Entering The Kingdom of God (Through The Eye Of A Needle)

"Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, 'How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!' And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, 'Children (see verses 14,15), how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.' And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, 'Who then can be saved?' But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With men IT IS impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.' "

Jesus' disciples were astonished: not only was a camel too big to pass through the eye of a needle, they were, too! If we make ourselves TOO BIG, through the prideful things this world admires, it is impossible. John the Baptist said, 'He must increase, but I must decrease' (John 3:30). Without question, no man can make this happen in you, only help you to see it. These words from God are made alive to us by the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ. All glory to God!

Jesus addressed His disciples as children. Eleven of the original twelve who had left all and followed Him were continuing to receive the kingdom as little children would, following the Master. As they learned from above how to decrease themselves, they would fit neatly through the eye of a needle.  

"Oh Come All Ye Faithful"

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and FAITHFUL IN CHRIST JESUS:" (Ephesians 1:1)

"Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: (so) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come."(Ephesians 1:15-21)

Paul's prayer for the faithful in Ephesus was that their understanding be enlightened to know what is the hope of Jesus Christ's calling. Paul goes on to pray that the faithful in Christ Jesus understand that the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead was currently resident in him and those who understand Jesus Christ's calling and are believing, persevering with Him in it!

The Ephesian saints had made room for the foundational components of salvation: "after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of (our) salvation; in whom also, having believed, were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13,14)

The FAITHFUL have to continue to COME, armed and strengthened with the understanding Paul's letter brings to light. Merry Christmas!

Profiting Through Trials

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lack wisdom (in this maturity towards completion), let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally (in this) and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything (else) from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." (James 1:2-8)

I have mentioned in previous posts that faith from God becomes yours when you are seeking, knocking; hearing and acting in obedience toward that revelation received. It's time for the body of Christ to understand that the body's faith is one and the same as the Head's faith. He had to trust His Father: that with the crucifixion would come the resurrection to the Father's right hand. Within that faith in Jesus Christ, comes the Father's specific calling for our individual part in the body. Each cell in our physical bodies has the same DNA and receives benefit from the physical nutrition partaken of. Yet the cells within the spleen have a different function than the liver; a bony cell differs, in function or in usefulness, from the cells found in the eye. I am convinced that we in the body of Christ will not be as healthy, nor useful, as the Father would desire for us without a clear understanding and determination to persevere in our Master's faith. We in the body of Christ are not following a robot that couldn't sin, but chose not to based upon what He knew the Father had revealed to him.

"...to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." (Hebrews 4:17) What Jesus Christ, as the son of Man, "knew" from his Father he never turned from, fulfilling the just-mentioned verse. You know, in the hours of trial in the wilderness, on the mountain to Peter, and in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus strongly resisted that which would cause him to sin, to the point of physical death, which was His calling.

If we are asking for wisdom, as the body of Christ, for he who is the Head, his calling, we will be like "the earth WHICH DRINKS IN THE RAIN THAT OFTEN COMES UPON IT, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated (those who yearn for the revealing of the sons of God), receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned." (Hebrews 6:7,8) Same rain; same anointed faith; opposite responses. Let this provoke you to singular-mindedness in this: your calling, in the body of Jesus Christ, is as His. He is the author and the finisher of our faith! Be stabilized in His calling/your calling!  

Monitoring Righteousness

You may have seen this commercial. A robbery is in process at a bank. The robbers have commanded those inside to the  ground. All are, except the "security monitor" and the thieves. One of those on the ground looks at the "monitor" and says, "Aren't you going to do something?", to which the monitor says: "Oh, no, I am a security monitor; I let you know when a robbery is taking place"..............he then says,"A robbery is taking place". Those on the ground look at each other as if to say, "What good does that do?"

When I was in chiropractic practice, if an individual entered the office for answers/treatment regarding some sort of ailment, and I did nothing to assess or treat their condition, eventually they would consider my approach ineffective toward an expected end. Invariably, something has to be done.

