Thorn

I found myself in a place this morning, spiritually speaking, that I hadn't expected. I didn't stay there long, because it was a lot to think about. The starting point was in the following verses:
"And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient (arkeo-to be possessed of unfailing strength, to defend, to lift up from the ground, to rise up, elevate, to ward off, to carry what has been raised up) for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure (good pleasure, willingly prefer, choose rather, be well pleased with) in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."  2 Cor. 12:7-10
I never really gave this the thought it deserved, nor did I really understand it.
As Paul also did initially, I spend a great deal of time involved in trying to remove the "thorn", even the comparatively small thorn, that brings me discomfort. My knee-jerk reaction was that the thorn must be removed. Common natural wisdom says that if you get a thorn, you take it out. I had not considered the fact that it is that very thorn that causes the grace of God to flow. Paul says that even though the thorn's origin was Satan, it was an essential part of a work of grace in his life. The thorn actually helped to defend Paul against a greater enemy that would have destroyed him- the pride of revelation. It makes sense since Paul concludes by saying that he takes pleasure in, and gladly chooses the thorn, because of what it provides and brings to him. From what greater evil is God using the thorn in my life to save and preserve me? Does my victory lie in this understanding?
How difficult it is to believe this in our lives, yet Paul insists that this is the case:
"Likewise the Spirit (also called the Spirit of grace, see Heb. 10:29) also helps in our weaknesses...Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good (useful, good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy, excellent, distinguished, upright, honorable) for those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son..."   Rom. 8:26-29
Even those things that originate from evil, meant to limit, harass, and weaken us, are worked for our good, even for our blessing and advantage.
I began to think of Moses. God commanded him to return to Egypt, and demand from Pharaoh to let the Hebrew slaves go to serve God. Moses had a thorn, as Paul might describe it. Moses was afflicted in speech (Ex. 4:10). Because of this affliction, he told God that he was not eloquent (dabar), and asked God to find someone else to send even after God assured him, "I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say." (v. 12). If Moses had not been so afflicted, God would not have been "with his mouth".
Perhaps this affliction in speech, this thorn, actually helped to preserve Moses as he was raised in the very household of Pharaoh. The households of kings are dangerous, treacherous places, full of the schemes of men. Could this thorn have kept Moses, a child of the despised and feared Hebrew slaves, safely overlooked, even right in front of Pharaoh's face?
There is an example from history that very much mirrors this possibility. The Roman emperor Caligula died without a son, and conspiring men took advantage of that opportunity to grab power. They began to kill what was left of the imperial family of Caesar (those whom Caligula hadn't already done away with), so they could seize the power of the throne. They came upon a last living royal family member who was cowering in hiding. He was the uncle of the dead emperor. They were about to kill him also when one of the conspirators stopped them by saying that this uncle was "a harmless idiot", whom they could use as a puppet emperor. These conspirators would be able to become the real rulers of Rome using this man. They thought this uncle of the deceased emperor was mentally impaired because he had a severe stammer, and had palsied movements in his limbs. So this "idiot" was spared- the only family left of the emperor, and he became the emperor Claudius. The murderous conspirators soon found out that Claudius was neither harmless, nor an idiot, nor anyone's puppet. The thorns of speech and physical afflictions hampered Claudius all his life, but it was because of these very things that he survived both the reign of the mad Caligula, and the conspirators that followed, and went on to rule all of the Roman empire.
We may not understand how these thorns, these messengers of Satan, actually lead to the work of Grace in our lives, but our end is better than our beginning because of them.
As I thought about this, I began to wonder, if another work of thorns, but of a far deeper nature, the crown of thorns, and the nails through Christ's hands and feet, were also then a work of grace. Jesus certainly could not be "lifted up from the ground, elevated" (the sufficiency of grace) without them. It is also these very thorn and nail piercings that move us to bow our heads in pity and repentance. Because of those thorns, which Christ willingly chose to bear, grace flowed from Him to me. It is by those thorn and nail piercings that all the world identifies Him, and will identify Him:
"...They pierced My hands and My feet;"  Ps. 22:16
"...Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."  Jn. 20:25
"...then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son..."  Zech. 12:10
"...and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen."   Rev. 1:7
Those thorns and piercings are the very identification of Christ as Grace (Jn. 1:16-17). Thorns and piercings must then also identify me as a receiver of Grace. Is it possible that the thorns that hamper me may not just keep me from a greater harm, as they did Paul, but actually cause grace to flow to others, besides myself? If so, then I think I might actually be able to rejoice in those thorns, as Paul reveals, rather than despise or avoid them.
The Hebrew word that means "thorn" in scripture is khoa akh,  חוֹחַ  .
The Hebrew letters used are cheth, vaw, and cheth again. Cheth, as a pictograph, is a tent wall that separates, and protects. It divides the inner chamber from the outer chambers. Vaw, is a tent peg or a nail that joins together and makes secure. Even the fact that the two cheths are positioned at either end of the three-lettered word, gives the impression of being walled in. These walls limit, which we don't always like, but they also separate and protect. The kho akh thorn, therefore, acts as a separating wall, keeping me from going where I am not supposed to go, and keeping out what is not supposed to come near me, securely joining me together with Christ, and His Grace.
I could just begin to get a small glimpse of why Paul would say that he would willingly choose, and take good pleasure in the thorn in his flesh. What I am also seeing is that I underestimate the power of God. I don't understand His sovereign power, and enfolding love over ALL things concerning me. I don't really trust Him to make ALL things work together for good. This is a big failing on my part. It is almost too easy to admit that as I consider my short, slightly annoying thorns, but what about the people who are suffering with long, painful thorns? I hope this glimpse will help them also.

