Occupy Till I Come.

Luke 19:12-13 “He (Jesus) said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

And He called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

This nobleman gives ten servants, one pound each….. to use while he was away.

Of course Jesus is giving this story about His going back to heaven after being raised again;…..and what He gives His servants here.

Each of us, as Christians, have been given something…..

….we all have the Holy Spirit

….we all have faith to overcome

….we all have grace to use

….we all have His Word to read, study and get into our lives.

We all have a lot….what are we doing with it?

“Occupy till I come” is a merchandise term.

It is to use what we have, or what we have been given(as in a loan),….to get more,….just as in a business.

But the thought here, is that you are gaining for Someone else.

As Christians, we are not our own. We have been bought and redeemed with the high price of Jesus blood. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

And we are given His life and power by the Holy Spirit within. He enables us with His grace.

This is the “pound” we are all given as His servants.

The work is all to be done, as servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, out of love to Him.

So how do we “gain” to show our love to Christ?

By using what we have…

……as these servants gained with their “pound” for their nobleman master.

Luke 19:15-16 “And it came to pass, that when He was returned, having received the kingdom, then He commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom He had given the money, that He might know how much every man had gained by trading.

Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.”

This servant had yielded to the Holy Spirit and done all he could for His lovely and blessed Lord.

(It is not counting souls won, or jobs done; but the diligent effort of a life lived to God’s glory.)

Luke 19:18 “And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.”

This servant had difficulties.

His gain had been smaller,……maybe because of doubts and cares which hindered him at the first;……but he had finally overcome by the faith given him, and he had gained five times more than he had been given!

Luke 19:20-21 “And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin;

For I feared thee, because you art an austere man: and takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou did not sow.”

What!! This servant did not gain anything!

His dishonor was because of the wrong thoughts about the Lord.

He thought that if he did what he was told and tried to gain with the pound he had been given, he might lose it.

He thought that he was better off just forgetting about it….till he could give it back……because the Lord was a very severe, and demanding God…..

……The Lord would have what he gave….he could not complain.

But this was not what the Lord had wanted for the man.

He wanted this man to use the “pound” (which is the power of the Holy Spirit within), and “gain” in his heart love, peace, and joy in the fellowship with Himself….by faith.

This is gaining for the Lord; for we are His inheritance.(Ephesians 1:18)

Luke 19:22 “But He saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:”

Sadly the Lord of this man judges him……..according to what that man had wanted to believe about the Lord.

For you see, by the next question, the Lord shows that any gain would have been blessed.

Luke 19:23 “Wherefore thou gavest not my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury (interest)?”

What the Lord was really asking this man, was:

Why did you not show some interest in My gift of the Holy Spirit?

You grieved My Holy Spirit by your not wanting my gift;

So, since you never really had it; you will never have it.

Luke 19:24, 26 “And He said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

For I say unto you, that unto everyone which hath, shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.”

There are many who want to appear as the Lord’s servants, which never really love Him, or receive Him into their hearts and lives. (John 1:12)

They want to look good, but never honor the Lord in their hearts. They really hate the thought of doing anything for the Lord Jesus Christ!

Every thought they have is self….self-pity, self-preservation, self-love.

This man was one of these; and he was seen at last for what he was.

He was not judged by anyone else, but the Lord judged him according to the man’s own thoughts.

We are told by the Lord to use His gift of faith by the Holy Spirit and gain joy and peace in believing.

In every gain we make in our lives, we rejoice the Lord’s heart….and “gain” for Him.

“Occupy till I come.”

Borrow Vessels, not a Few

Elisha was a prophet in Israel.

There were many who, though contrary to the “popular religion”, followed God.

They would gather together to hear Elisha, as he traveled the country.

He ministered to the people with the Word of God, and instruction.

Many followed the teachings of God, and they were called the “sons of the prophets”.

Some set themselves aside for ministering, and prayer.

Others had families, and lived for God in their jobs.