The monitoring of righteousness in the body of Christ, mostly directed toward others and rarely introspectively, has been as unfruitful.  The apostle, Paul, says "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God - THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin." (Romans 7:24,25)

"THROUGH JESUS CHRIST our LORD! " He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with HIM freely give us all things?"(Romans 8:32) What things? Read Romans 8:31-39. Those things! Why? Anything worthy comes at a price.

"Finally, my brethren, REJOICE IN THE LORD. Rejoice in those things! For me to write the same things to you is not tedious (to Paul), but for you it is safe. (Philippians 3:1)

Do you want to know what you are called to? Death to your unrighteous

governance of your heart for resurrection in HIM. Monitor that! Then act! Paul prays for the Ephesian church: that they may understand what is the hope of HIS (Jesus Christ's) calling AND what are the riches of the glory of HIS (Jesus Christ's) inheritance in the saints (those who understand what HIS calling was and are willing to persevere with HIM in it). 

This truth we apply to ourselves! The thieves and the monitor, one wrong and one useless, remain standing in the commercial. Don't be caught standing in what you think is right. Let the Father show what life is, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST the LORD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. Apply these scriptural references and see just how fulfilling!

Vehement Cries to He Who was Able to Save Him from Spiritual Death

"who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him WHO WAS ABLE TO SAVE HIM FROM DEATH, and was heard because of His godly fear....." (Hebrews 5:7) 

It could be said that what Jesus prayed for, asking humbly of the Father with vehement cries, and was heard because of His godly fear, was to be saved from spiritual death. Surely spiritual death surrounded Him, most ardently among many of the Hebrews. He wanted no part of that! Most importantly, He knew what His calling was. If Jesus' cries to His Father had been to be saved from physical death, and the Father heard Him because of His godly fear, then along the way the Father changed His mind (which we know doesn't happen), for we know Jesus was called to physically die for Israel, and all men. No, Jesus humbly asked for the Father's empowerment to save Him from that which would destroy Him and doom mankind.

Jesus informed Paul, in a trial of the flesh which prompted Paul to plead with the Lord three times that "it" might depart from him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)  What empowered Jesus to complete His calling from the Father was His steadfast approach to Him (seeking to find), understanding that He could not finish without the Father and His Holy Spirit, He vehemently cried out to Him Who was able to save Him from spiritual death. Those Satanic temptations (Matthew 4:1-10), if He had succumbed, would have resulted in spiritual death for the Son of Man; that is why it came. But, our Lord was singularly focused on His Sonship from God!

His grace is sufficient for us! Each step toward it makes the Way, the Truth, the Life clearer and empowers those to rejoice in it with thanksgiving. 

Confidence in The Flesh Meets Faith in God

"From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, 'Far be it from you, Lord; this shall not happen to You!' But He turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, FOR YOU ARE NOT MINDFUL OF THE THINGS OF GOD, BUT OF THE THINGS OF MEN.' Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.' "  (Matthew 16:21-27)

The "things of God" work for the finding of soul prosperity. The apostle John writes, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things, and be in health, just as your SOUL PROSPERS. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth." (3 John v.2,3)

Peter's words to Jesus: "Far be it from you, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" may be translated "Merciful to you; or "May God be merciful". That's sounds reasonable but Jesus immediately rebukes Peter's intent which was born from a mind that did not understand justice. In Jesus' case, the just FOR the unjust. Now, in our case as the body of Christ, if we desire to come after Him in discipleship.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5,6)  "Trusting in the Lord" proceeds to rightly divide the things of men from the things of God.  

