One With HIM

Mar 7, 2006 One With Him

Mar 8:1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,

Mar 8:2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

Mar 8:3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.

Mar 8:4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?

Remember when God sent the children of Israel bread (manna) in the wilderness? Remember the quails? Remember the water from the Rock? God can feed his people in the wilderness, in the desert, in the world, on the ocean, anywhere, in the jungles, it doesn't matter. God is not hindered by circumstance, only by unbelief. He can open rivers in the dry places. He can part the waters and let you go through on dry ground. He can walk on the water and raise you above the trouble. He can make a way when there is no way. He can feed thousands with a just a little bread and fish. Having grown up a Jew, the disciples should have known that the Word of God illustrated how he could indeed feed hundreds of thousands, even millions in the wilderness.

Mar 8:5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

Mar 8:6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and broke, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.

Mar 8:7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.

Mar 8:8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.

When something is broken, and blessed God can multiply it and feed many. Oh, Lord, I want to be humble, broken and contrite before thee. I want to be filled with the life of Christ, that through HIS life, sons and daughters may be born unto thee. Eating the Word of God, hiding it in your heart, that is the life. Jesus said "The Word I speak to thee, it is spirit, it is life." Joh_6:63

So they did eat and were filled. If we eat the Word of God, and let it work its life inside us, then we will be full of the life of Christ. If we let the inner man grow-feeding him the Word of Life which is what it will take then he will overcome the flesh, the world, the devil and anything else that would hinder that all important growth. If we will present ourselves to the Lord and give him quality time, he will infuse us with his life, he will open his word to us and show us great and mighty things which we know not. Which we can't know apart from the revelation of the Holy Ghost. We can't see it with carnal eyes. We can't get it from some man's commentary or opinion on what God meant when he had the scriptures written. Who better to consult on scripture than the AUTHOR?

Joh 6:1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.

I am seeking to follow my Master, and I am seeking to understand the truth-for he said you would know the truth and it would make you free. He didn't mean a head knowledge. He meant the truth would be planted intimately inside your heart, branded there, unshakeable, and it would make you free. It would expose falsehood, and loose the captive.
The word "Galilee" means "wheel, revolution, circuit." That brings to mind the phrase "having come full circle". Tiberias means "good vision". The disciples had been traveling with Jesus, had seen lots of things. They'd seen him restore sight to the blind, seen him feed the multitudes, seen him deal with the religious crowds, seen him shun the popularity when the people wanted to forcefully make him king after he fed them. Now they were coming to a place and he wanted them to see clearly something very important. As I read this, it's with great anticipation, for I don't know what it is yet, but the Lord is leading me through his word, and I am learning, it is truly a joy to follow him. Not from afar off, as I have done so long, but to draw closer, ever closer, wondering in awe that such a great and mighty God would even know my name, much less urge me to come to him, closer, to let me know, there's room. Among those seeking me who are drawing closer, there's still room for you, come. Can you hear him? Oh, what an honor. It wows my heart.

He goes up into a high place, a mountain. Multitudes of people are following him. I imagine they were drawn to him, for he dealt kindly with them. His gaze was soft and compassionate. He was not arrogant and holier than thou as the religious crowd, the Pharisees and Saducees were. He wasn't a "touch me not, lest some of your dirt rub off on me," like the religious crowd. No, this Man would lower himself to reach out and touch a leper-which was forbidden under the religious rules and regulations of that crowd. A leper who was an outcast, alone, hungry for a human touch but not allowed. What compassion. He would let a woman of questionable reputation bow before his feet and wash them with her tears and dry them with her hair. He was approachable. Not judgmental, not critical. He did not take from the people, he gave. I'm sure there were those in the crowd who were along for the ride, to get what they could get. Some looking for signs, or the such and would report his activities back to the Pharisees. . But some of them were hungry and for more than just food. They were hungry enough they followed him for 3 days, without provision, of bread or the convenience of home. They were out in the open, up on the mountainside, just listening to him. Being near him. He knew their bodies were getting tired, and they hungered. Imagine all these people, and surely there were men, women and children. He knew they needed food. I love what verse 6 says "he knew what he would do." When he asks us a question, he already knows the answer, he only asks to cause us to think, or search ourselves. He wants us to see.

Joh 6:5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

Joh 6:6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

Joh 6:11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

He was setting forth an example here. Remember what the scripture says?

