Ask for the Ancient Paths

The purpose of this series of talks is to de-mystify a Biblical sandwich, a text that has often been divisive and/or misunderstood, very often taken out of context or broken into constituent parts. 

If you don’t have beef, do you have a hamburger?

Let's talk about a Biblical Hamburger. 

In this episode Mike looks at a real-world application of a Greek noun.

Do you need a lawyer? God provides one who will be with you forever.

What is the intended result for human beings? What is the goal and outcome of our walk with God?

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. -- Philippians 2

Today we continue the extended series of episodes titled As He Leads. Mike turns on the microphone and shares what he senses the Lord saying.

May these words edify, encourage and comfort you or someone near you today.

Today, we look at the words of Jesus to the church in Laodicea:

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Mentioned in the episode: Apple Podcasts on the Web

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." -- John 15

There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God– having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. -- 2 Timothy 3

In this episode, i share quotes that have been meaningful and helpful as I have walked as a follower of Jesus.

———

Let me say I am here by God’s appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time. -- Andrew Murray

———

Irish Prayer: 

Teach us good Lord, 
   to serve thee more faithfully,  
   to give and not to count the cost, 
   to fight and not to heed the wounds, 
   to toil and not to seek for rest, 
   to labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do thy will, 
Oh Lord our God.  

“What do you think, Simon?”

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? "

“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?”

"Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? "

"Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?"

We want to receive the life that God gives us, not choose our life for ourselves.

"Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

On the cross, they offered Jesus wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he didn't take it.

-- Mark 15

I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, friends! Drink, yes, drink abundantly, beloved.

-- Song of Songs 5

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. . . .  love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

-- Jesus, in Luke chapter 6

This is a more personal episode, a sort of diary entry. Let's all listen for the Teacher's voice as we commit ourselves to walking with Him. 

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Lord, teach me to pray. Open my eyes to see beyond
the earthly to the heavenly. Let my primary concerns
be heavenly ones, that Your kingdom may come on
Earth, Your will be done in me and in those I love.
Teach me to pray with Jesus, for His sake. Amen.

- Elisabeth Elliot

---

Mentioned in this episode: ElisabethElliot.org

What are Foundations of faith?

God's purposes include

• our sharing in His nature
• our surrendering everything to His will

Today we look at these two aspects of the Will of God.

Mentioned in today's episode: John Wesley's Covenant Service

Is God predictable? Can we anticipate all that He will do? Can we predict His actions? Are we willing to be like polished stone?

. . .the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom. . .

. . . the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.

1 Corinthians

In today's episode, I turn on the microphone and share what is on my heart, including the old hymn:

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free;
Rolling as a mighty ocean,
In its fullness over me.

Underneath me, all around me
Is the current of your love;
Leading onward, leading homeward,
To your glorious rest above.

Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus,
‘Tis heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory,
For it lifts me up to thee.

Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus  -
Spread his praise from shore to shore -
How he loves us, ever loves us,
Changes never, nevermore.

What are God’s priorities? How does He want us to order our lives? What comes first?

“One thing you lack,”

"Only one thing is needed,"

"One thing I do know,"

"One thing I ask from the Lord,"

visit AFTAP on Youtube

There are many reasons why people may need to find a new church. Today we talk about how to find a new fellowship and discuss guidelines for discerning the will of God in this matter.

Est Populus, Non Aedificium!

Today we look at what the Lord said about, how he commended, the values of a dishonest steward.

“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings." -- Luke 16

Today I look at Poems and Prayers on the theme of Trust & Surrender.

Highlighted are works by Annie Johnson Flint, Andrew Murray, John & Betty Stam, and John Wesley.

Rules for my life: 

1. God brought me here. It is by His will that I am in this confined place. In that fact I will rest. 
2. He will keep me here in His love and give me grace to behave as His child.
3. He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends for me to learn and working in me the grace He means to bestow. 
4. In His good time He can bring me out again — when and how, He knows. 

Let me say I am here by God’s appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time. 

- Andrew Murray

Today we look at a man who is a bit of a mystery. Who was he? Why is he so very important in the ministry of Jesus? What can New Covenant believers learn from Melchizedek?

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
And blessed be God Most High,
who delivered your enemies into your hand.”
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

-- Genesis 14

In this episode, I look at how believers are not to look back, and I address the question  "Are you a Christian or a follower of Jesus".

I also continue the conversation about luxury laundry products!

Mentioned in this episode: Cliffe Knechtle

Today, I take a look at Paul's instructions to Timothy, and I also take a look at social media fortune-telling and "An Unparalleled Laundry Experience."