Faith Becomes Yours When You Cry Out And Follow

"Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to CRY OUT AND SAY, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' Then many warned him to be quiet, but he CRIED OUT ALL THE MORE, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called to the blind man, saying to him, 'Be of good cheer. Rise. He is calling you.' And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. So Jesus answered and said to him, 'What do you want Me to do for you? Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.'  Then Jesus said to him, 'Go your way; YOUR FAITH has made you well'. And immediately he received his sight AND FOLLOWED JESUS ON THE ROAD." (Mark 10:46-52)

Bartimaeus' way was now Jesus' way. He cried out to Him for the mercy of God and vision, and when he received it, he followed Him. Very important was that miraculous restoration; more important Bartimaeus' vision to follow Jesus on the road. Bartimaeus understood to cry out to Jesus; to cry out all the more when people tried to quiet his crying out. Then Jesus called for him to come. He threw away his garment for the garment of salvation from the AUTHOR OF SALVATION; the AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH. The understanding, accompanied by obedient action (the works that are of faith in God) gave Bartimaeus the sight to follow: his faith had made him well. Now he was able to follow Jesus on the road to bear the fruits there of.

 

A Certain Disciple

Acts 9:10-19

"Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, 'Ananias.' And he said, 'Here I am, Lord.' So the Lord said to him, 'Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.' "

"Then Ananias answered (uncertain, at this point), 'Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.' But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.' And Ananias went his way (now certain enough to obey) and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' Immediately, there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus."

Ananias could get swallowed up in Paul's testimony, as Paul was commissioned to write a good portion of the New Testament. Paul undoubtedly understood before long, as his own testimony in Christ Jesus commenced, what his brother in Christ Jesus did for him: a testimony of Christ Jesus to Paul. Many are willing to speak of their belief in God; Ananias put action to it, not haphazardly but with the strength of faith in God.    

Your Calling Is After His

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of THE CALLING with which YOU WERE CALLED, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit; just as YOU WERE CALLED in one hope of YOUR CALLING; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:1-6)

after- in agreement or conformity with; in imitation of; following the completion of (3 of 14 definitions from Webster's dictionary)

"Therefore, I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: (so) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Jesus Christ), the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of HIS (Jesus Christ's) CALLING, what are the riches of the glory of His (Jesus Christ's) inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe (this), according to the working of His mighty power, which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places...." (Ephesians 4:15-20)

The Christian's calling is in agreement with/conformity to/imitation of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection IN THE HEART. Following the completion of that process of salvation, we shall say, as Paul did, "I have been crucified with Christ: it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me".

Scripture declares that "though He (Jesus) was a Son, He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected (made complete) He (then) became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. (Hebrews 5:8,9)

We know Jesus did; Paul, likewise, speaks of following the Lord in this way. Jesus; Paul, in His name, committed himself to Him who judges righteously. Individual callings follow the completion, in us, of Jesus Christ's calling.

When You Come Together To Eat, Wait For One Another

(1 Corinthians 11:17-34)

"Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. Therefore when you come together in one place, IT IS NOT TO EAT THE LORD'S SUPPER."  (v.17-20)

Paul delivers to the Corinthian church that which he received from the Lord: that they/we should eat the bread, and drink the cup, in remembrance of Him. "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you (we) proclaim the Lord's death till He comes." But if we eat this bread and drink this cup in an unworthy manner, we eat and drink judgement to ourselves, not discerning the Lord's body.

It could be the Corinthians were partaking unworthily of the bread and the cup because they did not know how to make themselves ready to receive. The mountain (Mark 11:23) Jesus teaches His disciples about kept the chief priests and scribes from receiving Jesus Christ, the Living Bread, when He came to the temple. They unworthily received the Bread of God when He came to them.

When we come together in one place, it is always to eat the Lord's Supper! Wait for one another as we speak to that mountain (all fleshly confidence) so that we may partake worthily of the Bread of God and drink His cup. That must be the most anointed place.

                                                                                                                                                                     

Walking Worthy Of The Lord, Fully Pleasing Him

"We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and your love for all the saints, because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD, FULLY PLEASING HIM, BEING FRUITFUL IN EVERY GOOD WORK and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power for all patience and longsuffering with joy;.........(Colossians 1:3-11)

PATIENCE AND LONGSUFFERING WITH JOY. 