Our Father's grace begins with a thorn.

"Crown of Thorns"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JG0ZpiRRhQ

Pitfall

I think that the most awesome thing on earth is the Word of God. After many years, I'm still exploring the scriptures in amazement and joy. There is always something new to discover, and examine. Even if I memorized the Bible from cover to cover, and continued to study it for decades more, there would still be something new to be revealed- something new that the Lord is speaking through the scriptures. This quality is just one of many that makes the Bible a "living" Word. That very fact brings me to a cautious place, however. It means that at any given moment, my knowledge and understanding of the Word is imperfect, and incomplete. There is a saying, "He knows just enough to be dangerous." That idea comes from a quote by the English poet, Alexander Pope, who said, in part, "A little learning is a dangerous thing."
The scriptures are a wonderful gift to us from God. They are life, and wisdom, and Jesus, Himself. The washing of the Word transforms us, and renews us. However, the minute we think we are "expert" in the Word, or even "knowledgeable" in the Word, we really only know just enough to be in danger, and dangerous, on the edge of a pitfall. The Word is not the danger, only our own confidence, or self-assurance, in our knowledge and understanding of the Word is the danger. We could study scripture all of our lives, and we would have only scratched the very top-most surface of the riches found in its depths. If we seem to know and understand one level, there are infinitely more levels underneath waiting for us to explore for the first time:
"Great is our LORD, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite."  Ps. 147:5
However, the Word is so powerful, that even the limited knowledge that we may possess at a given time can save, heal, and deliver to the uttermost (Heb. 7:25). We are called to know, and understand the Word of God. It is God's will for us to know the deepest things (1 Cor. 2:9-10), but this is a process that will continue throughout our lives. Because of this, the conclusion we must come to in all of our study is "the more I know, the more I find out how much I don't know." Every new revelation also reveals what we didn't know the day before. As I judge or evaluate situations, myself, and, God help me, other people, according to the Word of God, I do so with an imperfect understanding and an incomplete knowledge. It must be so. It is this that can also be dangerous.
The Apostle Paul talks about his "abundance of revelation" (2 Cor. 12:7), and his years of study under the most eminent rabbis (Acts 22:3), yet he also tells us that however much we may know, it is partial knowledge at best:
"Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect (complete, of full age, uttermost, ending, purpose) has come, that which is in part will be done away....Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known."   1 Cor. 13:8-12
I think there is a powerful example of this in the story of Job. He was a man whom scripture describes as blameless and upright (Job 1:1). As we know, Job became greatly afflicted, and in the midst of the affliction, he struggled with his knowledge of God. Job describes his love for the Word and ways of God: "I have not departed from the commandments of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food."  Job 23:12    
Job also had great revelation from God, only one of which was about His Savior. Job spoke of his yearning and love for his Redeemer, Whom Job knew lives, Whom Job knew would walk on the earth, Whom Job knew he would see even after his death (Job 19:23-27). Like Paul, Job walked in revelation that he did not receive from men, but that he could only have received from God (Gal. 1:12). 
In Chapter 29, Job talks about his life before he was afflicted, when God's "lamp shone upon my head, and when by His light, I walked through darkness." The Almighty was with him, and the rock poured out rivers of oil for him. With the esteem of other men, Job sat in the gate of the city, and in the open square, because of his great knowledge of God. Job was so knowledgeable, that princes and nobles sat quietly to hear him. By his Godly wisdom and knowledge, he delivered many poor and fatherless. Righteousness and justice clothed him. He said, "I was eyes to the blind, and I was feet to the lame. I was a father to the poor, and I searched out the case that I did not know...Men listened to me and waited, and kept silence for my counsel...They waited for me as for the rain, and they opened their mouth wide as for the spring rain...I chose the way for them, and sat as chief..."
Not only was Job learned in the commandments of God, and filled with His knowledge and wisdom, he was also anointed and did works of deliverance. All who knew him recognized that Job was a man of God, full of wisdom and counsel. None had more knowledge and understanding than Job. Most of us, even after the Cross, do not walk in the kind of understanding and anointing in which Job walked before the Cross.
Yet the LORD, when He finally speaks to Job in the middle of his affliction, starts by saying of Job, "Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?"   Job. 38:1-2
God continued to challenge Job in his ignorance, asking Job, "Where were you when...?", and "Do you know...?". He tells Job all that Job doesn't know. God reveals things in chapters 38-41 that even our modern science, to which the world gives so much honor, belief, and dependence, has only just recently discovered a small portion. 
Job's friends, who came to try to reason out with Job why he was afflicted, couldn't tell Job anything he didn't already know, hadn't already considered, and eliminated. Job's deliverance did not come from the great store of knowledge and understanding that he had. It came in the moment when he bowed his head before the even greater that he didn't know, and didn't understand:
"I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of yours can be withheld from You. You asked, "Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?" Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know....I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see You. Therefore, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes."   Job 42:1-6 (Jn. 14:9, Lk. 5:8)
Job was brought to a deeper understanding through a very difficult path. It is a testimony to the greatness and kindness of God, Who, though He corrected Job, gave an even greater revelation to Job. Before this, Job knew of the Redeemer, Jesus, by revelation. Now, he saw his Redeemer with his eyes. Seeing his Redeemer brought Job to a place of deliverance through repentance.
The one thing Job hadn't considered, because he was so confident, and had been so honored by men for his great knowledge and wisdom, was that before God, he was really quite ignorant, as are we all.
Every time I open the Word of God, I want to do so with the understanding and acknowledgement of all that I don't know. When I speak to others, I want to keep in mind that I do so with a partial knowledge and understanding at best, keeping my head bowed before all that I do not know, nor understand. If I forget this, then I teeter at the edge of a great pitfall, and may even pull in others after me.

