Not Remain An Outcast - 2 Samuel 14:14

2 Samuel 14:14 ESV 

We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God will not take away life, and he devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast.

This passage would seem to contain the essence of what God has done and is doing. He has made a way for those who are lost, that they may be reconciled to life. 

The water was spilled long ago. Adam spilled man's water of life through disobedience. Death entered creation and could not be undone. Adam and we were banished from our access to life, but God did not take away life. 

There is a way to return, to be an outcast no longer. With obedience we can reverse the curse of disobedience and return to a right relationship with the living God. 

He invites us all to drink of the living water which flows eternally. 

Wrath Has Come - 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 ESV

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

There is nothing new under the sun except for a new creature born from the word of God. As Cain slew Abel, and the Jews that crucified Jesus and drove believers from their midst, so do the sons of Ishmael seek to kill all Jews and Christians. They are hostile to mankind by opposing God and His Son Jesus Christ. Instead of the salvation of the earth, they seek its destruction and death. This is the spirit that was a murderer from the beginning. 

Jesus can save these souls by casting out the demons that possess them. He can bring anyone to their right mind and free them from the shackles of possession. No longer wandering among the tombs and crying out as they suffer, they might still find the peace of God. 

Let everyone come to the Lord that will come, because the wrath of God is coming and  has come. He is dividing the sheep from the goats even now. 

Your People Israel - 2 Samuel 7:22-24

2 Samuel 7:22-24 ESV 

Therefore you are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving out before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, a nation and its gods? And you established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever. And you, O Lord, became their God.

Written thousands of years ago, this passage like many others speaks of that special and eternal relationship between God and Israel. A nation that has faced many trials and was dispersed for thousands of years, only to be regathered by the hand of God. 

The past has confirmed this to be the case. The future awaits fulfillment of the rest of God's plan. God is with them and pity the one who attacks His chosen people. 

Your kingdom come

Your will be done 

On earth as it is in heaven 

Out Of The Heart - Matthew 15:19

Matthew 15:19 ESV

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil grows in every man. The choice depicted in the Garden is replicated in each heart. Temptations abound. 

The tree of life is on the outside, but is within our reach. The seed from that tree can take root and fill the space in our hearts until there is room for nothing else but life.

Inheritance - Ephesians 5:5

Ephesians 5:5 ESV 

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Idolatry emanates from within. It is what comes out of a man that defiles him. This is the home of darkness and where the the light seeks entry. 

Manifestation of idolatry for ancient man included carved or shaped objects that would sit in an honored spot. Idolatry is no less prevalent today. It manifests in the way we live. 

Idolaters have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Their inheritance is the dust of the earth. 

Walk In Love - Ephesians 5:2

Ephesians 5:2 ESV 

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

God told Abraham to walk in promised land, and wherever his feet touched the ground would be given to him and his descendants. 

Our walk with Christ might have a similar effect and meaning. We walk in the kingdom of heaven, even though our feet touch the ground of fallen earth, leaving the imprint of our passing. The earth will be made new, restored and released from the curse of Adam's disobedience. 

Our walk is a fragrant offering and sacrifice that pleases God. This is the walk in love. We give ourselves up for Christ as He gave Himself for us. Love is perfected and complete. His word has gone forth and filled the void. 

At One Time - Ephesians 5:8-10

Ephesians 5:8-10 ESV 

for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

In the beginning there was only darkness. God decreed light and separated light from darkness. 

We were that darkness. He has separated us from that darkness to the light of His being. We are brought into His house and become one with the Lord. 

 There we walk in truth, goodness, and the righteousness of that light. 

It is in that light we can perceive what is pleasing to the Lord. 

The Manifestation - 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 ESV 

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

1 Corinthians 12:11

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

It is the same Spirit, the same Lord, and the same God Who empowers everyone. We each contribute our unique flesh to this divine mixture of heaven and earth. We are many bodies which make up the one body of Christ. In our multitude we express the divine One, the I Am. 

Are You The Only Ones? - 1 Corinthians 14:36-40

1 Corinthians 14:36-40 ESV 

Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order.

The word of God is for everyone. He that does not recognize this, or ignorant of this, will be ignored. There is one Spirit, but many gifts. There are many who are part of the one body of Christ. 

Edification of the Church is paramount and all gifts are for the edification of the Church. 

The Lord Your God - 1 Samuel 12:19

1 Samuel 12:19 ESV

And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.”

1 Samuel 12:24-25

Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”

The people sought mercy from the Lord for rejecting the Lord as king. They did not say "our God", but "your God". This confirms their view and relationship with the Lord. God had chosen them as His people, but they had not chosen Him as their God. 

