Triggers

     Triggers         7-7-18

In Warren Buffet’s book authored by Alice Schroder she gives out a secret to a means of Mr. Buffet’s secret to his worldly success in the making of his wealth.  The book starts out with this insight.

In the winter of Warren’s ninth year. Outside in the yard, he and his little sister, Bertie, are playing in the snow.

One is catching snowflakes. One at a time at first. Then he is scooping them out by handfuls. He starts the pack them into a ball. As the snowball grows bigger, he places it on the ground. Slowly it begins to roll. He gives it a push, and it picks up more snow. He pushes the snowball across the lawn, piling snow on snow. Soon he reaches the edge of the yard. After a moment of hesitation, he heads off, rolling the snowball through the neighborhood.

And from there, Warren continues onward, casting his eyes on a whole world full of snow.

In Warren’s case it’s not so much a world covered with snow as it is the world full of money. The book’s name is entitled “Snowball.” It starts here with the comparison of a man that is as of 2018 possesses a networth of 84 billion dollars. It is Mr. Buffet’s accumulation of wealth that is as the “Snowball” that becomes larger with each push. It is here as a nine year old boy reaching the perimeter and safety of his yard and yet with the question, how big can I get this “Snowball” if I get it beyond the border of my yard?  

I see this as Warren’s (TRIGGER.) How many would as a nine year old risk the safety of home, and the leaving the sight of mom and dad to perhaps to his own disobedience and the risk of punishment to answer the question. How big can I get this “Snowball” if I roll this through the neighborhood, through the streets of town?

There was something that brought forth the idea that would later (TRIGGER) the means of the mind of Warren Buffet’s successful journey of gathering and accumulating his wealth.

There is in the bible a character that was also of immense wealth, and yet too he also had a (TRIGGER.)

There was such a huge transformation in him but here it gives us his (TRIGGER) that resulted in also his “Snowball.”

3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.

4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.

Solomon it says, (LOVED THE LORD…)

He loved the LORD, not because he said, he loved the LORD… Solomon loved the LORD because he showed he loved the LORD…

Surely we can get into Solomon’s failures and mistakes of a choice that brought him hurt and brought things into his life. In fact if you read this chapter from verse 1 Solomon starts out with a mistake that would later come back to hurt him. Yet, what is noted is this before all of that, Solomon loves the LORD…

A (TRIGGER) that one can see that caused him to receive blessing even though that was not his agenda. Solomon loved the LORD to such a point that unlike this day, Solomon backed it up by his worship. Solomon backed it up by his desire. Solomon backed it up with the effort of leaving home to get to Gibeon to the mountain that Moses had set up as the place of worship. Solomon left and did not leave alone. Solomon took with him the means to worship with a 1,000 offerings and sacrifices to the LORD…

Can you see that Solomon loved the LORD? And because Solomon loved the LORD it (TRIGGERED) a response from heaven that could not be contained.

5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

It brought forth something that came back to Solomon, not in the form of a question but a command. “Ask what I shall give thee.” Heaven had its own (TRIGGER.) Heaven had a response.

* Solomon went to church.

* Solomon went to the place where one goes to worship.

* Solomon went to the place where the results of heaven comes down.

It wasn’t the amount of offerings and sacrifices that mattered it was that there was effort and there was a faith that said.

* Its not because of what I can get.

* Not because of blessing, favor, or promise to obtain.

One reason that (TRIGGERED.) "And Solomon loved the LORD," and he backed it up by showing that yes, he did love the LORD.

One doesn’t see that because they pray at home. The bible doesn’t say that because he stayed home and watched some religious program at home. Its not even stated that he got out the prophets’ writings and read the word in his bedroom. It says that Solomon loved the LORD and he showed it and heaven seen it and then the LORD blessed it. “And what shall I give thee.”

Then Solomon seeing what GOD said, I want a big house… I want a shiny new Harley Davidson… I want a nice car… I want the latest and greatest in fashion… I want the best of appliances… I want a timeshare off of Florida keys. NO!!! Of course not, this isnt what Solomon asked for even though he could have. But there was a (TRIGGER) that was there and the LORD trusted in Solomon because, Solomon loved the LORD.

6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;

12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.    KJV

TRIGGERS--- What is your motivation? How is your worship? How is your praise, your sacrifice, your offering? How is it you love the LORD? What causes you to get beyond your perimeter to the point of risk? How far will you roll your "Snowball?"