Our Father is all wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

"Teach Me, Lord"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L30y4zQWyEo
                                                                                       

Messiah

Rabbi Moses ben Maimon
        1135-1204

"I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the mashiach, and though he may tarry, still I await him every day."
--a popular paraphrase of Principle 12 of Maimonides' 13 Principles of Faith

"Nine red heifers were offered from the time that they were commanded to fulfill this mitzvah until the time when the Temple was destroyed a second time. The first was brought by Moses, our teacher. The second was brought by Ezra. Seven others were offered until the destruction of the Second Temple. And the tenth will be brought by the King Moshiach; may he speedily be revealed. Amen, so may it be G‑d’s will."

I think I have been praying incorrectly. Lately, I have had to re-evaluate, and re-prioritize in prayer.
There is nothing wrong with making our requests known to God:
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests (root- to ask, beg, crave, desire) be made known to God."   Phil. 4:6
The meaning of the word "requests" tells me that whatever I bring to the Lord should be heartfelt. Hannah prayed so fervently, and with such deep emotion, that the priest thought she might be drunk. But when we are praying, what is it that we are begging for, craving, and desiring? It could very well be things that have nothing to do with what the Father wants to hear. Usually, I spend most of my prayer time praying for the needs of my household, or for the needs of others. Most of the time, these needs are financial, for provision, which always seems to be lacking. Sometimes these needs are serious and pressing, and I spend many words, and much time petitioning the Father over them. "Father, we need this", or "Father, we have great need for that. Please open a door, and make a way." 
However, I looked at this again, and went back to the Word, after reading the quotes above from Rabbi Maimon, also know as Maimonides. It turns out that there is something vitally important that I have been overlooking.
Jesus, in discussing prayer, assured us that the Father already knows what we have need of before He is even asked (Mt. 6:8). So, for what then should we be asking, praying, desiring, begging, craving? Let's look at what Jesus says NOT to do:
"...do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words."  Mt. 6:7
He describes these wordy, repetitious prayers as like heathens' prayers. That's not a good thing. He also says:
"For after all these things (everyday needs expressed in v.25-31) the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things."  Mt. 6:32
So praying for these things, these daily needs over which we become so anxious, shows no greater understanding than the unknowing Gentiles. That's not good either. In Luke 12:29-30, Jesus talks about the same thing again as being things that the nations of the world seek after, and pray for, and again assures us that the Father already knows that we need these things. Jesus expresses this instruction three different ways! But these are the very things for which I have spent most of my time and effort praying!
So our prayers for our needs, which is often how we pray, are the same incorrect prayers of the heathens, the Gentiles, and the world. My prayers are like those of unbelievers, the uncircumsized, and the unsaved. That's really not good.
James says, "...Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." Ja. 4:2-3
James says we pray this corrupted way because we have lust and warfare in our hearts that come from our desires for pleasure, and our friendship with the world. He even calls us adulterers and adulteresses! He is not writing to unbelievers, but to Jewish believers ("the twelve tribes abroad", Ja. 1:1).
Paul also teaches this about prayer:
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God."  Rom. 8:26-27
Jesus tells us that we are not praying correctly in many cases. James and Paul agree that we are not praying what the Spirit is praying, but rather what the world is praying.
So what then, do Jesus and the Holy Spirit say we should be praying first, and foremost?
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (which is in Jesus:see Rom. 5:21, 1 Cor. 1:30, 1 Jn. 2:1, Heb. 7:2), and all these things (the daily needs) shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."  Mt. 6:33, and Lk. 12:31-32
Jesus, immediately after telling us how not to pray, says that we should be seeking first the kingdom of God. He says that it is the good pleasure of the Father to give it to us. Haven't I sought the kingdom in my love for Jesus and the Word of God? This is where I need to stop and ask, "What is "the kingdom"? The word used here means "royal power, kingship, dominion, rule, the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah, the reign of Messiah", from the root meaning "leader of the people, prince, commander, lord of the land, king."
The kingdom is not a "what". It is a "Who". It is specifically, the Messiah and His triumphant rule, not only in heaven, but His rule and reign in me, and here on earth.
Jesus says this is to be our first priority. Among our requests (see above), the return of the Messiah to rule and reign, should be our greatest desire, begging, and craving.
What is the Spirit, who Paul says prays the will of God through us, praying from within us so earnestly and deeply? According to Revelation 22:17and 20, the Spirit is saying "Come". The Bride of Christ is to have this same prayer on her lips, and in the deepest desires of her heart, with fervent desire (Lk. 22:15), begging and craving. Jesus is saying, "Surely I am coming quickly", and the Revelator says in agreement, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"
What about all of my needs, and the needs of the others for which I have been praying? Ultimately, our praying and seeking for the kingdom, and the reigning Messiah, works for our benefit. Jesus said that having prayed for, and sought the kingdom in this manner, all of these other things concerning our lives shall be added to us. The source of all of these things is in the triumphant rule and reign of Messiah, the Prince, and His kingdom.
Rabbi Maimon, was one of the most important figures in the history of Torah scholarship. According to the quotes at the top of the page, one of his most heartfelt desires was the coming of Messiah. He awaited King Messiah "every day", he said, and prayed that God's will would hasten His coming, in effect praying, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done." It is taught that whenever the Jews make even a mention of the Messiah, they are to also include a prayer for His soon coming, as Maimonides did. Shouldn't this be our most heartfelt desire also, we who have beheld Messiah's face, the face of Jesus? Shouldn't the return of our King, Messiah, be the most frequently and fervently expressed request in our prayers? Scripture says that if we will seek this first, our Father will give us all other things. That's how important this is in the will of the Father. Jesus said that we won't see Him again until we have fervently prayed and desired His return (Mt. 23:39, Lk. 13:35, Ps. 118:25-26).
God knows all those things that we need, but tells us to seek this first.

