who follow Christ, God causes all things to work together for good, to those who are the called according to His purpose. The bad things as well as the pleasant things of life will be used of God to conform us to the image of God’s Son. Romans 8:28, 29

Jesus was well aware of what He was saying when He instructed us to “take up the cross and follow Him.” Christ desires to aid us as we carry our cross, daily. The blood Jesus shed has untold ramifications for our salvation as well as our spiritual growth and conformity.
Is there a day when we will make mistakes taking up our cross? We can count on it. However, the more we deny ourselves and seek God’s will for each day, the mistakes become fewer and far between. But here is the beauty of the crossbeam. It is not our blood on it. Hebrews 12:4 tells us that we have not resisted unto blood striving against sin. We have not resisted sin to the point of shedding our own blood. The blood on the crossbeam belongs to Jesus. The pure blood of God's Son is given that we may have power to overcome. God's word teaches with every temptation there is an escape. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Every day is a new beginning with God.

With His hand upon our shoulder, Jesus leads us to Calvary. He urges us on to the tomb. Calvary reminds us of the great price Christ paid to give us His resurrection power. The same power which raised Christ from the dead resides within us. It is the power of the Holy Spiritgiven to aid us in overcoming.

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we are able to ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20
The apostle Paul knew this when he said, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death. Philippians 3:10 Christ was Lord of every part of Paul’s life. This is what Jesus meant by taking up the cross. Jesus denied His own will to do the will of the Father. John 10:18 We must die to self, to our own will, because this is the only way Jesus can be Lord. He has all of us, or He has none of us. Galatians 2:20

There is a song which says, “When He was on the cross, I was on His mind.” Jesus cried tears for the physical anguish He endured. He cried tears of sorrow for those who refused to believe in Him. He looked ahead in time, He saw you and me. He cried tears of joy because He knew we would believe. We would take up our cross covered with the pure blood of the Lamb and follow Him.
Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

A New Name

2010-10-16T17:46:00.004-04:00

…a name none knew but He Himself…Revelation 19:12

When Bathsheba gave girth to a son David named him Solomon and the LORD loved him. God sent word by the hand of Nathan the prophet and God called Solomon by the name Jedidiah, meaning “Beloved of the LORD”. 2 Samuel 12:24, 25.
God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, Genesis 17:5. Jacob’s name to Israel. Genesis 32:28 Sarai to Sarah Genesis 17:15; Simon to Cephas - Peter John 1:42 and James and John to Boanerges meaning, “sons of thunder” Mark 3:17.
From naming the stars to naming His children God has His own preference for names of those He dearly loves. Psalm 147:4

Our earthly parents named us for one reason or another. We now bear our physical names. In the world to come we will be named according to God’s desire. Revelation 3:12 It is true we can give God nothing. However at the time of conversion we were endeared to God the Father through Jesus Christ.
John 16:27 He looked on us before we were born and claimed us for His own. Jeremiah 1:5 Yet, this planet would be our testing ground. Having given us free will, it would be a test to follow God in a world determined to eradicate Him.
The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any that did understand and seek God. Psalm 14:2 Through the ages God found men who wanted to seek His ways; to understand God. Such was Daniel God delighted in hearing Daniel’s prayers. “Fear not Daniel, from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand…thy words were heard.
Daniel 10:12

We are not all God’s children. We are all children of Adam. Therefore, it was necessary for us to receive God’s grace in His Son, Jesus. Once having faith through grace God watches and waits to see the choices we make in the life He so graciously gave us. Sadly, there are those who refuse the grace of God, there are others who name the name of Christ but walk contrary to the Scriptures. God’s true children know and understand the eternity of the soul had its conception in the Father heart of God. They strive to please Him.

The name we will be given may be reflective of what we endured following Christ; how we stood with Christ against the tide of evil which enveloped the earth. It will show our complete dependency on God and the all encompassing trust we placed in Christ’s work at Calvary. It will speak for all eternity of our unquenchable love for Jesus and the fight for lost souls.

Our new name will be written on a white stone. The white stone has great significance. A person tried for their crimes was placed in prison. A black stone was given to those who were condemned to die. A white stone was given to those prisoners who were pardoned. We were all held captive by Satan’s wiles and we deserved the punishment Jesus took for us. Jesus bought our pardon with His blood. Therefore because of Jesus we have received a heavenly pardon. The new name will also be written on our foreheads. Revelation 3:12
For when God wipes away every tear He will also wipe away the memories He chooses from our former life. Revelation 7:17

When we were physically born God’s mercy allows us not to remember the process. Some may argue, “Well, of course not. The mind is to underdeveloped to know what it is going through.” No, it’s because the birthing process is so painful God chose to obliterate the memory of it.

Our sojourn on earth is a spiritual birthing process. For it is through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22 A woman undergoes a series of physical traumas as she is giving birth. Heart rate, respiration, hormonal changes, muscle expansions and contractions are very painful for both mother and child. The paradigm being it is a time of great pain, but also a time of great joy. Jesus was well aware of this as He spoke in John 16:21, 22. So it will be when God wipes away every tear from our eyes, we will “remember no more the anguish.”

A child of the LORD undergoes spiritual traumas in this earthly realm. God, our heavenly Father is with us through every one; for He is birthing the soul. When the final stages of spiritual birth are concluded He will hold the child He has been waiting for in His arms.

“Behold, I make all things new.” Revelation 21:5 We will be endowed with a new name and we shall see Christ. Jesus promised to return for us . In our finite minds we cannot understand what awaits us. As the bridegroom awaits the arrival of his bride; Jesus waits for the day He can announce to all eternity the arrival of His Beloved Bride.
“Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither entered into the heart of man what God hath prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

He is the Love of my life;
The Strength of my days.
A Light for my path
The Wisdom of my ways
He is All that is in all
Of my life, here on earth
Until that glorious morning
When at last, I am fully birthed!

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel

A Blind Man’s Answered Prayer

2010-10-09T16:48:00.009-04:00

We may learn a valuable lesson from the blind man Jesus healed recorded in the book of Mark 8:22-26. So infinite is the understanding of God concerning His plans and purposes for our lives we bring Him dishonor when we look at what is happening to us rather than looking to God. Psalm 147:5 Without the illumination of the Holy Spirit we are like the man brought to Jesus. Isaiah 42:16

God waits to try our faith in the furnace of affliction. 1 Peter 1:7 Isaiah 48:10 We encounter many circumstances in our lives we do not understand. Just think of those in God’s word, Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Daniel, Joseph, the list could fill pages. Men who were called alone, separated to God for His purpose. Isaiah 51:2. Beneath the surface of each and every person God runs a common thread which is: “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy might.” Deuteronmy 6:8 God invites us to prove Him; we should expect no less in return. He proves us to know what is in our hearts. Malachi 3:10 Deuteronmy 8:2 The Father waits to hear our heart’s cry echo…with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my might.

In the heart and mind of God alone is found the reason He does not deliver us immediately in some situations. As important as God’s will is, equally important is His precise timing. I think of Peter desiring to walk on water, when he saw the Lord walking on the water to the ship. The Lord Jesus told him, “Come.” Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water until he saw the wind’s effects and heard its noise. He began to sink. Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught Peter. If Jesus had reached for him to soon He would have missed Peter. If He reached too late, Peter could have drowned. But the Lord Jesus was precisely on time. Matthew 14:29-31 God does not afflict us willingly. Lamentations 3:33 We must look at ourselves as He looks at us for our heart will lie to us every time. Jeremiah 17:9 It is inherent of humans to believe there is something good within us. Isaiah 64:6

Our dedication and consecration may be evident to all around us. However, when God decides to prove us we find that awe fall to our knees. We cry, for we cannot find the words to describe what we are feeling. Our mind may scream, “Why don’t I understand what is happening to me?” Like the blind man we are in total darkness, like him also, our faith must be tried.

They bring a blind man unto Him…
The man wanted a touch, a healing from Jesus. He could not physically find Jesus because of his blindness. His friends brought the man to the Master. We can see the Holy Spirit as a “friend”. Proverbs 18:24 He uses The Word, Christian friends, preachers, teachers or whatever means He chooses to bring us to Jesus. The Holy Spirit knows our needs, our pain; our yearning to be all God desires us to be. He also knows what it will take to “straighten” us out; to put us in line with God’s perfect will. As the friends of the blind man sought Jesus for help the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we do not know how to pray, “Thy will be done.” Romans 8:26,27

And He took him by the hand…
Jesus clasped the man’s hand as if He were taking him on a journey. The Lord separated the man from all he knew. The familiar surroundings, noises, and aromas the blind man used to compensate his blindness were gone; they could no longer be relied on. Jesus led him from familiarity to a strange, new place where the two of them could be alone. No doubt as they walked the man stumbled, tripped and fell. All the while, Jesus would not let the man go. Psalm 37:23,24 Our journey of faith is not an easy one. Yet, God says in His Word that without faith it is impossible to please Him. Hebrews 11:6. We must believe God is doing His good work, His will and His pleasure within us even when we cannot see it. Philippians 2:13

Faith is not a singular dimension, it is multifaceted. Like a diamond shining in the light its many facets are revealed. So our faith in every area of life must be tested. Noah’s faith was tried for 120 years as he built the ark; building it in a land where rain was scarce. He persevered while the people taunted him. The people of Noah’s day did not believe God would judge their evil hearts. Genesis 6:22 Abraham’s faith was a test of obedience. God called him to leave his country, his relatives and his father’s house. Abraham had no clue as to where he was going. Genesis 12:1. Yet he obeyed God. Sara’s faith was one of reckoning, for she counted on God to be true to His word. Genesis 21:6

God tests, or proves our faith in every area of our life. We may have strong faith to be healed of sickness, but weak faith concerning God’s daily provision. We may have strong faith for a broken marriage to be healed; but weak faith trusting God with our finances. A strong faith to believe in Christ as Savior, but weak faith to claim Him as Lord over all we are and all we possess. Life is a faith journey. If we stumble, trip, yes, even fall Jesus has us by the hand and will not let us go. Proverbs 18:24 Isaiah 41:13

He led him out of the town…
Jesus would not perform any works in Bethsaida because they did not believe in Him. They refused to repent. Christ had pronounced judgment on this city. Matthew 11:21 God has called to many and they will not answer. The day will come when the many will call to God but He will not answer. Zechariah 7:13
God counsels us from His Word, “Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the LORD and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you and ye shall be My sons and daughters saith the LORD God Almighty” 2 Corinthians 6:17,18

The Lord desired the whole town of Bethsaida to believe in Him. Yet there was only one who received a touch from Jesus. Even today, God has His solitaries. Psalm 68:6 As Christians we need to abide in Christ and His words in us. John 15:7 This allows us not to be polluted with the things of the world; things which prevent growth in the Spirit. God has designed to separate us, to work within our lives. Let us not rebel, but go willingly to learn more of Him. Jeremiah 29:11

And when He had spit on his eyes…
There are some who say this was done by Jesus because the man needed a tangible occurrence for his belief. Others say it was done because people were always hounding the Master for a “sign”. Mark 8:12 However, we must remember God never does anything outside His purpose. He promised to pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Joel 2:28 Acts 2:17,18

The presence of a touch reveals a more intimate relationship than a word. The scales of human sight were washed away. The man was given the illumination of the Holy Spirit found in the saliva of the Righteous One of God.

Israel had forsaken the “fountain of living waters”. Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13 They knew the words of the prophet Isaiah who spoke God’s heart. ”When the poor and needy seek after water and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, and I the LORD God of Israel will not forsake them.” Isaiah 41:17 Israel had “dried up”. Her spiritual condition was worse than it had been in the desert. She had seen God produce physical water from a rock. Yet, she could not relate this to the spiritual water given in the Messiah. 1 Corinthians 10:4 She was blind. She was not expecting Jesus to be the “fountain of living water”. She did not see the fulfillment of God’s promise.

We are no different than Israel. It may be during a time of need we reach out to God. He may direct us to His Word, and there give us a verse. Maybe it’s a verse we have received several times. We think within ourselves, “Oh, I know this verse”; we dismiss it for we believe we have reaped everything out of the written Word. Instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate, to show us what God would want us to see we leave the Bible and set out to solve our need our way. We, like Israel, spiritually dry up. Guaranteed if we waited and sought God we would find something in the verse, or receive a new revelation we were not aware of previously. Why hadn’t we seen these things before? We were not looking with expectancy to the Promise.

In John 7:37-39 Jesus cried, “He that believeth on Me as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Christ within the Christian’s heart is the living water which brings the spiritually dead to life. From the innermost being of those who believe and follow Christ flows His living water. His jars of clay flowing with the Gospel to the spiritually thirsty, comforting those who are hurting, to touch those God wants to bring into His kingdom. 2 Corinthians 4:7

Every word Jesus spoke every action He performed advanced the kingdom of God. The scales of indifference and complacency must be washed from our eyes. To do this God requires our undivided attention. How much we surrender proves to God our loyalty and desire for His kingdom; it proves how much we love Him.

And He put His hands on him…
God’s infinite understanding of what we need spiritually and when we need it is a force with purpose held in His hands. For it is in love He shapes our nature into conformity of the Divine. The blind man could not see Jesus. Yet, he could feel His saliva on his eyes, the pressure of Jesus’ touch, the nearness of His body, the scent of His garments. Still, the man did not know what was happening. His hope was for a healing, but he was not aware of how the healing would come about. The faith and actions of the man’s friends brought him into the presence of Almighty God, El Shaddai, the God of the impossible situation. The man desired to be healed; God desired the blind man’s heart.

Circumstances in our life we cannot understand are allowed by God for His glory. John 9:3 His hands work to place in our lives situations which will drive us to Him. James 4:8 All the while, His touch rests on our heart for we are precious to Him. The scents of His garments are found in the pages of His written Word. His love is the pressure on our heart; His nearness can be found in a teaching, a psalm, or just one word. Faith comes by hearing, hearing the word of God. Romans 10:17 A faith which says, “My God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all I am able to ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

He asked him if he saw ought…
Remember, the man was walking with Jesus. Tired from the strain of walking on new ground Jesus more than likely sat on a rock and allowed the man to kneel at His feet. Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” The man’s reply was, “I see men as trees, walking.” The man had his desire set on seeing creation rather than the Creator.

How many times have we heard Christ’s words, “Come ye apart yourselves to a desert place and rest a while?” A place not as the deserts we know, but a place that is uninhabited, nothing to disturb the soul, but tranquil and pleasant. Yet as human beings we believe we know what will help our situation. Nothing will change unless Jesus is allowed to lead us. His guidance alone will bring us out; His answer will meet our needs. What is needed first and foremost is the giving of time to Christ. Jesus will help because He has walked this way before us; He knows us and our human frailties. He is not ashamed to call us His brethren. Hebrews 2:11 We need to tell our heavenly Father where we hurt, and what the problem is, then, He will direct us in His ways. Proverbs 16:9

Jesus was preparing the man for streams in the desert. The man was settling for a trickle. Isaiah 35:6 Like the blind man in times of adversity we are guilty of horizontal vision. A misguided desire of wanting to be relieved of adversity causes us to misstep in our faith walk. As mere human beings we lose sight of the fact God’s vision can see not only our day, but all of eternity. Ours at best can only see what is right in front of us.