Solomon what? You got to be kidding me. No gold, no silver, no riches, no increase to your kingdom? No greater name or reputation. No vanquishing of all your enemies. Nope, something was in the heart of Solomon and he pulled the (TRIGGER) that day… “And Solomon loved the LORD.” And he packed up and went and made an offering unto the LORD.

Do you love the LORD?

 

Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

IF ONLY

28              IF Only

If only they could see? If only they could understand?

Is this not like GOD as HE looks down on HIS creation from the time of man’s fall until the present?

I see this great question. If only???

Jesus and HIS earthly ministry. We see HIM and HIS dealings with Israel. At this one particular event and there be others of course, but this one sticks out… Jesus says…

Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!    KJV

This would define the ministry of Jesus. HIS ever loving, reaching arms to embrace HIS people. However, only to watch and see HIS creation turn away from HIM. Unfortunately, this often is in most people today.

Thus, we see reason for HIS church, because it’s HIS church HE has empowered to complete HIS work in the earth. HIS love and compassion, is not only accessible, HIS love is still available…

Two words to me fully captures what I believe to be what GOD has always intended to be… These two words, “IF ONLY???” This seems to be revealed in that Jesus is giving HIS life for…

I’M HERE TO BE WHAT YOU NEED… IF ONLY???

I AM HERE SO YOU CAN HAVE A WAY OUT… IF ONLY???

I AM HERE AS YOUR MEANS OF RESCUE… IF ONLY???

I AM YOUR ESCAPE… IF ONLY???

I don’t mean to over simplify, but is it really difficult to understand? Our creator wants relationship, and fellowship and most of humanity reject and deny HIM of HIS desire… Yet, JESUS is seen beckoning and saying… IF ONLY???

Jesus said, I sent you the prophets and you killed them… I sent you John the Baptist and again you have rejected him… I have come to the lost sheep and again I have been rejected…

·        Matt 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil

19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.     KJV

There was an excuse then and there is the excuse today. And again, I hear Jesus say, IF ONLY???  

Jesus just prior to these two verses in verse fifteen, Jesus said, “he that hath ears let him hear.” I can’t help but see Christ’s heart here saying, IF ONLY???

In the Luke 14… Jesus gives a parable that speaks again of the house of Israel and Christ’s invitation…

Luke 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.     KJV

Jesus’ desire was to Israel

·        They (Israel) were all bidden.

·        The house was made ready.

·        The food was on the table.

·        The invitations given.

Except they all had their excuse for not coming. Can you hear as I hear? IF ONLY???

Verses 21 says then he sent for the poor, the maimed, the halt and the blind. This represents the (Gentile) people. We that were broken, those who were of the highways and the hedges. Us, except it is now our excuses that separate us from HIM.

Verse 22 says, (THERE IS ROOM…) Verse 23 says, (THAT MY HOUSE MAY BE FILLED…) This is telling us there is yet room. His house is yet to be filled.  

The heart of GOD is seen here… IF ONLY???

IF ONLY???

If only they would??? Not if they could…

If only they committed??? If only they knew my love for them??? IF ONLY???

I HEAR THIS, AND I SEE THIS THROUGHOUT THE SCRIPTURES IN GOD’S LOVE FOR HIS CREATION… That age old question. IF ONLY???

HIS longsuffering, HIS mercy, HIS grace, HIS love seen; and yet answered in the question. IF ONLY???

 

Shadetree

27           SHADETREE          

There are many things that are needed and are called for because of its specific nature and need… People as well that go through school, college and special training to their specific fields to meet specific need…

There was a time at least back in the day of what we knew and often even noted of ourselves and others as “shade tree mechanics…” Meaning that while this wasn’t our particular field of labor and living or even to our training we got by in repairs that the broke down car demanded… Therefore, up under “the shade tree” the repair of the family car was done…

There is a term of description that perhaps may yet too, be still in use… Perhaps you have heard it… One called “a jack of all trades and master of none…” Meaning that there was no special training outside of working and doing and by experience taught themselves the particulars to the multiple demands of each trade…

It is of course today with the ever-changing times that without a doubt has increased the demands of certain trades… Licensing, insurances, hours on the job, hours of training and continual schooling in keeping up with the ever growing and increasing technology… This and more just to meet the certification necessary to do the job…

We understand when it comes to root canals not any so called “shade tree” type of dentist gets to do the job… The family car isn’t going down to the guy with the car pulled up under the shade tree… Were not taking the family member in need of a heart surgeon to the guy who said he would be glad to do it and save you a little money… “Yes sir, just come out back to the shed behind the house where we can perform the necessary lifesaving operation…” No thanks!!!