Our Father says to seek His kingdom, the rule of His Prince, His Messiah, first.

"Even So Come"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s0Zb189Sco

Thanks

There are many weapons in our spiritual arsenal. One of the most underused and forgotten is "thanks". I think it is also the most powerful weapon. Thanks is not just in words we say to God, but it must come from the attitude of our hearts, and that attitude must be carefully, and diligently cultivated. God knows that our hearts are full of thanks in times of joy and victory. He also knows that thanks is far from our hearts in times of testing, battle, exhaustion, sorrow, pain and disappointment, but this is when thanks is most needed. This is the key for turning the worst into a miracle. In order for thanks to become part of our being, it must be diligently cultivated in our hearts, and cared for like a tender shoot that is barely poking its head above the soil. It is fragile in our hearts, but powerful in the spirit. Like that tender sprout, it has the power of life in it. We must care for it and encourage it to grow until it becomes a mighty tree of thanks that will withstand the ice, the storms, the floods, and the heat of the day.
When we first see a seedling emerge, it is bent over, with its folded leaves still buried in the soil. It looks so vulnerable and easily destroyed. It certainly doesn't have a look of power and might. The essence of its life was confined to that small, hard seed casing, but it had the power within it to split that seed casing and push upward to the light, and to grow roots downward to minerals and water. This is the same power contained within thanks. Because that power is unseen, we tend to overlook it. I would like to look at some scriptures pertaining to thanks.
This is the first mention of "thanks" in scripture:
"Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name."   2 Sam. 22:50 (Psalm 18:49)
In this case, thanks is given among the heathen. Heathen can mean Gentiles, people, or nations, but it can also mean "swarm of locusts, other animals".


