Thy love is better than wine

"Thy love is better than wine."
Song of Solomon 1:2
Nothing gives the believer so much joy as fellowship with Christ. He has enjoyment as others have in the common mercies of life, he can be glad both in God's gifts and God's works; but in all these separately, yea, and in all of them added together, he doth not find such substantial delight as in the matchless person of his Lord Jesus. He has wine which no vineyard on earth ever yielded; he has bread which all the corn-fields of Egypt could never bring forth. Where can such sweetness be found as we have tasted in communion with our Beloved? In our esteem, the joys of earth are little better than husks for swine compared with Jesus, the heavenly manna. We would rather have one mouthful of Christ's love, and a sip of his fellowship, than a whole world full of carnal delights. What is the chaff to the wheat? What is the sparkling paste to the true diamond? What is a dream to the glorious reality? What is time's mirth, in its best trim, compared to our Lord Jesus in his most despised estate? If you know anything of the inner life, you will confess that our highest, purest, and most enduring joys must be the fruit of the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. No spring yields such sweet water as that well of God which was digged with the soldier's spear. All earthly bliss is of the earth earthy, but the comforts of Christ's presence are like himself, heavenly. We can review our communion with Jesus, and find no regrets of emptiness therein; there are no dregs in this wine, no dead flies in this ointment. The joy of the Lord is solid and enduring. Vanity hath not looked upon it, but discretion and prudence testify that it abideth the test of years, and is in time and in eternity worthy to be called "the only true delight." For nourishment, consolation, exhilaration, and refreshment, no wine can rival the love of Jesus. Let us drink to the full this evening.

http://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/

Man is first and foremost, of Spirit

There Is an Inward Man & an Outward Man

“For which cause we faint not; but though our OUTWARD MAN perish, yet the INWARD MAN is renewed day by day.” (2Corinthians 4:16)

The outward man grows old and dies physically. The inward man just keeps improving as he exposes himself to the written Word of God. Keep this in mind. The outward man is not the real you. The inward man, the spirit man, is the real you. 

“But THERE IS A SPIRIT IN MAN: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.” (Job 32:8)

The spirit man is contained within the physical man, and it is as distinct as a balloon and the breath that keeps the balloon inflated. As I said, your body is actually your Earth suit. You cannot live in the Earth without your Earth suit any more than a scuba diver can live under water without his outward scuba gear.

“The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and FORMETH THE SPIRIT OF MAN WITHIN HIM.” (Zechariah 12:1)

You are a spirit. If you are Born Again, God lives in your spirit. (1Corinthians 6:17) If you are Born Again, the Bible calls your body “the Temple of the Living God.” (2Corinthians 6:16) Even more specifically, the Bible calls your body “the Temple of the Holy Ghost.” (1Corinthians 6:19) Your body contains your human spirit. Your human spirit contains the Holy Spirit and this is how your body becomes the “Temple of the Holy Spirit.”

Because the Holy Spirit lives in your spirit, this is where the primary form of guidance will come from. Yes, the Holy Spirit can give dreams, visions, prophecies, voices and Angelic visitations as forms of guidance, but none of these are the primary way that God guides all Believers daily. Next to the Written Word of God, the primary way the Holy Spirit speaks to Believers is through their human spirit. The Holy Spirit does not guide through feelings. Feelings are the voice of the body. The Holy Spirit does not lead through reason. Reason is the voice of the soul. The Holy Spirit leads through His Spirit within the human spirit.

“FOR AS MANY AS ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, they are the sons of God. … THE SPIRIT ITSELF (HIMSELF) BEARETH WITNESS WITH OUR SPIRIT…” (Romans 8:14,16)

The sons and daughters of God are to be led primarily by the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit will bear witness with our spirits as to what is and what is not God’s will for our lives. We will study this thoroughly in the next lesson.

Keep in mind principal number one as we set out on our study on the Holy Spirit and supernatural Biblical guidance. YOU ARE A SPIRIT, YOU HAVE A SOUL AND YOU SIMPLY LIVE IN A BODY. The Holy Spirit lives within your spirit. It is only reasonable that it is from your spirit that you will receive His primary form of guidance. If you miss it here, you will miss the most common form of guidance in the Bible. If you miss it here, you will end up in the spiritual ditch on the side of the spiritual road as you travel.

“Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.” (Proverbs 20:5)

The counsel, the wisdom and the supernatural guidance you need are already resident within your spirit. The Bible says that it is like deep water because it is way down on the inside of you, in your spirit. (1Corinthians 1:30) A wise person will do whatever it takes to draw that counsel, wisdom and supernatural guidance up and out. 

 

http://www.johnhamelministries.org/you_are_spirit_being.htm

 

http://www.johnhamelministries.org/guidance_super_biblical_01_spiritnature.htm

The Prodigal Son

The Parable of the Lost Son

¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.
“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.

²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷ ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

²⁸ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

The Lord is good

God "will give to each person according to what he has done."
Romans 2:6
Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.
Rev 22:12

He does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
Psalm 103:10

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
Psalm 145:8-9

For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
Heb 8:12

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Heb 4:13

For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths.
Proverbs 5:21

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Isa 1:20

Your wrongdoings have kept these away; your sins have deprived you of good.
Jer 5:25

It's your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.
Isa 59:2

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus.
Acts 3:19-20

For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
Jeremiah 31:25

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
John 6:37

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
Psalm 116:7

Give thanks to the Lord

Psalm 118

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

² Let Israel say:
“His love endures forever.”
³ Let the house of Aaron say:
“His love endures forever.”
⁴ Let those who fear the Lord say:
“His love endures forever.”

