The Wheelbarrow

This beautiful sunshine makes me want to get the flower beds cleaned up and ready for spring flowers.  It reminds me of Dad and how he would get things ready.  Though quite small when we moved to June Lake, I remember Dad building a rock border so he could level the yard.  He used a wheelbarrow to haul the rocks and also to mix up the cement to fix them into place.  Other times when the wheelbarrow was empty and clean he’d give my sister and me wild rides tipping the wheelbarrow to the right and left as he’d move it forward.

That old wheelbarrow and how Dad used it reminds me of what the LORD has emphasized to me lately about JESUS the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Let me lay the foundation of what I am seeing in hopes that you can see it too.

JESUS-then called the WORD- totally equal with GOD the FATHER both in form and nature (John 1:1-4), laid aside HIS visible glory and rights and riches and took on the form of man and became obedient unto death because the GODHEAD (all THREE) desired a relationship with mankind whom they had made (Philippians 2:4-8)

Leaving the glory of heaven the Light of the World came down into the darkness of this world of sin saying, “I come to do THY will, O GOD” (Hebrews 10:9).  In doing so HE determined to not speak HIS own words (John 3:34-35, 12:49) nor use HIS own powers (Luke 4:14, Acts 1:2). 

Totally aware of what HIS choice would mean (John 21:17, Acts 15:18 KJ) JESUS humbly chose to suffer for HE knew it was necessary for HIM to be made like unto HIS brethren (humans) in all ways, that HE might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to GOD, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people (Hebrews 2:17). That was the only way people could be saved and live eternally with HIM.

Now how does this connect with Dad’s old wheelbarrow?  He could not mix the cement in the wheelbarrow when it was full of rocks, it had to be empty, nor could Dad give his 3 girls rides while the wet cement was in the wheelbarrow.  Dad had to empty and wash it out before we got our rides.

In order for JESUS to be made like us (Humans) HE emptied HIMSELF out.  That only means HE chose not to go HIS own way, nor find HIS own pleasure, nor speak HIS own words but only do GOD’s will.  Did you know that Isaiah 58:13b states that doing those very things enables you and me to delight in the LORD?

When the Creator, JESUS took on a human body inside of Mary and became a baby, dependent on ones HE had made and even submitting to them was beyond huge.  But what the LORD has been impressing on me was the beginning of HIS ministry up to HIS ascension back into heaven as how I am to daily follow HIS lead (Hebrews 2:10). “Looking unto JESUS the Author and finisher of our faith” Hebrews 12:2.

Hebrews 10:9 “I come to do YOUR will O GOD” John 3:34 For HE (JESUS) whom GOD has sent speaks the words of GOD: for GOD gives not the SPIRIT by measure unto HIM (JESUS).

Luke 4:1 And JESUS being full of the HOLY SPIRIT returned from Jordan, and was led by the SPIRIT into the wilderness, Luke 4:14  And JESUS returned in the power of the SPIRIT into Galilee… 15  And HE taught in their synagogues… Acts 1:2 Until the day in which HE (JESUS) was taken up, after that HE (JESUS) through the HOLY SPIRIT had given commandments unto the apostles whom HE had chosen. 

I see JESUS does only what GOD wants HIM to do.  HE does not speak HIS own words but speaks only what HE hears the FATHER say.  HE goes not in HIS own power and ideas but is filled by the HOLY SPIRIT.  Being FILLED HE is led and goes by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.  Notice, the HOLY SPIRIT teaches through HIM, so JESUS doesn’t convict people JESUS just speaks the words the FATHER give HIM, and the HOLY SPIRIT gives the people understanding (1 Corinthians 2:10-13).

Hebrews 8:14 blows me away, “… CHRIST, who through the eternal SPIRIT offered HIMSELF without spot to GOD…” 

On earth while in a human body, JESUS depended on GOD the FATHER and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT and did nothing on HIS own.

We received and were sealed with the indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT when we were saved (John 7:38-39, Ephesians 1:13). But now we are commanded to be filled by the HOLY SPIRIT (Ephesians 5:18).  But what does that mean since we cannot not fill ourselves? I think Luke 11:13 holds the key when it say that GOD the FATHER will give the HOLY SPIRIT to those who ask.  We see in Acts 4:31 that the very disciples who on the Day of Pentecost were filled (Acts 2:4) with the HOLY SPIRIT with power yet on another day they prayed to GOD for boldness after being threatened and they are filled anew with the HOLY SPIRIT and speak with power. We are saved one time.  We get the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT one time and are sealed to GOD one time.  But the filling with power comes and goes.  I think we need to ask daily for the HOLY SPIRIT to fill us for whatever GOD has prepared for us to do.  Scripture says, “You have not because you ask not” (James 4:2).