I read a description of a swarm of locusts on a mid-west farm in the 1800's. The farmer had had several years of puny crops because of adverse weather conditions. However, this year's crops had grown well and abundantly. As he and his new wife were outside one clear late summer morning, he looked out at the horizon, and saw a black cloud approaching. He knew immediately that this was a swarm of locusts. He told his wife to gather all of their clothing and bed linens, blankets, and quilts, and use them to cover the kitchen garden they had growing near the house, while he went to gather the farm animals into the barn. If the animals were left in the swarm, they would run away from terror. She cried out, "What about the fields of crops?". He answered that there was nothing they could do to save the crops, but their garden was the food that they would need to survive the winter. They must do all they could to save as much of those vegetable plants as they could.
The farmer's wife gathered everything she could find to cover the plants in the garden, even removing her dress, to use it as well. Before she could cover even half the plants, the swarm was upon her. She screamed and flailed as the locusts hit her in the face, eyes, and opened mouth. She gathered her wits, and continued covering what she could, sometimes covering the locusts also that had already settled upon the vegetable plants. Her husband came to help her, but some of the garden could not be covered in time.
After the swarm had eaten its fill and had moved on, the farmer and his wife surveyed the damage. The crops, which were their future finances, were destroyed, but some of the garden had been saved. Their rain barrels full of fresh water were now filled with the carcasses of locusts. Even after they removed the locusts from the water, the water was no longer clean tasting, but bitter from the bodies of the locusts. It was a devastation they could not fight against in their own strength. They were helpless before it.
Our scripture verse tells us to offer thanks to the LORD in the midst of the swarm of locusts and other devouring beasts, but as we can see, it would be almost impossible, and against our natural inclination, to do so in the middle of the swarm. Ultimately thanks is not something we can offer lightly, or easily when we need it the most, during the worst circumstances. However, it must become a part of us, part of our living sacrifice.
The only way it would be possible to offer thanks in the midst of a spiritual devouring swarm would be if we had deeply incorporated thanks into our hearts for just such a time as this. Another scripture to help us understand the warfare power and necessity of thanks is the following:
"And with them Heman (faithful, steadfast, sure, stand fast, verified, father) and Jeduthun (from the root yadah meaning thank, confess thanksgiving, CAST OUT, CAST DOWN, THROW DOWN, TO SHOOT ARROWS), and the rest that were chosen (clean, purified, bright, test, prove, make shining, POLISH ARROWS), who were expressed (appointed, named, designated, PIERCE, PIERCE THROUGH, HOLES, CURSE) by name (famous, report, glory, monument), to give thanks (again yadah, to thank, praise, confess thanksgiving, CAST OUT, CAST DOWN, THROW DOWN, TO SHOOT ARROWS) to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever (olam meaning eternity, continual, perpetual existence, ancient, from the root alam, meaning concealed, hidden, secret thing) ." 
                                                                                                 1 Chron. 16:41
This verse is not just about thanks as we know it, but thanks as a weapon of spiritual warfare. Thanks in the midst of the enemy swarm makes no natural sense, but it is a secret, hidden truth from ancient days into eternity. It is an everlasting, undying, supernatural (unseen with the natural eyes of understanding) truth.
The Hebrew letters of the word for thanks, yadah, יָדָה , also give us a powerful picture:
The letters are yad, daleth, and he: "Behold, the door, path, way of life, to the finished work, the deed done".
Look at the door, the way of life, of thanks that has been revealed to us, that finishes and accomplishes a work (power).


A Messianic name for Jesus is the Lion of Judah. Judah also comes from the Hebrew word yadah used in the above scripture. When this Lion of Judah roars, He roars thanks and praise to His Father, God. That roar, at the same time, shoots arrows, and casts down, throws down, enemies.
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ."
                                                                                                1 Cor. 15:57
"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."  2 Cor. 2:14
"...we give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come (see olam eternity, above); because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned."
                                                                                                Rev. 11:17
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
                                                                                                1 Thes. 5:18

Thanks is not an option. It is a command from the will of God for each of us- a command for our benefit, welfare, and victory. The world does not know this hidden thing, but it has been revealed to us. Now, we need to believe it and live it.

Our Father commands us from His will to give thanks.

"Praise You in this Storm"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCpP0mFD9F0

"Thank You, Lord"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K44trVhtZX4