We might pause to consider our relationship with God. The Israelites had vowed to do all He commanded, but had fallen away over time. Their own desires had taken precedence over their desire for the Lord. There are consequences to taking this path. He forgives, but if we still act wickedly, we might find ourselves swept away by the sea of this world. 

These things are written for us that we might learn from the past. May we be reminded of who and whose we are. 

In A Parable - Psalms 78:2-4

Psalms 78:2-4 ESV

I will open my mouth in a parable;

I will utter dark sayings from of old,

things that we have heard and known,

that our fathers have told us.

We will not hide them from their children,

but tell to the coming generation

the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,

and the wonders that he has done.

 Any word without the light of God will be dark for the one who walks in darkness. The one who has the Spirit has the light of understanding. 

Life is a parable, a wonderful and glorious story of God bringing a new creation into being. 

Granted Her - Revelation 19:7-8

Revelation 19:7-8 ESV 

Let us rejoice and exult

and give him the glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come,

and his Bride has made herself ready;

it was granted her to clothe herself

with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

It has been granted us to clothe ourselves in righteousness. He gives us the way and remains by our side as we journey down that path. 

We are given the gift of life. We are to live it. 

Every Branch In Me - John 15:1-2

John 15:1-2 ESV 

​“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

The branch not producing fruit is likely to be taken away. The Greek word for "takes away" has a root meaning of "lifting up". The branch does not bear fruit if it has fallen to the ground. It can bear fruit if lifted up. That's what Yeshua does. For those branches bearing fruit, He prunes them to bear more. 

We abide in the true vine by our obedience. If we remain on the ground, or in the world, we are in danger of the world's fate. 

Be Holy - 1 Peter 1:14-16

1 Peter 1:14-16 ESV 

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

This is a declaration and command, "be holy." We are declared a holy people by the One Who calls us out of the world. We are a separated people unto the Lord. 

We are commanded to be holy, living in the life of God. We are and are becoming holy at the same time as we transform through the renewing of our minds into the image of God.  

The Lord Is The Spirit - 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 ESV 

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

The Lord is the Spirit and the Spirit is the Lord. It is that Spirit Who transforms us from one glory the another. We change to the glory of the Lord as sons of God and are being gradually transformed into His image by degrees. 

We behold the glory of the Lord, for the veil separating man from God is removed . He has come to dwell in us. We begin to change on the inside and will be complete inside and out when He comes again. 

The Letter Kills - 2 Corinthians 3:4-6

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 ESV 

Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

The Ten Commandments came through the glory of God, but they were not able to save man because he was unable to keep them. They did prepare the way for Yeshua (Jesus) to come with the saving grace to offer and accomplish salvation. 

The letter kills. This is the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The law would open the eyes of man to that knowledge, but would not provide a way, the power, to choose that way. Yeshua would come to provide that way, the Spirit Who gives life.

Enlarge My Heart - Psalms 119:28-32

Psalms 119:28-32 ESV 

My soul melts away for sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word!

Put false ways far from me

and graciously teach me your law!

I have chosen the way of faithfulness;

I set your rules before me.

I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;

let me not be put to shame!

I will run in the way of your commandments

when you enlarge my heart!

Matthew 5:4

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

His word gives the way to the Lord. When Paul speaks about running the race set before us, this is what he's speaking of: "I will run in the way of your commandments." This is the way of faithfulness and in that faithfulness we are to endure to the end. 

Our hearts are enlarged by the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and bearer of the truth. We make room for His dwelling and His word. 

Out Of Heaven - Revelation 21:2

Revelation 21:2

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Just as Israel was gathered to Jerusalem, so will the body of Christ be gathered to the new Jerusalem. The new Jerusalem is in heaven above and will descend to earthly Jerusalem. We will be part of that city, born from above and the bride of Christ. Adorned with the righteousness of Christ, we are ready for that union. 

Your Seed - Genesis 22:15-18

Genesis 22:15-18 NASB 

Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

The seed of Abraham is Christ, but we are part of that seed that is multiplied beyond counting. We have entered the body of Christ and become brothers and sisters of Christ and sons of God. It is in that seed the nations find their blessing. 

The gates of their enemies, even the very gates of hell, will give way to the brightness of His coming. 

Sand Of The Sea - Revelation 12:17

Revelation 12:17 ESV 

Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.

Genesis 32:12

But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’”

Isaiah 10:22-23

For though your people Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. Destruction is decreed, overflowing with righteousness. For the Lord God of hosts will make a full end, as decreed, in the midst of all the earth.

