Praise the Lord, Grace & Peace great people of our “GREAT GOD” …JESUS!

In these last and evil days, there is an aloofness that permeates among the brethren. There is no doubt perpetual test and trials which come from Satan, and the inherent works of this flesh can, if allowed; sometimes deplete the desire and the earnest expectation, to go to the next level in Jesus Christ. I’ve noticed that when the Lord has given many Saints a divine task to complete; Satan will bring many obstacles before us to oppose the delegated task. Hence, for this Golden Nugget I would like to provoke the thought “A Jesus OBJECTIVE Will Always Be Satan’s OBJECTION.” The following scriptures will be use to establish my premise to provoke further gospel provocation:

(Exo 4:31) “And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

(Exodus 5:1-3) “And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.” `

(Jud 1:9) “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”

My brothers and sisters, just like it was with Israel, it is also with us today. We too must be consciously delivered from individuals who do not want to properly serve, worship, and walk with God based on His dictates. The world today to the Saints spiritually, is what Egypt was to Israel physically. Israel left Egypt with documented facts; we leave the world in faith. Hence, the following applies, “Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.” Saints, in my studies I noticed distinctly four objections that Satan made manifest!

Satan’s first objection was set forth by the following words, that was spoken by Pharaoh, “Go ye, and sacrifice to your God in the land.” These subtle words were in fact categorizing Israel to worship God in an environment not sanctified unto Him!  Contra-wise to how Satan may want to package forms of worship, it will always remain unfit in the sight of God. This was not uncommon for the king of Egypt to offer another peculiar mode of worship as Moses requested.  For to Pharaoh, it would be presented as another religious platform of worship in a public setting. Pharaoh’s mindset was “Surely you can carry on your religious activities, just as well as the other people are doing, there is enough room for all of us; hence, there is no need for a distinct and distance separation!”

My brothers and sister my God left no room for negotiation concerning His objective, and standard based on His declaration to Moses; “Let My people go!” There was not any vagueness in His declaration. It is impossible, in the face of such a declaration, to remain in Egypt. If He says, “Let My people go,” then we must go, in spite of all the opposing powers in this earth and Satan’s kingdom. There’s no use in reasoning, disputing, or discussing. We must obey! The Egyptians had their form of gods to worship; as a type of the world. The Apostle John stated in 1Jn 2:15-17 that we “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”

This lets us know definitively, that God sets our boundaries, and not man; especially when it comes to who, and what a child of God believes in. Any mind governed by Socratic opinions, Socratic wisdom, isocratic interests, and self-will; will always lack the spiritual indulgence that is deemed necessary to hear and follow the leading of the Lord!

Yet on the other hand, the mind that is earnestly subjected to the authority of Jesus Christ, in reverent submission to the Holy Spirit and His Scriptures, will refuse to go beyond the parameters of His written Word, and will embrace “Thus says the Lord” to maintain a vast and elevated mindset in Christ!

My beloved brothers and sisters, is not God’s Word, i.e., His mind, infinitely more comprehensive and complete, than the mindset and ways of any man? I find that as much as I love to read books, and reference material, there is nothing infinitely greater in breadth or depth than the Holy Scriptures. Hence; our motto should be that “We strive to be as narrow as Christ, and as broad as Christ.” GOLDEN NUGGET

It is imperative that we strive to view everything from this blessed perspective, so that our entire range of vision focuses correctly, and our mindset remain sound. This is why there is something uniquely powerful in Moses’ reply to Satan’s first objection noted in Exo. 8:26  “It is not meet so to do: for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the Lord our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the Lord our God, as He shall command us.”

There would have been a serious lack in protocol presenting a sacrifice, and worship to God within the realm of Egyptian worshipers. But I see even more relevance than this! Egypt was not the place where God’s people could erect an altar to the only true and living God. I need you to recall, that when there was a famine in the land according to Gen 12:9-10 “And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south. And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.”

Saints, Abram left his altar, and his tent; where he fellowshipped with God in the land that was promised to him and his seed. It was during a season when he experienced a lack of total faith! Hence, he decided to enjoy the pleasures of the world for that season, while negating his spiritual responsibilities! That’s right, Abram abandoned his worship, and his pilgrimage when he went down into Egypt. Hence, we should know by this precedence that if Abraham could not worship there, nor could his seed. I’m sure during God’s decree to Moses, that many Egyptians may have asked, why? But I have come to realize over the years of my walk with God, that there is one thing to ask a question, and another thing to understand the answer pertaining to the question asked! It’s the same today my beloved brothers and sisters, the world does not understand why we strive to separate ourselves unto the Lord, via fasting, prayer, word study, and fellowship; as we strive to live holy in the sight of Jesus Christ. Peter gives us the answer to all those that may ask, according to 1Pet. 1:15-16 “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (a lifestyle); Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

There was no way that an idol worshipping Egyptian could understand the meaning of a “three day’s journey!”