"Thank You, Lord"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXCwGESxsDg

Vulnerable

When a man becomes a father, he becomes very vulnerable to the hurts, sorrows, sicknesses and sometimes, unfortunately, the rebellion and rejection of his children. When his children hurt, his desire is that he could take the hurt upon himself in their place. When they are in danger, a father will do all in his strength to rescue his children. If he loses a child, he feels a hurt and loss like he has never known in his life. A man who always felt himself to be strong and capable, can feel unsure and sometimes helpless in the challenge of being a father to his children. He discovers that it costs him something, physically, mentally, and spiritually, to be a father. When the all mighty, all powerful, omniscient, omnipresent God made the provision for our salvation, He became "Father", and He chose to accept the vulnerability of all that it entails to be a Father. To be vulnerable means to be susceptible to physical or emotional wounding, attack, or harm. God accepted this vulnerability into His character in order to be "Father".
In Jesus' ministry as the Son, as our Salvation, He spoke of Himself as the salvation coming from and of, the Father. The Son's physical location is hidden in the bosom of the Father (Jn. 1:18). The salvation of God was born from the making of Himself vulnerable through His Fatherhood.
We see this vulnerability as God speaks to Cain, not as his God, but as a Father seeing his son headed for destruction, trying to teach Cain to understand what lies ahead:
"So the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."  Gen 4:6-7
These are not just the words of God to one of His creatures, but they are the advising, teaching, correcting words of wisdom from the heart of a Father to His son. As God made Himself vulnerable to Cain as a Father, He also had to suffer the wound of witnessing Cain's choice to disregard His words, and become a curse in the earth after he murdered his brother. God's Fatherhood to Cain did not end there. As Cain went out from the LORD's presence to wander (Nod) the earth, the LORD set a mark upon Cain, because Cain feared that others would kill him after he departed from God. The Hebrew word for "mark" is owth  אוֹת ,  which means a distinguishing mark, a miraculous sign, a warning, ensign, proof. The Hebrew letters of the word for mark each mean: 1. leader, strength, adonai, 2. nail, make secure, join together, and 3. cross, mark, sign, ownership, covenant. Though Cain was a murderer, his Father, God, did all He could for this pathetic, lost son.
Without the understanding of the Fatherhood of God, and its vulnerability, we cannot understand the salvation of God, which is the Son:
"Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me."   Jn. 8:42
Jesus was speaking these words above, to those who believed Him among the Jews (v. 31). Though they believed Jesus to a point, they were offended by His statement that they were slaves to sin, and that He brought the truth that would free them (v. 32, 34). They were so offended, they desired at that point to kill Him. He said, if God was their Father, they would know and love the Son. Though they knew God, they did not know Him as Father.
Though many spend their whole lives studying (an believing) the words and ways of God, until they look into the vulnerable heart of the Father, they will not find the Son, their salvation. One of Jesus' disciples asked Him to show them the Father. Jesus was amazed at this request stating, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father..."   Jn. 14:8-9
The Fatherhood of God, as we have seen, is not just a New Testament teaching. The LORD did not call and appoint Moses to be only a leader, and law-giver to His people, but He called Moses to be a father to God's people. Moses expressed the pain and vulnerability of this calling:
"So Moses said to the LORD, "Why have You afflicted your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them that You should say to me "Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child", to the land which You swore to their fathers?"                                                                         Num. 11:11-12
We can imagine Moses pulling his hair out over having become a "father" to hundreds of thousands of complaining infants that were the people of God! Poor Moses. We can almost hear God saying, "Now you know how I feel!"
The prophet Isaiah beautifully describes the heart and vulnerability of the Father in Ch. 63:
"In all their affliction, He (the LORD, YHWH) was afflicted. And the Angel of His Presence saved them; in His love, and in His pity He redeemed them; He bore them and carried them all the days of old, but they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit....Doubtless You are our Father, though Abraham was ignorant of us, and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name."   Isa. 63:9, 16
As Isaiah points out above, it is from the vulnerable nature of Fatherhood, that our salvation and redemption come.
God allowed Himself to become vulnerable for our sakes, and He became a Father, so His Son could save us. A god does not tolerate rebellion, and rejection, but a Father will give and do everything and all that He can, to save His child.
So what is the joy of God in exchange for allowing Himself to become vulnerable as a Father? He describes the overwhelming joy of seeing even an ungrateful, rebellious child come home to Him:
"But when he (the son) was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said, "I have sinned...and am no longer worthy to be called your son." But the father said to his servants, "Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."    Lk. 15:20-24
"Likewise I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."   Lk. 15:10
Though Fatherhood brings God vulnerability, it also brings Him a joy that He could not have had otherwise- the joy of seeing our salvation.

Our Father, the Great God, made Himself vulnerable on our behalf.