1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

He gives the bread to his disciples, and they feed the people. He gives his ministers the understanding of the Word of God and they feed his sheep, his children. But Peter also said but ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; (1Pe_2:9) So all of God's children can seek his face, and get in his word, and be fed their daily bread, and as we are instructed in Isa 58:7 deal our bread to the hungry. There's a hungry people out there. There are people who are tired of the world, and it's brutality. It's selfishness. They are lost and tired of wandering in darkness and need help finding the Light. Yes, we are to help feed the hungry food-, but also those around us who are lost and deep down hunger for God and maybe don't even realize it, we are the light of the world, as Jesus said in Mat 5. We can seek him for what they need. He will give it to us because just as he looked on this multitude with compassion then, he who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, still looks on this world which is lost and dying and on its way to hell, with a desire to reach out and save the perishing. We are his Body. His heart is for lost souls. We are to share that.

2Co 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

He is the Source of Life. If we lack compassion for those around us, he said ask, and ye shall receive. Oh, Lord, help me see people through your eyes. Not through carnal eyes. I want to share his heart, saints. I want to be one with him. Completely in agreement, intimate with him. My heart's desire is HIM. Lord, you thrill my soul to the very depths where nothing has ever reached. I want to see my husband experience that, I want to see my dad experience that. My brothers, my friends and neighbors. My relatives. The stranger that I pass on the street. Grant me boldness that these lips of clay can show forth your praises, my King.....

Over the next few verses, in John 6, Jesus leaves, after the people are fed, he had to get away, for they wanted to seize on him and make him their King by force. It was not yet time for him to be King. When he comes back in the clouds of glory, after the rapture, after the tribulation, and sets up his kingdom, then he will rule and reign. He has a plan, and he will not allow men to dictate how and when things should be done. And he even exposes their motives to them in verse 26:

Joh 6:24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

Joh 6:25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

Joh 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

Joh 6:27 Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

In other words, those today who are thinking hey, if I'm a Christian, I can be blessed, and have lots of stuff. There is no shortage of "preachers" who get on TV and proclaim this wishy washy 'gospel' of "God wants you to be blessed, he wants you to have a new car, he wants you to prosper" and 3 John 2 is taken so out of context it's crucified. And Mat 7:7 doesn't mean you can ask for riches, and wealth, and fame and that God is obligated to give you what you want because you ask "in faith" for genuine faith would also have a reverent fear of God that would teach you better. The grace of God will teach those who listen. Too many would seek today to make merchandise out of God's people. All in the name of their god, money. Security in a dying and condemned world. Oh, I don't want to build my hopes and future on ground that has already been condemned to destruction. Not when I have a binding contract (the Word of God) that promises me an inheritance that is better, and eternal............in heaven, with the Lord........where there is no corruption.

2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

He warns his people against this. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is about love, about being a servant, with humility, to others, it's about sacrifice. It demands repentance of sin. Recognition of the sovereignty of the Lord to have control of your life for you are bought with a price. And I have learned, as intimidating and hard as that sounds, that when he is in control, there is peace in my heart, and everything comes together like pieces of a huge and complicated puzzle to form the picture. But when I try to lead, I get confused, tired, and everything goes wrong. I stay troubled. So, lead on, Lord. It is a huge weight off your shoulders when you accept that he DOES know best and let him do it. And just be content to follow and take orders. And keep his commandments. Trust him for strength and grace to do it. His Spirit and his word working in me are what accomplishes it. He even gave me the faith I have to mix with his word. Without him I can do nothing. Trying only brings pain and heartache. What a blessing not to have to worry about tomorrow, because I know who holds it in his hands.

In Joh_6:35, he says "I am the bread of life." In verse 33 he says the bread of God is he which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." Remember in Gen. 1 when he said "Let there be light" and there was light. Now, if his word created the sun, and the moon, and this planet, and then you fast forward to Joh_1:14 and " his WORD was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, ) full of grace and truth," consider those facts. God took his Word, wrapped it in flesh, implanted it by the Holy Ghost, in Mary's womb, and was born as the Savior of the world.

That leads me to 1Pe_1:23 for he says we are born again not by corruptible seed (flesh) but by the Word of God, which lives forever. We hear the Word of God. It convicts and draws us, and if we yield to its conviction, the Holy Spirit takes those who are born again and comes to live within. He is eternal, the third part of the Godhead. He's our teacher, comforter, convicter, guide. He's the one who knows the way to heaven is through Christ. He leads the way. He shines the light. He helps us get our garments clean. But we have to learn how commune with him, and listen to him, and obey him. And I am so glad he is teaching me how.