A widow of one of these men came to Elisha in dire straights. After her husband had died, things had gotten very tough financially, and they had come into debt.

2 Kings 4:1 “Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.”

This was very serious. Both sons being taken, must have meant a large debt.

But she came to Elisha;…..he would be able to pray for her, or tell her what she could do by the Word of the Lord.

2 Kings 4:2 “And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee?

Tell me, what hast thou in the house?

And she said, Thy handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil.”

At first, it is as if Elisha is not asking the woman at all….but rather praying for direction…”What shall I do for thee?”

Then, he asks her, according as the Holy Spirit showed him, “What do you have in the house?”

She had nothing to sell, nothing to trade. She only had a pot of oil.

How often we think we need something more, before we can serve God.

More knowledge, more courage, more understanding.

But really, we just need to use what we have: God’s grace which He has already given us, by the Holy Spirit.

When we do, then God will enable us,…..and He will supply more of what we need.

2 Kings 4:3-4 “Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.

When thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee, and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.”

Here was the answer:

She would have to be obedient,……and God would supply her need.

She would have to borrow empty vessels; for the Lord was going to work a miracle for her.

But it was to be for her and her sons. No one else was to be present, or even see through the door.

Elisha was not present. He did not do this.

The Lord did this for her, and her sons;……..using empty vessels……and their obedience.

Did God supply the need? Yes!

2 Kings 4:5-6 “So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.

And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel.

And he said unto her, there is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.”

Abundantly the need was met! All the vessels they had borrowed were filled,…..till there was no more.

God would have us bring our “empty vessels” to Him to be filled with His Spirit, for our everyday needs.

Shutting the door, so we may be alone with God in prayer and devotions, is often the means He uses to supply our need for the day.

The oil of joy, and strength, and peace…..and increased faith is often given as we close the door on the world, and seek Him, only.

2 Kings 4:7 “Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.”

After the miracle, she did not get “swelled head” and say, I know what I will do.

No, she came and asked for guidance as what to do next.

Amazingly, the answer was an answer for the rest of her life.

God saw to the need, and more. He gave to her, so that she would be able to live beyond this debt.

That is what God always gives us: life. It is what He supplies, even as He is supplying a specific need, for now.

Our life as His children, here and now; and every time we need it.

It does not say whether the oil came drop by drop, or poured out fast from the vessel she had.

Only that the oil came, the need was met. He supplied it for her and her son’s life.

Let us look to God to supply the need of our life, bringing our “empty vessels” for His Spirit to fill….that we may have His life for us,…..and live by His direction.

Jonathan

We first meet Jonathan when his father, Saul, becomes the first king of Israel.

Saul had reigned three years, when the Philistines became overbearing and impossible to stay at peace with.

So Saul called out three thousand men to be soldiers…..two thousand were with Saul, and one thousand was with Jonathan (1 Samuel 13:1-4).

Jonathan was a brave man, and one which believed in God.

He had a battle with the Philistines over a fort….and won. (Saul took the credit, but Jonathan was content in the victory, whoever got the credit.)

When the Philistines heard of this loss on their part, they gathered together to fight Israel, and it’s new king.

This was terrifying to Israel…..and many in the army deserted.

But again, Jonathan was the one who stepped up and gave a victory.

1 Samuel 14:6 “And Jonathan said unto the young man that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.”

Notice Jonathan’s faith……it was an active one…..it did not just speak of God, but acted upon what he believed….

….and this encouraged others.

1 Samuel 14:7, 13, 15 “And his armor-bearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.

And Jonathan climbed up….and his armor-bearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; ad his armor-bearer slew after him.

And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.”

The Lord honored Jonathan’s faith, and gave a victory over the enemy, in those that kept guard……and even down into the field of Philistines.

The Lord sent an earthquake to terrify the enemy, as well.

But Saul hindered the battle with the Philistines by making everyone swear not to eat! Or be put to death!