"And shall God not avenge His own elect, who cry out day and night TO HIM (for Him), though He BEARS LONG WITH THEM?" (Luke 18:7) The joy comes as He reveals Himself to the saint: showing forth what reconciliation to Jesus Christ means; His perfect will in it!

So, how is the worthy walking, fully pleasing fruitfulness formed in these?

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be (successful) against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: 'For Your (His) sake we are killed all day long; We are counted as sheep for the slaughter.' Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither life nor death, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

None of those things will be able to separate us, but we can separate ourselves. If we don't KNOW the cost; if we don't KNOW the hope of Jesus Christ's calling; the Son's calling; a son's calling; your calling. Worthy walking/fully pleasing KNOWS and is willing to persevere WITH HIM in it. 

The Testimony Of Jesus Is The Intent Of Prophecy

"Then he said to me, 'Write. Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' And he said to me, 'These are the true sayings of God'. And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, 'See that you do not do that, I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.' "(Revelation 19:9,10)

"Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, 'See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.' " (Revelation 22:8,9)

spirit- general meaning or intent (one of many definitions in Webster's)

It seems that the reason prophecy comes is to reveal to the church Jesus' testimony; what His calling was; so that the church may become like the "brethren" mentioned.

"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; and he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification." (1 Corinthians 14:1-5)

Prophecy comes by the will of the Father, by the quickening of the Holy Spirit, to edify, exhort and comfort the church to/in the testimony of Jesus. I think I can say this is His intent: to HAVE the testimony of Jesus!

Brethren! Complete This Application!

Recently, the county where I reside received word from state officials that their application for grant funding had been denied. The reason for denial was FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION. Apparently one very important component, REQUIRED BY THOSE WHO HAD AUTHORITY, had been left out.

"For we (Paul and those who are with him) are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you be MADE COMPLETE." 

(2 Corinthians 13:9)

"Finally, brethren, farewell. BECOME COMPLETE." (2 Corinthians 13:11)

application- a form to be filled out by an applicant; the act of putting to a special use or purpose (two of ten definitions in Webster's)

There is no paperwork to fill out in this process Paul discusses, but the understanding to put to special use or purpose is vital. Becoming complete is in God's hand, in the name of Jesus Christ by the quickening of the Holy Spirit, accompanied by your submission to it. 

"Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), and ALL THE BRETHREN WHO ARE WITH ME." (Galatians 1:1,2) With these words Paul begins his letter to the Galatian church.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is not I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh (body) I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

Just as completion of the grant application would have provided dedicated funding, the understanding to allow the Lord to show us how to be crucified with Him will provide the avenue to intimacy Paul had received.

Sainthood: Comprehending the Love of Christ

Ephesians 3:17-19

".....that you, being rooted an grounded in love, may be able to comprehend WITH ALL THE SAINTS what is width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

comprehend - to understand the nature or meaning of; to take in or embrace; include; COMPRISE (Webster's)

comprise - to consist of;  to be composed of (Webster's)

I would say that sainthood begins when a person first trusts in Christ; after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of their salvation, having believed and sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. 

(Ephesians 1:12-14)

Paul greets these as "the saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus".(Ephesians 1:2)

Yet, that is the beginning. Saints of God are willing to turn toward Him at every revelation of Jesus Christ, counting not the cost there of; receiving the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; the eyes of their understanding being enlightened; that they may know what is the hope of His calling; what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. (Ephesians 1:17,18)

The love of Christ requires that they keep His commands, are willing to lay down their lives for their friends and let Him show what it means to become the called according to His purpose, as He is head of all things to the church.

Would you like to be one of those who comprehend? Would you like to be comprised of the width and length and depth and height of Christ's love? Ask the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, and your joy will be full! 

"Strive to enter through the narrow gate; for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able." (Luke 13:24)

Wasting His Goods

Luke 16:1,2,9; 19:11-27

"He also said to His disciples: 'There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was WASTING HIS GOODS. So he called him and said to him, "What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward'."

Then, if you will read ahead, the unjust steward compounds his unrighteousness. Instead of repenting, He makes himself a home, with the unrighteous, by unrighteous mammon. 

