tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69071036959239050912024-03-13T00:35:50.976-07:00The Kingdom of God is Like ThisLenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-3202969764477888682024-02-23T06:24:00.000-08:002024-02-24T12:18:16.646-08:00Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This blog all began with a Bible study on the expression, "the kingdom of God is like" this. By putting together all of the similes the Lord used to compare to the kingdom of God, we were able to get a relatively good picture of God's kingdom -- a mosaic of sorts. Later came other articles of a similar nature that helped to show us what the kingdom of God is like. I hope these prove useful to you as you grow in your understanding of how things operate in God's kingdom. If you have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, you need to re-learn how to live, since the way God works is very different from the world.<br />
<br />
"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, 'Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.'" (Luk 18:16-17)<br />
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<table border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3" style="background-color: #f6ebdo; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="33%"><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2009/05/every-living-thing-has-its-own-unique.html" target="_blank">The Kingdom of God is Like This</a></td>
<td width="33%"><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2011/02/secret-kingdom.html" target="_blank">The Secret Kingdom</a></td>
<td width="33%"><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2011/12/gods-supernatural-hand-during-crisis.html" target="_blank">God's Supernatural Hand in Crisis</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2012/03/transfer-between-physical-and-spiritual.html" target="_blank">The Link Between Two Realms</a></td>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/gods-supernatural-provision-using-people.html">God's Supernatural Provision Using People</a></td>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-kingdom-of-god-as-revealed-to-james.html" target="_blank">The Kingdom of God as Revealed to James Agboola</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2015/05/a-time-for-everything.html">A Time for Everything</a></td>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-sudden-nature-of-gods-kingdom.html" target="_blank">The Sudden Nature of God's Kingdom</a></td>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2015/08/an-incomparable-inheritance.html" target="_blank">An Incomparable Inheritance</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2016/01/all-his-works-praise-him.html" target="_blank">All of His Works Praise Him</a></td>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2016/03/thy-kingdom-come.html" target="_blank">Thy Kingdom Come</a></td>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-day-of-small-things.html" target="_blank">The Day of Small Things</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2017/04/why-is-body-so-divided.html" target="_blank">Why is the Body So Divided?</a></td>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2017/07/a-biblical-view-of-poor.html" target="_blank">A Biblical View of the Poor</a></td>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/02/paradoxes-of-kingdom-of-god.html" target="_blank">Paradoxes of the Kingdom of God</a></td>
</tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/02/gods-way-to-greatness.html" target="_blank">God's Way to Greatness</a></td>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/02/faithful-in-little-things.html" target="_blank">Faithful in the Little Things</a></td>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/04/multiplying-your-talents.html" target="_blank">Multiplying Your Talents</a></td>
</tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/05/against-entropy.html" target="_blank">Against Entropy</a></td>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/05/changing-atmosphere.html" target="_blank">Changing the Atmosphere</a></td>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-power-of-two-or-three.html" target="_blank">The Power of Two or Three</a></td>
</tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/07/dependence-in-gods-kingdom.html" target="_blank">Dependence in God's Kingdom</a></td>
<td><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-authority-of-believer.html" target="_blank">The Authority of the Believer</a></td>
<td><a href="https://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2019/01/what-do-you-mean-by-luck.html" target="_blank">What Do You Mean By "Luck"?</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-mysteries-of-faith.html" target="_blank">The Mysteries of the Faith</a></td>
<td><a href="https://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2021/02/servants-and-slaves-in-gods-kingdom.html" target="_blank">Servants and Slaves in God's Kingdom</a></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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You may also access my complete blog
directory at <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" style="color: #3333ff;">Writing for the Master</a>.<br />
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<i>Image credit</i>: "Suffer the Children to Come Unto me" painting © 2012 <a href="http://www.inspired-art.com" target="_blank">Danny Hahlbohm</a>, all rights reserved by the artist.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
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_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-11680468713507519202024-02-23T03:00:00.000-08:002024-02-24T12:18:21.794-08:00Donate<div class="Section1">
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We invite you to visit our <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.hu/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" target="_blank">Collection of Blogs</a>.</div>
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Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-53477994766091924822024-02-23T00:30:00.000-08:002024-02-24T12:18:26.683-08:00Doulos Training School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Doulos Missions International now offers discipleship training online through the Doulos Training School (DTS). Please visit the DTS online at <a href="http://doulostrainingschool.blogspot.com/2015/08/doulos-training-school.html">Doulos Training School</a> to find out more about how you or someone you know can participate.<br />