(When people fast for God’s good, the Lord blesses it…..but fasting just to twist God’s arm, so to speak, is worth nothing…..even hinders…as here)

But Jonathan was not there when the order was given. (1 Samuel 14:24-27)…and ate some wild honey he found in the field.

When Saul found out….he was going to kill Jonathan…..but the Israelites stepped in and stopped it.

Saul’s love of admiration became his downfall….and when he refused to obey God’s command….

….and let the people take spoils of war that were not to be saved….he lost his kingship.

(although it would be years before God took it from him….so much time to repent….but he died, as he lived without God.)

Jonathan was there when Goliath came and dared Israel to fight him…..and when David did just that,…..

Jonathan recognized a David’s courage was in the Lord…..

…and loved him for it. (1 Samuel 18:3)

They were fast friends and Jonathan defended David when Saul became jealous and angry over the people’s love of David. (1 Samuel 18:8-9)

…..reminding Saul of David’s loyalty to God and him….in battle and in life.

1 Samuel 18:14 “And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him.”

This is what Jonathan loved about David…..his love and devotion to God….and his courage because of it.

Several years passed, where Jonathan and David worked together…..for God and Israel.

Yet Saul’s jealousy raged….till he wanted to kill David.

Jonathan came between Saul’s murderous thoughts and David, several times…..always siding with David…..because he knew the Lord delighted in David.

1 Samuel 19:4,6 “And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant…..

And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the Lord liveth, he shall not die.”

Notice that Jonathan was concerned lest the king….sin.

As I said, Jonathan was a believer in God.

Jonathan stood, so far, with the Lord and David.

But there was a day, when Jonathan had to choose between God and David, in hiding…..and Saul, in the palace, with his men.

1 Samuel 20:42 “And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, (not: I will go with you), forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever.

And he (David) arose and departed; and Jonathan went into the city.”

What a difference in their direction!

The outcast David….and the son Jonathan….

….one to caves and hiding…..the other “to the city”.

I want to mention here, that it was not the throne that came between Jonathan and God…..but time and circumstances.

Jonathan did not care that David was to be king…..he would be at his right hand as he had been with his father.

It was not praise that he sought.

But the circumstances of Jonathan’s life were what stopped him.

Jonathan had a wife, but David did too….and had to leave her.

Jonathan felt an obligation to his father,…..but did not seek God’s Will concerning it…..

….he just felt that a short time would pass, and God would remove Saul….and put David on the throne…..and David would remember their covenant….and all would be well.

But it would be years….two or three years….before that happened!

And though Jonathan never entered into any chasing of David…..he never joined him and put the weight of his status with him.

This is called settling for second best…..leaning on our own understanding…..being double-minded.

(In Psalms 12:2 it is called “double-heart”)

This is what Jonathan should have done…..and so should we, for we are all warned of this:

James 4:7-8 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, yet double minded.”

How could this happen to such a brave, and God fearing person, as Jonathan?

Time and circumstance.

When we expect things to happen in a certain time…..and they don’t

When the days roll by and we just stay in our habits…..without diligently seeking God’s Will….and Way of bringing that Will to pass.

(Perhaps he thought he could change Saul’s mind….how many times we have good reasons for doing the wrong thing!)

And how many times do these put hinderances between us and God’s Will, for us?

Jonathan should have left the palace…..taking his family to safety and followed David.

How much sooner would the kingdom have come to David…..because the king’s son had decided for God’s Way.

Yet Jonathan did not…..choosing to stay with his father…..and he died following him into an impossible battle:

Saul had brought his army into a valley…..surrounded by Philistines in the hills around! The army tried to flee up into mount Gilboa…..but were slaughtered.

What kind of leader brings his men under the enemy?

But Jonathan was there…..and fought bravely…..but died.

1 Samuel 31:3 “And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malachi-Shula, Saul’s sons.”

(David kept his covenant with Jonathan….and took his son into the palace with him, when he was king of Israel. 2 Samuel 9:1, 6-7, 13)

God’s Will leads us in varied and often hazardous places.