After that He put His hands again upon his eyes and made him look up…
Kneeling before Jesus the man tried to see what was going on around him. He may have turned his head to the right or to the left. He wanted to see the physical world. For years He could only hear what was around him, now he wanted to see. Jesus put His hands again on the man’s eyes and made him look up. Look up to his Healer, his Deliverer. Jesus knowing the desire of the man allowed the healing to be progressive rather than instantaneous. It was also a lesson to Jesus’ disciples concerning their slow, spiritual comprehension. Mark 8:14-21

When we are enduring a trial we wait patiently for God to alleviate our misery. The Holy Spirit asks, “Do you see anything?” We may answer, “I see men and the oppression they bring to my soul.” We may see a place we do not want to be and we want our deliverance to be immediate. We may see a situation we believe we cannot endure. We question if God will answer in time. So God waits. We continue to endure, time passes and the Holy Spirit asks again, “Do you see anything?” Our reply, “I hurt, Lord, I want to be free from this.” Still, He patiently waits and His hands bear upon us. We fall to our knees. He makes us look up! “Do you see anything?” He hears our reply. “I see only Jesus.”

And he was restored and saw every man clearly…
When the man could not see clearly after the first touch Jesus did not give up on him. The result was the man was not only restored physically, but spiritually. He saw every man clearly. He saw every man's need for Jesus. He wanted to tell others so they would know what he had experienced. He still did not understand his blindness, but his healing and enlightenment could not quench his joy. John 14:26

He sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town…
The rejection of the works of Christ was a rejection of the Father who sent Jesus into the world. It was also a rejection of the Messiah. It was the Master’s desire for the man to remain quiet concerning the miracle. Unbelief is a contagion. The only antidote is radical faith. The spirit of unbelief prevailing in Bethsaida would not strengthen the man’s new found faith. It would destroy the joy he found in Jesus. Knowing this Jesus instructed the man to go to his house; to stay out of town; and also not speak to anyone in the town.

During our “blind seasons” we need to communicate with those who believe in Christ. They will bolster our faith. We also need to be ready to tell others during their dark times how God helped us, Christ led us and the Holy Spirit revealed God’s word to us. His words of wisdom and comfort and strength are not just for us, but for all who are on a faith journey. 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4
We will not be helped if we seek tothe advice of unbelievers. They cannot understand spiritual matters. 1 Corinthians 2:14

Today Jesus still beckons to us, “Come ye yourselves apart to a desert place and rest a while. It is when we desire to stay in the desert, separated from the world system in which we presently live, in His presence alone; we begin to know what is meant by loving God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our might!

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

The Prayer of the Persecuted

2010-10-02T11:27:00.003-04:00

What does the word “persecution” mean? It means to oppress a person or people; to systematically subject a race or group of people to unfair treatment, for example, because of their ethnic origin or religious beliefs. Persecution has many avenues which involve those who dominate harshly and inflict stress. God’s word tells us in Hebrews 13:3 “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body”.

Psalm 3 is the most heart wrenching prayer of David. He was doing what God called him to do; to be a king over God’s people, when his son Absalom tried to usurp David’s throne. Absalom cleverly calculated how to steal the throne from his father by using men who were unfaithful to David.

LORD, How they are increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me.
Persecution can arise from anyone. Here we see it was David’s own son who set about to destroy him. 2 Samuel 15:1-6 David was forced to leave Jerusalem and run like a hunted animal to safety. 2 Samuel 15:13-17
Those who are persecuted desire a place of safety away from the oppression and fear. Proverbs 18:10 Persecutors enjoy hurting others. They believe persecution gives them power, and makes them intelligent in their own eyes.

Many there be which say of my soul, ‘There is no help for him in God.”
David felt entirely forsaken with enemies surrounding him. The situation looked as if God would allow David to endure this adversity for a very long time. Not knowing the outcome of this horrific event David was wondering what to do. Being on the run must have reminded David of all the times he had to escape the tactics of Israel’s former king, Saul who tried murder David twenty one times.
1 Samuel 19:10 Unbelieving persecutors enjoy thinking God will not come to the aid of His children. They have sadistic spirits which enjoy the suffering of the innocent.

The apostle Paul, known as Saul, persecuted the church in it’s infancy he enjoyed gathering Christians to put them in prison. He consented to the death of Steven. Acts 8:1 Saul went after the disciples to slaughter them. Acts 9:1 He was on his way to Damascus to receive a letter which gave him permission to bring men and women bound to Jerusalem to be put to death. While on the road to Damascus a light from heaven shone. Saul fell to the earth and heard a voice say, ’Saul, Saul Why persecutest thou me?’ ‘Who art thou, Lord? Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.’ This was the conversion of the apostle Paul. Christ used him in a miraculous way to spread the Gospel. When Christians are persecuted their oppressors fail to realize they are persecuting the Lord Jesus Christ. Christians on earth are His body; He is the head of the church. Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18 Romans 12:5
The world looks at our circumstances and says there is no help for us from God. But just as God saw David’s believing heart; He sees our heart. This is what unbelieving persecutors do not understand. Our cries go into the very ears of God. Psalm 18:6

But thou, O LORD art a shield for me; my glory and the lifter up of mine head.
Shield for me - David had experienced enough persecution to understand that God was a shield for him. He was David’s Protector from the harm his persecutors meant to do to David’s body and spirit. Mentally, he pictures the Lord wrapping Himself around David to protect him from the onslaughts of the enemy.

My glory - The Hebrew word for glory means”to be heavy”. David’s meaning here is God’s abundance; protection and provision were David’s honor, his glory.
Psalm 41:11 God poured out of His great abundance what David needed temporally and spiritually to prevail against the enemy. The very fact David survived was God’s glory.

The lifter up of my head – Anxiety, depression, despair are a part of suffering.
The accusations, strategy, and bombardment the enemy uses attempts to cause hopelessness. Here, David pictures God placing His hand under David’s chin, making him look up; lifting David’s point of vision to God alone. David’s enemies wanted to trample over his head and push it down into the ground. David reminded himself of the many times God cause him to triumph over his enemies. Psalm 27:6

I laid me down and slept; I awakened; for the LORD sustained me.
Persecution is exhaustingly wearisome. David could find no rest unless he knew God would keep watch as he slept. The LORD would sustain David as he rested his body, spirit and mind.
How gracious of God to sustain us in the persecutions we endure. He is our Strength, our Solace, and our Defender. He is all we will ever need when we are surrounded by those who hate us for who we are.

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me. A statement bravely made by David. The king’s faith arises knowing God would take care of his enemies, no matter how many there were surrounding him. The plan of the enemy is to stifle faith and kill it. For once a person loses their faith, hope is gone and conquering becomes child’s play for those who persecute.

Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God; for thou hast smitten all mine enemies
upon the cheekbone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Here David must have been recounting all the times God saved him from the enemy; the many battles he fought, the work of God’s deliverance each time when David was besought by the foe. David imagined God breaking the cheekbones and the teeth of his enemies bringing total destruction to them. When God arises, His enemies scatter. Psalm 68:1. Persecutors hate the Lord’s beloved which proves their contempt for God.

Salvation belongeth to the LORD; thy blessing is upon thy people.
Deliverance from the pit of persecution comes from God alone. He chooses the time, the way He will deliver; and all else pertaining to setting the captive free. Although sometimes, the captive dies a martyr for the cause of Christ; they are delivered into the presence of the Lord which is the ultimate deliverance.
2 Corinthians 5:8 So we persevere and overcome in Christ. God has not promised an easy road in life, but He has promised grace and strength to travel the road. Psalm 84:7 2 Corinthians 9:8 David’s prayer is one for all who face the enmity against Christ in whom we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28 God’s blessing is peace in the midst of turmoil.

This morning I awoke singing a song sung by Steve Green and written by Michael Card and Phil Naish. The chorus was ringing in my spirit.

“Peace is a place
A harbor safe
For riding out the storms
For each, there’s a grace
A strong embrace
The comfort of the Lord
He’s ordained the paths we take
What Father would His child forsake
Emmanuel, God is with us
All is well.

The words of my Jesus come to mind: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

Author~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Bits and Pieces

2010-09-25T15:31:00.001-04:00

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Psalm 29:2

When I look at the sky of blue
or see a rainbow’s radiant hues;
my heart says, “ My Lord, You’re beautiful!”
When I see the flower buds of spring
and all new life the season brings,
my heart says, “ My Lord, You’re beautiful!”
When I look inside my heart
and I know Calvary was His part,
my heart weeps and says,
“My Lord, You’re beautiful!”
When I see His life in me
justified being His decree,
my heart cries, “Thank You,
My Lord, You’re beautiful!”

....There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 19:24

Christ is the silver lining;
Behind the storm clouds of life.
A True and Honored Companion
To those who walk by faith
And not by human sight.
I will not fear to face the present,
or the unknown;
For through it all, Jesus is mine
And I am His alone.

When thou liest down thou shalt not be afraid: Yea, Thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shall be sweet. Proverbs 3:24 He giveth His beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2

His shoulder is my pillow
On which I lay my head.
Strong arms become my cradle
Where I make my bed.
His bosom is my blanket,
Like His love, it keeps me warm.
I’ll not fear for the night
Safe, in the care of the Lord.
The rhythm of His heartbeat
Is my lullaby to sleep.
His tender eyes overlooking
His beloved, He will keep.
A gentle kiss goodnight
A hug from above;
I will sleep sound and secure,
Wrapped in His abundant love.

And being made perfect He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him. Hebrews 5:9

My sentence was passed down.
Death and horror was the decree.
But Jesus’ blood sealed the scroll;
This sinner is now set free.

He wrote my pardon with His blood;
Every paragraph, verse and line.
He set me in heavenly places,
His Father is now mine.

Never again to belong to the world,
He clothed me as His own.
The Father’s ransomed treasure
Purchased and brought home.

For all who seek the Author
He promises to cleanse and set free.
Your pardon is waiting at the cross.
It’s written in blood on Calvary.

Author~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

What Do You Say?

2010-09-18T15:01:00.001-04:00

Pleasant words are as an honey comb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

How many times has the situation presented itself where we have spoken to a person and come away feeling worse than when we began the conversation?
Their conversation may inflict a spirit of sorrow weighing us down; we feel helpless to their need.

Some people exaggerate to the point of bordering on a lie. It is a fine line that is crossed when people look for sympathy from others instead of looking to God. Their words become bitter acid in the throat. These types of people show their souls to be laden with inconsistencies, double mindedness, trouble borrowing, and worry. James 1:8; 4:8 The center of these problems and more stem from unbelief.

One who does not control His spirit but allows it to wander every avenue of the carnal mind is like a city whose walls are broken down allowing many enemies to invade. Proverbs 25:28

God’s words are gracious. Discipline is tough, but to those who endure the Lord’s chastening it is truth. The Lord’s words divide the flesh from the spirit. The process is painful and there is no anesthetic. All the while, God is discerning the thoughts and intent of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 Hebrews 12: 9, 10.

When the choice is to love God, His words must be loved also. They are His very heart thoughts, His letter to a generation. The Bible contains words of love, instruction, discipline and comfort. Proverbs 23:12

Engaging in conversation one should remember – “pleasant words”. Words should be chosen carefully as though one were speaking to Jesus. In doing this, words are sweet as honey, health not only to all those who hear, but to the spiritual bones of those who are suffering as well. In this way, God is glorified and the Christian receives healing in obedience. The greater the desires to become like Jesus, the more one will listen to the Holy Spirit. He not only hears every which is spoken, He warns the obedient believer of those in opposition to God and His ways.

When Jesus reproved Martha He held concern for her spiritual well being in His voice. Luke 10:41,42. When we speak to people we should be readily open to the Holy Spirit more than to our own spirit. The Spirit will give the words needed in every situation. Luke 12:12 What we want must be abandoned, and our spirit yielded to the Holy Spirit to receive His anointing. Abandon the need to inform others of our suffering, our thoughts, and our ways, using our life as an example. Rather we should gain knowledge of God’s words to bring comfort and direction to those we are ministering to in the name of Christ.

Jesus gives us many examples of ministering to needy people. All those He spoke with were healed; lives were transformed because Christ knew how to be filled to over flowing with the Spirit. Matthew 3:16 Matthew 4:1 Those Jesus spoke with were healed, restored and renewed because Jesus listened. He said nothing of His many sufferings; He listened intently to those who came to Him. He listens intently to those who go to Him in prayer. Psalm 34:15 Christ listened to the voice of the Spirit and spoke accordingly. In His obedience many were blessed. So it should be with all who declare Christ.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Why so many translations?

2010-09-11T22:31:00.001-04:00

This week my husband and grandson were involved in a car accident; both escaped unhurt; my husband received a few minor injuries.

My husband called me from the hospital and asked me about a verse I constantly repeat, Psalm 94:19. ‘In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy consolations delight my soul.’

When my husband returned home he told me he could not find the verse in his New King James Bible translation. The reason he was unable to find it was the translators changed the word ‘thoughts’ to ‘anxieties’; and ‘consolations’ to ‘comforts’. The verse then reads; ‘In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Thy comforts delight my soul.’ The translation changes the intent of the verse. In the Hebrew, the word is ‘thoughts’ is not ‘anxieties.’

There is only one other place where the word ‘thoughts’ is used. In Psalm 139:23 David says: ‘Search me, O God and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts…’ For this verse I find Albert Barnes to have the best explanation of the word, ‘thought’. “Search what I think about, what are my purposes; what secures my affections and controls my will.”

Many translations do not have the word ‘begotten’ in John 3:16. They use ‘one and only Son’. God’s word clearly states the word, ‘begotten’. Yes, one and only Son means God’s one Son; however, this phraseology omits the work of the Holy Spirit’s involvement in the Incarnation.

Am I mincing words here? I don’t think so. In Isaiah 66:2 God plainly says:’…But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and who trembleth at my word.’ Trembleth, meaning a fearful reverence for God’s words. To put it another way, a fear of disobeying what God has stated in His word.

I liken the use of translations to rubber stamping. When you ink the rubber stamp and apply it to paper the image is clear and understandable. If you continue to stamp, the image becomes lighter and less visible. You have to return to the ink pad to make the image more legible. So it is with translations. The farther you go from the original; the meaning of God’s words becomes ambiguous. You no longer receive His words, but the words of the human translators. You need to return to the “inkpad”.