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___________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was
based
in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as
helping leaders to be more effective at
making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the
ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a> Partner with us online by <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2013/01/giving-to-dmi.html" target="_blank">giving to DMI</a>.Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-16504203050785340122021-02-02T21:38:00.008-08:002022-02-13T15:46:29.104-08:00Servants and Slaves in God's Kingdom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWrlsf_sxQf8wvpWRozEyRFB1jPo7xkO6gWjqXZdP_pIZYiY3rAtGjJMULicM-Txo9dwsYCh5ONM3zb3CcAeUggWtD52trLg-l0zEPcbQJrOsHxtN5nTf3G7ZCybwBkt8b0FMQ5A6-ss/s375/Jesus-washing-feet-12.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWrlsf_sxQf8wvpWRozEyRFB1jPo7xkO6gWjqXZdP_pIZYiY3rAtGjJMULicM-Txo9dwsYCh5ONM3zb3CcAeUggWtD52trLg-l0zEPcbQJrOsHxtN5nTf3G7ZCybwBkt8b0FMQ5A6-ss/s320/Jesus-washing-feet-12.jpg" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Today I want to explain the difference between being great in the kingdom of God and being the foremost. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Jesus said: "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mat 20:26-28)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>If you want to become great, you must be a servant of others, and if you want to be first or foremost, you must be their slave. Consider the difference between being a servant and being a slave. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The word servant in the passage above comes from the Greek word diakonos, meaning an attendant, that is, (generally) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specifically a Christian teacher and pastor (technically a deacon or deaconess): - deacon, minister, servant.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The word slave in the same passage comes from the Greek word doulos (δοῦλος), meaning a slave (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily; frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency): - bond (-man), bondservant. Some of the people in Scripture who identified themselves as the Lord's slaves (doulos), included Peter (2 Pe 1:1), Paul (Rom 1:1; Tit 1:1), John (Rev 1:1), Timothy (Php 1:1), Mary (Luk 1:38,48), Simeon, (Luk 2:29), Epaphras (Col 4:12), James (Jas 1:1), and Jude (Jud 1:1).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some versions of the Bible (such as the ASV) translate the word doulos as servant, but that is not the appropriate translation of doulos, since doulos does not bear the connotation of a free person serving someone. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The Bauer-Arndt-Gingrich (BAG) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature notes that using the word “‘servant’ for ‘slave’ is largely confined to Biblical translations and early American times…in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished” (BAG p. 205). </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span><span>Therefore, the word doulos must be correctly translated as either a slave or bondservant. Most people today probably don't know the difference between a servant and bondservant, especially since the word bondservant has become rather archaic. A servant has a measure of freedom and is paid for his service. However, a bondservant indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another, one who is subjected to the authority of another, or whose person and liberty are restrained. It is a person bound in service without wages. This is essentially synonymous with a slave.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span><span>Now as we go back to the passage in Matthew, we can better understand what the Lord meant when He said, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave." </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He did not indicate that there is any problem with aspiring to greatness, as long as you go about it God's way. If you aspire to be great, then you must be a servant, and if you want to be first or chief of all, then you must be their slave, which means you are bound in service to them without wages. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">May the Lord help us to walk in His steps, as He modeled for us what it means to be a slave. For we are not above our Master (Mt 10:24), who took upon Himself the form of a slave (Php 2:7), and came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. It is enough for us to become like our Master (Mt 10:25). Then as we walk as He did, we will join the ranks of those in Scripture who -- as slaves - were the greatest of all. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Attribution notice</i>: Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Author's note:</i> If you enjoyed this post, please also see the following: <a href="https://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/02/gods-way-to-greatness.html" target="_blank">God's Way to Greatness</a>, <a href="https://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2015/06/slaves-of-christ.html" target="_blank">Having a Servant's Heart</a>, <a href="https://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2018/05/follow-in-his-steps.html">Following in His Steps</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/02/paradoxes-of-kingdom-of-god.html" target="_blank">Paradoxes of the Kingdom of God</a>, <a href="https://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2015/09/living-life-worthy-of-lord.html">Living a Life Worthy of the Lord</a>, and <a href="https://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2018/09/living-on-earth-as-they-do-in-heaven.html">Living on Earth as They Do in Heaven</a>. You may find the Main Directory for this blog at <a href="https://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/home.html">Home</a>, and you may also access my complete blog directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html">Writing for the Master</a>." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span></div><div><p>If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?<br /><br />“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and believe. <br /><br />Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br /></p><div style="text-align: center;">_________________________________________________</div><p>Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>. He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a> </p></div><p></p></div>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-40741693190150166962019-01-24T20:46:00.000-08:002019-01-27T17:44:07.068-08:00The Mysteries of the Faith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXY1zYul_GcAhwxUNqNHJMEn8izzkUQ46l-izYhhHU1WLsS0lFhH_cf87B_yhQb3rpZ7ZTuK8O5yAESPzX6S4W1wEfKOQgKazNO4GxEaBimRDD34IWtNWQlQ4fHSlAhEbsfhd4_LeB_MU/s1600/Mysteries+Hidden+Medium+Web+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXY1zYul_GcAhwxUNqNHJMEn8izzkUQ46l-izYhhHU1WLsS0lFhH_cf87B_yhQb3rpZ7ZTuK8O5yAESPzX6S4W1wEfKOQgKazNO4GxEaBimRDD34IWtNWQlQ4fHSlAhEbsfhd4_LeB_MU/s200/Mysteries+Hidden+Medium+Web+view.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