The sand of the sea can symbolize Israel and the those who hold to the testimony of Jesus. The dragon wages war on those that follow God. Witness the open hostility of of the world against Israel and the mounting persecution of Christians here in the U.S. and around the world. 

A full righteous end is looming before us and then the sea will be no more. 

Thus Tongues - 1 Corinthians 14:22-25

1 Corinthians 14:22-25 ESV 

Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

The gift of speaking in tongues is given to reach foreigners who speak with a different tongue. Revealing Scripture speaks to the heart of the believer and unbeliever alike. It is in the hearing of the word, the understanding of the word translating into the life of the word, that fulfills the purpose of God. The highest and ultimate tongue is when our life speaks the divine word of God. This is our hope and expectation for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. 

In The Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 12:3

1 Corinthians 12:3 ESV 

Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

We see here the manifestation of darkness and light. Both are defined and differentiated by their view of Jesus. The presence of the Holy Spirit makes this possible. 

Those with the Spirit can see the Son of God because that same God dwells within us. Through the one Spirit we know the one God. It is given to those who understand to be adopted into His house, that we dwell with Him. 

But That Of Many - 1 Corinthians 10:31-33

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 ESV 

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

We now have to freedom to seek the good of others. The love of God is not selfish and seeks the salvation of every man and woman. The extravagant love of God should and will overflow the more we are able receive it and make it our own. 

In The Wilderness - 1 Corinthians 10:1-6

1 Corinthians 10:1-6 ESV 

​For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.

Paul says this is an example of what can happen to a believer. Drinking from the Rock that is Christ did not protect the Israelites from their evil desire. It could have had they sought God. The only way to please God is with faith. Drinking from the spiritual water in faith will ensure safe passage through the wilderness. 

We choose to remain or pass through. He has made the way. 

Work Of The Law - Romans 2:14-16

Romans 2:14-16 ESV 

For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

It is the Holy Spirit Who provides the work of the law to be written on their hearts. It is a new nature that awakens the conscience and bears witness to the presence of God. It is that presence that allows us to know wrong from right. It is the presence and work of the Spirit which proves our salvation. 

Coming Between - Exodus 14:19-20

Exodus 14:19-20 AMP 

And the Angel of God Who went before the host of Israel moved and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before them and stood behind them,

Coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. It was a cloud and darkness to the Egyptians, but it gave light by night to the Israelites; and the one host did not come near the other all night.

The one cloud is darkness to one and light to the other. The word of God is light to one and dark to another. A parable is open for one and closed to another. 

God separates light from darkness. Walk in the light as children of light. 

Those Who Love God - Romans 8:28-30

Romans 8:28-30 ESV 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

All things are not good, but they can strengthen and teach those that love the Lord. All are called, but few answer. His purpose is to harvest many sons in the image of His Son. Those that answer are destined for glory. He will do this. 

Our journey is unique, but our destination is the same. 

In My Mother's Womb - Psalms 139:13-14

Psalms 139:13-14 ESV 

For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

Is a baby a person before it leaves the womb? God has His hand on every child and is from the beginning a work of wonder by the Creator. 

Does the child have a soul? Even the dead have a soul, whether in the ground or walking around before rebirth. 

Has The Testimony - 1 John 5:9-10

1 John 5:9-10 NASB 

If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.

The word is truly heard not with our ears, but within the heart. From the inside, the Spirit overflows into the heart and into the world. The testimony is proclaimed in a life given life. 

Through The Law - Romans 3:19-20

Romans 3:19-20 NASB 

Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

The Law is given to Israel and the whole world becomes accountable. This may remind us of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that grew in the Garden of Eden. It was in the Garden from the beginning, as was the tree of life. The creation account lays the foundation and blueprint of God's plan and purpose for man. 

It is the way we are justified. Through the law we discover sin. Only then are we able to separate light from darkness and begin moving toward the light. 

God chooses those who choose Him. He knew this from the beginning. The end will be a new creation and we will enter His rest. He sees this as well. 

And it is very good. 

Deceived Me - Romans 7:9-12

Romans 7:9-12 ESV 

I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

The same thing was demonstrated in the Garden. Sin entered through deception and proved the death for Adam and Eve, for all mankind. The commandment was broken. The knowledge of good and evil, a life compromised by the darkness of evil, was unleashed according to their disobedience. Death followed after the serpent. 

The Israelites were given a similar choice of life and death. The law, showing the difference between good and evil, was disobeyed. Choosing evil always results in death. 

We are given the opportunity to choose for ourselves between life and death. We have the same choice as was before Adam, to pick the fruit of our destiny. Leave the chains of the law and stand before God. Overcome the world you've been given for the life of the living.