For me, the ‘inkpad’ is the Authorized Version” or the King James Version of the Bible. I have been reading the KJV for over fifty years. Do I read other translations? Sure, when I want to observe how they relate to the verse I am studying in the KJV. I do not rely on any version per se, but on the Holy Spirit to enlighten my understanding. So if there is a translation the reader enjoys, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in all truth. Psalm 25:5

Translations tend to make the Scriptures, ‘palatable’. In doing so, the fear or reverence for God is minimized. God instructed Moses to tell the children of Israel when they made an altar of stone; it was to be constructed of ‘hewn’ stone. No tool was to touch it, for if it did, the stone would be polluted. Exodus 20:25 Some translations pollute the very words of God. They replace lovingkindness, used only of God, with steadfast love. God’s lovingkindness is so much more. Some translations put God on a human level making Him less than Almighty God.

In this generation of political correctness the words used in some translations are far from the intent the Holy Spirit wants to convey. The psalmist writes: ‘Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments.’ Psalm 119:6 And in Psalm 119:80 ‘Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.’ Repentance, contrition, obedience, justification are put on a level in some translations where there is no accountability, nor responsibility for the reader. Some have gone so far as to put Scripture in the form of a novel; to read like a book.

I will have to stand at the judgment seat of Christ and give account of using God’s words. 2 Corinthians 5:10 I also know people will use the translation they are comfortable with, and that’s good. Better to read a reliable translation than not to read God’s word at all. With all that is in the world today against God, I wanted to alert people to the changes that are taking place in the publishing arena to sell more Bibles without regard for the purity of Scripture. I need to be aware and seek God’s guidance as I journey through His Word. Jeremiah 33:3 I desire the same for my brothers and sister in Christ.

The Scriptures are a virtual treasure trove of things God wants us to know, to put into practice, to relate to others. I thank the Lord for the things I have learned from others who read their Bible and relate what they have learned; what the Holy Spirit has revealed to them. I believe it is the duty of every Christian to be a mentor to others who love the Lord and desire to reverence His word. It is in this vein I wrote about the many translations due to come out. I would not want anyone to become misguided on their journey in God’s word.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Growing In Christ

2010-09-05T11:49:00.001-04:00

Jesus was very perceptive discerning a person’s place on their spiritual journey; the condition of their soul. “Thou art not far from the kingdom of heaven”
Mark 12:34; Matthew 16:17; Matthew 15:14 Jesus could discern the progression of the spirit of a person and where they were going.

I have to ask myself, ‘What does Jesus observe when He looks at me?’ I have to take time for self-examination. Do I spend time in God’s word? Do I allow the Holy Spirit to teach me? Do I yield to the Holy Spirit or do I frustrate His work in my life? Self examination requires that I view what God sees rather than what I think of myself.

When I look at how Jesus taught various people I am encouraged. He spoke in parables to the crowds He encountered. Simply put, a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. He spoke this way because of the spiritual dullness of the people. Matthew 13:10-16

However, when Jesus taught the disciples He waited until they were alone. The intimacy fostered a comfortable arena in which the disciples could ask questions.
Matthew 17:19-20

The examples and teaching given in God’s word tells me I must grow in my relationship. I cannot remain a spiritual baby forever. A baby eats sleeps and exercises fostering a pattern of growth. To remain a spiritual baby means that my human nature will ultimately overrule my spiritual growth. I will remain dormant with no signs of growth in the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 3: 1-3

One of the many workings of the Holy Spirit is to progressively sanctify the believer. He brings me out of the world and sets me apart for God’s will and purpose. Remaining in a thought pattern of thinking I am “good enough” for what God intends to do with my life, is dangerous. Such an attitude sets into motion a plethora of human reasons in opposition to the Holy Spirit. Many make the mistake of thinking of the Holy Spirit in various ways, such as a mere ‘spirit’ who hovers over believers. Most do not understand the workings of the Holy Spirit. His detailed assignments are a study all on their own!

However, when I do not yield to the Spirit’s leading I am guilty of grieving the Holy Spirit by not allowing Him to accomplish God’s work in my life.
Ephesians 2:10; 4:30 That’s when I become a spiritual ‘fat baby’. What this says to Christ is I would rather have my life in this world, than to be separated to God; not good. This is a sure way to sadden the heart of God and lose all heavenly rewards. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.

God’s word holds all I need to know concerning my heavenly Father, my Redeemer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God’s longing for me, and for those who call upon Christ, is to spend the time needed to grow; to give the Holy Spirit full latitude in my life. Prayerfully, by God’s grace I will continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18 It is not easy. There is a price to be paid, dying to my own nature as God replaces the human nature with His divine nature. It’s tough, but I wouldn’t trade anything for what I have learned concerning growth in Christ.

I want to encourage all whether you are just a little seed newly planted in Christ, or a mature plant which has seen many seasons; keep on growing, never stop. As you grow, look toward heaven for all things you may need to continue your growth. Be the good ground which receives the seed, God’s word, producing a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what is sown. Matthew 13:23

As I write my thoughts there are a variety of songs which go through my head. It occurred to me today there is a promise of God which says,’ Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me and my prayer unto the God of my life.’ The meaning David is trying to put forth here is God commands His lovingkindness to those who are after His heart. In other words, those who desire to please God above all else, will have God’s lovingkindness surround them during the day, and during the night which signifies adversities, the Lord’s song will be with those who desire Him.
Zephaniah 3:17 The mercy of God never ceases to amaze me!

Keep Growing!

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

The Sin of Partial Obedience

2010-08-22T13:33:00.001-04:00

In 1 Samuel 15 there is the account of Saul and his willful disobedience to God’s word. There are valuable lessons to be learned from this man who was king; from him we learn the very things God does not want His children to do.

The people wanted a king
The people wanted a king. Israel had been a ‘theocracy’ depending on God to lead, guide, and protect them. He had used various and outstanding people in directing the nation through difficult days including when they were surrounded and threatened on every side by their enemies.

Samuel made a mistake appointing his sons as judges. He provided a perfect excuse for the people to demand a king. Samuel was getting old, and being his sons were unfit too judge Israel the people wanted to be like their surrounding neighbors. They, too, wanted a king to rule over them.

Samuel warned the children of Israel against a king. ‘A king,’ he said, ‘would force them into hard labor.’ He would use their sons for his own purposes, to reap his harvest, to make instruments of war, and to use with his chariots. The young boys would run ahead of the chariots and clear the road of stones and debris enabling the king to have a smooth ride. A king would take their daughters to be bakers and cooks to satisfy the king’s palate. He would take their vineyards, their olive groves for his own. He would also take a tenth of their seed, their servants, their sheep; nothing would be exempt from his desire. Then Samuel delivered the final blow when he warned the people. He told them when all these things come to pass they would cry to the LORD, but He would not hear because they had rejected God and chose their won king. Saul was not chosen by God, he was chosen by lots. 1 Samuel 10:20,21,22 (KJV)

To prove their wickedness Samuel told the people to stand and see the great thing the LORD would do. It was the time of the wheat harvest. Samuel called on the LORD to send thunder and rain. The LORD sent great thunder and rain that day and all the people feared God and Samuel.

Samuel admonished the children of Israel for their lack of ingratitude for the righteous acts which the LORD performed on their behalf. After he recounted the dangers of asking for a king, Samuel exhorted them to be obedient to God.

Saul’s first mistake
Saul had a semblance of humility. It was humility for show. His humility was not rooted in his heart. The strength of his heart was pride. This can be seen when he offered a sacrifice – a function reserved for the priestly Levites.
Numbers 18:1-7 (KJV)This violation of God’s law revealed unbelief was in his heart. There was no fear of God in Saul. He was not fit to be king. It was his presumptuous self-importance exhibited in his true nature.

Saul’s second mistake
Saul’s son Jonathan was of outstanding character and genuine faith. By trusting in God, Jonathan experienced great victory in the battles he fought. Saul feared losing the advantage his armies had gained over the Philistines. He made an impetuous and rash declaration. He pronounced a curse on anyone who tasted food before the evening. Jonathan was not notified of the decree. Returning from battle, feeling faint, he put a rod into some honeycomb and ate some honey to regain his strength. Hearing what Jonathan did, Saul sentenced his son to death. The people rescued Jonathan so that Saul could not kill him. In this incident Saul demonstrated his hatred for anyone who went against his word. Yet, he constantly went against God’s word and it made no difference to him. In spite of Saul’s horrendous attitude and personality God granted him military victories for the sake of the people.

Saul’s great failure
Through Samuel the prophet God gave Saul His words of instruction to conquer and destroy the Amalekites. It was made clear to Saul obedience to God’s words were paramount. ‘Smite Amalek and utterly destroy all they have and spare them not; but slay both man, woman, infant and suckling, along with all the animals in their possession. The LORD remembered what the Amalekites did to the children of Israel as they came out of Egypt. God promised to destroy the Amalekites Exodus 17:14 Deuteronomy 25:17-19 (KJV)

Saul’s self deception and human reasoning put him on a path of self-will and away from God. Saul assaulted the Amalekites, but he saved Agag their king, and the best of the animals. He did not follow the word of the LORD because there was no fear of God in Saul’s heart. The disrespect with which he treated the LORD was normal to Saul. In Saul’s heart and mind what he wanted was all that mattered. He had a pretense of humility, and reverence for God which translated into a pretense of piety.

The Lord came to Samuel in the night and said, “It repenteth Me that I have set up Saul to be king, for he has turned back from following Me, and hath not performed My commandments.” The LORD was full of exasperation, causing Him to sigh; for Saul was an annoyance and a frustration to the Lord because he refused to obey His words. Saul was incorrigible.

Samuel arose early and visited Saul to tell Saul what the LORD had determined to do. After reminding Saul of the great work in his life making him king over God’s people, Samuel then said, ‘Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORX, but did fly upon the spoil and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?’
Saul then proceeded to offer his explanation pf human reasoning for saving Agag, the king of Amalek, and blamed the people for taking the animals. Samuel refused to listen to Saul’s puny excuses. He told Saul the LORD doesn’t have delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices. ‘Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken, (listen to the LORD) better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is iniquity and idolatry; because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected thee from being king.’

Once again Saul’s false piety comes through with a mere, ‘I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.’ It didn’t matter; Saul had disobeyed the command of the Lord. Still, Saul persisted in thinking all Samuel had to do is pray for his sin to be pardoned and he could remain king over God’s people. When Samuel refused to do so and was leaving, Saul grabbed hold of Samuel’s mantel and ripped it. And Samuel told Saul, ‘The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from thee this day and hath given it to a neighbor of thine that is better than thee.’ Samuel called for the king of the Amalekites, Agag. Agag thought he was safe, that the bitterness of death was past. Samuel told Agag that his sword had made women childless, so Agag’s mother would be childless. Samuel then hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD. Samuel left Saul and never saw him again, still, he mourned for Saul.

In my study of this I was overcome by the fact of God’s displeasure of disobedience. For all disobedience is rebellion against God. How easily I can believe I am doing the right thing. Yet if I am doing it in my own power, my own way or receive the advice of someone who is ungodly, I am like Saul. When I attempt to obey in my own way and not God’s way, I am like Saul.

Jesus’ words ring true. ‘If you love Me keep My commandments.’
John 14:15 (KJV)The Apostle Paul stated, ‘I die daily.” 1 Corinthians 15:31(KJV) This is how it must be, anything that comes from me, my will, my desire, my reasoning, is not from God. Saul could not doe to his ‘human’ ways and it cost him the kingdom. If I cannot allow the Holy Spirit to work out the human nature and replace it with the divine nature of Christ I will forfeit the kingdom prepared for me. Philippians 2:5 (KJV) I cannot presume I am obeying God, I must know I am obeying Him by knowing and understanding Him through His word. Jeremiah 9:23, 24 (KJV)

Father,
Help me to forget myself and listen to Your commands, Your words. May Your Holy Spirit guide me in all Your ways. Your hatred of sin is so profound You gave Your Son that the power of sin would be eradicated from my life. Let me not disappoint You, Father. I live to obey. In Jesus Name.

Author~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
http://www.mycalvaryslove.com/

KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS

2010-08-15T00:07:00.003-04:00

What do these titles mean?

The book of revelation is difficult to interpret. Among scholars there are many different views concerning this book. It doesn’t signify that one view or commentator is wrong or right. What it does connote is there are many and varied thoughts and opinions concerning God’s words.

The following is what I have discovered in my many hours of Bible study. I am thankful to God for hearing my prayer, ‘The entrance of
thy word s giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.’ My thoughts have no basis unless they are backed by the word of God. 1 Corinthians 1:27-31

In John 14:2,3 Jesus stated that He was going to prepare a “place” for believers. Strong’s definition of this word means not a home, or dwelling place, but a “spot”, a place of occupancy; such as rank in a given regiment, or army.

“And the armies which were in heaven followed Him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.” The fine linen white and clean speaks of the saints. “”Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to him for the marriage supper of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.” Revelation 19:7, 8
Whatever is done for Christ in this world will determine one’s rank in His army.

In the previous verses to this chapter in Revelation Christ is depicted coming to judge the world and to make war. ‘And he had on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.’ Revelation 19:16
War with the evil existing at the time of His return will be won by The Word of God.

“I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.” And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron; and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God.
Revelation 19:11, 15 ; Hebrews 4:12

“His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and he had a name written that no one knew but He Himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood and His name is called The Word of God.”
The question I would like to pose is this: Why does the name King of Kings, Lord of Lords appear on the robe, or bosom of Christ, and also His thigh?

When Christ returns to destroy the armies of earthly kings and lords, they will see the heavenly title KING OF KINGS LORD OF LORDS. Everyone will know who Christ is because it will be emblazoned on His garment. Judgment will come upon those who refused to believe and follow Christ, those who refused to learn the commandments of God, those who openly rejected God and His grace in Christ Jesus; those who relied on the flesh and not the Spirit. All the enemies of Christ will see across His chest, on His robe, the name given to the Holy One of Israel. The Triumphant One will sit upon His steed, His thigh bared, His head fully crowned to show His accomplishment to bring God's salvation plan to mankind. To those who refuse the Gift of Life; His name will mean destruction and eternal pain.

The reason the name KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS will be written on Christ’s thigh concerns the dedicated disciple; the consecrated believer. The writing on the thigh has more significance to the Jewish people than to the western world. However, The ancient expositors held the belief that the future generations of a man were held, or kept in a man’s thigh. They were to be carried through the loins, the pathway of procreation. The thighs were the organs of blessing and promise. What God has promised will be accomplished.
Genesis 24:2 ; 47:29

The organs of blessing and promise can be seen with Abraham, and Jacob. At the end of their days they called for their sons and said, “Put thy hand under my thigh.” In doing this they pronounced blessings on the generations to come. They also secured along with the blessings, the promises. Promises of God given to Abraham, passed on to Issac, and to Jacob are still enforced in our time.

The blessing and the promise came to believers in Christ Jesus. His thigh will be bared to point to Calvary. He triumphed over death and lived again that believers may partake of His righteousness and resurrection. Colossians 3:3 When one stops to think of the magnanimous ramifications of blessing it only deepens the meaning of “being in Christ.” Jesus is the Blessing and Promise for all those generations who believe His sacrificial atonement was accomplished for their sins, and also their benefit.