Joh 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

When you eat food, it becomes part of you, correct? If you eat too much cake, it causes you to gain weight. It affects your blood sugar, or it can. Certain foods you eat affect your body in different ways. But they become part of you. They cause your body to function as it was designed to, if you eat right. When you "eat" the word of God, which is the Believer's daily bread, (we need it every day just like we need food every day) it feeds the new life that has been born again in us. It causes it to grow stronger. It becomes a part of you. It changes you. It instructs, guides and keeps you from evil. It will cause you to not want to do the things you did enjoy before. It will cause you to want different things, the things of God. It will cause a longing in your heart to ever increase for more of God. It will cause LIFE. It is life. And it will multiply as it grows inside the believer, and will be to them, like a river of living water flowing out of them to others around them. The word washes, cleanses, (Eph_5:26), it feeds, it does so many things.

And Jesus makes a very important statement in verse 53: "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you." Now, I don't fully comprehend that, but I do, thank you Lord, understand, if I don't have his word in me, and I'm not appropriating with understanding (given by him) the blood he shed on Calvary in my life, where is my life? I have none in me, he says, if I don't do these things.

People who go to church but never open their Bibles are not alive in Christ. They do not live and walk as he did. They act no different from the world around them. They can laugh at dirty jokes, they can watch movies where people are breaking the commandments of God right and left and not be bothered. They can sit unflinching and hear the name of the Lord being cursed, used as a curse word.

But when you get in the Book, and start learning who He is, your heart is bowled over with appreciation, and awe. And love starts to grow. See, just like John said, We love him, because he first loved us. 1Jo_4:19. When you start learning who he is and what he's done for you, and it sinks in, you start to love him. You start to hunger for him. That is what having the Word of God, in you, being part of you, does. That is the result of eating the word of God. You don't lightly skim over it, you dig in. You pray for understanding, and an increased hunger for it. He will give it.

I know I want more. I want so much that I'm so full of HIM that Kathleen is truly dead to this world. The more you get of him, the less appealing this world is. The less shine and glitter the things of this world will have. They are all a sickly pale thing in comparison to HIM and his GLORY anyway. But without the Lord to help you see this, you can't. I can't. And what a promise in Joh_6:54. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. He will either raise us up from the grave or the ground. Either way you win. In trials, when you are down, and discouraged. He will raise you up. His word in you will strengthen you, lift you up, the Holy Ghost working in you will remind you who you are and what you possess, and that will bring gladness to your heart that will carry you through trouble. Oh, hallelujah, praise your holy name, Lord! What awesome promises. They are just as real as the computer in front of me. More real. For they are eternal. They can't be destroyed. They can't tear up or break.

A lot of the people got mad when Jesus said these things. They couldn't understand, and instead of hanging around and trying, and considering this wonderful man Jesus and all the good things he had done-things no one ever had done before, they just threw up their hands, this is too hard and walked away. I love what Peter said. I'm sure he felt just as hopeless, just as confused as those who walked away. But he said, rightly so, "Lord, where else are we going to go?" Back to the religious crowd? Back to the world that has no future, but death and destruction? Oh, beloved, where else do we have to go? Mohammed's not the answer. Bhudda isn't either. The pope can't help you. Your pastor can only help you as he follows the Lord. The world sure can't help you. Mom or dad can't help you. The only place we can go for eternal life is the Lord.

I was talking to my son the other day, and he was questioning some things. God gave me the grace to try to explain it in simple terms he could understand, and I hadn't thought of this before, myself. But I told him, if I told you that your uncle had called and said he'd bought you a new home, new car, filled it full of nice things and put a large sum of money in the bank where HE lives, and it was yours, but you had to come where HE lives, where the inheritance was to get it, what would you do? My son naturally, said, with a mischievous grin, "I'd go get it," . Then I explained, "Well, that is what God has done, through Jesus. He has this awesome place in heaven, and he wants to share everything he has with us. He has given us an inheritance. But we have to go there to get it. And since the only one who knows the way is Jesus, that is who we have to follow to get there. And he sent the Holy Ghost to lead us and help us make it. If we listen to the Holy Ghost we won't go wrong."

And I am beginning to see that when we have the life of Christ infused in us, flowing in and out of us, then sons and daughters will be born around us to the Father. It reminds me of the river in Eze 47. The life is not of us, it's Christ's. So we can't take the credit for it or what it accomplishes. The power is of God, not us. It's a treasure in us. And we are honored that God would put it there. It's something he has entrusted to us, so let us use it wisely, directed by his Spirit.....

Eze 47:9 "And it shall come to pass that everything that liveth which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live; and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh."