My “Beloved, the world knows us not, because it knew Him not.”  I need you to understand that the motives which actuate, and the objectives which animate all true believers in Jesus Christ, lie far beyond this world’s understanding. I speak of course concerning a Saint of God having the proper motives. No doubt there is much in a Saint’s life that the world can admire and value; i.e., Integrity, Honesty, Truthfulness, Kindness, care for the poor, and Self-denial.

Satan’s second objection my brothers and sisters, is linked to his first objection. If he could not succeed in keeping Israel in Egypt, he would at least try to keep them as near to it as possible. Ex. 8:28 “I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away.” 

Saints, we can do more damage for the cause of Jesus Christ by rendering a partial, half-hearted relinquishing of the world, than just remaining in the world altogether. In my observation; wavering, undecided, half-hearted professors of the faith; injure the testimony of the Lord more than others who are still living for Satan in world. Let us all intelligently adduce that it is a vast difference between giving up certain worldly things, and giving up the world itself. A person may have a form of godliness, yet retain the world deep down in their heart. We may cut off some of the branches, and yet cling tenaciously to the stump, and root of the tree. GOLDEN NUGGET

In my settled observation there are many saved souls that have doubts, fears, ups and downs, darkness and heaviness, lack of assurance and comfort; all in light of not walking in the liberty, joy, peace, and authoritative realization, that Jesus has us covered. Hence, we cannot hold a feast to the Lord in Egypt! (The world)

My brothers and sister if we hold a feast to the Lord other than how, what, and where specified; we will not experience the full fellowship in Him, as it pertains to our peace flowing like a river, nor our walk in the light of His countenance, nor the joy of being in His presence! Hence, our atmosphere will become, and remain murky.

Please know that one of Satan’s masterpieces is to influence the Saints to be content just to look to the Cross for salvation in the loins of their mind; yet never make Jesus Christ the LORD of their life! These same implications were offered by Pharaoh to Moses. He rendered a parameter to remain in the world, “not going very far away.” So, what was the remedy?  It was, and is, to stay devoted to God’s objective and directive; in order to establish, and maintain the proper fellowship with God! Jesus’s objective will always be contrary to a world that presents foolishness, gaiety, false religion, politics, and seducing philanthropy.

My brothers and sister, so what do we say concerning these things? Is this a good trade off? Do we have cogent position for giving up the ways of this world? I SAY YES! Once we have experienced the preciousness, and goodness of Jesus Christ, it should not be difficult to give up the ideologies of this world. It states in Heb. 6:4-6 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

If Christ really fills our heart, the worlds ideologies are not only driven out, but kept out. We not only turn our back to Egypt, but we go far enough away from it never to return. And for what?… to do nothing, to have nothing, or to remain gloomy, morose, melancholy, sour, or cynical?  No; it is to “hold a feast to the Lord.” Yes, my brothers and sisters, it is “in the wilderness;” because it is in the wilderness where our heavenly walk begun as pilgrims in this strange land, as we grow in experiential knowledge, embracing a lively hope that Jesus Christ is with us. Jesus is our heaven, bless His holy name! He is the light of our eyes, the joy of our hearts, the food for our souls; for we know that Heaven cannot be Heaven without Him! The apostle Paul affirms this in Eph. 2:1-6 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

Now since we have been called to exemplify Jesus Christ in all our situations and circumstances, we have to look at these respectfully from a heavenly place perspective. This perspective is the only way we can act out the Christ which is in us; in order to render the glory due unto Him! It has been proven that those Saints aforetime, who are resting in the Lord, embraced the mindset that a single eye never looks at situations and circumstances, but continues to look straight at Jesus! My beloved when this is truly embraced, then our walk in Christ Jesus becomes simpler, and plainer.

This will always be the mindset needed to fulfill a Jesus Objective, especially during these times, when so many are exemplifying an Elegy of Playtime Religion. A time which entails self-seekers, and men pleasers, to scratch an itch. Saints we must continue to make Christ our major premise, in efforts of separation from this world. For this premise is why God told Moses to tell Pharaoh to “Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.”