When Israel went against her enemies, Judah was the first in order of the march. The ensign was raised high; Judah went out praising God, the other tribes followed. Judges 20:18; Numbers 10:14 The bared thigh of Jesus will be the Ensign His people will follow. Isaiah 11:10
Jehovah Nissi, the LORD our Banner has been preparing His army in an earthly spiritual “boot camp”. Soldiers not only learn Ephesians 6:10-18, they practice it daily engaging in the unseen battle. 2 Timothy 2:3

KING OF KINGS will alert the world that no man has ever, or will ever be above God. The authorities of the earth will bow and pay homage to the One who will reign forever. There will no longer be power to corrupt the hearts of men. There will be no opportunity to take advantage of the poor. No rules and regulations to guard the rich and exploit the destitute. The government will no longer be in the hands of men, for the KING OF KINGS will reign. Isaiah 9:6,7

LORD OF LORDS will serve notice to the principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness, their reign is over; they will no longer oppose the children of God. No more trials, afflictions, sorrow or death because Jesus has conquered the foe. He is LORD over all. When the believers fall to their knees in adoration, worship and praise, it will be the last time they fall.

There seems to be an understanding of what it will be like to follow our Commander in Chief, however it is not comprehended at all. God is so good. He patiently tries us now and He waits. All the while He is saying, “Someday…someday My child, you’ll be home.”

Like the petals of a rose, God’s promises to His children unfold in provision and blessing through His Son, Jesus Christ. Those whose faith rested in Jesus will receive an everlasting relationship with the Father and His Son through the eternal Spirit. Those whose main goal in life was to glorify Jesus will receive their reward.
These are the believers, who kept their faith to the end, remained unspotted by the world; who kept their trust in God when others would have given up. Luke 18:8

For believers it is promised: “They shall see His face, they will follow the Lamb in white raiment, His name will be on their foreheads they will praise God and serve Him forever.

“Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and His wonderful works to the children of men.” Psalm 107:8

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
http://www.mycalvaryslove.com/

Call Unto Me

2010-07-30T23:12:00.000-04:00

“And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me”
Psalm 50:15

Oh! how God longs for us to turn to Him. He longs to hear the voice of His child telling Him He is needed; that whatever we are attempting we cannot do it on our own; we are scared. He cannot reach out until we call. In His time and His way deliverances pour out to rescue, comfort, heal and assist in whatever the need.

In this verse God is saying, “Just utter a need My child for I am with you. I will come forth to be by your side. Isaiah 43:2 As you endure, My strength will be seen in you. This is how you may glorify Me by allowing others to see My works, My kindness, My giving , My love in you. In this way, they will see Me. Through your weakness, My power will be manifested to the world. The world will not understand it. You must tell them where the power to endure comes from. In this way, you will glorify Me.”

Jesus knew this very well. John 16:32 “Behold the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.”

In His darkest hour Jesus glorified the Father by letting all know they shared a very special relationship. The Father would not desert the Son in His hour of need. Neither will God desert those who call upon Him in sincerity in times of difficulties; those who share a special relationship with Him through Christ.

Our times of trial, yes, even our times of joy are opportunities to call on God, who is full of lovingkindness, praising and thanking Him for His bounty of blessings.

“Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD, for He shall pluck my feet out of the net. Turn thee unto me and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of all my distresses.” Psalm 25:15-17 The prayer of David can be our prayer as well.

Praise be to God, He listens to the heart’s cry. Psalm 18:6

Author~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

The Work of Thy Hands

2010-07-24T23:32:00.001-04:00

"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." Philippians 1:6

Praise to You most Holy One
for You will finish all You have begun.
Praise to You who dwells beyond the skies;
Most treasured One, please open my eyes.
Let me know You in all Your beauty.
Help me to see Your Spirit in me.
I hold so dear the lessons in Your Book.
Let me find you as I pray, I search, I look.
God of infinite wonder and blessing to me;
test my heart, please look carefully
For any sin which would separate me from You
Then do, O Great Refiner what you must do.
Remove all I cling to selfishly.
Cleanse my heart; set my spirit free.
For You have promised, O Holy One
I am the work You have begun.
And when life’s journey has come to an end
While angels near, as You command them
Let all of heaven and earth testify
You have been the only vision before my eyes.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

I love You as…

2010-07-17T16:21:00.001-04:00

Jesus,
How can I express how much You mean to me?
What can I say?
I know!
I’ll write a poem of Your creation and put me
in it this way:

I love You as the day that dawns
to kiss the night away.
I praise You as the trees do
when they lift their leaves and sway.
I need You as the earth needs rain
to make all green things grow.
I want You more than anyone,
but You could possibly know.
This poem of praise is for You, Jesus
From me, it’s just a part.
While You listen from Your throne in heaven;
May it find it’s way into Your heart.

The longer I live the greater the wonder of God is to me. He never ceases to amaze me with all He is. He is everything good in my life. Each day I experience His grace, love, forgiveness and faithfulness. I eagerly await Christ’s return. The verse I have been meditating on this week is found in the book of Hebrews, chapter 9 verse 28:
“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and to them that look for him he shall appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
Christ came to destroy the power of sin by carrying the sins of men to the cross. He will appear the second time to call those who are waiting for His return to share in the kingdom of God. I want to be ready and waiting for my Savior and Lord.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

The Goodness and Graciousness of God

2010-07-10T21:39:00.001-04:00

The steadfast love of the Lord never stops. It is a steady, unending flow to those who fear His Name. It comes from heaven, poured out; free running and I return to my gracious God a steady flow of gratitude and devotion by way of obedience to His word.

His faithfulness reaches to the clouds. It touches all of the earth with air to breathe, sun to warm, rain to grow crops and bring forth flowers; everything creation needs God graciously supplies. His faithfulness provided a Redeemer to sinful man. God is faithful to complete His purpose and His plans for His nation Israel, and all those who are His children by faith in Jesus Christ.

God’s righteousness is “rock-solid; it will never deviate one iota from where it has always been; always remains the same, tried and trusted. His judgments for the good of His creation are right and good. Knowing what is best, even though it may be tough on His child; God wisely determines the imprint of His divine character upon those He calls His own. He preserves man and beast, all His works are honorable.

The steadfast love of God is so precious and secure I can take refuge in the shadow of His wings. I will not concern myself with the cares of this life, for my Lord will tend to me from His River of delights. His words sustain me and His presence delights me. I will not thirst for with God is the fountain of life. As His love flows to me, so does His life become an unending stream because of Calvary.

It is only in God’s light can I see spiritual light. God called me out of the darkest depths of sin into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 His light illuminates the road I need to travel to reach home. God’s word to His children is a love letter in which He speaks, encourages, and guides His children. Henry Blackaby made a statement I will never forget. He said, “When you open your Bible you are face to face with God.” How compassionate of God to care so much for me that He left me a letter to guide me through this life.

God’s steadfast love is like a river flowing from His heart on a journey to the hearts who love and obey Him that they may be reminded of a time yet to come when those who are His chosen will see the river of the water of life bright as crystal flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb… Revelation 22:1

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Looking for Jesus

2010-07-03T21:28:00.001-04:00

Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus. Titus 2:13

Each day I am reminded of my helplessness when I care for the pets God has graciously given to me. They cannot eat unless I feed them, they cannot go out, unless I open the door. They cannot have clean dishes and necessaries unless I do the work for them. I have much in common with God’s fair creatures.

Like small baby birds in a nest waiting for their mother’s return, I wait day after day, hour after hour for the return of the Lord. I desire to see His face, so I ever look toward the sky just waiting for His return as if just looking would bring my Beloved more quickly.

While I patiently wait God’s word tells me “Open your mouth wide and I will fill it’ Psalm 81:10. When the mother bird returns with food for her little ones their expectation is faced with reality. My expectation is alive in hope. My hope will finalize in reality at the return of Jesus.

God's word instructs me to work out my own salvation in fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12 God has given me many spiritual gifts I have yet to unwrap. I will work out my salvation, by living in the Spirit and doing what I believe will honor God. I merit nothing, but if I keep myself unspotted by the world I prove to God my yearning, my heart’s desire is to have a heart ruled by Jesus Christ, Lord of my life.

Truly I am blessed by the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is God’s promise, it is His mark, He has given proof to me in this day and age that He will return for me.
2 Corinthians 1:22

He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely, I am coming quickly.’ Amen
Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
http://www.mycalvaryslove.com

God’s Voice Is Heard

2010-06-26T20:12:00.001-04:00

God’s voice is heard in the cry of the poor.
Providing for their family strips them bare
They look for someone to listen, to understand
Someone to help carry their burden of care.
Weakened and destitute they suffer through,
Never knowing what the future may hold,
They stand in faith for God alone is true.
Injustice and corruption cloaking the land;
No one is willing to fight man’s inhumanity to man.
Alone in the dark cold winter’s night;
Huddled within a cardboard box
He prays for morning light.
Soldiers who keep all men free
Find no solutions or aid for their problems;
People taking for granted the price of liberty.
God’s voice is heard in the cry of the poor;
Pleading in agony for ages without end,
Like the cry of the poor in each generation
His voice falls on the closed ears of men.

Watching all the news concerning the Gulf oil spill I think of all the poor who were having a more than difficult time surviving from the aftermath of Katrina. Now as the methane from the oil reaches dangerous proportions my heart weeps for those who have no alternative but to endure the caustic environment.

What depresses me more is the present administration's lack of concern for the people who are suffering. God warns in Deuteronmy 15:7-11 “Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart… and your eye be evil against your poor brother you give him nothing and he cry out to the LORD against you, and it become sin against you.” The Scriptures go on to say, “The poor will never cease out of the land.” Jesus said, “The poor you have with you always…”
Matthew 26:11 “Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, will also cry himself and not be heard. Proverbs 21:13

Tornadoes, hurricanes, tropical storms and oil spills are just the beginning.
The apostle Paul, writing to Timothy said, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.” The word ‘perilous’ means “exceedingly fierce.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5 If there is no one to help the poor, if we have no leader who will act expeditiously, on their behalf but rather go to a baseball game, then judgment upon America will continue; when we allow a leader to make a statement concerning the United States no longer being a “Christian” nation we need to pray that God will have mercy on America because of the cancerous leaders who are creating her to be a gaping wound. A wound that is festering and causing the poor to become the suffering and dying poor for lack of care and the basic need of having their land cleansed from all the putrefying oil.

There are those who say, “I love the United States.” Yes, but love is not just a an emotion, it is an action. The men and woman serving in the armed forces are the greatest witness to love of country. They are doing something to keep wicked forces from taking over the land. Some are giving up their lives for the freedom others allow to be taken from us. If the President were truly a “Christian” as he claims to be he would warn the country for the need of repentance.
Isaiah 59:1-2 states: “Behold the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God. And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”

The action of love can be utilized by every blood bought Christian each and every day by praying. Solomon sought the Lord for His help before a national calamity struck. Then the Lord answered Solomon telling him: ‘If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal the land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

There is a marvelous book written by Peter Marshall and David Manuel entitled, "The Light and the Glory" "Did God have a plan for America?"
Reading it I found that God has a plan for America, one which has yet to be fulfilled. The plan incorporates keeping a covenant with God, according to His Word, doing His commandments and asking His counsel. It also includes having a covenant with your neighbor, to pray for them, to look after their welfare and assist them in any way possible, as they do the same for you. George Washington was the greatest example of this way of life. Walking among his soldiers he was heartbroken seeing their condition. No matter how much he pleaded with the Continental Congress for supplies, they turned a deaf ear to his pleas. In the end he received some supplies, but not after a great loss of soldiers and untold suffering of those who remained.

It seems to me America has lost her way fulfilling God’s plan. Instead of caring for one another there are those who think nothing of murdering one another. There is no respect for life as abortions are “the norm” for women seeking a way out of an unwanted pregnancy. Political deals and backroom politics make the poor poorer and the rich richer. The list America continues to follow of false gods is endless. The gospel of Jesus Christ contains the answer to all life’s problems and questions. It is ironic the “justice” system of the United States, the Supreme Court, will not allow the gospel the slightest latitude. Like the Pharisees of old, the justices are afraid of losing their position, power and money so they try their best to destroy the only Answer for America, Jesus Christ. They too, one day will bow their knee to Christ and answer for their deeds. Romans 14:11

I will continue to pray for my beloved country, to stand in the gap. It is my prayer that God will have mercy on America and help us to return to the path of right from which we have errantly strayed.
“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none.” Ezekiel 22: 30, 31

Will you join me?

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
http://www.mycalvaryslove.com/

“That I May Know Him”

2010-06-19T20:18:00.001-04:00

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death….” Philippians 3:10

When we are left to wonder about the perplexities of circumstances that surround us we may inwardly question, ‘Lord, I thought this’ or I thought that, Lord couldn’t You have waited? Could you give me time to catch my breath?’

Dear heart, the Lord waits for no man. It may seem a cruel thing for one to suffer, but if we don’t suffer we have no affinity to Christ. ‘That I may know Him is a desire speaking of intimacy. For it is in suffering and humility one becomes desirous of God’s presence; in the sufferings of life we gain understanding of the Almighty and His relating to us.

Jesus understood this for He uses two translations for the word, ‘know’. In Matthew 7:23 Jesus speaking says, “I never knew you.” This has the suggestion, “I’ve never been in an approving connection with you.” Whereas in Matthew 25:12, Jesus says, “I know you not,” meaning, you stand in no relation to me. A cry must go up into the ears and heart of God to know His Son Jesus Christ. The desire must be so fired we will be willing to be guided in our suffering. Our heads must be pressed so close against Jesus’ chest we hear His every breath – His heartbeat. Only then, will we know Jesus.

The apostle Paul went on to say, that to know Him is to experience His resurrection power. Following Christ is a battle against the flesh and the Spirit. We cannot be resurrected in the spiritual sense until we die. Death to wanting things our own way, death to our thoughts, death to desires for the things of this world. The Holy Spirit within raises us up to a new life in righteousness bought and paid for by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God, in unfathomable grace and mercy infuses us with the same power used to raise Christ from the dead. Through each crisis we endure we are made anew by the power of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17 The power of “God in us” is manifested to an unbelieving world.

In suffering we have fellowship with Christ. He too, suffered in His life. His own family thought Him to be mentally unstable. Mark 3:21, friends alienated Him in His hour of greatest need. Matthew 26:40. He could find few who would believe Him, or desire eternal life. Mark 6:6, He was laughed at when He healed. Matthew 9:24. Through all His heartache Jesus had one focal point: obedience and allegiance to God, His Father. Christ was entrusted with the salvation of mankind and all the suffering, pain and loneliness that went with it.

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief…He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth. Isaiah 53
Christ loved His Father to please Him at all costs; and so should we.