When it comes to specifics and qualifications necessary I think we can say “we don’t want a shade tree doctor” doing a valve replacement for our loved one… I think sometimes life does call for the “specialist,” the one who isn’t a “jack of all trades…” NO doubt, they that have given themselves to study and have completed the rigors of hours demanded to be certified is the one that performs the surgery needed…

·        What about the preacher of the word of GOD to you and for your family’s salvation???

·        Do you even have a pastor??? Or is it some person that comes across your television screen that doesn’t even know you or your family???

·        What about the matters of your soul???

·        What about our eternal destination???

We certainly don’t mind driving and flying across the country and even in some cases seeking knowledge and treatment out of the country for a chance at health… Yet, when it comes to our soul it is of little concern to some of us… Is this not what Paul was saying when in comparing the physical body to that of the spiritual???

1 Tim 4:8 Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.

This ought to be our answer and yet, how error is so much alive today… Satan’s deception to get us to demean or ignore that which should be the greatest of importance… How easy it is for some to believe anything and anybody rather than seek out the word of GOD and the one who specializes in HIS word… How sad that some can give themselves to traditions of men and a word derived by man and from man rather than the word of GOD…

We seek out the specialist for this and that… We take confidence in our barber, our mechanic, our doctor, dentist, our plumber, roofer, the engineer, and so on… Yet, the word of GOD is absent and unheeded in our lives as no word from the LORD is sought… Yet, GOD has anointed a preacher and he stands against the devil and he preaches the truth of what is holy, what is righteous, and what is sin…

Hear the preacher…

Eccl 12:8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.    KJV

Hear the preacher…

Eccl 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.      KJV

 

Thanks for reading...

Knowledge

26                 Knowledge          

Knowledge is a powerful thing… Knowledge can be what makes the tool efficient and the thing repaired to run correctly… Knowledge to as a weapon it can define the winner of the battle and even the final victor of the war… Knowledge can be the work of education, diligence in study, and the investment of a good teacher… Yes, knowledge is a powerful thing. If you are sensing a pause or an explanation here, you are correct. Because while knowledge is a powerful thing it’s a very different thing to possess the knowledge needed and yet, not possess the understanding of when to use that knowledge…

Just a few days ago, Hawaii got a notice of a missile heading their way and the words was to take immediate action, and seek shelter… Someone had to type the message, someone had to verify the message and then someone had to push the send button… Maybe it’s not quite like the way I described it, but something similar to that description. The point is that someone was hired and trained for that, particular job… Someone possessed the knowledge of how and actions to take as recourse to evade, evacuate, and endure certain dangers. While they had the knowledge of what to do and how to do it… They knew what to say in the message and too how to relay the message. Someone that was trained and familiar with all the protocols… The person or persons that had the job and had the knowledge, according to what we now know, is there never was a missile. There never was a danger… Kim Jong Un never pushed his send button. However, it wasn’t until after the basements of hotels were filled with people… While moms and dads were running and driving frantically to pick up the kids, the grandparents… All of this to get their loved ones to a safer place. And still others, scared for their lives and now as I type this are now perhaps securing lawyers to sue for pain and suffering and loss of pay and perhaps even loss of mind… Even some I could go as far and say perhaps pursuing the passing of legislation to legalize marijuana use for their pain and suffering.

While the knowledge was there in how and in what to do. It is evident that the knowledge possessed of when to do it was not present.

Knowledge that day did the wrong thing because the failure was the lack of understanding as to when to use the knowledge they possessed.

Knowledge of what one knows and what one thinks they know is very different.

Jesus made a judgement… He separated what HE called the sheep and the goats…

Matt 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats :

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.    KJV

Jesus describes and uses the analogy of a shepherd dividing these two animals in the gathering of the nations of this world… He used sheep and HE used goats. Neither are described as geniuses… Neither is described as knowing more than the other. The question, what does the sheep have that the goats don’t that win the favor of the shepherd??? It’s rather simple really. The sheep know how to be a sheep and of course it’s the sheep that are known to follow the shepherd.

