Thursday, May 10, 2007

THE HILL OF THE LORD

WHO SHALL ASCEND?
Psalms24:3-5 Who shall ASCEND into the HILL OF THE LORD? or who shall STAND in HIS HOLY PLACE? He that hath clean hands,and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD—
Psalms15:1-5 LORD, who shall ABIDE in thy TABERNACLE? who shall DWELL in thy HOLY HILL? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. [He that] backbiteth not with his tongue,nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile personis contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. [He that] sweareth to [his own] hurt, and changeth not. [He that] putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these [things] shall never be moved.
Notice, please, that the Psalmist DID NOT ASK WHO COULD BE SAVED FROM SIN AND MAKE HEAVEN THEIR HOME. Those are FREE for the asking, with no effort on our part except to ask for, and receive, God's provision for the welfare of our soul.
But, to ascend to the HILL OF THE LORD is quite another subject entirely, and seems to be very much dependent upon what we allow or disallow in our personal character and conduct.
The HILL OF THE LORD is identified in other places as being the MOUNTAIN OF HIS HOLINESS.
Psalms 48:1 Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God,[in] the MOUNTAIN OF HIS HOLINESS.
Also, the HILL OF THE LORD is NOT A GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. Rather-- it is A SPIRITUAL CONDITION WHICH WE ACHIEVE BY OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD OF GOD-- COUPLED WITH HIS SPIRIT.
Isaiah 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will TEACH US OF HIS WAYS, AND WE WILL WALK IN HIS PATHS: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
How many times? How easy it is for us to ignore the known Word of God, and do what our own desires dictate in any given situation. Too often for comfort, when faced with the reality of our choices. There is no one to FORCE us to act according to the Word and Spirit of God. Judging from God's apparent disregard for our actions, we seem to think that He doesn't care, or is taking no account of our disregard of His Word.
But, such is not the case, for it is all recorded, and will tip the balance one way or the other-- usually in a negative way.
And, please note, we can continue for an indefinite period of time in our own actions and reactions, and still be among those who will make Heaven our home in the next life.
But that is NOT WHAT SONSHIP IS ALL ABOUT. SONSHIP is about God MUSTERING AND TRAINING an ARMY through which He can tear down the Kingdoms of this world, and replace them with HIS KINGDOM ON EARTH.
Do we want to be in that Army?
YES! YES! YES!
SONSHIP is about SENDING REAPERS INTO THE WORLD TO REAP A HARVEST FOR THE LORD
THE REAPERS MUST HAVE A SPECIAL ANOINTING FOR THE JOB. It CANNOT be done by just anyone who decides they want to work. We have enough of that being done now-- with pitifully small results. BUT, THE REAPERS WILL REAP!
Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the TIME OF THE HARVEST I will say TO THE REAPERS, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
THE ENTIRE WORLD WILL BE CONFRONTED WITH THE REALITY OF JESUS CHRIST AS A RESULT OFTHE ARMY OF THE LORD (OVERCOMERS) BEING SENT INTO THE HARVEST FIELD (WORLD)
Can we qualify for membership in this ARMY OF GOD?
YES, WE CAN, BUT IT WON'T BE EASY.

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