One should consider it a privilege to suffer for the cause of the gospel, the kingdom of God, for following Christ for even in our darkest moments there is the joy of salvation and the imminent return of the Lord Jesus. What needs to be remembered is God’s permissive will allows us to do anything we desire. But the relationship he desires to have with His child will suffer. Psalm 106:15 The relationship will be superficial. Those who desire and follow God’s perfect will desire to go life’s road God’s way no matter the cost. For that God gives His special grace and resurrection power that His purposes may be accomplished in the life of His child. When we are called to endure He will not leave us destitute of what we need to keep on going through the sufferings, the loneliness along the road of life.

The Holy Spirit is within guiding us by God’s word and bringing to remembrance the things Christ has told and taught us. John 14:26 here is nothing the Lord cannot provide. He reminds us in Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold I am the LORD God of all flesh, is there anything to hard for me?” Jeremiah, then responds, “Nothing is too hard for thee.” Jeremiah 32:17

The next time you are hurting and inwardly you ponder, “Why is God allowing this?” “Why am I suffering so much?” We need to pause and reflect on what the apostle Peter said, ‘If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 1 Peter 4:16

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
http://www.mycalvaryslove.com/

From the Heart

2010-06-12T15:07:00.001-04:00

My husband and I enjoy our books. Whenever we go to a yard sale, an estate sale, or a little shop, we immediately go to the books looking for treasures we may find.

My husband gave me a small book entitled, ‘Church Book.’ It was entered into the Library of Congress in the year 1868. It appears to be a hymn and prayer book used in the church.

I find there is nothing like the old hymn writers when it comes to unabashed writing of their thoughts of God. They are words given straight from the heart. Such were the writings of Phillip Doddridge.

Philip Doddridge was born June 26, 1702. He was given up for being still born until the midwife saw his small chest flutter. She gave him a tap on the back and Philip began to cry. Philip’s mother had 18 children all died in childbirth. Only one daughter was living at the time of Philip’s birth. Through many hardships during his life, including being orphaned at the age of eight, Philip’s only desire was God. He became a minister, but also wrote hymns. He served God with heart, soul, and mind.

I came across one of the hymns Philip Doddridge wrote in the little book my husband gave me. I thought to myself, this hymn is beautiful! So lovely are the thoughts and words I committed them to memory. Below are the beautiful words and thoughts of Philip Doddridge. This particular piece was dated 1755. Philip crossed over Jordan on October 26, 1751.

Do not I love Thee, O my Lord?
Behold my heart and see;
And cast each idol from its throne,
That dares to rival Thee.

Is not Thy Name melodious still
To my attentive ear?
Doth not each pulse with pleasure bound,
My Saviour’s voice to hear?

Hast Thou a lamb in all Thy flock
I would disdain to feed?
Hast Thou a foe, before whose face
I fear Thy cause to plead?

Thou know’st I love Thee, dearest Lord;
But O, I long to soar
Far from the sphere of mortal joys,
That I may love Thee more.

It has always strengthened me to read how Christians have met life’s challenges. More importantly, how their love for God shines in the midst of adversities. As I look to the past through the window of time, I am thankful to God for preserving the legacy these people left for me; for others in this generation.

Lastly, there is a little poem written by Philip Dodderidge I found. I share it here:

Dum vivimus, vivamus
Live while you live, the Epicure say,
And seize the pleasures of the present day.
Live while you live, the sacred Preacher cries,
And give to God each moment as it flies.
Lord, in my view, let both united be,
I live in pleasure if I live unto thee.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

A Prayer for God’s Help – Psalm 28

2010-06-05T21:22:00.001-04:00

To You will I cry, O LORD my Rock:
The Lord was the only stability in David’s life. Men will always fail. They are as little stones that are able to be kicked about with the feet; always changing, seldom faithful, always moveable, and untrustworthy. The Lord is a Rock, such as Gibraltar, or Mount Everest, ever present, faithful, and trustworthy. Nothing can move Him unless He desires to be moved. A fortress and a refuge for those who trust in Him

Do not be silent to silent to me:
There are times when God chooses to be silent for reasons known only to Him. Matthew 15:23 Each time a petition is made, a cry goes with it, “Please Lord, do not choose now to be silent. I must hear from You. I need to hear Your voice.”
David my be referring to a lack of intimacy with God Psalm 27:4,5 but it is also possible he was waiting for a specific word from the Lord by way of God’s prophet or a priest.

Lest if You are silent to me , I become like those that go down to the pit:
David cried, “Lord, if you choose not to allow me to hear Your voice I will be as good as dead. The dead cannot praise You. Your voice is my life. If I do not hear You I may as well be dead.”

Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You:
David is asking God to not only listen to his cry for help, but to listen to the “tone” of his supplication which is desperation. David was desperate to hear from God, for God to move on his behalf, for His help, for His guidance. He could do nothing but cry to God. David was not ashamed to be a man of tears. David had no egotistical pride. When he was in need; when he was weary, he was not afraid to say so. David kept nothing back from God. He was a man well versed in pouring out his heart to God.

When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary:
Although this is one of the standard postures for prayer it was more for David. He was reaching for his God. It is impossible to reach and touch God physically, but David is allowing his spirit to transcend his body to reach into heaven for God. David sought to capture God’s heart constantly. He was a man with faults, but he was sensitive to God’s will. David was intimate with God in ways most believers never think about. He was not ashamed to reach up and say, “Help me Lord, please!” because God was the only One David could depend on.

Do not take me away with the wicked and with the workers of iniquity:
David was surrounded by unfaithful men, traitors, ungodly and idolatrous people. He did not want to be missed by the Lord in such a iniquitous generation. Living among the idolatrous people of his time, David did not want the Lord to overlook his sincerity of love and devotion to the one True God, the only God David knew by heart. David was a man of integrity and honor among those he dealt with as well as being truthful and open in an enemy laden and perverse society. It is our human reasoning which breeds fear within our hearts. Thank God He knows us better than we know ourselves.

Which speak peace to their neighbors but mischief is in their hearts:
Here again, David’s honest spirit shines forth. He could not tolerate hypocrisy in any form. He refused to do to others what he would not want done to himself. Most do not see the loving care of David’s nature. To those who do not look past David’s faults, but are quick to mention his involvement in sin with Bathsheba need to understand God forgave David. Most immature Christians should learn to do the same. David had a spirit of generosity unmatched by rulers of Israel and Judah. 2 Samuel 6:19 David enjoyed being with people who were of the same spirit. Jonathan held no deceit nor hypocrisy in his heart, as there was none in David’s heart; therefore their souls were knitted together. 1 Samuel 18:1 Their spirits were alike, and each recognized this in each other. David’s honesty is seen repeatedly. When he spoke it was from his heart, there was no deceit in David for he understood if he could lie to a man, a pattern could develop where he might lie to God. Psalm 66:18

Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors: give them after the work of their hands, render to them their desert:
Here David is asking God to fulfill His law – as you sow, so shall you reap. Job 4:8 Galatians 6:7 Those who attempted to keep David from worshipping God, or dethrone him, or hurt those David cared for constantly surrounded him. He was not oblivious to those who hated him. They made David weary by their constant schemes to hurt or kill him. David petitions the Lord to give back to his enemies their own deeds that as they attempted to spread evil, God would return their wickedness upon their heads. The wicked render evil to the righteous; even if they attack God's people, He gives them back the work of their own hands. David well knew that the Lord is a God of recompense. Deuteronomy 32:35 David asked that the wicked be put in the desert away from the plush green pastures of God’s care.

Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them and not build them up:
The enemies of David were the enemies of God. Just as today, the enemies which seek after us are the enemies of Christ. If enemies respected the Almighty and His works they would respect David. The Lord was using David to accomplish His work in Judah and Israel. David’s enemies wanted to destroy that work and allowed the evil one to guide them in its attemot at destruction. Just as we are warned in God’s word to be on the lookout for those who would destroy God’s work in us. 1 Peter 5:8 The wicked will reap God’s destruction.
Psalm 127:1a God does not do one thing then stop. He was (and still is) in operation. He never sleeps or slumbers. He continually operates to perform His word; to bring about His purpose and His will. The work of His hands never ceases. The wicked refuse to see or acknowledge a God who is living, creative and aids His righteous. The enemies of the Lord do not receive His help, His guidance, nor His blessing. By leaving the wicked to their own devices, their destruction is the work of their own hands. Because they chose not to honor God He withheld blessings which would increase and prosper them. Without God, they destroyed themselves.

Blessed be the LORD because He hath heard the voice of my supplications:
David’s experience with God told him that God had heard his prayer. “But verily (surely) God hath heard my prayer and attended to the voice of my cry.” Psalm 66:18 David encourages his being with the mercy of God in faith believing God would answer. The desperation, the need, the fear, the weariness, God hears the cry of the destitute, He will regard their prayer. Psalm 102:17 David put his trust in God alone. He would not be disappointed.

The LORD is my strength:
God’s strength belonged to David because David had no strength of his own. Not just physical strength, but the tenacity to hang on in faith while he waited on God to answer his prayers. It would be easy for God to immediately deliver David from every persecution, battle, and discontent from enemies. But what would David learn? What do we learn as we wait on God? God works out what is best for us, teaching us of His divine attributes while He builds a foundation of trust and faith for us to stand firm and never be moved. God was David’s shield to cover David in the heat of battle, his protection; because David knew there was no one greater than his God.

my heart trusted in Him:
Rest assured God brought David to a place where David had to learn to fully rely on God. There were situations in battle where David was unable to move, or fight the enemy. Once again, God was establishing a foundation of trust with his anointed. God wanted David to seek His counsel. As long as David sought the Lord, David would succeed.

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth and with my song will I praise Him:
All those who trust the Lord can rejoice because He will never fail them. He will comfort their fearful souls and wait to hear songs of praise coming from a thankful heart. David had petitioned the Lord and before the answer was visible David praised God for His goodness.

The LORD is their strength; He is the saving strength of his anointed:
David refers to future generations whose strength would be in the Lord. 1 John 2:20 states: “But ye have an unction (anointing) from the Holy One and ye know all things.” In verse 27 of that same chapter we read: “But the anointing ye which ye have received of Him abideth in you…” My heart cries, “My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 I am sure David could agree with this psalm.

Save thy people and bless thine inheritance: feed them also and lift them up forever.
David petitions for the Lord’s people a blessing for they are His inheritance. Psalm 2:8 He asks that they be lifted up and held close to the heart of God, fed with the Bread of Life forever. Of course this will culminate in the reign of the Son of David, the Lord Jesus, King of kings.

There is quite a lesson to be learned in this psalm. I am thankful to the Holy Spirit for applying the eye salve to my eyes that I may see wondrous things out of God’s word. Revelation 3:18

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel

Memorial Day

2010-05-29T23:22:00.001-04:00

‘Greater love has no one than this that one lay down his life for his friends'. John 15:13 The commandment preceding this statement tells us we are to love one another as Christ loves us. I think about our armed forces every day. Yet when Memorial Day arrives this verse always comes to my mind.

I grew up listening to my parent’s recount how my uncle Bobby was killed in the Pacific during World War 2.

Before dawn on March 19, 1945 a plane came out of the cloud covering and dropped two armor piercing bombs on the Franklin. One struck the center of the flight deck penetrating the hangar deck igniting fires through the second and third decks. The explosions knocked out the combat information center and the air plot. The second bomb hit aft, tearing through two decks adding to the fires which triggered ammunition, bombs and rockets in the planes located on deck ready to take off when needed. All radio communication was lost. The Franklin was 50 miles off the Japanese mainland, listing 13 degrees. There were 724 dead and 265 wounded.

It seems my uncle had finished his watch and was heading below deck to the galley for some breakfast. It was while he was on the stairs the ship was hit.
He was 19 years old on the 18th of March and the ship was hit on the 19th.

My son has the Purple Heart and the American flag which was sent to my grandmother when it was discovered my uncle was one of the casualties of the U.S.S. Franklin. My Dad served in the Army. He received a brief furlough before being stationed in France. He wanted to see my uncle, his brother, before the ship sailed, however, by the time Dad reached the dock the ship had already left. My father could see the ship, but he never saw his brother. I am sure stories like mine can be found in many American families. It is the sacrifice of dear men and women who fought the battles so we are able to enjoy the life we live. The fight for freedom never takes a day off.

One of my favorite poems is one by the late Peter Marshall, Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, “A Prayer for America.”

Oh, God on high, we pray to Thee:
Preserve this land of liberty,
The land where heroes fought and died
To stem oppressions rising tide,
The only land upon the earth
Where all may rise above their birth,

Whose people seek to keep these shores
Immune from class and racial wars,
Whose Eagle’s not a bird of prey
But one who guards us night and day.
Protect us from dissension’s hates-
Lord bless our great United States.

I often think of all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice giving up their own life that freedom may survive. You would have to admit their sacrifice proves the love they had for their country and the safety of her people.

Many today agree and disagree of things concerning America. I only know this; there is no other country I would rather live in than the United States. For there are more things right with America than there are more things wrong with
her. I believe if my uncle were alive, he would agree with me!

Author~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Waiting on God

2010-05-22T17:30:00.002-04:00

I will bless the LORD who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons Psalm 16:7

I will bless the LORD: I will praise God for He alone is worthy to be praised. He is working with me in the way He has chosen. Psalm 25:12 Whatever His way may bring to me I will praise Him for His grace and His salvation given to me in His Son, Jesus Christ. It is His grace which allows me to serve Him in the capacity He has chosen for my life.

Who hath given me counsel: God has given me my Example to follow in Christ Jesus. Christ alone shows me how to honor God with obedience. I am counseled daily in God’s word concerning the ways of God; to learn of His character that I may be pleasing to Him. Matthew 5:48 Christ has not left me alone to walk this earthly trek without a compass. He instructs me in the way He desires me to go Psalm 32:8 The Holy Spirit aids me each step of the way to honor God and be of assistance to my brethren in the Lord. To go opposite of the Lord’s counsel, or not seek His way is courting disaster. The Bible tells of some who did not seek God and found life to be hard, some found it grievous. Not accepting God’s counsel brings His discipline. Hebrews 12:6 Barnes explains the quoted verse of in a succinct way:
“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth - This is also a quotation from Proverbs 3. It means that it is a universal rule that God sends trials on those whom he truly loves. It does not, of course, mean that he sends chastisement which is not deserved; or that he sends it “for the mere purpose” of inflicting pain. That cannot be. But it means that by his chastisements he shows that he has a paternal care for us. He does not treat us with neglect and unconcern, as a father often does his illegitimate child. The very fact that he corrects us shows that he has toward us a father’s feelings, and exercises toward us a paternal care. If he did not, he would let us go on without any attention, and leave us to pursue a course of sin that would involve us in ruin. To restrain and govern a child; to correct him when he errs, shows that there is a parental solicitude for him, and that he is not an outcast. And as there is in the life of every child of God something that deserves correction, it happens that it is universally true that “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.”
And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth - Whom he receives or acknowledges as his child. This is not quoted literally from the Hebrew, but from the Septuagint. The Hebrew is, “even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” The general sense of the passage is retained, as is often the case in the quotations from the Old Testament. The meaning is the same as in the former part of the verse that every one who becomes a child of God is treated by him with that watchful care which shows that he sustains toward him the paternal relation.”