As one writer, years ago said…..”we are not called to beds of ease….but to the battlefield of life…..wherever that takes us.”

Let us keep our armor on…..and know the Lord’s Will…..and Stand with Him….wherever that takes us.

Manna,…or the old corn of the Land.

Joshua 5:11-12 “And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the marrow after the Passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the self same day.

And the manna ceased on the marrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.”

On this day the manna stopped. They did not need it any more. It had been God’s miraculous food for His people, in the wilderness. (Exodus16:14-16)

But now there was the old corn of the land, stored up from the harvest of the inhabitants.

When they entered Canaan, the people had fled into Jericho, and had left this supply of food behind.

Now Israel had a supply, not from heaven each morning…….but from their enemies.

Certainly, both supplies came from God:

One was directly from Him, each morning.

The other was a supply He gave from the land which they were entering.

I want to talk for a moment about the different ways God supplies our need…..both spiritual lessons and graces….and physical needs…..

….there is the “ordinary way”…from our jobs, or inheritances….these, though of course, supplied by God is not in a miraculous way.

….then there is the “surprise way”….where some gift or extra money or supplies are given for a specific time.

….then there is (and I think this is amazing!) the way God supplies our needs…through our very enemies.

How many times have we learned a lesson in courage, or peace, or strength…by our enemies?

Our God is an Almighty, and Wise God…..He knows when and where and what to “feed” us….and from what source!

These supplies were also different in the way they were presented to feed Israel.

The manna was on the ground, right outside the tents of each Israelite. So he could walk on it if he so chose.

This is a picture of Christ when He came in His humiliation as the Man Christ Jesus….He was presented in an earthly manner…..and many people “trod Him underfoot”.

John 6:33-35 “For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Then said they unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life; he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.”

He came, presented Himself as the Son of God, and was despised and trampled on, as often the manna was to Israel.

John 6:41-42 “The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am bread which came down from heaven.

And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?”

As the manna was given directly from heaven, but placed upon the ground round their tents for them to honor and receive,…..

…or to walk on…..

…..so Jesus Christ came to this earth to be received or rejected, as Savior to sinners.

The old corn of the land was discovered, as they came to possess their possessions in the Promised Land.

It was part of their inheritance,……and so they received it with thanksgiving.

This is like Christ being presented as Lord and Savior to a lost and dying world….

……after He had ascended into heaven again, receiving all power, and set down at the right hand of God, with all authority.

Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and , lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

(You must remember that the apostles began the work of the gospel to the world in Jerusalem, among the very ones who had crucified Jesus.

They preached Christ there, and on the first day of Pentecost three thousand were saved.

From Jerusalem, it was Judea, Samaria [the places Jesus had preached] and to the uttermost part of the world from there. [Acts 1:8])

Christ Jesus was presented to the lost world, and where He was received, there was thanksgiving.

Was their battles? Yes, in both cases:

Israel in Canaan….

…..the Gospel of Christ to the world.

(I do not believe there has never been a time when Christians have not been persecuted somewhere in the world…..for Christ’s sake….we should expect it….and not be caught off guard.)

Yet Christ is set before us as our inheritance;

He nourishes us; builds us up; and sustains us.

Let us give thanks for His Salvation, and all He has done for us….each day.

Christ is still the Bread of Life. He is still being presented to the world.

Both supplies of food represent Christ…..one sent from heaven to be presented to Israel, on the ground.

One sent by heaven through the very enemies they were to overcome, as they entered into their possessions in the Promised Land.

Let us praise God for all the ways He sees to us, to His Gospel, and to the honor of His Son.

“Praise Him, praise Him….sing of His excellent greatness:

Praise Him, praise Him! Ever in joyful song!”

Are we enjoying our portion?

Jesus Christ Stands Without the Church, Knocking

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

In the letters to the Churches in Revelation, Jesus is sending messages to instruct them about what they were facing in their times, and what they should about it.

The last one, Laodicea, was given more proof that He was speaking,….and more correction.