What are you today??? Do you know the voice of the shepherd??? Let that be your answer…

Thank you for reading…

 

Workers

25                  Workers               

What is it that makes up the day of the church??? What can be attributed to this generation of the church???

To answer this, one must consider the times associated with the day and what callings are specific to the church…

Consider the words of Paul in his description of the church…

1 Cor 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.  KJV

Laborer’s--- meaning one who toils… Worker, or helper…

This is a description of the church 1) laborers together with GOD… 2) God’s husbandry--- farm… 3) God’s building or structure… Yet, my attention is on the first description… “Laborer’s together with GOD…”  It’s this one that holds that we are with GOD; a companion in labor with GOD…

This no doubt has been from the infancy of the church… We can even see it with Jesus… He sent HIS disciples out two at a time… He gave us “the great commission…” Everywhere we see in the gospels there is something that can be seen as one who is working…

When Jesus was left behind by Joseph and HIS mother Mary and they retraced their steps in seeking out Jesus… Note what Jesus says when they find HIM is the synagogue…

Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

Jesus seems to as one writer put it… Lay upon them but one of two things… 1) their ignorance of them not knowing why HE was doing what HE was doing… Or, 2) they forgot as to why HE was doing what HE was doing… Note the following verse…

50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.     KJV

They understood not the response HE gave them as to why HE was where HE was and doing what HE was doing… He was as HE put it, even as a child doing, “HIS FATHER’S BUSINESS…” Or can be translated as being in HIS FATHER’S HOUSE… The fact is they both agree to the one fact that Jesus was working and laboring as flesh in the behalf of HIS Father…

John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.  KJV

This again has to do with HIM working to fulfill the will of HIS Father…

There can be no greater description than of the church… There is not getting around it… There is no escaping it… The church is laboring with Christ… We are HIS servants in the field…

Jesus said in another place, “greater works than these shall you do…” John 14:12

Again this is pointing to HIS church and emphasis on “works…”

This cannot be the case if this isn’t the description that is seen… If we are missing this, then how can this be the church??? The primary purpose of there even being a John the Baptist was so that he could pave the way of the LORD… This was the anointed work of John the Baptist with the primary purpose that Jesus would be known of others… It was He, Jesus who had come to take away the sins of the world by baptizing with the Holy Ghost and fire… Again this again shows John the Baptist’s work and his pointing to what would be Christ’s work…

Show me where Jesus is seen and known today, and I will show you a working church… A revival church is a church that is working… Praying, giving, fasting, bible studies, and being consistent in these things, is a means of us being empowered to work in GOD’S kingdom… These things are the fuel in the tank that gives the “go” in the Great Commission…” Go ye into all the world… (etc…)

We read that all to familiar passage and parable of the “prodigal son.” His request was “give me” what is mine inheritance… I wonder, was it so much the enticement of the world and its riotess living that got him or was it the fact that he was looking to escape the responsibilities of the farm and his father???

We are seeing in this age the mentality of way too many trying to escape and get out of working in GOD’S farm… We even see this element in both the natural and spiritual…

Note the beginning of the parable of the “eleventh hour worker…”

Matt 20:6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?     KJV

·        This is last day church…

·        This is what is seen, and this is a danger because there is way too many standing idle, in this eleventh hour…

There are more today that even as one looks closer to this parable of those who are complaining of the wages of the eleventh-hour worker…

I point out that those that were complaining were those who had been in the field longer??? One would not have time to complain if their focus was more of a thankfulness of just being called to work in HIS field…

Maybe we’re just to familiar with the field and its positions rather than what we are all to be working for…

·        This attitude is in the church; and their complaint was about the wages…

·        Let’s not forget it’s the eleventh hour…

·        The church age is coming to its close, while we hold our positions and complain about our neighboring pastor and churches because of the power of GOD and what they are seeing and what they have… Sounds like jealousy to me…

·        Too many are pursuing after positions and titles for the sake of money and reputation…

·        To many churches have men in the pulpit that are taking up space and doing nothing, enjoying the ride of ease…

·        Many like their titles, their office and even some are like Demas, given to filthy lucre…  

·        To many churches have a revolving door of so called saints and call it revival, when in reality the table is full, but the field is empty…

·        To many churches have decreased in number, power, and anointing because leadership stands in the way of not just numerical growth but spiritual growth…

It’s the day of the eleventh-hour worker… There are those that are tying up cities and the witness of the gospel… Where is the church??? Where is the glory and power of GOD???