"Our Father"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf1wtzOoXDA

Directions

Our understanding and measuring of the world is done with north-south, and east-west latitude and longitude lines and directions. It is how we establish the global coordinates of a location. It is how the earth is divided into hemispheres.
One of the great scriptures of the Bible is John 3:16:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
The giving of the Son was for the whole world. The cross becomes the compass, and as Jesus was placed upon it and it was lifted up from the earth, His blood covered the compass directions. His arms were spread out onto the east-west cross piece, and the blood came from His hands upon those points. His head lay upon the north end of the upright piece, covered by the blood pouring from piercings of the crown of thorns, and the beating of His face. The southern point of the upright was covered by the blood of His feet. Every point between the north-south and east-west of the cross pieces was covered by the blood of the whipping of His back, arms and legs. The piercing of His side poured the water and the blood onto the midpoint of the directions. I had often wondered why the Son was pierced at the hands and feet. If the point was to release the atoning blood, there are much more efficient ways to do that. Wounds to the hands and feet are not fatal, and seem an unusual choice of the will of God. These wounds are prophesied by King David in Psalm 22:  "For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet."  There are probably other significant reasons why the Son had to be pierced at head, hands, feet, and side, but when I consider it, I see the blood at the four directional points.
The scriptures have interesting references to the primary compass directions that add to my picture. As Jacob dreamed about the ladder that reached from earth to heaven, and the angels that ascended and descended upon it, the LORD stood above that ladder and made this prophetic promise to Jacob:
"Also, your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed (incl. Messiah) all the families of the earth shall be blessed."     Gen. 28:14
Trusted gatekeepers to the tabernacle of the LORD, as well as the twelve tribes of Israel, were assigned to the four directions: the east, the west, the north, and the south (1 Chron. 9:24-26). The gatekeepers had charge of the keeping of the chambers and treasuries of the LORD. I don't think the LORD assigned the Gatekeepers (sho ar, שׁוֹעֵר ) because He was concerned for His money. The gatekeepers might have been in place, however, to keep watch over the true "treasures" of the four directions, the souls of the past, present, and future generations of the Redeemed in the earth. The Hebrew letters of the word for gatekeeper are shin, (sharp, destroy), vaw (nailed, joined), tsadde (inescapable, destination, harvest), reysh (most important, chief, head). The root word for gatekeeper is shah-ar, meaning opening, heaven. The destroying, sharp nails are an inescapable journey, bringing the harvest of chief importance, and the opening to heaven.
When Solomon built the temple, one of the furnishings was a great sea of bronze (2 Chron. 4:2-5). It was a large, completely round laver, which contained thousands of gallons of water, set upon the backs of twelve cast bronze oxen. Three oxen faced looking toward the north, three looking toward the west, three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east. This giant laver or sea might have meant other things as well, but to me it is a beautiful picture of the cleansing Word, the Holy Spirit, the Salvation of the LORD to all the nations of earth.
Psalm 107 tells us that the redeemed (by the blood) of the LORD are gathered from the four directions of the earth. These redeemed had been hungry and thirsty, in a dry spiritual wilderness, from places of darkness and the shadow of death, and those lost in the storms and waves of the sea (v. 2-5, 10, 14, 25, 29-30). If we look at the Hebrew words and meanings of the four directions, we will see a similar picture:
West (yam)- seaward, the roaring of the surf and waves.
North (tsa phown)- hidden, obscure, dark, hidden ones, secret places, to hide, conceal.
South (negeb)- wilderness, desert region, parched, drought.
East (kedem)- ancient, before time, beginning, eternal, prevent, precede, to go before.

In Isaiah, the LORD, who identifies Himself as "your Savior", prophesies:
"Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your descendants from the east,
and gather you from the west;
I will say to the north, "Give them up!"
And to the south, "Do not keep them back!"
Bring My sons from afar,
And My daughters from the ends of the earth-
Everyone who is called by My name,
Whom I have created for My glory;
I have formed him, yes, I have made him."      Isa. 43:5-7
The LORD also promises that His salvation (Jesus) will be seen to the ends of the earth (Ps. 98:3, Isa. 49:6, Isa. 52:10, Acts 13:47).
Jesus described those who would be saved and redeemed by Him:
"They will come from the east, and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God."   Lk. 13:29
As Jesus' hands, head, and feet, were stretched out on the cross, His blood reached out and covered the four directions of the earth. That blood was demanding, "Give them up!" and "Do not keep them back!".

The Father keeps His promise to the four directions of the earth.

"Shout to the North"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctc3GqWaV3U

"God Will Restore the World" (Chinese)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSbIKFzIGII

"Mighty God"  (Soweto, Africa)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl62KqAruBo

"The Whole Earth" (Spanish)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es1YWSCXPZQ

Praise, Worship (Aleut)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wltpsYWW4Q

"Resurrection Chant/Hallelujah" (Russian)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsxxJNpZtHA

"Immanuel, Immanuel"  (Arabic -Cairo, Egypt)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjEehbjbIAY

"Et Shem Yeshua"  (Hebrew, Israel)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUqm_N8muT0