For He could not find anything to approve, in this Church.

Yet He also set one of the greatest rewards before them, “if” they would respond to His Voice.

Let us look at the proof He sent, of Who Spoke. He uses three Names: to none other Church He authorizes, like this one.

Revelation 3:14 “And unto the angel of the Church of Laodiceans write; these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.”

All of these Names are Christ’s.

He is the Amen: He alone is the affirmation and confirmation of God. He declares God in all His perfections and purposes; and then proves that God is faithful in them.

So Christ is the Amen to Laodicea, who is so far from God, they didn’t recognize He wasn’t in their midst.

He is the Faithful and True Witness: This Church is on trial, and as such the Witness against them is not of the world, but Christ, Himself. He witnesses that He knows their hearts, and minds; and finds wretchedness, instead of holiness or zeal.

He is the Beginning of the Creation of God: From Eternity Past God the Father and God the Son made an Everlasting Covenant. This concerns Christ’s becoming the Man, Christ Jesus; and coming to the earth they would create, and saving a people for Christ’s Name sake.

So in the very beginning of thought concerning Creation, there was the Plan of Salvation:…..which first included the agreement of Christ to become our Redeemer by His Sacrifice;….and the agreement of God the Father to give Christ a people for a reward, because of His becoming the Man, Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him (that is us) endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant,

Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

This is Christ as the Beginning of The Creation of God.

Now these Names begin in manifesting God,…..and then go to witnessing against our lukewarmness,……then finally giving another invitation in His purpose and provision for these…..and us.

Christ gave ample proof that He was speaking. Then He moves on to the corrections:

Revelation 3:15-17 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold or hot; I would that thou wert cold or hot.

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”

He corrects them, because they are lukewarm.

Now we think: Lukewarm isn’t so bad. We think it is just good enough to get us by.

But Christ does not think so…..

He died that we might be saved to the uttermost (Hebrews7:25).

Since they are not,…….and are not working to be,…(since they are so conceited as to be in “need of nothing” Revelation 3:17),….they will be spewed out of His mouth.

In other words Jesus Christ will vomit out these lukewarm Laodiceans.

How can He spew out a Christian? Who said they are true Christians…they are wretched,…..naked…and blind….

I personally believe, that for these Laodiceans who refuse to hear and obey the Voice of Jesus Christ, and repent; that the little bit of knowledge of salvation that they had will wither and die,…….the Holy Spirit will be grieved for they will not submit to Christ……and they will stand as rebels against God, instead of servants of Him.

They will be “spewed out” by their own choice in turning their backs on His offer of peace.

They will find, then, that His Salvation was not just a salvation from Hell, but from sin, (which they would not give up.).

And self, which is true liberty of spirit. To be saved from every proud, angry, bitter, and hateful attitude, which eats away at our souls.

He saves to the uttermost, He saves all of us–spirit, mind, heart, will and body; or nothing.

Now, it is true, we are often in need of correction; but it is how we take Christ’s correction, which shows true Salvation.

Do we “murmur and complain” continually; for the children of Israel did, and lost out. (Hebrews 3:10-11)

Or do we: “Come let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18) with the Lord.

We will not always like what we hear from Jesus. How often did He rebuke His disciples?

But if we are going on with Him,……we will not lose out.

Jesus said this:

John 8:31-32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

But Christ does not just correct, He gives life, to those who follow His way of life:

Revelation 3:18 ” I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear, and anoint thy eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”

Many people disagree with Christ here, and say He should not have said “buy of me”.

But, the articles He refers to, are those of righteousness. The righteousness which we are to do, not be. If we are truly born again, then we are righteous, because we are in Christ Jesus.

But we are also to do righteousness, because we have His Spirit within us, enabling and directing us.

The “gold, tried in the fire” speaks of God manifested in our life. We are to show forth our new nature, the nature of God, within us in our daily life.

We are to deny ourself and pick up our cross and follow Him into a life of Godliness. Receiving the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and using them.