Didn't Jesus tell his disciples he'd make them fishers of men? If we are full of Him, his word, (which he says in Joh_6:63 is spirit and life) we won't be seeking gain or self. We will be vessels full of living water, rejoicing as we see new children birthed by the word and will of God, his power, his life. Increasing the kingdom of God. If husbands and wives aren't united, no children will be produced, correct? If the children of God aren't united in purpose, will, and in every way with the Bridegroom, how will children be born? There's no where else to go. HE only has the word of eternal life.

Finally, this leads me to John 17. It is the most sacred chapter to my heart in the Book. When I first got saved, I felt unworthy to read this chapter. I felt like I was eavesdropping on a personal, intimate conversation between God and Jesus. Father and Son. I know that sounds strange, but the Lord had to give me courage to read this chapter. It so touched my heart.

In verse 3, this is life eternal that they might know thee, the only true God: that word know means this: understand, be sure of, feel, be aware of, receive, lay hold of. To distinguish, to recognize, as from one individual from another. To be no stranger to; to be familiar with. Intimately acquainted. To have full assurance of. Again, I go back to the husband and wife thing. When people get married, they presumably should be very well acquainted with whom they are married to. They recognize them apart from every one else. They know their ways and habits. They are familiar with them, past surface appearances. God wants us to know him that way. He opened the door when he ripped the veil the day Jesus died on the cross. (Mat_27:51)

Heb 10:19 says we are to have boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, read on through verse 23-for he is faithful that promised. This is all about the access to God we have been given through Jesus Christ. God's throne is open to us, to come, to find help (Heb_4:16) to get to know God. He loves us so much. In knowing him for ourselves, we can have an unshakeable peace. Rest, in our spirit. In our hearts and minds. (Isa_26:3, 2Pe_1:2-5) We can be confident in his great love for us that won't hurt us that will secure us. We walk by faith not by sight. Faith in his word, and his love for us.

As I look at verse 10, I have to stop. He says all mine are thine, and thine are mine. You gave them to me, Father, I give them back to you. I am glorified in them. I looked up that word, seeking greater understanding. It means "honored, dignified, exalted to glory, " Oh, I want my life to glorify him. When I stand on his word, instead of listening to the wrong thoughts in my head, he gets glory. When I believe his word, instead of what my eyes see, he gets glory. When I prefer Him, his company, his word, to the glitz and glamour and temporary pleasure of what I see in this world, he gets glory. For this world is fast losing its appeal to me. I have found a Real Treasure. And I am determined to lay hold of it, and not lose it. He is my EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD. For what man can love on earth like He loves? What man on earth can satisfy the longing soul and hungry heart while healing deep wounds caused by sin, as he can? He is incomparable. Incomprehensible. Awesome. Breathtaking. Magnificent. Wonderful, wondrous.........captivating.

Oh, taste and see, the Lord, he is good....(Psa_34:8)

In Joh 17:16-17, he says sanctify them through thy truth. They are not of this world. To sanctify means to set apart. To consecrate to God. Purified, holy. Separated for God's personal use alone. Obedience to the Word of God will set you apart from the world, from the things of this world. If you have the love of God and his truth in your heart, you can't watch movies where his name is blasphemed and his word trampled on. You won't be doing destructive habits to your body. You will want rid of these things. You won't be wanting to hang out with the world, pursuing pleasure. You will be craving the house of the Lord, and his people, his word, you will want to see souls saved. You will want to spread the wonderful message of the Gospel. Those who don't want God will separate themselves from you. Those who hear and see and don't want to receive the truth, will walk away from you, just like they did Jesus. It will hurt, be he is our Comfort. He is an ever present help. (Psa_46:1). I felt as if I'd discovered not only the cure for AIDS, cancer, and all the hunger in the world and people don't want it because it's free?

That they also may be one in us. That they may be one, even as we are one. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one.

He's in me. I'm in him. He has everything I need, in him I am complete. (Col_2:9-10) To be one is to be in complete agreement, united together with the same purpose, the same thoughts, same will. Grant it, Lord, to be so. No wonder the church is referred to as the Bride of Christ. What Bride doesn't long for her husband? What Bride doesn't prepare herself to be pleasing in his sight? What Bride doesn't spend time with her husband, talking, getting to know Him? Sharing their heart. Loving Him. What Bride doesn't hate to be separated from her husband for any length of time? Oh, I don't want to stand him up by not showing up for secret prayer at home. I don't want to neglect him. I sure don't want him to be ever able to look at me and say "Depart from me, I don't know you."

I don't want to hurt him. I'm sure I have in the past, whether through ignorance, failure, or neglect. Lord, forgive me. Help me to know how and be able to please you. I believe you can give me what I lack. I believe you will. For I want to please you.................I love you, Lord........