Let Us Draw Near...the Wayfarer...9/4/14
Let Us Draw Near
9/4/14
"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
Those who choose to draw near become fewer and fewer in the time when more and more find themselves in need of the things that are to be given by doing so.
As the assemblages dwindle to smaller and smaller congregations meeting, the reasons for that meeting are all too often ignored.
All choose to be totally independent, some, in fact many, failing to see any need to assemble themselves with others in the "churches", and many more assemble themselves in other "churches" forgetting the reason for that assemblage, seeing no need to meet with others to pray, praise God, and give each other the solace and guidance that should be the intent of those assemblages.
The opening verse of this scripture, as given by the apostle Paul, tells us that we are to "Draw near."
It is to God, Himself that we are to draw near.
He goes on to state that we are to do so with a true heart, in full assurance of our faith.
As we gather, if we gather, it must be with a true heart, cleansed from all the concerns that normally beset those gathered, as to how others dress, how they speak, the color of their skin, the amount of money held within their bank accounts, or any other of all the prejudicial thoughts and concerns that are found constantly and consistently among those who bother to gather for self edification and to garner the admiration of others of their own ilk.
Our assemblies must be in Spirit and in Truth for the purposes set forth in these few verses of scripture: to hold fast the profession of our faith, without wavering: to consider one another, in other words to give sustenance and strength to each other that is needed by each and all, including the pastor or preacher, as well as those who may come only to hear what he has to say, instead of bringing to light their own needs concerning faith, their own concerns for all assembled, and even more so for those not assembled.
The gatherings should be wholly and completely dedicated to growth and strengthening what is being professed by being within that assemblage.
The final verse reminds us that that assemblage is critical, not to be forsaken as is the manner of so many who would tell you they have no need to attend these assemblages, that they may attain all needed without doing so, that they can glean all needed by means of the media, whether by Broadcast, or in the simplicity of isolation.
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
The fact is that unity is needed to gain the strength to endure as we were asked to do by Christ.
As time progresses ever toward its inevitable conclusion, it becomes all the more paramount in importance to those told to endure.
"And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
But take heed to yourselves; for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
And the gospel must first be published among all nations,
But when they lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
(Mark 13: 6-13)
"He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, it will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
And in the morning, It will be fowl weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?"
(Matthew 16: 2 &3)
"He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
(Revelation 2:7)
"He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."
(Revelation 2:11)
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.)
(Revelation 2:17)
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
(Revelation:2:29...3:6...3:13 & 3:22)
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
AMEN AND AMEN
the Wayfarer
9/4/14
"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
Those who choose to draw near become fewer and fewer in the time when more and more find themselves in need of the things that are to be given by doing so.
As the assemblages dwindle to smaller and smaller congregations meeting, the reasons for that meeting are all too often ignored.
All choose to be totally independent, some, in fact many, failing to see any need to assemble themselves with others in the "churches", and many more assemble themselves in other "churches" forgetting the reason for that assemblage, seeing no need to meet with others to pray, praise God, and give each other the solace and guidance that should be the intent of those assemblages.
The opening verse of this scripture, as given by the apostle Paul, tells us that we are to "Draw near."
It is to God, Himself that we are to draw near.
He goes on to state that we are to do so with a true heart, in full assurance of our faith.
As we gather, if we gather, it must be with a true heart, cleansed from all the concerns that normally beset those gathered, as to how others dress, how they speak, the color of their skin, the amount of money held within their bank accounts, or any other of all the prejudicial thoughts and concerns that are found constantly and consistently among those who bother to gather for self edification and to garner the admiration of others of their own ilk.
Our assemblies must be in Spirit and in Truth for the purposes set forth in these few verses of scripture: to hold fast the profession of our faith, without wavering: to consider one another, in other words to give sustenance and strength to each other that is needed by each and all, including the pastor or preacher, as well as those who may come only to hear what he has to say, instead of bringing to light their own needs concerning faith, their own concerns for all assembled, and even more so for those not assembled.
The gatherings should be wholly and completely dedicated to growth and strengthening what is being professed by being within that assemblage.
The final verse reminds us that that assemblage is critical, not to be forsaken as is the manner of so many who would tell you they have no need to attend these assemblages, that they may attain all needed without doing so, that they can glean all needed by means of the media, whether by Broadcast, or in the simplicity of isolation.
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
The fact is that unity is needed to gain the strength to endure as we were asked to do by Christ.
As time progresses ever toward its inevitable conclusion, it becomes all the more paramount in importance to those told to endure.
"And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
But take heed to yourselves; for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
And the gospel must first be published among all nations,
But when they lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
(Mark 13: 6-13)
"He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, it will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
And in the morning, It will be fowl weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?"
(Matthew 16: 2 &3)
"He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
(Revelation 2:7)
"He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."
(Revelation 2:11)
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.)
(Revelation 2:17)
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
(Revelation:2:29...3:6...3:13 & 3:22)
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
AMEN AND AMEN
the Wayfarer
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