If we don’t, we are refusing Him.

The “white raiment” is not His garment of purity applied to us…..but the purity of love and motive to the commands and word of Christ.

And the “eye salve” is honesty, which tears away the veil of our own conceit; so we see ourselves, the world, and our place in it clearly.

This, the Holy Spirit helps us with. We are such dishonest people without His help. But with His help, we see.

The means to get these is clear: “buy”. But with what do we buy?

It is obedience to the next verse, simply stated by Jesus:

Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent.”

Repent…..be zealous and repent of our lukewarmness…and get boiling hot for Christ.

But even here, He does not desert us. He goes on to call us with His arms of love outstretched:

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

This is a personal call, to individuals in the Church. To open their lives to His Voice, and let Him in, to lead them on, (yes, in correction and instruction), in fellowship with Him.

Promising one of the greatest rewards, “if we will”.

Revelation 3:21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

We are to overcome everything which stands in the way of doing Christ’s Will for us.

His power is there for us: remember He saves to the uttermost, those who come to Him.

Christ requires not an answer of words, but of a life open to and receptive to Him.

We may not be the greatest Christians, but are we going on with Him? Or refusing His Voice?

He has made it clear what He will do. What will you do?

Through the Knowledge of Him

2 Peter 1:1-2 “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.”

How much we need grace (the unmerited favor of power), and peace in these days for our individual lives.

It is to be had, in Christ.

If you are born again, you have access to it by the Holy Spirit within.

But you get it “multiplied unto you”, through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.

(You will notice that our “faith” is through our Savior Jesus Christ; but the grace and peace multiplied is through Jesus our Lord. Is Jesus Christ Lord of your life?)

He is our Savior as we believe and receive Him, through the faith that is given us by the Holy Spirit. (John 1:12)

He is Lord,……..but He is only “our” Lord, by our submitting our wills to Him, in obedience.

And we only do this as we get to know Him…not just about Him….but know Him……and submit to His character through the Holy Spirit.

(That is His holiness and righteousness, as well as His love and mercy.)

2 Peter 1:3 “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us unto glory and virtue:”

(“According as His divine power”; It is not according to my miserable ability. But according to His divine power. The limitless, and Almighty power of God.)

“Hath given” means they are given us in Christ Jesus. They are ours to have and use by the Holy Spirit within us. They are all the things we need to have Christ’s character formed in our everyday lives.

“All things” means all things.

Again, it is through the knowledge of Him.

How important it is that we know Christ, and continue to gain personal fellowship and knowledge of Him.

He has indeed called us to “glory and virtue”; to manifest His glory (His light and goodness), even here in these circumstances, and among the people we know.

And called us to the virtue of His Holy Spirit within us: The Artea of His power.

Artea means “force”. He is that force within us, “working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

(Praise God for this influence and prodding within us….leading us at times….pushing us at time….into the good for us.)

So we manifest His glory–the glory of His salvation, of His calling, of His love by the force of the Holy Spirit within our spirits; helping us to obey, and joy in it.

2 Peter 1:4 “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

Christ has given us promises….His Word to claim and obtain for ourselves…..they are ours,……but we must get them into our experience.

That is what obtain means; to get them for ourselves.

They are given to us, that you might have the character of Christ, and escape the corruptions (envy, anger, lying) that the world’s system lives in.

We each have our own lusts….things which have a hold on us…

(lust is…I want this…whatever this is….and I want it now)

Whether they be spiritual, mental, emotional, or physical; we lust after what we don’t have.

But the Lord Jesus Christ has liberty from them…..in Him.

When we make Christ Lord of our lives, and yield to His will and way for us.

And the way that happens is to : Know Christ more and more, for ourselves.

This not to know about Him (although that is not bad), but to know Him.

It is to know what He requires of me.

It is to know the force of the Holy Spirit , and how we are to yield to Him.

It is to know what He will do for me in the temptations, and trials that I go through.