In the night seasons: Late at night when the world is asleep my heart instructs me to seek the Lord. There are many things I do not understand which occur in my life. God comforts those “why?” questions as only He is able to do. He has guided me through much adversity, sorrow and pain and He has never failed me.

There can be long, dark nights of suffering, for this is part of life for some people. When I am faced with these situations I find comfort in His words in the book of Isaiah 50:10
“Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of His servant (Jesus), who walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God”. Stay: meaning, “to support oneself by leaning against; to rest upon or rely on; to place confidence in someone”

That’s just about what I do, I lean on Jesus. Psalm 147:11 I wait to hear Him knocking on my hearts door wanting to teach me something I need to know; to accomplish His work. When I need to be comforted, I crave His presence because no one knows me as Jesus knows me. Revelation 3:20 At times I become weary with this world, however, I know I was born for His purpose to do the works He has ordained for me to do. Ephesians 2:10. Exhibiting the good works of the Father is a command. Matthew 5:16 No matter how I perceive things in my life I am kept in the love and care of my God. I am truly blessed.

Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Jesus, Lord to Me (Part 2)

2010-05-15T19:53:00.001-04:00

Why some do not acknowledge Christ as Lord?
Some do not acknowledge Christ as Lord because Jesus is an embarrassment to them. Mark 8:38 They claim to be a Christian, but are ashamed of the Gospel.
Romans 1:16. They are but babes in Christ, even if they have been Christians for most of their lives. The apostle Paul reprimands the Corinthians because he felt that preaching would do no good because they were carnal, not spiritual.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3
“But the natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 There are those Christians who spend their lives missing heaven by sixteen inches; the distance from the head to the heart. They approach Christ with their minds rather than surrender their hearts. Babyhood has its place, but there comes a time when even babies grow up. These carnal Christians will not stand for Christ, so they fall for anything.

Some do not wish to acknowledge Christ, nor give a testimony of how He is working in their lives. The Word is only used, if it is used, when there is a need. Then, they assume they can call on God to help them. They choose a verse they believe applies to their situation and claim it. Yet, they reject the words which tell us we are to be co-workers with God, in active service for the Lord.
1 Corinthians 3:9

Baby Christians have difficulties making time to pray and seek the Lord. Meeting with the Lord is a chore rather than a joy. Touching things of the Spirit are beyond their comprehension because they can’t “touch God” in the physical realm so therefore they pass up the opportunity to bless the heart of God with prayer.

Some choose ignorance as their cover. Smugly thinking, “What I don’t know I will not be responsible for.” Yet God says in Hosea 4: 6 …”My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” They desire to say they are Christians, but they live their lives as they decide to live it. Proverbs 20:24 Baby Christians will gladly proclaim Jesus as their Savior, but proclaiming Him as Lord over all that concerns their lives is a different story. They respect Jesus, but they ignore His teachings. His teachings are the spiritual food for the soul. His knowledge gained helps one to grow in a thriving relationship with God. These kinds of Christians want to control their destiny, for their destiny is in their own imagination; their destiny is not Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to acknowledge Christ as Lord?
To me, acknowledging Christ as my Lord means absolute surrender of everything I am, everything He has given me, my family, my possessions, anything in this life which affects me; enabling the Holy Spirit to direct my life in a way that is pleasing to God and honors Jesus as Lord.

There are Christians I know who pat themselves on the back for the things which they have accomplished in their lives. They are successful in business, or finances, the “American Dream”, and many other areas to numerous to mention. They use the name of Christ, but they manipulate their life circumstances to achieve what they desire to achieve. They look to power politics, competition and other ways of getting ahead to achieve a lifestyle conducive to their image of existence. But God gives grace and spiritually enriches those who know the meaning of absolute surrender. Deuteronmy 8:18; John 1:16, 17 God promises those who delight themselves in Him will receive the desires of their heart, spiritual and temporal. Psalm 37:4 When the righteous have desires they come from the Lord and He will surely fulfill those desires.

Why does Jesus want to be our Lord?
He alone has the power to save, to give eternal life to those who serve Him and who do the will of the Father. John 10:28 His love and compassion knows what we will face from the beginning to the end of our lives. He also knows the world in which we live, the difficulties, the world powers bent on destruction; the sheep that must be brought into the fold, what doesn’t He know would be a better question to ask. He wants to be Lord to guide His children home, to have them ready for His return. If there are those who cannot allow Jesus to be Lord of life their lives here on earth, how will they obey His commands in eternity? Matthew 7:21-23
Being omniscient God knows the future and His wrath to come upon the earth. Being Lord of Life, Jesus desires to guide His children home to receive their rewards and all that He has prepared for them. John 14:1-3 He will return for a people who are totally devoted to Him, who have made Jesus Lord of their life; who give Him the glory and honor He so richly deserves. 1 Corinthians 3:14

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Jesus, Lord to Me

2010-05-08T22:09:00.001-04:00

Lord to me means: ownership. I am a sinner saved by grace.; saved for the King and His service. 1 Corinthians 7:23 tells me I was bought with a price. I should not become a slave to things which are displeasing to the Lord. I could take it a step further and say not to serve myself.

The Lord owns everything I am; my heart, my thoughts, my emotions, my dreams, my failures, my life. I know that I must die to myself that He may live through me. This cannot be accomplished until Jesus is Lord of everything in my life. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Psalm 116:15

In 2 Samuel 11:9 David is involved in sin and out of the will of God at this point of his life. David tries to ‘bait’ Uriah by telling Uriah to go home and see his wife, spend some time with her. But the Bible says, ‘Uriah slept at the door of the kings house with all the other servants of his lord and went not down to his house. He stayed as close as he could to David. Sleeping at the door Uriah could hear the slightest plea or movement from David within his bedchamber. Uriah could then rush to serve him and attend to whatever David may have wanted or needed.
This illustration shows me how close I need to be to the Lord; to be available for anything He may want me to do.

I have been blessed to have the love of family and friends. Yet, no one has loved me enough to die for me. Jesus, innocent and pure took upon Himself all the filth, rot and sinful self I had to offer. For this reason I believe since God alone rescued me from death and punishment which I well deserved, I should be willing to serve Him alone; to satisfy His desires for the rest of my natural life. I admire the words of John the Baptist when he said of Jesus, ‘He must increase, I must decrease.’ John 3:30 I cannot allow the world to permeate my relationship with Jesus. If I allow the world any room within my heart then Jesus is no longer Lord of all.

Years ago I attended a Bible study for women. The teacher asked, ‘When you bake a pie and it comes out of the oven is it a whole pie?’ We all agreed it was. Then she said, ‘Take a slice out of that pie. Is it still a whole pie?’ We all agreed it was no longer a whole pie. She then made this statement. ‘If Jesus is not Lord of your whole life, He is Lord of none of it. You can’t give Him your home, your marriage, your children, and keep your finances, your time, your way of life. It doesn’t’ work that way. He has all of your life, or He has none of it.’ This illustration made such an impact on me that my life was changed forever. There is a purity of peace in subjection without bondage.

In 1 John 2:15 John the beloved warns to keep the faith and love not the things of the world. The concept of Jesus as Lord is against all that the world knows and believes. The world and whomever can say what they want about me, but what I write about I know to be true because I have experienced it. Experiential knowledge far outweighs the thoughts of people who have no desire to know God. Let the world laugh and ridicule me, I will not be deterred from the Lord’s purpose for me. I would crawl behind Jesus and lick the dust off His feet if that would please Him. I could never repay Him for all He has done for me. ‘I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.” Psalm 84:10

Finally, the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:3 states: ’Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.’

The power of the Holy Spirit in a yielded Christian can speak to a dying world. He can let them know and understand “Jesus is Lord” is not just a statement. It is a way of life for everyone who called by His name.

Part 2 of this article will follow next week.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
http://www.mycalvaryslove.com/

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

2010-05-01T14:28:00.001-04:00

When Jesus spoke this parable of the wheat and the tares the disciples didn’t understand Him. He spoke in parables for several reasons. One reason being it would take the truth from those who rebelled against it and give it to those who desired to know more of the truth. It was to these hearers Jesus made new truths interesting and related the mysteries of the kingdom using the surroundings with which people were familiar.

Jesus spoke of wheat. It is wholesome, good to taste even in its raw form. It was an important crop cultivated in Israel. All of the offerings to be made to the Lord were to be made of fine wheat flour. Leviticus 2:1 In its primitive form wheat is good, but through threshing and milling it became more serviceable benefiting all who used it.

Tares look very much like wheat in every aspect. It took a trained eye to see the difference. The inside meat of the tare was poisonous to human beings. When they were mistakenly baked in bread they would cause dizziness, vomiting and death.

The man in this parable allowed the tares to exist so the fine grain would not be destroyed. He knew full well at harvest time he would separate the wheat from the tares and destroy both the tares and the chaff.

As Jesus explained the wheat symbolized the children of the kingdom who were full of goodness and reflected His light in the world. Like wheat, they were wholesome and beneficial to others. They knew the spiritual threshing and grinding allowed them to be the fine flour of sacrifice. The children of the kingdom are those who cared enough about their fellowman to know the truth. They wanted to be used of God and empowered by Him. 1 John 4:20, 21 As stalks of wheat blowing in the wind they are beautifully created, useful to the kingdom. This is the wheat the Son of Man desires to be gathered in to His barn. These are the seeds Jesus spoke of in Matthew 13:23 because they ‘bear fruit and produce some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.’

The tares obviously are the children of the devil. 1 John 3:8-10 They are professors of Christ but not committed to Him. For all intent and purpose they look like wheat, but on closer examination the blackened springs can be seen. They profess to care about the poor and needy, but it’s just words, never followed by any action to alleviate suffering. Their witness does more to hinder the kingdom of God, than to advance it. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 This “false wheat” may say the same things as a child of God, even act like them, but the proof of their standing is in their walk. Inside, their hearts are as black as the meat of the tares heavily laden with pride and self-righteousness. Therefore, they do not grow large and bountiful. In their hearts they see no need to repent, no need for the regeneration of the Spirit through the Word. They judge themselves by their human reasoning, emotionalism, and their standard, rather than God’s words and Christ’s commands. Tares mixed with wheat are joined in the root. They are difficult to separate without destroying the wheat. They are much smaller than the tall, golden stalks of wheat. Jesus wanted His disciples to discern that as the children of light increased in the knowledge of God, the children of darkness would go deeper into ignorance and spiritual darkness. Tares refuse to grow no matter how much cultivation is involved with their existence. Matthew 15: 8, 9

Just as wheat is beneficial to all, the tares attach themselves to wheat to guarantee their existence. They desire no knowledge of God; they act according to the flesh rather than the Spirit. Romans 8:1 They represent the lie – “You can do anything you desire and still be saved.” Like the poison of the tare their false witness spills out to catch unsuspecting, trusting, new converts. The tares represent the children of unbelief Jesus denounced in Luke 17:1, 2 The word, “offend” means, “a stumbling block”, or “snare”, a “trap”. They pretend to know the Lord but in truth they deny Him. Just look at the amount of “Christian” books on the market. Prayer for God’s guidance and discernment are clearly needed when looking for authors who know the Lord against those who are just using His name to sell a book and make some money.

When Jesus returns He will command His angels to gather all who have made a pretense of following Him; all who rejected the poor; all who misguided the new convert, all who didn’t feed the spiritually starving and those who refused to advance His kingdom because they put “self” first. For Christ promises, “There will be nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.” Matthew 10:26

But those who saw Jesus daily in the poor, the rejected, the spiritually oppressed, who prayed, and tried to do something to alleviate suffering will hear,
“Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:34

The wheat are those who do honor to Christ’s name by humbly serving in whatever capacity He has given to them. They flow with the compassion of Jesus to the outcasts of the world and gladden the heart of God with their life of submission and obedience. To these, Jesus is the Lamb slain for them; they remember how they were in need. God in His grace and mercy sent someone to them to tell of the good news of Salvation. They in turn reach out to others to share the redeeming story of God’s grace through His Son, Jesus.

The tares outwardly appear to honor Christ, but in action dishonor Him. They operate solely on their own and obey not the Word of God. To these, Jesus is the avenging Lion. He will tear them apart because they have no sincerity or compassion in their service. Tares commit to no one, they see no need but their own; no desire but what they want. Matthew 7:21-23

How solemn Jesus words are in Matthew 13:30. “Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather My wheat into My barn.

Until Christ returns, both genuine and counterfeits will be allowed to remain together. By God’s grace and mercy, through the sacrifice, of my Jesus I hope to be a stalk of golden wheat, flowing gently in the wind of the Spirit, waiting for my Master to gather Me into His barn.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

A Time of Quiet

2010-04-24T00:11:00.001-04:00

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast I will sing and give praise. Awake my glory …I will awaken the dawn. Psalm 57:7, 8

In the midst of all David was enduring being pursued by Saul David was driven to hide in a cave. David hid in caves twice – once in Adullam 1 Samuel 22:1-5 which was the setting of Psalm 142 and once in En Gedi the setting of this poem. David’s heart was steadfast in the Lord. He made a choice to “awaken the dawn” singing praises to his God, seeking His help and guidance. Therefore, David prepared his heart. He allowed nothing to come between him and his God. David awoke early, before daylight, because there was no other time of day when the world is a quiet as just before dawn; he wanted to give God his best.

Jesus set special times apart for communing with His Father. Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12; 9:28 Jesus sought the comfort and solace that being alone with God can bring. No distractions, no interruptions, darkness becoming light, birds awakening with song were all the advantages of the early morning for prayer.

David used what he had to praise God, his voice. So too, I must use what I have. The Psalter is my tongue. It is the pen of a ready writer Psalm 45: 1. My heart must be not be bowed down by all which has to be accomplished for the day. My tongue must be lifted in praise to God. My vocal chords are the harps of praise. They are the pathway to release the contents of my heart bringing praise to God and thanks to my Creator.

David was determined, he purposed in his heart to arise early even though there were those with him who did not desire arise early. God was aware of David’s desire to abandon himself to the Lord. He is aware of my desire, your desire, His understanding is unsearchable.

This psalm brought to my mind times in the past when I could do as David did. Times when it was just the Lord and I together, alone; I knew the phone would not ring, no one would come to the door, the housework would wait. There was nothing to disturb me. It was in these moments I could hear the Holy Spirit from God’s word pointing out a direction I was to take, the love God wanted me to enjoy, the words of discipline, whatever God wanted me to know I could reap the benefits of early rising to be with God.

Those days are a memory of sweet communication. Now, due to health problems I can no longer rise to “awaken the dawn.” Does God love me any less? Certainly not! He knew this time would come. I have not abandoned Him, my quiet time has changed but I still make time for the Lord.