The heading of that portion of scripture is "The Parable of the Unjust Steward". 

"Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. Therefore He said: 'A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, 'Do business till I come.' But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'WE WILL NOT HAVE THIS MAN TO REIGN OVER US.' (Please read through v.27) 

"And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' And he was called the FRIEND of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only." (James 2:23.24) A man is made into a "just steward" as he seeks, knocks, asks; hears and repents as God reveals; allows 'the nobleman' to reign over him.

Wasting (squandering) or scattering His goods is the rejection of those things we already understand about the kingdom of God. The "wicked servant" (Luke 19:22) had an understanding of what to do ("Do business till I come") but rejected the works by which he could be justified. He would not let This Man justify him. 

What Is Lame May Be Healed

Hebrews 12:13

"....and make straight paths for your feet, so that WHAT IS LAME may not be dislocated, but rather be HEALED"

Notice Paul did not say that we might be lame, rather inferring that we are. Importantly, Paul warns also that from that lame state we might become dislocated.

Paul reminds us that it is an exhortation to us to receive and endure the chastening, even the scourging of the Lord.(v. 5,6) It appears that it is our decision, once receiving the understanding regarding His chastening, whether we will press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus: learning how to eat the bread so we are able to drink the cup that IS the new covenant! 

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able (although He will allow us to be tempted to that point), but with the temptation (or as the temptation comes, for God, Himself, does not tempt) will also MAKE THE WAY OF ESCAPE, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13) Making the way of escape is an empowerment to persevere, just as our Master did!  We, In His name, to the glory of God. 

But with most of them (Israel) God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness." (1 Corinthians 10:5) Although they all experienced God's supernatural deliverance from the bondage in Egypt, many, not all, lusted after evil things in their freedom. Clearly, instead of learning to worship God in the wilderness, many chose to persist in what would result in dislocation from Him. Just as clearly, He makes the way of escape for healing us, through and through!  

Eat, And Drink, For Elimination

Matthew 15:17

"Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is ELIMINATED?" 

"As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven- not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever." (John 6:57,58)

"and when He had GIVEN THANKS, He broke it and said, 'TAKE, EAT, this is My body which is for you; DO THIS in remembrance of Me.' In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. THIS DO, AS OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, YOU PROCLAIM the Lord's death till He comes." (1 Corinthians 11:24-26)  He is coming at that point for resurrection life to those who obey Him!

"For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls"...(Hebrews 12:3) THIS IS WHERE WE DRINK OF HIS CUP!

Paul informs the Corinthian church what Jesus told the original twelve disciples: partake worthily of communion with Him by eating the bread "which came down from heaven" and makes for everlasting life. Eating this living bread, the bread of God, makes us ready to drink His cup. As we learn to eat, and drink in Jesus name (because of, through and with Him), we will be empowered as we understand to ELIMINATE sin as it approaches; in ourselves first and then for a testimony for others. 

"What Do You Want Me To Do For You?"

Mark 10:35-52

"Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, 'Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.' And He said to them, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' They said to Him, 'Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.' But Jesus said to them, 'You do not KNOW what you ask....." (verses 35-38)  

Enough said. If we do not KNOW what we are asking for, that request will lead to correction from the Lord. In this case, the desire for exaltation apart from the formation of overcoming perseverance that results from the cup that He drank from and the baptism that He was baptized with. 

"Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' Then many warned him to be quiet, but he cried out all the more. 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' So Jesus stood still and COMMANDED HIM TO BE CALLED. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, 'Be of good cheer. Rise, HE IS CALLING YOU.' And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. So Jesus answered and said to him, 'What do you want Me to do for you?'  The blind man said to Him, Rabboni (My Great One), that I may receive my sight.'  Then Jesus said to him, 'Go your way; your faith has made you well(Lit. saved you).' And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road." He received his sight to follow!(verses 46-52)

What are we asking Jesus to do for us?  My Great One! That I may receive what you know I need to see to follow you!  All glory to the Father!