Saints, please notice how Satan objects to every inch of the ground concerning Israel’s deliverance from the land of Egypt. Satan would allow them to worship in the land, and near the land; but their absolute, and complete deliverance from the land is what he wanted to obstinately resist by every means in his power. Yet God remains sovereign, and will always reign over His greatest adversary! In spite of all the powers and principalities, God purpose, and standards cannot be eradicated; hence, His demands must be executed “Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.” This was God’s demand, and it had to come to pass, even though the adversary may offer ten thousand objections. God’s divine glory was intimately involved in the entire separation of Israel from Egypt, and from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. “The people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.” Just like us today in the body of Christ; 2Co. 6:14-18 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

Now let’s look at the third objection by Satan, found in Exo. 10:8-11 “And Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh: and he said to them, Go, serve the Lord your God: but who are they that shall go? And Moses said, we will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds we will go; for we must hold a feast to the Lord. And he said to them, Let the Lord be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you. Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the Lord; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.”

Wow, these words contain a very solemn lesson to the hearts of all saved parents. They reveal the cunning, deep, and crafty purpose of Satan. If he could not keep the parents in Egypt, he strived to keep the children! Parents were to embrace the wilderness to worship without their children, to observe this glorious occasion. Even today this is something that we must be cognizant of, because the Lord has always linked man and his house together. “Thou and thy house” Gen 7:1 “And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.”

How many of us as parents have falsely applied the doctrines of grace, which has allowed us comfortably, to feel that in God’s time our children will be included in His eternal purpose. It is imperative that we know that it is still our responsibility, when our children have strayed away, to remind them perpetually of the tragic cost, of negating their spiritual responsibilities in Christ Jesus! We have to make sure they do not lose sight of this grand practical truth, that JESUS; who has decreed the end, has fixed the means of reaching it, and that it is total foolishness to think of gaining the end (Eternal life with Him) while neglecting the means. (Living holy in this present life) GOLDEN NUGGET

So, what is further meant by “Thou and thy house”? I believe there are two major things involved in it. The first is the precious privilege given; and the second is, the deep responsibility that comes with it. We have to count on God to save our children, but we still are responsible to train our children for Gods use! Pro 22:5-6 “Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Saints, God has documented His Word in every part that connects a man with his house. Luke: 19 “This day is salvation come to this house.”  Acts: 16 “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”  Here lies the solid basis concerning the privilege and responsibility of parents. Even a skillful gardener, when their fruit trees are young and tender; begins to train the branches through photosynthesis to catch the genial rays of the sun; so, they will not grow in the wrong direction, contrary to how he trained the branches. It has to be the same with us! A gardener would look foolish trying to train those branches when they become old, and gnarled. That’s like allowing Satan to mold our children, and suffer from it.

We are never to forget that Grace is sovereign, and our children, like all others, must be born of the water, and of the Spirit and walk in Jesus; or they cannot enter into God’s eternal rest. All this is as plain and as clear as the scriptures can make it; but, on the other hand, the scriptures are equally clear and plain as to the duty of saved parents, and the children. Eph. 6:1-4 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

The fourth and last objection, was embodied in the following words in Exo. 10:24 “And Pharaoh called to Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.” Notice how Pharaoh would let them go, but without resources to serve the Lord. If he could not keep them in Egypt, he would send them away without resources needed to build the tabernacle, and animals to sacrifice unto the Lord; basically, send them off crippled and shorn. But notice Moses’s response in Exo. 10:25-26 “And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt-offerings, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God. Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not a hoof be left behind: for thereof must we take to serve the Lord our God; and” …please notice Moses proactive perspective…“We know not with what we must serve the Lord until we come thither.”

It is utterly impossible without Christ; while surrounded by a worldly atmosphere, governed by worldly spirits, worldly principles, and worldly objectives; to have any sense of what is due to God. We must stand on the lofty ground of our accomplished redemption; as we walk in the full orbed light, knowing that we are a new creation set apart from this present evil world; so that we can properly serve our Lord and savior Jesus Christ!

Saints, it is only when we experience the power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, can we see how we are brought by the death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ “three day’s journey” that we can all understand what true Christian service is. Moses, the man of God, met all Satan’s objections by simply adhering to God’s obvious OBJECTIVE, “Let My people go, that they hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.”

Paul was very clear concerning this also when it comes to the objections from our sinful flesh, in Rom 7:19-21 “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.” This is why we have to perpetually remind ourselves that every resource that we have been bless with tangibly and mentally, belongs to God! Hence, we render Him the Tithe, and Offerings, and many other substances to help provide, and sustain the spread of His glorious gospel, and the various locations where we worship! It takes sacrifice to worship our Lord. For scriptures declare in Rom. 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Also, in Heb. 10:24-25 “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.” GOLDEN NUGGET

Satan would have us be selfish, and not help fund ministry; so that souls be not transformed, and regenerated in Christ Jesus! Hence, whatever the Lord has delegated for you to do, please do it with earnest; knowing that opposition is a validation to the directive! Hence, I shall continue in the things of God, because I know that “A Jesus OBJECTIVE Will Always Be Satan’s OBJECTION.” Strive to make every day a “JESUS DAY!”