It is to know Him. Through the Knowledge of Him, we multiply grace and peace…..and His character begins to be formed in us.

Do not sorrow….even as others

A little background is necessary:

The Thessalonians were a strong and loving church. They had been established by Paul under persecution….

….yet they manifested love to each other and all around them in Macedonia.

This is marvelous……the trials and persecution did not come between them and their Lord, but pushed them closer to Him.

Yet they had a sorrow.

Paul had told them of the coming of Christ for His church…..that they were to watch for themselves……..so they would be ready for His return.

And they had…..they were faithful and watchful.

But some of those who had first believed had died….

…and those who were alive wondered about them.

Would they see Christ come for them?

Paul wrote back….giving the Word of the Lord for them…..a revelation from the Lord to Paul, for all of us.

“Do not sorrow….even as others who have no hope.”

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain shall not prevent them which are asleep.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Though their bodies sleep in the earth….their souls are with Christ in heaven.

So that when He comes to rapture His church…..they will come with Him….and their bodies shall rise and come together with their souls…

…..and we, who are alive shall be caught up to meet Him in the skies!

Notice, the name Paul uses here….”the Lord”. It was a favorite name of Paul…for remember when Christ Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus….he said…

….”Who art thou Lord?”, And “Lord, what would you have me to do?”

(In the name “Lord”, is defined One who is Superior…..One who rules….One who can speak and it will be done.

And when we say “Lord”…..we should be acknowledging that Christ are these things to us….as Paul did)

Paul gave his life to the Lord that day…..and proclaimed His goodness and mercy from that day forth.

Notice also, “The Lord, Himself shall descend from heaven”…..

….Christ Jesus will not send an angel….no, not even the highest form of angels to meet His beloved church when they come from their workplace of earth….

….but the Lord Himself shall come to meet us!

There will be a trumpet sound.

When God assembled the congregation of the children of Israel….there was a trumpet sound

Numbers 10:2-3 “Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and or the journeying of the camps.

And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.”

We shall all come…..assembling with the Lord….caught up to ever be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

We should not sorrow….as others that have no hope…..

Death can not separate us from the promises of God…..for Christ has overcome death,……as well as sin. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

But we are to “watch”…..be ready…..be waiting….be awake.

1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

To be sober here is to refrain from selfish indulgences…..which hinder our readiness….and keep us looking other places than at Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.”

The armor spoken of here is only defensive….(in Ephesians 6:10-18 it is offensive as well)….

….it is speaking of guarding our inward life….

…..that we will be growing in grace….and ready for Christ’s coming.

The breastplate covers our heart and it’s affections.

The helmet covers our mind and it’s reasons and imaginations.

These are to be guarded if we are to walk in the Light.

And what is our armor here? Faith is our foundation grace…..uniting us with Christ our Rock.

Love is our motive…..For we love Him, because He first loved us (1 John 4:19)

These….if we are using them…..guards our hearts.

Hope…..the confident expectation that God will do what He says…..guards out minds.

Hope of salvation is the Holy Spirit reminding us that God is working all things to bring us to the fullness of our salvation…..within….and one day, with Him….as He has said.

It guards our thoughts.

1 Thessalonians 5:6 “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

We are not to sorrow as others who have no hope…..for our God has a plan and a purpose for each of us….

…He will come for us,…and we will rise to meet Him in the air.

We are to watch, using the means the Lord has provided (faith, love, and hope)…..in these dark times……so that our inner life will be kept for the joy and enjoyment of our Lord.

He Knows

2 Chronicles 6:30 “Then hear Thou from heaven Thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart Thou knowest; (for Thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men;)“

He knows us; will we seek Him out in all our ways?

As Christians, we should grab a hold of all of God’s Word to us;…….and of what He will do for us.

That He knows us, our feelings, our troubles, our situation, our plans; should be a fortress around us.

Psalm 44:21 “Shall not God search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart.”

He Knows.

Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.”

2 Peter 2:9 “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations,….”

God knows everything about us. How great a comfort this would be, if we let it.

