Part 7 Taken, Blessed, Broken and Given: The Baptism of Fire - Part 7

"For some years now I have read through the Bible twice every year.
If you picture the Bible to be a mighty tree and every word a little branch,
I have shaken every one of these branches
because I wanted to know what it was and what it meant."

Martin Luther

Taken, Blessed, Broken and Given:

The Baptism of Fire - Part 7

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways
and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9

“The law of the Lord is perfect,
restoring the [whole] person;"
Psalm 19:7
□ The word perfect in Hebrew is ‘tamiym’.
● It describes a state of wholeness
● when God speaks His words bring
order and wholeness
● His word always builds up and brings
restoration and communion
● Even when God brings the discipline we need
it is always tempered in mercy
● Even in His wrath there is love, pity and mercy.
● God’s desire is that we draw near to Him
He doesn’t play mind games.
● God doesn’t carry a big stick around
He is not trying to manipulate us with threats and fears.
● He is trying to transform us into the image of His Son.
● He is trying to restore us, to the perfect fellowship He had
with Adam and Eve, before the fall


“The testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;”
Psalm 19:8
● When God speaks he does so with clarity
● God is not the author of confusion and disorder
He is the author of Peace…
● The Truth of God’s Words bring Order
Order brings Peace and Wholeness

“For He [Who is the source of their prophesying]
is not a God of confusion and disorder
but of peace and order.
As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God's people)”
1 Corinthians 14:33

● God’s voice always draws us near to Himself and His purposes
● His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path
(Psalm 119:105)
● God doesn’t always give us the whole picture
or all the details,
but He always leads us to the next step.
● When God speaks to us
He gives us confidence to respond to what He says

“The precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;”
Psalm 19:8
□ There is a unique resonance to God’s Word
● The word ‘right’ here in Hebrew is “yashar.”
which is a kind of ethical and moral rightness
The literal meaning is “straight.”
● Whenever God speaks there is a ring of truth to it.
● We have a quiet confidence that what we are hearing is right.
● An old pastor friend of mine was fond of saying:
“We just know in our “knower” it’s the truth.”
● God’s voice always leads us
in a direction that agrees with His loving nature.
● He will not contradict Himself or what is written in His Word
● He is completely holy and above our low opinions.
● This resonance of God’s voice
brings feelings of peace and joy
which are not dependent upon our situation.
● Our heart rejoices with His heart
because we agree with Him that we belong to Him alone.

"the commandment of the Lord is pure and bright,
enlightening the eyes."
Psalm 19:8

● when we say that God’s words are pure
we mean they are free from impurities
● God’s words are free of any mixed motives
● God tells us that He loves us
When He says so He means it
We don’t have to wait to see if he really means it
● The effect of God’s Words being pure
is that it helps us see ourselves as He sees us.
● The enlightening of our eyes
is simply that we see from His vantage point.
● We take on the mind of Christ
● We begin to live as the beloved of God

"The [reverent] fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether."
Psalm 19:9
● When God speaks to us
He is not concerned with the mundane.
● God is an eternal God
and speaks to us about eternal things.
● What He says to us is:
eternal
solid
enduring
and righteous.
● There is an unchangeable about the voice of God

“Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven
[stands firm as the heavens].
Your faithfulness is from generation to generation;
You have established the earth, and it stands fast.
All [the whole universe] are Your servants;
therefore they continue this day according to Your ordinances.”
Psalm 119:89-91 Amp.

● God always speaks to us out of His faithfulness
and everything leads back to and holds together in Him
● this gives us confidence to believe in
everything He says about Himself and us.

"More to be desired are they than gold, even than much fine gold;
they are sweeter also than honey and drippings from the honeycomb."
Psalm 19:10

● God’s voice carries with it a unique sweetness
● This is the secret place of intimate worship of God

End Part 7