October 23, 2016
Read Isaiah 28:16. The blessed Saviour is our Cornerstone indeed. He is the Foundation of everything, as well as the Builder of everything. He is our sure and strong Foundation.
Hymn 31 - Precious, precious, blood of Jesus
Prayer
Luke 13:11-15
This woman had a big problem; she couldn’t lift herself up. She was bowed together; severely hunchbacked. Here the Lord came and healed her so that she could stand straight once more. The ruler of the synagogue rebuked Jesus for this, though, saying, “You shouldn’t do this on the Sabbath day!” Jesus answered with an example. He said that these men had animals that were tied up, and they would untie them and take them to get a drink of water, even on the Sabbath day.
Jesus said that Satan was involved with this sickness. He had bound this lady, but the Lord knew that she was a daughter of Abraham. Jesus didn’t need to forgive her, because she wasn’t living in sin. He compared people that Satan had bound to animals tied up. The Devil had kept this woman from getting to the water that would have refreshed her soul.
This woman had three problems. First, there was her physical problem. For eighteen years she lived doubled over. She could only look at the dirt beneath her feet; nothing else. Secondly, she was bent in spirit; she was unhappy. Thirdly, Satan had bound her, and she was unable to get loose.
Though she was in this condition, this woman still went to the synagogue. Others were there, and on that Sabbath it was a very good place to go, because she ended up getting the help she needed. Jesus was there teaching people, and He pointed her out, which could have been embarrassing if you were in her position. She responded to His call, though, and Jesus healed her, and she was able to stand straight once more. We said that she had been hurt on the inside, too, and that she was sad. How did she feel after this healing? She glorified God! That’s a different spirit from the Spirit of Infirmity. The bondage of the Enemy was released, she could stand straight, and she glorified God.
Maybe we’re not doubled over like this lady was, but what would we look like if our bodies matched our spirits? We all have bad, sad days sometimes. If we’re in bondage on the inside, the Lord knows that and can free us. This woman was a daughter of Abraham, a believer, and she didn’t need to be forgiven. The Lord just loosed her like an animal going for water.
Verse 17 says that everyone else rejoiced, too. They had probably felt sorry for this lady, and once she was able to rejoice, they rejoiced with her. It’s good to know that the Lord can heal our sorrow and feelings.
This woman had a spirit of infirmity, but the Lord loosed her so that she could get to the waters of refreshment. He solved all her problems! We can go to the same One for healing, too.
Colossians 3:1-25
The “if ye then” at the beginning could be translated “since ye then…” Now in Ephesians we are seated in heavenly places in Christ before God. In Colossians, we’re not as high. When we know the Lord as Saviour we are professing that we died and rose in Christ by faith. “Things above” is in both verse one and two. “Set you affection” can also be translated “Set your mind”.
If you set your mind your affections will follow. We are to seek and set. How are we doing with that? How are we to set our minds above and do our job or other chores? Well, you may have a job, but you don’t have to set your mind on it. Verses 17 and 23 give some examples of continuing work, but keeping focused above. Even your daily tasks can be done for God. But, what does your mind gravitate to when it’s not occupied - worldly or spiritual? What do you think about when you don’t have to? There was a quote on a library wall that said, “What you do when you don’t have to is what you’ll be when you can no longer help it.” The same could be said of what we think when we don’t have to.
One way to help set our minds above is to look for things in our Bible readings to think about during that day. Mr. Dennet said to look for the glories of God as seen in His names. We can also thank Him for many things. He is the Creator and Re-creator.
Darby wrote “No infant’s changing pleasure like my wondering mind”; it can be difficult to set our minds on things above when living in the world below. We can be encouraged by the example of an ambassador living in another country. Though he is not in his own country, he is occupied with its affairs. Though on earth, our thoughts can be occupied with heaven.
It is mentioned that Christ is sitting on the right hand of God. That is mentioned four times in Hebrews. Twice it is said He is on the right hand of the throne of God; that is when He is acting as a Intercessor. The other two times He is on the right hand of God, and it shows the glory of His Own Person. It is reminding us of Who He is.
We also have a life that is hid with Christ in God. But there will be a day when it won’t be hid. We have a life that is divine, supernatural, it never dies, it is the life of God, and nothing can happen to a life hid with Christ. There was once someone who said, “Too often Christ is hid in our lives”. One day we’ll appear with Him in glory, and it will no longer be hid.
So, the Apostle, having given the warnings, gives the instructions to seek and set. Colossians may only be on earth, but it aspires to take our thoughts to be occupied with heavenly things.
Hymn 160 - Though in a foreign land
Prayer