- Take your share of suffering ... 2 Tim 1:8
- Take strength from the grace of God  ... 2:1
- Take your share of hardship  ... 2:3
- Remember Jesus Christ. ... 2:8
- Try hard to show yourself worthy ...  2:15
- Avoid empty and worldly chatter  ... 2:16
- Turn from wayward impulses  ... 2:22
- Pursue justice, integrity, love, peace  ...  2:22
- Have nothing to do with foolish speculations  ...  2:23
- Do not be quarrelsome  ... . 2:23
- Be kindly towards all . ...  2:24
- Be a good teacher, tolerant, gentle  ...  2:24 
- • Keep clear of men who put money and pleasure in the place of God  ...  3:1-5
- Stand by the truths you have learned  ...  3:14
- Keep calm and sane at all times.  ... 4:5 
- Face hardship  ...  4:5 
- Do all the duties of your calling  ... 4:5 

Access playlists on the AAP YouTube Channel. 

The nation of Israel arrived at the Jordan river but did not believe all that God had promised, so they fell back and did not enter into that promised land. Their fear and self-preservation kept them from God's blessings.

We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true–even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

1 John 5

A time of testing comes to all Christians. What are God's purposes? What is the difference between Testing and Tempting? What does the Bible say that will help us go through trails? 

Today, I share a few tips and techniques that have been helpful to me as a teacher.

This episode is really for anyone who may be asked to speak at a small group, lead a devotional or even lead a large seminar.

Today I talk about foundation stones of

• Repentance
• Relationship
• Rewards

We also have listener mail -- a young professional shares thoughts about marriage and discipleship.

Jesus replied: “Haven’t you read that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

-- Matt 19

David Pawson - Divorce and Remarriage

There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.

-- Prov 14: 12

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."

-- Is 55: 8,9

Mentioned in this episode --

Elisabeth Elliot on:

• Dating and Singleness
• Marriage
• Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
• Gateway to Joy radio programs

As you come to him, the living Stone–rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him– you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone,’” and,
“A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”

-- 1 Peter 2

Mentioned in this episode: Ask for the Ancient Paths on YouTube

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death–
even death on a cross!

-- Philippians 2

Sing to God, sing praise to his name,

extol him who rides on the clouds–

his name is the LORD–

and rejoice before him.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,

is God in his holy dwelling.

God sets the lonely in families,

he leads forth the prisoners with singing;

Psalm 68

Mentioned in this episode:

• David Pawson -- Divorce and Remarriage
• Ask for the Ancient Paths on YouTube
• Invocation -- episode music

Where did these terms originate? What do they mean? How do they apply to us?

"Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

"Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 

"Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”

"So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."

-- Galatians chapter 3

This and all other episodes are available, in playlists, on the AAP YouTube channel.

Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above."

John 19:11

Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me."

Matthew 16:24

Access playlists on the AAP YouTube Channel.

"Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!"

Deuteronomy 5:29

“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls."

Jeremiah 6:16

Jehovah spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said:
“Do not call conspiracy
everything that these people call conspiracy;
do not fear what they fear,
and do not dread it.
Jehovah Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,
he is the one you are to fear,
he is the one you are to dread,
and he will be a sanctuary;
but for both houses of Israel he will be
a stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.

Isaiah 8:11-14

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

For in just a very little while,

“He who is coming will come and will not delay.

But my righteous one will live by faith.

And if he shrinks back,

I will not be pleased with him.”

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

Hebrews 10:35-39

Mentioned in this Episode:

AAP on YouTube

Invocation

This is what the LORD says–
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,
who drew out the chariots and horses,
the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland."

Isaiah 43:16-19

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. -- James 1:2-4

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.. -- Ephesians 5:2

With guest Leslie Seuser.

Mentioned in this episode: Community Bible Study

The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. -- Matthew 13:10-11

Mentioned in this Episode: AAP on YouTube

Ask for the Ancient Paths YouTube Channel

"For I am the Lord, I do not change."

Malachi 3:6

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your Spirit? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the utter most parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.

Psalm 139:7-10

Let's talk about the illness and the remedy.

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

“What is truth?” Pilate asked.

John Chapter 18

"I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings."

Luke 16:9

“You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight."

Luke 16:15

• Cheerfully
• Generously
• Secretly
• Proportionately
• Regularly
• Widely
• Lovingly

It’s not what it buys, it’s what it costs.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"

Matthew 6:19ff

Ambition - Addiction - Adoration

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

James 1: 9-11

We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

James 3:2