Personally, if it is possible for one to arise early to be with God I guarantee the experience will change you, you’ll never be the same. I also believe that there are opportunities to have a quiet time with the Lord throughout the day – just as long as you have a quiet moment. I pray that your “quiet moments” will be something you will not only spiritually prosper from, but times you will miss if you do not engage in them on a regular basis.

O God, You are my God
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and glory.
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You
Thus will I bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your Name
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow
and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. Psalm 63:1-5

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Sacrifice of Praise

2010-04-17T13:39:00.001-04:00

…So we will render the calves of our lips…Hosea 14:2

Often it is difficult while suffering to lift our head and look towards heaven, “from whence cometh our help.” Psalm 121:1 In our darkest hours we incur the heaviest battle of thoughts pertaining to ourselves. “What is going to happen? How am I going to manage? Is this what God wants for me?” This kind of thinking is wrong because it is human reasoning. Human nature is contrary to the words of God. He that comes to God must believe that He is. Hebrews 11:6 God knows our frailties, our struggles, our thoughts, our hopes. It is he who will instruct us in the way we should go. Psalm 32:8 Before we reach the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel we have reached the heart of God with our sorrows, our suffering our questions. The answer to our suffering is praise and thanksgiving. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

We must always return to God what He has given to us. God has, by His grace, given salvation to those by faith who trust in Christ’s sacrifice. He has blessed us with life not just physically, but spiritually. Have you ever tried to bless someone? Have you worked at lifting someone’s spirit? Have you ever tried to bring a smile to a persons face only to realize they refuse to be comforted? You end up with a sorrowful heart because nothing you do will help the one suffering. Their sorrow becomes a weight, heaviness to you because they refuse to believe God is working and that problem will work out. Romans 8:28

This, I believe is why Jesus groaned at the grave of Lazarus. John 11:33 Jesus told Mary and Martha that HE was the resurrection, HE was Life. Sadly, they had to see to believe. No matter what Jesus did the people refused to be comforted by His presence and His word. They would believe when and if Lazarus was resurrected. Jesus, knowing their hearts knew also they were not enraptured with His words, “I am the resurrection.” He gave them what they desired but in His heart, He cried. He blessed them with life but they could not return the blessing to Him in praise and thanksgiving. Instead they returned unbelief because thy needed tangible proof to believe.

If we apply this situation to the dark hours of our life, our suffering, we can see how vital praise and thanksgiving are in our afflictions as well as in our joy. “The LORD is my strength and my song and He is become my salvation: He is my God and I will prepare Him a habitation; my Father’s God and I will exalt Him. Exodus 15:2 No matter what hell goes on around us we must thank and praise God for our salvation in Christ Jesus. We can be thankful He rescued us from the pits of hell.

God inhabits the praises of His people. Psalm 22:3 Therefore we are warned to rejoice always or suffer as the inhabitants of Bethany. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 We will receive what we want, but we will miss the true joy and peace of His presence. He will be faithful to watch over us, but we will forfeit His intimacy. He will be constant in provision, but we will miss His touch.

The Christian experience can have its moments of difficulty. Joshua and Caleb made it to the Promised Land because God saw they had a “different spirit” They received their inheritance because they “wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.” Joshua 14:14 The Lord was their hope. Joel 3:16 They gladly wore the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Isaiah 61:3 They did not have to see the land as it would become. They saw the land as God’s word had promised. It would be so, for God had said, and they believed Him.

In dark trials and suffering we who belong to God through Christ must also have a different spirit. We know God is for us and our needs will be met with His divine provision. Why? Because He said He would never leave us or forsake us as long as we followed Him “wholly”. Hebrews 13:5 Even when we are unfaithful, God remains faithful. 2 Timothy 2:13 Let us therefore defy human reasoning and worldly principles by lifting our hearts and hands to praise and thank the Lord.

No darker day could be seen for Paul and Silas as they sat in prison, beaten and bleeding. They were praying and singing praises to God until He worked and set them free. But in the process of setting them free, a Philippian jailer and his family came into the kingdom of God by God’s words, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thine house”. Acts 16:31

Songs of praise and thanksgiving open the prison doors of suffering and set the soul in flight to reach the heart of God.

Author~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

God Shall Wipe Away All Tears

2010-04-10T00:19:00.002-04:00

Whenever Revelation 21:4 is read it is understood God will do everything listed for the benefit of the redeemed.It is true there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, no pain. There is another side of this statement which needs to be discovered. What would it mean to those redeemed to see God’s side of this verse?

First death and hell are destroyed by God. He destroys that which has attempted to destroy His children. Death is the enemy of the Lord of Life. 1 Corinthians 15:26 The question begs to be asked, “Why would God have to wipe tears from our eyes?’

Personally, I believe the redeemed will have full revelation of what it cost God the Father to rescue them from sin. We will be shown the scene at Calvary, the pure spotless sinless Lamb of God covered with the sins of the world. The agony He suffered, the torture He endured will all be visible. Zechariah 12:10

We will be shown how actions, decisions and lives did not honor God. How prayerlessness, thoughts and self-centered living did not bring Him glory. There will be an accounting of the world we were given to inhabit. Psalm 24:1 The corruption of the earth by those who polluted His oceans, killed His animals, and desecrated His land will come to full accounting before God. Psalm 50:12

The experience of pain God endured when we as believers made choices which did not honor God. It will be known how God wept when He saw our backs as we walked away from time with Him; rather than our face looking up towards heaven. How God’s Son was denied by those who refused to share their faith with people who could have been brought into the kingdom, but didn’t. Rejection by those who “pick and choose” what they want to believe in the Bible, irreverence for Him shown by not attending worship regularly, not defending His name or His Gift of grace pains the heart of God. The list is endless of all the things that are not thought about but have brought deep sorrow to God’s heart. We will weep uncontrollably when God’s books are opened. Revelation 20:12 We will be utterly helpless because every word will be the truth. This verse makes one think of all God has endured; why the psalmist said, “How great are thy thoughts unto me, O God!.…Search me, O God and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139: 17, 23-24

The merciful nature of God will wipe away the tears we cry. He will cause us not to remember former things, they will pass away. God will dwell with His people and He will be our God. The victory cry, “It is done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End…” should make all take notice of what God has done, what He is doing, and what He will do.

There is no doubt in my heart or mind that God has prepared a special place for those who are saved by His grace through faith in Christ Jesus; for those who love Him. The prophet Isaiah and the apostle Paul tell us,

“But it is written:
Eye has not seen, nor ear heard
Nor has entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared
For those who love Him. I Corinthians 2:9
Isaiah 64:4 Isaiah 65:17

Glory to God for He alone knows the heart of all who are His. He will reward everyone according to their deeds. Ephesians 2:10

Author~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

The Battle Belongs To The Lord

2010-04-02T23:18:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite Old Testament lessons is found in 2 Chronicles 20.
It can be seen that Jehoshaphat was a reformer. He brought people back to the Lord God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 19:4 He then set judges in the land. He warned them to watch what they were doing because they were not judging for man, they were judging for the LORD. He further set up a judicial system within the cities of Jerusalem. After he accomplished this, the Moabites, Ammonites and the inhabitants of Mount Seir, the Edomites came to battle against Jehoshaphat.

Jehoshaphat was told, “A great multitude is coming against you.” Jehoshaphat feared, but he set himself to seek the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. All of Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD.

Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem and prayed. “O LORD God of our fathers are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations and in Your hand is there not power and might so that no one is able to withstand You? Are You not God who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and gave it to the descendents of Abraham forever? Your friend forever? James 2:23 And now here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir – whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them – here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit.
O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.

Then all of Judah stood before the LORD; men, women, children, and babies were there as the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel. “Listen, all you of Judah, inhabitants of Jerusalem and you King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: “Do not be afraid or be dismayed because of the great multitude for the battle is not yours but God’s….You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” Then Jehoshaphat, all of Judah and Jerusalem bowed before the LORD and worshipped Him. They praised the LORD GOD with voices loud and high.

Early the next morning Jehoshaphat gathered those who could sing and praise the LORD, for the beauty of His holiness. They preceded the armies. When they began to sing the LORD sent ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir. The armies of Ammon and Moab attacked their allies the inhabitants of Mount Seir. When they finished attacking them, the killed one another; Judah came to a place overlooking the field of battle, they looked toward the multitude. They were all dead. No one escaped.

It took Jehoshaphat and his people three days to collect the spoil because there was so much. When they finished they left the valley praising the LORD because He had made them to triumph over their enemies.

Jehoshaphat was doing everything right. He was bringing the people back to God and restoring justice in the land. He was afraid when he heard the news concerning all those coming against him. He knew the promises God had made to the patriarchs. He was also aware that God prevented the Israelites from battling their present foe.

God was preparing to test the obedience and the faith not only of Jehoshaphat, but Judah and Jerusalem. He does the same with believers in every age. Lives are lived in accordance of God’s word, children are raised in the fear of the Lord, the work of the Lord is accomplished. Then, for a reason known only to God there is a multitude that comes against the Christian; sickness, finances, family problems, divorce, job loss, anything and everything happens and then fear; life becomes a battle. In each instance, the questions needs to be asked will obedience and faith overrule the desire to work the situations out on our own? It is the nature of humanity to oppose faith. It is the Holy Spirit who works to keep the possession of peace given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ. John 14:27 “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 He set down at the right hand of God.” Hebrews 12:2

Did you notice what Jehoshaphat did? He set his heart to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast. Going into battle, he put the singers first praising God, the beauty of His holiness, and His mercy for it endures forever. They had no idea how God was going to fight the battle. They went in obedience to His word. It had to be difficult to praise God in battle. Yet, that is the very thing which needs to be done. Through every test, trial, and affliction God’s mercy is to be praised. He is in control of every life consecrated to Him the battles iare His, the praise is to be done by us.
Jesus reminds those who follow Him, “Your Father knows what you have need of before you ask Him.
Matthew 6:8
The Apostle Peter says, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their prayers.” 1 Peter 3:12

We never know when a battle will come. It is best to be prepared with daily prayer, reading God’s word, and praising Him for His abundant grace and His mercy which endures forever.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

The Blessings of God

2010-03-27T12:56:00.001-04:00

O LORD; how manifold are Your works!
In wisdom You have made them all.
The earth is full of Your possessions-
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Praise the LORD! Psalm 104: 24, 35b

I enjoy watching the sun come up
as it colors the seagulls red.
I watch in wonder as they fly
high in the sky overhead.
The Lord alone paints the gulls
in morning colors fair.
Creatures of His own hands
He is pleased to place them there.
We may learn a lesson from God’s birds;
one not difficult to understand.
Whatever we need to get through life
comes from our Father’s hands.
God is faithful to meet every need
even before we can think to ask;
angels are commanded, to meet every task.
God paints our lives with mercy,
He loads our days with grace,
that we may fly to heaven
and look in our Savior’s face.
We need to see God’s care and purpose
in His creation, in His simple things.
Then, we may learn God’s secret
of giving the heart it’s wings.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

In Silence, He Comes

2010-03-20T13:26:00.002-04:00

“Clouds and darkness are about Him…” Psalm 97:2
“He made darkness His secret place.” Psalm 18:11

Oceanographers have yet to search out the depths of the sea. There are bottomless chasms which cannot be measured. Yet God knows their boundaries, He created them.

Marine biologists are unable to explore the great deep due to the pressure of the water; their knowledge is limited. Unknown are the factors which cause submersibles to implode, and to keep the body from exploding at great depths. Another factor is light, there is such darkness there would have to be a large number of lumens to light the oceans
deepest landscape. God is in control of all that man cannot see. He is constantly providing for the marine life in the deepest abyss of His created ocean.

God has His secret place of darkness for His child. In this place are moments when solutions to life’s problems, hurts and sufferings cannot be spoken. Healings seem delayed, spiritual hunger goes unfulfilled, and all one can desire seems lost. Through it all God is caring for and creating His new creation in the heart of His child. he has everything under control.

He accomplishes this creation by taking the committed believer deeper into pain, deeper into suffering, deeper into longing; a longing for Him and His ways. Or He can give someone their heart’s desire and sit back and watch how the blessing envelopes the heart. Such was His plan with Hezekiah.
2 Chronicles 32: 24-31 The Lord had blessed Hezekiah with great riches, so many riches that Hezekiah made large treasuries for the gold, silver and precious stones, spices, along with the countless jewels he owned. Storehouses for the abundance of grain and wine; he built stalls for all the beasts the Lord had given him. God had given him incalculable amounts of property. Every blessing Hezekiah received was directly from the hand of God. Hezekiah was very prosperous. “Then God left him, to try (test) his heart that He might know all that was in his heart.”(vs.31)

The ambassadors of the princes of Babylon were sent to Hezekiah to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land. Hezekiah had made many improvements and reformations for the people. However it was Hezekiah’s boasting which showed the men ‘all the house; all the treasures of silver, the gold, the precious ointments, all the armor, there was not one thing that Hezekiah did not show these men.

Isaiah was sent from the Lord to Hezekiah with a word.
‘Behold, the days come that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. 2 Kings 20:1-20
Hezekiah had been lifted up in pride. What he did not realize was that the information learned by the Babylon embassy would contribute to Jerusalem’s eventual capture. Hezekiah responded to Isaiah in humility, sorrow and thankfulness that the prophecy would not be fulfilled in his lifetime.

Matthew Henry’s commentary states it this way: “God left Hezekiah to himself that, by this trial and his weakness in it, what was in his heart might be known; that he was not so perfect in grace as he thought he was. It is good for us to know ourselves, and our own weakness and sinfulness, that we may not be conceited, or self-confident, but may always live in dependence upon Divine grace. We know not the corruption of our own hearts, nor what we shall do if God leaves us to ourselves. His sin was, that his heart was lifted up. What need have great men, and good men, and useful men, to study their own infirmities and follies, and their obligations to free grace, that they may never think highly of themselves; but beg earnestly of God, that he will always keep them humble! Hezekiah made a bad return to God for his favours, by making even those favours the food and fuel of his pride. Let us shun the occasions of sin: let us avoid the company, the amusements, the books, yea, the very sights that may administer to sin. Let us commit ourselves continually to God's care and protection; and beg of him never to leave us nor forsake us. Blessed be God, death will soon end the believer's conflict; then pride and every sin will be abolished. He will no more be tempted to withhold the praise which belongs to the God of his salvation.”

The Lord saw what was in Hezekiah’s heart not by abandoning him, but by stepping back and observing what Hezekiah would do. The deeper the Lord takes us the greater our survival depends on yielding to the Holy Spirit .

Just as mankind has never discovered the depths of the ocean, believers will never know the depths of God’s grace, love and mercy. Descending where no eye can see the work of the soul to a place secret and wholly belonging to God; people will see the effects of a changed heart, but they will not see the workings of the Master’s creation. Creation belongs the Lord of Life.