Cities, and communities are tied up because of not passing the torch to the ones who have the energy, the desire, and the fire for revival… There are those who have the energy and willingness to w-o-r-k… Yet, we keep them tied to a pew not releasing them into the field…

·        The idleness is in the pulpit…The standing around is the leadership and this translates into what is supposed to be the church… People that have become comfortable with idleness, gossip and complaint…

 

·        It’s a time to work…

·        It’s a time to be a disciple for Jesus…

Steven and Phillip were serving widows and waiting tables… They were workers… They weren’t afraid to get their hands dirty… The menial tasks yet determined that they got the job done… And all they are ever called is disciples of Jesus… Stephen preached his one sermon and then died… What an example of selflessness… What a showing of Jesus he lived out with his one message… He didn’t waste his one opportunity…

How often do we see Paul with the sewing of tents and making such statements like he did to the Thessalonians???

1 Thess 2:9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.    KJV

Paul along with others labored and travailed for the behalf of others night and day often on his own dime… He was willing to work…

How about today???

·        Where are the bible studies taught???

·        Where are the kids that are without father or mother or sometimes both???

·        Whose picking up the kids that have an odor and less than clean???

·        What is the perception of us before the community???

·        Does the community even know where you are???

·        Do the city officials even know the name of the church and pastor???

·        Do they drive by our houses of worship and see decreasing cars and empty parking places???

·        Do they remember what used to be, rather than what we should be???

Did not Jesus say???

John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.     KJV

Again, the emphasis is on work with the reminder that what time does remain, is short… The night is upon us and the complaint of the LORD is many are standing idle…  

C’mon lets get to work… Let’s push away from the table and get in the field… It’s time to work…

 

Crowds

24              CROWDS

Jesus was quite an attraction in HIS earthly ministry… He was in HIS three and half years of ministry what one could no doubt recognize as a focal point of Jewish life…  

Herod was consumed with finding Jesus even as a child… He was hunted for and looked for by those like Herod. There were those who shared the hatred and jealousy over this one called Jesus… People such as Caiaphas, Pilot, and the sect called the Pharisee’s… Even too, those of the Sadducees did not see this Jesus who was drawing such large crowds of people.  

We can see they were part of that crowd.

There too, were those we read of that go unnamed. They are simply referred to as the multitudes… The multitudes, another crowd… They followed HIM, they looked for HIM. We even find them at times and in places where the bible says of the crowd.  They, the crowd, waited on HIM…

In the ministry of Jesus, the word (multitude), 65 times, the word (multitudes) 18 times all within the gospels. The bible mentions the words throng, thronging, and the description of the multitudes in the word, “press.”

Jesus would teach, preach, heal, and deliver amongst the multitudes… He conquered demonic spirits all within the crowds… Here is the fact and the truth of the matter… All that Jesus did within and even for the multitudes however, did not make them sheep… They at this time were never considered as the church.

Its easy to comprehend that there were only 120 in the upper room, and in comparison to the multitudes pale in comparison in regard to number… Some of the multitudes contained in the gospels were given numbers… We see 5000 men here, 5,000 over there… We see them when the multitudes were fed by the LORD. Yet, we can see the multitudes for what they were, and even today what they are, because the multitudes still exist today…

Yet, hear the mind of the multitude…

Luke 23:8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.    KJV

That is the prevailing thought of the multitude. Then too, many of them were there for the fishes and the loaves. They followed their fleshly appetites.

Jesus had this to say of Nazareth HIS home in their thoughts towards HIM… You have heard of me and what I have done in Capernaum your statement is, do it here also… Luke 4:23…

The interest was there, but it was for themselves; their own belly. They just wanted to see what they could have, and what they could consume on themselves…

Sound familiar?

Jesus had the crowds, but HE had not the church.

Jesus had the multitudes, but HE did not have the church.

Jesus had their attention, but HE didn’t have their repentance.

Jesus had them as hearers, but not as doers.