Therefore, to follow JESUS how much more do I need to lay aside my personal opinions and ideas and seek to know and follow GOD’s leading (Proverbs 3:5-7) and be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT.  Only when we are filled by the HOLY SPIRIT can we be led by and walk with the HOLY SPIRIT. Daily I need to prepare my heart (Proverbs 16:1) by being in GOD’s word (Matthew 4:4), talking to GOD our FATHER and being willing to obey regardless so I can hear and understand the HOLY SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 2:10-13).  I need to listen carefully and do what I know I should do and say what I know I should say whether I agree with it or not.  For if I am willing to hear and obey, the HOLY SPIRIT will make my instructions clear to me and enable me to obey (John 7:17, Philippians 2:13) . 

But like that wheelbarrow full of dirt, if I am full of my own ideas I won’t be able to hear the HOLY SPIRIT.

Hebrews 8:14 How much more shall the blood of CHRIST, who through the eternal SPIRIT offered HIMSELF without spot to GOD, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living GOD?

Hugs

Sharon   PS-See the TRINITY in the crucifixion?

Ever wonder WHO are us and our?

Ever thought about who is being spoken of when GOD said, “Let us make man in our image” Genesis 1:26.  Who are the US and the OUR? Elsewhere they are called the GODHEAD and Christians calls them the TRINITY.

For me it is exciting when I see THE THREE in ONE working together for THE THREE in ONE do all things, working in conjunction/ unity with one another.  We see it in many places like in creation (Genesis 1), JESUS baptism (John 3:13-17) and witnessing (1 John 5:7).

Here is an ever so simple glimpse of our GOD.  HE is ONE in essence and in HIS divine nature. Scriptures name HIS persons and some of HIS basic known roles. This little note doesn’t even begin to tackle GOD’s nature, purposes or ways.  It’s just a tiny overview glimpse that I was thinking about as I thought about the promise of 1 John 3:2.

1-GOD our FATHER is SPIRIT (John 4:23-24), from HIM all good and perfect gifts flow and with HIM there is no variation, change or turning (James 1:17). HE is the Author- neither JESUS (John 8:28) nor the HOLY SPIRIT (John 16:13) spoke their own words with humans, both spoke only what they were told to say. And both pray to the FATHER (Romans 8:26,34, Hebrews 7:25), for from GOD the FATHER all flows.  That is why JESUS tells us to pray to the FATHER in HIS name (John 16:23).

2-JESUS is the eternal Word made flesh is GOD (John 1:1-3, 14).  We are told: JESUS is the fulness of the GODHEAD in body form (Colossians 2:9) through whom GOD the FATHER speaks and created all things (Hebrews 1:1-3). That means GOD the SON took on a human body (Philippians 2:7-8) so that mankind could see what the GODHEAD’s divine nature is like and so HE could die for the sins of man. For GOD is love and HE sent HIS Only Begotten SON that whosoever believed in HIM might not endure wrath but have eternal life (John 3:16, 36).

“All have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD” (Romans 3:23).  Sin destroys so it must be destroyed. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) and only through believing in JESUS, who carried our sins on the cross, is there forgiveness of sin.

“In whom (JESUS) we have redemption through HIS blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14).  JESUS said, “I said therefore unto you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am HE (GOD the SON, the lamb of GOD who takes away the sin of the world), you shall die in your sins (John 8:24).

3-The SPIRIT of GOD is SPIRIT. In the New Testament HE is often call the HOLY SPIRIT (or HOLY GHOST) for HIS role with mankind is to call us and guide us into HOLINESS –purity, separating us to GOD from the world. JESUS said all who believe in HIM would receive the HOLY SPIRIT and HE would be like a steam of living water flowing through us (John 7:38-39) producing in and through us HIS fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).

We are told HE convicts people of sin (John 16:8).  HE gives 2^nd birth (John 3:5) to everyone who believes in JESUS, HE seals believers unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30), HE baptizes believers into the body of CHRIST (1 Corinthians 12:13, 27) allots believers with spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7-11), reveals truth (2 Corinthians 3:18), teaches, reminds, (John 14:26) and leads us in all truth, empowers us to witness and to do (Acts 1:8, Philippians 2:13)  and tells of things to come (16:13-14). HE interprets GOD’s words for us (1 Corinthians 2:10-12) in fact HE moved the writers of the Bible in what they should say (2 Peter 1:22-21). HE prays for us, walks with us and leads we who believe in JESUS as well as restraining the evil of this world  and the lawless one from utter chaos until the appointed time (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7).

Lo, these are parts of HIS ways: but how little a portion is heard of HIM? but the thunder of HIS power who can understand? (Job 26:14).

I leave it to you to check these things out and discover more of the wonder of our  GOD.

Hugs

Sharon