To Become Guiltless of His Body and His Blood

 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

"For I (Paul) received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat, this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup IS the new covenant in My blood. This do, AS OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT, in remembrance of Me.' For AS OFTEN AS YOU EAT THIS BREAD and drink this cup, YOU PROCLAIM the Lord's death till He comes."

"Therefore, whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner WILL BE GUILTY of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgement to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."

To be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord could mean that one is not unable, but unwilling, to respond as our Master, Jesus Christ, when he was betrayed. The Jews betrayed Him to the Roman authorities; Judas Iscariot did the same but to the chief priests; Peter denied Him and the others of the twelve, excepting John and the Marys, dispersed. Those betrayals didn't keep Jesus from pressing toward the goal for prize of the upward call of His Father. He had been called to a work and He finished it. 

Guiltlessness regarding the body and the blood of the Lord is formed in those of us who are willing to let the Father, in the name of the Son, Jesus Christ, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, show us how to partake WORTHILY of communion with Him: as often as we eat the bread and drink of the cup. His cup IS the new covenant to the Father. Not religious laws but His life sown for the salvation of man. The idea is for His church to be multiplied in this manner, through His cup, for those who are outside to see.

The Message Of The Cross

1 Corinthians   1:18-25

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us, who are being saved, it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.' Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishnes of the message (of the cross) preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; but WE preach Christ crucified: to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks, foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

The initial nine verses of the first chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul rejoices in what God has made available to the church, there and everywhere. Without question, they have been set apart in Christ Jesus, "called to be saints". The initial four verses of the third chapter, while calling them brethren, Paul upbraids them as babes in Christ and carnal, not able to receive solid food. Babies, given too solid a food, will void that food, producing no benefit to their bodies nutrition.

The message of the cross of Jesus Christ, Him crucified THEN exalted on high next to His Father, will destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Jesus Christ completed it in front of the foundation of the world. Now, through Paul, God awakens the church to it. If we speak this very same thing, having a uniform testimony, carnality will be swallowed by spirituality in Christ Jesus. We will be "of the brethren who have the testimony of Jesus". Not babes but mature, becoming complete. I would say that this is the definition of praising Jesus to the glory of God!

What Then Shall We Say To These Things?

Romans 8:28-39

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined TO BE CONFORMED TO the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, THESE HE ALSO JUSTIFIED; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."

"What then shall WE say to these things? If God is for us (it is understood that He is showing the way in/through this justification), who can be against us? He (the Father) who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things (in this justification that works in all those who believe it, to be multiplied through each soul moved accordingly)."

Please read verses 33-36.

Yet IN ALL THESE THINGS we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. We don't evade as it comes, but listen as He shows us how to turn away from our confidence in the flesh. He refines us to Himself in this furnace. Job, Isaiah, Peter are examples.

So, what shall WE say to these things? Amen, so be it!  "Arm yourselves also with same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin."(1 Peter 4:1,2) The Father, now through His Son (made head of all things to the church) knows where our fleshly confidence lies and will allow that which serves to remove it! He freely gives us those things that served to glorify Jesus Christ, not sparing His brethren the chastening that makes His sons!  

The Father, through His Son Jesus Christ, does not want to spare you that which works for righteousness! It is He who justifies! Trust and be sealed in it!

To Be With Me Where I Am

John 17:24

"Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me WHERE I AM, that they may behold My glory which you have given Me; for You have loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me, and I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."

"WHERE I AM" is not refering to a physical place (not earth; nor heaven, not yet) but the place of oneness in spirit, soul, mind and strength with the Father. Where Jesus was when He made that statement was here on earth. Therefore, our becoming "one" with "Them" produces the same fruit that Jesus produced right here on earth. Truly, He is the Firstborn (first made) of many made brethren! 

He was predestined to be the Savior of mankind: the Jew first and then the Greek; He was called, and He heard that calling, learning odedience BY the things which He suffered, becoming what the Father had in mind in the first place: the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Man was blessed to behold the glory of God on His life and still talk about it two thousand years later!

