The Man that I would like to Be.

By Nick Bibile

1Sa 1:11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

We will begin from the feet and go up.

I would have the feet of Philip who went forth preaching the gospel as the Spirit

directed him.

Acts 21:8 (Evangelist) Acts 8:1;5;26-40

Spirit lead – Luke 4:1 Rom 8:14

I would have the legs of Joshua. A good soldier has strong legs to stand and fight in enemy territory. Six nations and thirty-one kings were conquered by him (Josh. 11:18-23; 12:24) He was able to bring the children of Israel to the promise land. God’s word of encouragement to Joshua – Joshua 1:5-9

I would have the knees of the apostle James. He was so well known for his life of prayer

that the early Christians called him ‘Camel Knees’. Camel knees are rough like a leather and looks ugly for men but a pleasing aroma to God in prayer. James was constant in prayer. James walked his talk on his knees. Today there is lack of private prayer. James 5:13-20

I would have the thighs of Jacob who was touched one night by the Angel of Jehovah

that he might learn to lean on Jesus for the rest of his life. Gen 32:24-32 How we should thirst for spiritual blessings. Eph 1:3 Without his blessings we cannot do nothing for him.

I would have the loins of Hosea. He had the guts to do what God called him to do without telling God no. Hosea 1:1-2 He did not follow the popular way. Church is to be a light exposing sin, bringing sinners to the Lord. Today the church is conformed to the world as entertainment is brought into the church, instead world should be conformed to the church.

I would have the heart of David who was fearless and bold to face the giant Goliath. Israelites were scared and ran away when they saw Goliath. 1 Sam 17:23-24 but David trusted in God’s power. 1 Sam 17:45-47

I would have the shoulders of Moses who was able to bear the responsibility of leading

over a million people from Egypt via wilderness to promise land.

All Christians should be responsible in everything they do, responsible means dependable, reliable. A faithful to God, a good servant. Mat 25:21

I would have the arms of Samson to have physical strength to do the work of the

ministry. Judges 15:12-16, working tirelessly to the Lord instead of being lazy. Fighting against the enemy forces. 2 Cor 10:4

I would have the ears of Noah who heard the voice of God telling him to build an ark

and did so by faith. Many hear the word of God but soon forgotten. This was the downfall of Israel in the O. T. Psalm 106:7 But we should hear and take seriously his word. Psalm 119:55, Jesus said in the book of Revelation, “He who has ears let him hear.” Noah did what was told, which was again did not make sense as there was no rain during his time, but he heard the word well and obeyed.

I would have the eyes of Peter who was able to walk on water and also to weep over his sins. Peter was able to walk on water as long as he focused on Jesus, looking to Jesus is the key to walk the Christian life. Also Peter remembered he had sinned against the Lord and he wept bitterly. Luke 22:62 Weeping over sins is true repentance not just saying a prayer, there is mourning over sin, this is true repentance.

I would have the mind of the apostle Paul was able to understand all the great

mysteries of God. The only educated apostle who wrote one third of the epistles. He was able to debate and baffle the Jews with the wisdom of God. Rom 11:33-34

I would have the mouth of Stephen who was able to preach with power after being

filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 6:10. We see the whole sermon on Chapter 7 and this is the only sermon in the Bible where at the end the preacher was stoned to death.

Today we see pastors and preachers who compromise with sin, who is scared to death to preach the truth, who is not bold enough to tell the truth, they are walk like a soft pussy footed cat as they don’t want to disturb the sins of the people. See how Stephen preached, Acts 7:51-54. True love is not rejoicing in iniquity I Cor 13:6

For character, I would possess the faith of Abraham who believed God and it was

accounted unto him for righteousness.

I would have the courage of Gideon who despite his fears went forth to battle.

I would have the vision of Ezekiel who witnessed afresh great and marvelous things.

I would have the burden of Andrew who longed for souls to come to the Savior.

I would have the grace of young Samuel who submitted himself to the God of the

Universe and said “Speak Lord, thy servant heareth.”

I would have the intense spirit of Jeremiah who had fire in his bones. He could not

keep silent.

I would have the patience of Job to deal with the adversities of life.

And I would have wisdom of Solomon to know how to counsel others.

For clothing, I would wear the prophetic mantel of Elijah.

the humble dessert sandals of John the Baptist;

and the robes of Joseph showing the favor he had with

the Father.

For food, I would eat the manna given from heaven, even the Bread of Life.

I would desire the sincere milk of the Word of God like a newborn baby desires the

milk of its mother.

I would drink of the cup of Living Water.

But most of all, I would be like Christ who came to give His life for me. The Lord our mediator’s example and showing us the Father.

In the O.T God was known as Elohim, El Shaddai, and Jehovah, but never until Christ came did men begin to say, "Our Father which art in heaven." This was the loving word Christ declared his Father's name unto his brethren. The hard and difficult attributes of God had been discovered amidst the thunders of Sinai, the waves of the Red Sea, the smoke of Sodom, the awesome power of the Most High had been seen, and wondered at by the prophets who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; but the full radiance of a Father's love was never seen till it was seen in our Saviors face "He that hath seen me," said Christ, "hath seen the Father;

Our Lord, however, declared the Father to us.

Joh 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

But more perhaps God was shown by his acts than by his words, for the life of Christ is a discovery of all the attributes of God in action.

Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

If you want to know the gentleness of God, you perceive Jesus receiving sinners and eating with them. The loving Redeemer taking little children into his arms and blessing them. If you would know whether God is just, hear the words of a Savior as he denounces sin, and observe his own life, for he is holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners.

At the cross, where he suffered the just for the unjust to bring us to God. At the cross his righteous justice was displayed. For God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Our Lord continued to declare God's name among his brethren when he rose from the dead. He did so literally. Amongst the very first words he said were, "Go to my brethren;" and his message was, "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."

Ps 22:22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

"Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world," is the gospel's true life and power.