If your apart of the multitude your part of the problem with religion… We need a spiritual awakening and that never is going to come with crowd appeasement, and the appeal to the appetites of the multitudes…

You can be in the crowd, but you won’t be in the church… You can have the crowd, but you won’t have the church…

We know the multitude, we can see the multitude… But note where HE is…

Matt 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

This was within the multitude…

25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

Again, multitudes coming from all over…

Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:    KJV

He see’s the multitudes and gets himself in a place where HE can be heard and seen… He sits down, and HE teaches… Where is Jesus??? HE’S outside with the multitudes…

From one place to the next… We see HIM from chapter 5 of Matthew to chapter 8 and now we see HIM coming down and great multitudes are following HIM…

Matt 8:1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.    KJV

Yet, there came a day in particular Jesus did something HE had not done until chapter 13 of Matthew.

Matt 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away,

Jesus here sends the multitude away… Up until this time it was about Jesus teaching, ministering, healing the sick amongst the multitude.

Jesus had finished with those that would never follow him to the upper room… Jesus stops where those who are satisfied with standing on the outside looking in…

And Jesus after HE sends them away…

and went into the house:

It is important to note that Jesus after the multitude. HE goes into the house… It is in the house that suddenly where the focus changes… It’s those that are not of the multitudes that are now with HIM, and they are in the house… It’s those that have come as far as entering into the house that will soon make up HIS church… It will be them that will know the secrets of the kingdom… It will be them who would follow HIM to the upper room… It’s going to be those that said, declare unto us the kingdom… It will be them who will say, we want to know…

 and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.    KJV

But it wasn’t outside the house, it was in the house. The church.

It is also worth noting that Matthew records that when Jesus went into the synagogues, the religious places for the multitudes. It was always noted as (their synagogues.) Matthew, Mark, Luke records this.  

Were the multitudes blessed by HIM? Surely. HE will bless those that are in the way and until they satisfy their hunger… But those who truly followed HIM they weren’t just blessed and filled with the fishes and loaves, they were trusted. They were given access, not to just blessings, but the GOD of the blessings… They were given knowledge. They were given invitation. They followed HIM to their end. The end of themselves. Not as the multitude but as the church soon to come. They were going to become a part of that which HE was going to give HIS life for…

You see, the world and the religious systems that exist… They are the multitudes that have their synagogues that are around Jesus… They have the bling, the names, and the circle… They have the crowds… They have the noise… They have the stage… But its just a multitude… A multitude that never denies self… A multitude that carries no cross… A multitude that is without righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost… Surely, they have the meat and drink, but they are a multitude that will not follow HIM to the cross… Therefore, they cannot make it to the upper room, because the only way to get there is by the way of the cross…

Jesus was with them for over 40 days after HIS resurrection. Jesus showed HIMSELF to over 500 folks.  Of course, HE was talked about and the news was spread abroad. Should it then provoke the question. Where then was the multitudes? They were where they had always been, looking for signs, looking to see some great miracle not realizing the greatest miracle ever known was looking right back at them.

Today, the mentality of the multitude is very much alive. The Jesus they look for is the one they can define and design to their own liking. It’s the multitudes. The word of GOD escapes them. The natural man cannot understand HIM. They are foolish to them. Neither can they know them. It’s the way of the multitude. The way of the crowd. They look where everybody else is looking. They watch what everybody else is watching. They repeat what everybody else is saying. They look like what most everybody looks like. It’s the way of the crowd, the multitude. They live outside the house.

Acts 28:26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.    KJV

This is what happens when you look through the eyes of flesh. Outside doesn’t look so bad. This is what it looks like when man is satisfied with what he has done for himself. But it’s not in the house. There may be a crowd but the crowd is not interested in having Jesus or seeing Jesus or hearing Jesus in the house.

The multitude will get in the way. The multitudes will always get in your way. You can't see all of Jesus when the multitude blocks your vision. One cannot hear good through the noise of the multitude.

Luke 19:3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.    KJV

Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.    KJV

Zacchaeus went from the back of the crowd to the house with Jesus. O that we could get to the house.

Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.   KJV

Sounds like the house is where to be. Leave the multitudes. Leave the crowd, their concepts and ideas. Leave the ways of men and flesh. Leave turn and get to the house where Jesus is.

Is that what not Noah did? He left the crowd behind in what would be a house that GOD had provided.  

 

Thank you for reading and thank you  to those who have commented both here and in conversation. Blessings