Grace

When we think of the word "grace", we think of a spiritual condition of favor, mercy, and forgiveness from God. It is a lovely, loving gift from God's salvation. However, I would like to explore "grace" as a spiritual power and authority. In fact, the power of "grace" is one of the twelve governmental names of God (Ex. 34:6-8). In order to see the awesome, superior, spiritual power and authority of grace, we should first look at the spiritual power and authority of sin. Sin is not just something wrong that we do. It is a being of power. God first discusses sin as a being in scripture with a warning to Cain, who would become the first murderer:
"...And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door, and its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."  Gen. 4:7
Sin from the scripture above, is defined as "an offence (stumbling, injury, ruin, overthrow, cast down, decayed) that requires a sacrifice". Blood is required by this power of ruin and decay. As Christians, we understand that Jesus gave His blood in our place, for our sin. This power of ruin and decay lies at the door. This is not referring to the door of Cain's house, but to the wide opening or entrance of the grave. It "lies" there, meaning that it rests, or reposes there. It crouches, broods and lurks there, as an animal might do. Man was not purposed to be ruled by sin, but to rule over it (see Gen. 4:7).
The Hebrew letters of the word for sin, chatta'ah, חַטָּאָת , give us an incredible picture of the being, power, and authority of sin:
Cheth - tent wall or fence that separates
Teth- A snake, to surround, to twist. to coil
Aleph - Strong power, leader, authority
Tav - ownership, seal, mark, cross, covenant
Sin, the snake of power and authority, surrounds us and separates us from God, and seals us, marks us, and takes ownership of us. It does this legally through the covenant by which we join ourselves together with it.
We can see similarities in Paul's teaching about the beings of spiritual hierarchy and evil in Eph. 6:12. He uses terms that refer to leaders, potentates of precedence (principalities), authority, jurisdiction, physical and mental power (powers), lords and princes of this world and age, masters that take hold of, and lay siege to the earth, and its inhabitants (rulers), evil and wicked ones of depravity and malice that force labor, toil, hardship, perils, disease, great trouble and intense desire (spiritual wickedness).
The minister Jonathan Edwards, who led the move of spiritual revival called The Great Awakening, spoke of this spiritual authority and power of sin that has the right of ownership to cast an unrepentant soul into hell. There is no power that can stop or delay it except the will of God that determines the moment when He will no longer hold on to, or hold back that unrepentant soul. The second God lets go of it, that soul falls into the pit by the legal authority and power of sin in him. Edwards preached about the power of sin that causes the human soul to combust into spiritual fire so intense that it will set on fire everything nearby. Sin is a being of power and authority.
If sin is a being of spiritual power and authority, grace is even more so (Rom. 5:20). Grace is first mentioned in Gen. 6. The earth was full of wickedness, violence and evil continually, and the LORD was sorry that He ever created man. He was deeply grieved in His heart (v.5-6).
"But Noah found grace in the eyes (ayin- fountain, face, presence, experience, knowledge) of the LORD."  Gen 6:8
The word "found" above means to meet, to encounter. Noah encountered Grace. Who is this person, Grace, that Noah met? John 1 tells us who Grace is:
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."    Jn. 1:14, 16-17
In v. 18, continuing from above, John reveals that Jesus, the Son, is in the bosom of the Father. So Noah, who sought knowledge of, and found the presence (eyes) of God, would also encounter His Son, Grace, who is within the Father.
The Hebrew letters of the word grace, chen, חֵן ,also give us a powerful picture:
Cheth - Tent wall, fence, that separates
Nun - Heir to the throne, son
So, instead of being separated by and to the snake authority of sin (see "sin" above), Grace, separates us by and to, and of the Son, the Heir to the Throne of God. The root meaning of the Hebrew word for grace is "to pitch a tent, to encamp, to dwell, to abide". Grace doesn't leave, and it doesn't retreat. Grace is by far the superior power and authority to sin, and we can certainly understand this because it is the Person of the Son. Grace is not just a condition or gift of mercy and forgiveness. It is the spiritual authority and power of the Son of God. Sin reigns in death, but Grace reigns in eternal life through Jesus (Rom. 5:21).
Let us look at some scriptures that show us the spiritual power and authority of Grace:
In speaking about "The King", Psalm 45 says,
"You are fairer that the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One, with Your glory and Your majesty."   (v. 2-3)
Above, Grace is associated with Kingly spiritual authority (lips) and power (sword).
In Prov. 4:9, Wisdom (whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor; whoever sins against me wrongs his own soul and loves death -Prov. 8:35-36), will place an ornament (wreath) of grace, and crown of glory on your head (ruling, kingly authority and power).
By shouting "Grace, Grace" to it, Zerubbabel is instructed to destroy an obstructing spiritual power, so large and high, it is described as a mountain. The power and authority of that Grace is far superior to the obstructing "mountain", or any natural power of man (Zech. 4:6-7).
Paul explains that he ministers, speaks and writes through the power and authority of Grace (Acts 4:33, Rom 1:4-5, Rom. 11:5, Rom 15:15). He describes himself as a "master builder" through the power and authority of Grace (1 Cor. 3:10).
The spiritual gifts (gifts denoting extraordinary powers; root-person under the divine authority of grace) and purposes of believers in the Body of Christ are given by Grace (Rom. 12:6, 2 Cor. 9:14-15).
A true spiritual remnant of believers is chosen by the election authority of Grace (Rom. 11:5)..
Believers stand, even through tribulation, by the spiritual power of Grace (Rom. 5:2).
When Paul was being beaten and buffeted by a demonic power, the Lord told him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."  (2 Cor. 12:9). Jesus instructs Paul that His grace, which He equates with His strength, is "sufficient". The English word sufficient doesn't really describe the fullness of meaning here. It is the Greek word arkeo, which means "to be possessed of unfailing strength, to ward off, to defend". Its root meaning is "to take by force, to raise up". The Grace referred to here is the unlimited authority, strength and power of God and Christ.

Grace is indeed lovely, but make no mistake, it also has the power and authority to knock the devil's block off.

The Father, and the Son are full of Grace and Truth.

"Grace to Overcome"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkQ5ZfVIXw8