"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

The chefs knife swiftly and deftly slid up and down the sharpening steel with amazing speed. The user brought it to a pleasant rhythm of steel striking and sliding up and down against the tool. All this to insure a smoothing out of microscopic imperfections on the blade imperceptible by the human eye. All this for an instrument of righteousness fit for use in the Master's hand. We believers, as we come against adversity, trial, temptation are being sharpened up as we interface one with another. Painful at times, but all for the glory of God.

Pastor Russell

"....in order that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

The gentle trade winds came down from deep within the Kalihi valley area, bringing along with it a gentle rain mist. All in its path felt the cooling relief from the more normal scorching weather we have been experiencing, and for a brief moment enjoying Gods respite, His love for all of mankind.

Pastor Russell

"Come and eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed. Forsake your folly and live, and proceed in the way of understanding."

The Lord, in His great love and faithfulness, has and continued over the course of the ages to reach out to mankind. Sending invitation with pleadings to the lost. Those who hear, receive and and proceed in the way of the Lord should have gained new life and hope.

"I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." Luke 15:7

Pastor Russell

"Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverance and awe......"

The writer here calls for a response from the recipient of the gospel, the offering up of acceptable service to Him. In other words, the call for the believer to be charged with domestic duties, as well as religious and spiritual administration for the service of believers. This acceptable service is to be with done with "shamefastness", an old English word meaning modest, shy, or bashful, even the point of being shamefaced or full of shame, ministering before the Lord. Many come filled with self confidence and pride, rather than reverence and awe.

"for our God is a consuming fire" Hebrews 12:29

Pastor Russell

"Then David the king went in and sat down before the Lord, and he said, "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that thou has brought me this far?"

The Lord had blessed David with an honor beyond belief, and David was amazed, yet his reaction was one of intense personal intimacy, and respect. Note how he entered into the Lord's presence, with the ease of a child and seeking a loving father. With us, we too should have that ability with our heavenly Father, eagerly seeking, in communion and with all respect, in the knowledge of a loving relationship. 

Pastor Russell

"As in the days of David and Asaph in ancient times, songs of praise and hyms of thanksgiving to God."

David was a man well acquainted with threats of death, being chased over hill, almost speared, on the run for his life for quite a few years. Yet he was one who never forgot the goodness of God, His mercy and grace, and for that he always continued with a heart of worship. The sweet psalmist of Israel would continue throughout all his years, never forgetting that no matter how hard or trying, God's faithfulness. 

Pastor Russell

“But we have this treasure In earthen vessel, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.”

Paul, at times knew the battle that waged around the child of God. Surrounded by fear, doubt, uncertainty, it would be challenging without the power of God dwelling within us. John would write that His perfect love casts all fear out, and so it is for His child. Rest in Him, peace that passes all understanding, trusting in Him for his absolute best.

Pastor Russell

"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit......."

Like the filling of the the temple storerooms during the time of Nehemiah, the newly minted children of God on the day of Pentecost had placed themselves under the spigot of the Lord, receiving all He had for them. Like the physical treasures brought to the temple, so too the spiritual treasures of the Lord would come forth without measure to fill and overflow the child of God. Continual to ask for his fresh outpouring, that we remained filled and empowered with all His resources.

Pastor Russell

"Things which the eye as seen and ear has not hears, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him."

All through the two letters, the apostle belabors the truths he so desperately desires to convey to the church. Things we have never thought of, things we have never imagined, things we could never fathom on our own, incomprehensible for those outside of the Spirit. Try and look beyond what you see in front of you, and look towards the eternal in Christ.

Pastor Russell

"Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so they might celebrate the the dedication with gladness, with hymns of thanksgiving and with songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps and lyres."

Now at the dedication, we see with great festivity and joyous celebration, that the walls and gates were brought before the Lord. This dedication, literally to make new, or to re-new was not only the completion of a building project, but more like highlighting the faithfulness of the Lord in what He had done for His people. The walls coined by some as salvation, and gates called praise, speak of His saving grace for His people, and the future longevity of the nation.

Pastor Russell

"and above the gate at Ephraim, by the Old Gate, by the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate, and they stopped at the Gate of the Guard." (Prison Gate)

Many years before, during the reign of Hezekiah, king of Judah, the call went out to Ephraim, and all the breakaway tribes of the Northern kingdom, to come and celebrate the Passover of the Lord. Some laughed with scorn, and others mocked the kings invitation. Some though, humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. Here, the Lord's invitation was to come, just as you are, ill equipped and unprepared, but ready to receive the grace and mercy of God.

On the other hand, some at the prison gate, though they stood at an open door, failed to exit the cell. Comfort, familiarity, self satisfaction filled them with a happy to call it status quo, I'm already blessed, I'm good.

Two gates contrasted, two peoples compared. Pray for those who are the two gates.

Pastor Russell

"Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths lived in other cities."

We quickly forget that during the time of Ezra, the work on the temple was paused for fourteen years. During this stoppage, many of the Jews worked on family homes outside of city, that had laid fallow for many years. Now very comfortable, it would be a sacrifice to go and re-populate Jerusalem. Little did they know, that one day Jesus would be dedicated at the temple, He would be lost in deep conversation with scholars there, and one day, He would enter as king. Small inconveniences and sacrifice would pay great dividends for us all.

Pastor Russell