In the depths of life situations and under pressure we are created in Christ; conformed and re-formed in His likeness, for His pleasure. Revelation 4:11 It is in the dark, as well as the light places of life we must learn to see our Maker’s face. In the depths of God’s ocean of love His face shines to those who are willing to descend without fear.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

The Power of God

2010-03-13T18:04:00.001-05:00

“…Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
1 Peter 1:5

In this present age as well as in ages past God is preparing those who are kept by His power. Our hope lasts a lifetime because the Holy Spirit woks within to sustain that hope. Never stagnant, the Holy Spirit reveals the spiritual blessings we receive. Like fruit on the vine we continually grow to maturation which will culminate with Christ’s return. Then like ripened clusters He will pluck us up. Revelation 14:15-16

The apostle Peter begins, “Blessed be the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” How is God blessed? He is blessed by obedience to His word. He receives rest in praise. He inhabits the praises of His people.
Psalm 22:3 In this one sentence is given the Author of salvation’s power to bring those He has called to a living hope. It is a hope which lasts a lifetime; a hope which has no element of uncertainty because it is guaranteed by Jesus resurrection from the dead. Herein is a cause to praise God for eternity, the reason being Jesus Christ.

Peter goes on to mention the “abundant mercy.” God’s power is a ‘miraculous power’, as He watches over those He guards faithfully until the last day when all believers receive the final salvation of their souls. Giving us Jesus is more than we deserve. In God’s great mercy He has prepared for the believer an inheritance described as “incorruptible.” This means it is imperishable or indestructible, also undefiled (i.e. morally tainted). It cannot fade away; it is not subject to the ravages of time. It is reserved in the past, will be reserved to the future in heaven. The word “kept” is a present passive participle meaning believers are secure because they are constantly guarded by God who never relaxes His vigil. Psalm 121:4

The Father’s power of compassion makes us “begotten” to a living hope; a hope which empowers us to become His children. This hope is visible at the right hand of God, for Jesus is alive. The hope He gives is not inanimate. It is alive with life eternal promises. Christ’s resurrection proves to the naturally doubtful human spirit that Christ has won the victory over death. Life is irrevocably claimed.

Peter then goes on to say, referring to Jesus, “Whom having not seen, ye love, in whom though now you see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” No matter what circumstances are or what is endured there is this one joy – God has given His salvation to those who accept it through faith in the redeeming sacrifice of His Son. To have God’s power of salvation operating in one’s life is joy beyond any words to express.
Author ~Joyce Andrews Bickel

The God of Purpose

2010-03-06T23:00:00.001-05:00

“For this cause I suffer these things, nevertheless, I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
2 Timothy 1:12

The apostle Paul stated he suffered all things to preach, teach, and establish churches for the Gentiles. Every day he committed his life to God’s will; to God’s truth. Therefore Paul’s soul was secure in the Lord’s love and grace. When Paul’s life was to end he was assured of an eternity with Christ.

Though Paul suffered, God’s agenda for the propagation of the gospel was not hindered. Wherever Paul went, he preached the gospel; whether he was imprisoned or free he used every moment to tell anyone who would listen about Jesus. Paul believed God willed all men to be saved. 1 Timothy 2:4 This is an attitude which must be instilled in today’s believers. Telling people what God has done in your life incurs persecution from those who do not want any part of God or His salvation. Paul stated this in 2 Timothy 3:12. Preaching, teaching and working for God’s purpose brings to the faithful its own sufferings apart from the suffering of daily life.

Paul was not ashamed of the testimony of Christ; nor was he ashamed to say, “I die daily.”
1 Corinthians 15:31 Paul suffered all things for the sake of the gospel and was not ashamed of it. The purpose of God was accomplished through Paul because Paul’s will, his desires, his ambition died daily, but God’s great purpose lived in and through Christ’s apostle. Paul was able to replicate himself in Melita (modern day Malta) for four reasons.

1. He was unselfish. Paul literally considered himself ‘of nothing account’ Acts 20:24. His attitude was like that of Christ. Philippians 2:5-11 Both placed the interest of others first.
2. Paul was saturated with the gospel. 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4 He solemnly preached “repentance and faith” toward God and the Lord Jesus Christ while in Asia Minor. Acts 20:21 He labeled his message “the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
3. He declared ‘all the counsel of God’ or the ‘whole will of God’ Acts 20:27 to the inhabitants of Asia Minor. Of course a person cannot declare the plan of God without first knowing it by revelation and experience.
4. Paul was consumed with sincere concern which exhibited itself in ‘all humility and trials’ Acts 20:19-21 What a combination of characteristics the Holy Spirit is able to generate in a yielded life!

There are many things I look to learn from the apostle Paul as I diligently study God’s word. I have an abundant life in Jesus. I want others to share the joy I have continually in my heart. A joy which sustains me through suffering and persecution I endure in this life because I follow Jesus. I wait on God’s working of His purpose through me to others.

Paul was not ashamed to suffer for the purpose of God in Christ Jesus. He considered preaching and teaching a privilege. He was not ashamed to stand up for the Lord Jesus Christ, to be associated with the Lord of all glory. Paul not only knew what he believed, but Who he believed. Paul entrusted his very soul to God. He was assured of everycovenant promise of God because he openly displayed the grace God gave to Him through Jesus Christ.

Speaking his consecration to suffering Paul said, ‘But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.’ Acts 20:24

The Great Commission was committed to believers. It is the Banner of the Faithful who use every opportunity to tell others of the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

“Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28: 19, 20

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

The Confession Principle

2010-02-27T14:36:00.001-05:00

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him and he in God. 1 John 4:15

This is one of the singularly most important things I can do - confess Christ. Jesus said, “If you confess Me before men, I will confess you before my Father.
Revelation 3:5

Confession of Jesus not only announces to the world that I am His, but that He has ransomed me from the power of sin and death. Hell abhors my confession of Christ. The workers of darkness will do everything to discredit me. Jesus never said following Him would be easy. He did intimate,however, following Him would be worth it.

I must be ready to combat the slurs of satanic oppression that would strive to keep me from confessing Christ. The less the name of Jesus is spoken, the more hell fills with misguided and unsaved souls because the saving grace of God through Christ is not confessed. When Christ is not confessed for fear of repercussions of rejection, or humiliation God’s heart is heavy. I must confess what I believe. Romans 10:9,10

In this day and age there are more godless people than in generations past. God is abused, hated,and attempted to be made extinct. The freedom of the confessing Christian has been made a target of all those who oppose God. Christians who support Israel, her people and the city of the great King are threatened for doing what God commands in His word. Yet my cry will be that of Isaiah’s, ´For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.” Isaiah 62:1 Matthew 5:35

As long as I openly confess Christ and love my fellowman, the Father and the Son live within me. John 14:23 God the Father thought of me before I was born. He prepared the name of Jesus for me to use in times of conflict, and moments of peace. He intended for me to show the world that the name of Jesus holds the only answer to every one of my problems.

When afflictions surround me; whenever I don’t know what to do I know how to whisper, “Jesus”. I don’t have the answers to everything. There are times when I sense that something is not right within me. I can do nothing to help myself. Yet, Jesus knows everything about me. I can trust Him.

When I confess my weakness, Jesus becomes my strength. When I am joyful He is the fountain that bubbles up and overflows. In discouragement He is my Friend; in distress, my Avenger who destroys all my enemies. When I stumble and fall, He applies the balm of grace and mercy to help me rise and walk again.

There is an unseen battle going on to occupy my heart and mind. Without single vision a person cannot serve God. Matthew 6:22-24 Confession is not mere profession. Confessing the name of Jesus bears fruit. Confession believes God in the face of impossibility. I may not see any fruit from my confession, but God knows all hearts and who knows when He will use my confession to aid an erring heart? Confession strives to crucify self-will that the Holy Spirit may fill every fiber of the human temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19

It takes nothing to profess being a Christian. Profession being words alone, anyone can say they are something. Profession puts oneself on a pedestal for all to look at. “Look at me! I give to the Lord and do all this work for Him!" Profession is the air of pride trying to claim God’s riches without identity with Christ. Confession is a repentant heart crying to God, be merciful to me a sinner. Cleanse me of all that is unfit for Your use that You may fill me; that You may use me to bring in Your harvest. John 4:35 A confessor is ready and willing to tell anyone who will listen what God has done and is doing in their life.

God is not looking for mere professors. He is looking for courageous and prepared confessors.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Leaning on the Promises of God

2010-02-20T09:19:00.001-05:00

It has always been my intention to leave a spiritual legacy for my children and grandchildren. Such are the promises of God; His promises are passed down from one generation to another. This exhibits faith in the God of all promises. “… Whereby are given unto us great and precious promises.”
2 Peter 1:4

“By faith, Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshipped as he leaned on the top of his staff.”
Jacob believed God would fulfill all the promises made to him even though the promises were not fulfilled in Jacob’s lifetime. Genesis 28:10-21
Jacob blessed each of Joseph’s sons with a prophetic blessing.
Genesis 48:1-19 These promises worked towards the great promise to all people given in Genesis 3:15, they led to Jesus. Jacob saw this in his spirit as he blessed all his sons. ‘The scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a lawgiver from between hi feet, until Shiloh come, and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” Jacob relied on God’s promises as a comfort to his soul and an expectation to his sons and the generations to follow. He looked ahead and saw the fulfillment of all God’s promises in Christ.

Jacob’s life was now coming to an end. He leaned on his staff as he blessed his sons. Why did the Holy Spirit instruct the writer if Hebrews to note this?
The staff was a piece of wood used for a cane for walking, it was a means for rest as one stood to catch a breath. It was as much a part of the person as his sandals and cloak. It was a tradition to carve the promises of God into the wood of the staff. In this way Jacob carried the promises of God with him everywhere. He leaned on those promises to rest while on a long journey. He recounted the promises of God each time he looked at the staff.

Jacob worshipped God by believing Him. Jacob believed all the promises God made to him would be fulfilled in God’s time. I must do the same.
I benefited from Jacob’s faith because Jesus came for me, to save me from a life of destruction. Shiloh, the King of all kings is the Staff I lean on. It is interesting to note when Jesus sent the disciples out He commanded them to take nothing for their journey but a staff. Mark 6:8
Jesus is the great promise of God to me. “In Him all the promises of God are yea and amen”. 2 Corinthians 1:20. In Him are all my spiritual blessings. He is my life and breath. Just as bread is referred to as the “staff of life” for the physical body, Jesus is the “Staff” of life to my soul.

Author~ Joyce Andrews Bickel

Profession vs. Possession

2010-02-13T08:57:00.001-05:00

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day you will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we not prophecy in your name, and cast out demons in you r name, and do mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from me you evildoers.’ Matthew 7:21-23

Some say they are Christians but won’t serve
‘cause they’ll miss their “soaps.”
While suffering is everywhere, they
offer no hope.
Some say they are Christians as they
live comfortably well
While millions remained unsaved
and going to hell.
Some say they are Christians as
they watch brothers bleed
Sincerity being unheard of
if there is a need.
Some say they are Christians
naming the pure name of Christ;
Yet do works of darkness
rather than works of light.
But what will Jesus say as He
arrives right in time?
‘You had two choices, you chose
other than divine.
You say you are a Christian?
You tell a familiar story.
Truth is, your desire was for yourself
Not, for My Father’s glory.
Your heart was a place
where I could not dwell.
My judgment for this
is an eternity in hell.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Every Idle Word

2010-02-06T08:38:00.001-05:00

“But I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by your words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:36, 37

When I talk I’m not mindful of the words I speak. I have always believed that words can cut like knives into a persons heart or they can lift a spirit when spoken in kindness and understanding. Proverbs 25:11 For a time I have endeavored to watch what I say. However, I am not always successful no matter how hard I try.

The words in thought must first come from the heart.
Matthew 12:34 Jesus illustrates this by using the analogy of a tree. The decision to make a tree good or corrupt lies within the heart. “But the tongue no man can tame; it is unruly evil full of deadly poison…out of the mouth proceedeth blessings and cursings…” James 3: 8-11

Idle words are words that do not work; words which go nowhere; words which come from an unsettled spirit. Words that deny faith in unbelief adding to the cesspool of verbiage contained in this world.

Every word Jesus spoke was a working word. His Words came from a pure heart with a motive to alleviate the human condition; words full of instruction, hope and belief. Even His words of judgment to the Pharisees were meant to move them to repentance. His words worked to advance the kingdom of His Father; to turn sinners from their destructive ways.

In the day I stand before God my words will either justify or condemn me. My words will reveal my heart and the motive which led to action or inaction to advance God’s kingdom; to exhibit to the world I am a citizen of a heavenly kingdom; words that will reveal my faith. A sobering thought to say the least.

My daily prayer is found in Psalm 19:14. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in they sight, O LORD, my strength and redeemer.”

I am thankful God can see my heart and know the intent of my words. In His providence and infinite wisdom He is teaching me to be a child of His kingdom while I am on this earth; I understand I am only able to change they way I speak because of the power of the Holy Spirit Galatians 5:22-25.

I hear the word’s God spoke to the apostle Paul. “My grace is sufficient for thee, My power is made perfect (complete) in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

My trust is in God to continue His work in me until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 He will help me to speak the words of His kingdom in grace and truth. With God, all things are possible. Mark 10:27 Amen!

Miracles in Every Age

2010-01-30T15:18:00.001-05:00

“…So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well...for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in Him.”
John 12:9-10

The death of Lazarus did not take Jesus by surprise. When He was informed about the death of His friend He delayed going to Bethany for two days. The disciples feared Jesus returning to Judea; for previously He was nearly stoned to death. John 10:31 Jesus moved as the Father directed, not as people wished.

Jesus told the disciples Lazarus was sleeping; He would wake him. The disciples assumed He meant natural sleep. Jesus finally said, “Lazarus is dead.”

Arriving at the tomb, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out wrapped in burial clothes and a cloth around his face. Jesus’ instructions were to, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” A miracle performed of untold description. A miracle accomplished for those who look in faith to Christ’s own death, burial and resurrection. which gives them a pattern of the events to come.

The lesson of Lazarus is a lesson for every believer in every age. We were also “dead in transgression and sins.” Ephesians 2:1 God who is rich in mercy made us alive in Christ Jesus. Being dead in transgression, God’s grace and His great love for humanity raised us up and seated us with Christ in the heavenly realm. This is the miracle of the ages that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. “For it is by grace you are saved through faith - and is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8 It was a miracle which kept Lazarus from tasting death. Faith in Christ keeps the Christian from tasting death spiritually.

There will come a day when we will be saved from tasting death physically as 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 states: We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that those who are alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

When the word “miracle” is stated a greater majority of people think of unexplained events, or healings and I agree, there are things which happen we cannot put in plain words. However, the greatest miracle in any age is the salvation of the human soul. For the soul a life in eternity with God or an eternity in hell is determined by the decisions made in this life.
Luke 12:13-21

Jesus explains God’s grace and lovingkindness in His parable of the lost son. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:11-32

God in His longsuffering patiently waits for all prodigals to return to Him.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com