⁵ When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
he brought me into a spacious place.
⁶ The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
⁷ The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies.

⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in humans.
⁹ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
¹⁰ All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹¹ They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹² They swarmed around me like bees,
but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹³ I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the Lord helped me.
¹⁴ The Lord is my strength and my defense^[a];
he has become my salvation.

¹⁵ Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
¹⁶ The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
¹⁷ I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
¹⁸ The Lord has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
¹⁹ Open for me the gates of the righteous;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
²⁰ This is the gate of the Lord
through which the righteous may enter.
²¹ I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.

²² The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
²³ the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
²⁴ The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.

²⁵ Lord, save us!
Lord, grant us success!

²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.^[b]
27 The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up^[c] to the horns of the altar.

²⁸ You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.

²⁹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Psalm 136

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
⁵ who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
⁶ who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
⁷ who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
⁸ the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
⁹ the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.

¹⁰ to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
¹¹ and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
¹² with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.

¹³ to him who divided the Red Sea^[a] asunder
His love endures forever.
¹⁴ and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
¹⁵ but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.

¹⁶ to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures forever.

¹⁷ to him who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.
¹⁸ and killed mighty kings—
His love endures forever.
¹⁹ Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.
²⁰ and Og king of Bashan—
His love endures forever.
²¹ and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
²² an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures forever.

²³ He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
²⁴ and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
²⁵ He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.

²⁶ Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.

Hope through the Spirit

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

A Definition of Hope

What is hope? Is it a wishy washy maybe or a kind of unsure optimism? The modern idea of hope is “to wish for, to expect, but without certainty of the fulfillment; to desire very much, but with no real assurance of getting your desire.”

In Scripture, according to the Hebrew and Greek words translated by the word “hope” and according to the biblical usage, hope is an indication of certainty. “Hope” in Scripture means “a strong and confident expectation.” Though archaic today in modern terms, hope is akin to trust and a confident expectation.

Hope may refer to the activity of hoping, or to the object hoped for—the content of one’s hope. By its very nature, hope stresses two things: (a) futurity, and (b) invisibility. It deals with things we can’t see or haven’t received or both .

Romans 8:24-25 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Biblically, from the standpoint of the object hoped for, hope is synonymous with salvation and its many blessings, past, present, and future, as promised in Scripture. This is true even with what we have already received as believers because these blessings come under the category of what we cannot see. We may see some of the results, but it still requires faith and hope. For example, we do not see the justifying work of God, the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to our account, nor do we see the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when we are saved, nor our co-union with Christ. We believe this to be a reality, but this is a matter of our hope. We believe in the testimony of God in the Word and hope for the results in our lives.

In summary, hope is the confident expectation, the sure certainty that what God has promised in the Word is true, has occurred, and or will in accordance with God’s sure Word.

Hope has its Rewards and Blessings

(1) It gives us joy and peace.

Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 5:2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

(2) It gives us protection.

Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness,

(3) It gives us strength, courage, boldness.

Psalm 31:24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD.

(4) It gives us endurance, comfort, confidence in the face of death.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope.

(5) It gives us confidence in ministry.

1 Timothy 4:10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

 

http://bible.org/article/hope

Forbearance

(From Forerunner Commentary)

Have we made forbearance a part of our character? We often think we are forbearing, and we may not be. The basic dictionary definition of forbearance is "refraining from the enforcement of something." Refraining from the enforcement of something could be a debt, a right we have, an obligation that has come due and needs to be paid, etc. This is a legal-sounding definition. The idea of forbearance arises in the Bible under different words. Forbearance could be explained as showing patience, even though a thing is owed to us. It is holding back or restraining the self from doing something that is normal to do. It is controlling oneself when provoked or offended. Its synonyms show us some of the nuances of forbearance: "patience," "leniency." Leniency does not mean that one allows something to continue. A more strict definition is that one does not give the full punishment for something or the full amount of something. You still exact justice, but it is not as harsh as it could be. Another synonym is "tolerance." There are levels of tolerance. One can tolerate a person and not tolerate what he has done. One could forbear with him while he is trying to repent. Another is "self-restraint," which is holding back the self from doing a thing that one may come to regret. Another synonym is "command of temper." Do we lash out when something happens, rather than control ourselves? "Endurance" and "longsuffering" are also synonymous to "forbearance." Even "clemency" can be used for "forbearance," as it occurs in the New King James at least once or twice. Yet another term is "mildness," suggesting that one is mild rather than harsh in judgment or reaction. Another synonym would be "mercy" or "merciful," as well as the word "pardon." All these are synonyms of forbearance that give us an idea, a glimpse, into how broad the application of forbearance is. Several Hebrew words are translated "forbear" or "forbearance" or "forbearing" in the Old Testament, but they all have similar meanings. They run from "to keep silent or to be still," "to stop or leave off doing something," "to withhold from," or "to spare another." Another means "to draw or to stretch out" or "to prolong," for instance, as in prolonging, drawing out, or stretching out another's period of grace to repay a debt. Another one means "to contain or hold in," as in self-restraint. One holds in what he feels like doing; he restrains himself from lashing out at another.

Read more: http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/1372/Forbearance.htm#ixzz2GypeH0qo

Commit to the Lord

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3 

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Matthew 6:33

Jehovah Jireh

It's a new year

Everyday is a new day. Happy New Year!