Job 23:10 “But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

This says that the trials that come to us, are allowed by His hand, to bring us closer to Him.

If they are from our own folly and sin;…….then they are to bring us back to Him, and to His care.

Psalm 41:4 “I said, Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against Thee.”

If they are sent from Him as a hurtle in our way;…..then He wants to show us, that He will supply the ability to jump it.

Psalm 18:29-30 “For by Thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried (tried and proved): He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.”

But in some trials, He knows also how much we can grow, now: so….

Psalm 103:14 “ For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.”

John 16:12 “I have yet many things to say unto you (His disciples), but ye cannot bear them now.”

God knows, and He helps us to know ourselves:

Psalm 139:1-4 “O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsittings and my uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compasseth my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether.”

The psalmist saw that God knew, and saw everything about him!

It was a comfort that God saw him even in the womb,….and every time since.

Since God knew him; he understood that God would not lose him in the crowd. God would not forget him.

God would not leave him, even because of his sin;…..but lead him like a child with His hand:

Psalm 139:10 “Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.”

And so he praised Him for His thoughts of him:

Psalm 139:17 “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!”

God knows us, what we need (both spiritually and physically),…….and the way we will grow closer to Him.

(For each of us there is a way. Some need more attention here, and others need more attention there. Each child of God is seen to according to that need).

This should be a safe place to rest, in every situation: I may not know; but God does…and He will surely lead me on.

Luke 12:30-32 “For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Let us seek after Him, that knows; and rest in His will and Word.

Tabitha/Dorcas

Acts 9:36-38 “Now there was in Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did.

And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

….and the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.”

Notice two things: she was a disciple….a believer and follower of Jesus Christ.

Whether she had be saved before the Lord’s death….or after, in the outflowing of the giving of the Holy Spirit to the church….it does not say.

But she was living proof of what Jesus said,….

John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give unto you. That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

….for she loved God, and others in word and action….doing all she could for those who had no one to care for them…..the widows.

(Widows were often destitute….unless they had children who would care for them, as well as their own families.)

Acts 9:39 “Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.”

Second, she had two names…..one Hebrew, and one Greek. Both mean “gazelle, or beautiful”.

She had two names, I believe, because she ministered to any and all widows.

As a believer….she had not confined her ministry to the Hebrew widows but to others as well.

She made coats and garments for these…..things of her own hands….not a penny here, or there as if they were beggars…..but providing coverings for the cold nights, and garments for dignity.

(As Christians, we too, should provide for those we minister to…..we should cover them by our prayers, and seek for their good….not just outward, but inward blessing.)

Peter, who had just healed a man in the neighboring city (Acts 9:34 “…Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.”)…

…… was hurriedly called to come to see if he could do anything for Tabitha.

Peter had healed…….this would be resurrection from the dead in Jesus Name. Was it possible?

Peter comes, as he is called, and goes in…..not stopping to admire her good works….or grieve with their loss….

….he knew what he had to do….and did it….according to the Lord’s Will.

Acts 9:40-41 “But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body (she is still dead, at this point)

said, Tabitha, arise.

And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.”

Jesus had brought back to life, several, when He was here…..but no one had been risen from the dead since the Holy Spirit had been given on the day of Pentecost.

Yet, praying in the Name of Jesus Christ, Peter then speaks the same word as Jesus did to the ruler’s daughter (Luke 8:54-55)…”Arise”.

Because of this, there was not only joy in those widows and the believers there…..but this was a witness to Jesus Christ throughout the city…..

Acts 9:42 “And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.”

We think that this happened because she was so good…..

….but it happened because those around her sought for her…..the Lord’s Will.

They might not have believed that their prayers alone would have brought her back to life…..but they believed that Peter would know what to do….so…

They called for Peter…..and Peter did just that….the Lord’s Will.

What of us?

Are we hesitating to seek in prayer, because we are not very important?

Then let us call for the One we know will do what is right…and seek His Will done in every situation.