The Father loved Him, showing Him what love IS in front of those who love themselves: the poverty of soul in every man and woman. The Father showed Jesus how to keep His commands; how to lay down His life for His friend; how to become "the called" according to the His purpose. Jesus wants those who the Father gave Him in the present day church to understand that the Father intends to love them just as He loved Jesus, in front of the the foundation of the world and how it works, so they (those in the world) may have the opportunity to decide to receive.

Of The Wife or The Harlot?

Revelation 19:1-9

"After these things, I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, 'Alleluia!  Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgements, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her'. Again they said, 'Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!' And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the thrown, saying, 'Amen!  Alleluia!'  Then a voice came from the throne, saying, 'Praise our God all you His servants and those who hear Him, both small and great!'  And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of many thunderings, saying, 'Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!'  Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and HIS WIFE HAS MADE HERSELF READY.' And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, 'Write. Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!'  And he said to me, 'These are the true sayings of God.' "

It seems that both the harlot and the bride begin equally equipped: one has taken what she was given and used it for her own purposes, rendering unrighteousness; the other has taken what she was given and prepared, MAKING HERSELF READY for marriage with the Lamb of God, rendering a testimony of righteousness.

"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate (esteem) His name. 'They shall be Mine,' says the Lord of hosts, 'on the day that I MAKE THEM MY JEWELS (special treasure). And I will spare them as a man spares his own son WHO SERVES HIM.'  THEN YOU SHALL AGAIN DISCERN BETWEEN THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED, BETWEEN ONE WHO SERVES GOD AND ONE WHO DOES NOT SERVE HIM.' " (Malachi 3:16-18) 

The harlot has a form of godliness but denies the power of godliness: that which the Father knows would MAKE HER READY to produce fruit discernable by those who "eagerly wait for the revealing of the sons of God". (Romans 8:19) 

Rage In The Synagogue

Luke 4:25-28; 11:8; 18:5

"But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and sixth months, and there was great famine throughout the land; but to none of them (those widows) was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow."

"And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed (healed of leprosy) except Naaman the Syrian. So all those in the synagogue were filled with wrath......" at Jesus' words.

With certainty we understand the allure of providing for those who may not be able to take care of themselves and are showing signs of the same. Western society has built massive programs to try to meet that need. How is it that it seems God turns a deaf ear to many of those people. We know that our's is the God who healeth thee; that His son, Jesus Christ, ministered to those people effectively, perfectly; He being the Great Physician!

"I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his PERSISTENCE, he will rise and give him as many as he needs." (Luke 11:8)

"yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her CONTINUED COMING she weary me." (Luke 18:5)

Those who persist in their coming to Him, for Him, crying out to Him for Him day and night, even though He bears long with them, shall receive OF HIM, which saves them to the uttermost. The wrath in the synagogue after He had spoken showed signs of their hardness of heart. Their lack and disease had a deeper cause.

   

Can Anything Change What You Are Confident In?

I currently reside in the foothills of Appalachia. Pick-up trucks are numerous here. Many who own and operate them become emotionally attached to one particular brand. Some go so far as to place stickers on their vehicles coarsely jesting about a competing brand: whether those other brands are able to do what they think their brand of pick-up truck will. This approach is almost certainly without merit. 

In recent years, some automakers which previously had not manufactured pick-up trucks began to. Although they made reliable cars, they have had some difficulty breaking into the pick-up market: meaning they did not sell many. The thing those new to that market must do is this: continue in their attempt to increase the performance of their manufacturing. Then, they will eventually begin to influence those who are MOTIVATED BY EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE, even if they had been motivated easily by emotion.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds (emotional approaches that may cause us to reject HIS MOST EXCELLENT WAY), casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience WHEN YOUR OBEDIENCE IS FULFILLED."  

When our Lord's obedience is being fulfilled in us, all confusion and unfruitful emotion is overcome!