My Bible reading today coincidentally included Dt 29:29 and Mt 13:11-12. These two passages contain very different messages to the people of the Old and New Covenants regarding the mysteries of God. Before we take a look at what they say, let me just tell you that the message for those of us under the New Covenant is much better.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Secret Things Belong to the Lord</span><br />
First I read in Deuteronomy where Moses said, "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law." (Deu 29:29). I have always liked that verse, which I've underlined in my Bible, because there are some passages of Scripture that we don't always understand clearly. When that happens, it's helpful to remember that the secret things belong to God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever. There are some things the Lord chooses to keep secret, at least temporarily, rather than reveal them to us. Those may include the meaning of certain difficult passages of Scripture, for example. Or they may include the reasons for certain unexplainable events that can happen in life, especially tragic ones. Of course, we can pray and ask the Lord to give us understanding of these passages of Scripture, or to explain the reasons why some event has happened, and He can answer such prayers. After all, He has promised us, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (Jer 33:3, NIV). But sometimes He chooses not to let us know, while we are still on this side of eternity. When He does so, we have to learn to rest in Him and be content with not knowing. We must accept the fact that we are not God, and we cannot fathom all mysteries.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Knowledge of the Secrets of the Kingdom Given to Us</span><br />
Then After reading Deuteronomy 29:29, I turned to my New Testament passage for the day, as I've been reading through the Gospel of Matthew. In the thirteenth chapter , I read that "The disciples came to [Jesus] and asked, 'Why do you speak to the people in parables?' He replied, 'Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.'" (Mt 13:11-12, NIV). That was quite a coincidence to read about secrets again, when I had just read about them in Deuteronomy, so I knew the Lord must have something to say to me about secrets. Therefore, I looked more closely at this passage and realized for the first time that it contains a message that is at the same time both different and similar to what it says in Deuteronomy 29:29.<br />
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Under the Mosaic covenant the secret things belong to the Lord and only the things revealed belonged to us and to our children. but under the New Covenant, the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given to us and belong to us. It has been granted to us to know mysteries. Praise the Lord!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Uttering Hidden Things </span><br />
Then He went on using parables to tell them what the kingdom of God is like. Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; He did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world." (Mt 13:34-35, NIV). Jesus has uttered to us things hidden since the creation of the world. Hallelujah!<br />
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I trust you can see how that is quite different from the way it was under the Old Covenant. The New Testament Scriptures are filled with things long hidden but now revealed to us. What a privilege it is to know these things. That which was enfolded in the Old Testament is now unfolded in the New. Now that the veil has been removed from our eyes, we understand the mysteries that were hidden for ages past in the Hebrew Scriptures. It's all made possible because of Jesus and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Yet we know that unless He reveals something to us, it remains a secret to us until He does. That's why you can read the same passage for decades and still get something new out of it, because you are hungry and you dig for it with a childlike heart, and the Lord speaks to you a fresh word. You humble yourself as you open the Word and ask the Lord before you read to speak to you, because you know that unless He reveals it to you, you cannot understand it on your own.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Revealing Hidden Things to Little Children</span><br />
God is pleased to reveal hidden things to little children and hide them from the wise and learned. In Luke's gospel it says, "At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.'" (Lk 10:21, NIV; cf. Mt 11:25). The wise and learned ones study and accumulate lots of head knowledge, which is primarily a cerebral exercise. As they do so, they tend to become wise in their own eyes, and they think they are something when they are nothing. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. As they become more and more conceited, God opposes them, because He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Meanwhile, the little children are able to understand mysteries that the wise and learned don't even know, because God reveals it to them. The little children don't have all that baggage in the way. They haven't become complicated yet or been taught how to be skeptical of the Word. They haven't learned how to doubt and question God.<br />
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I spoke with a repair man from England who did some work on our home here in the States recently. He was a very nice man. But when I talked to Him about the Lord, he said that when he received religious training, he came to the opinion that we can not prove that God exists and we cannot prove He doesn't exist. Therefore, he became an agnostic and no longer believes in God or heaven or hell. That's what some religious training does for people, it helps them lose their faith. Some seminaries are more like cemeteries. Young students go into them with an eagerness to learn the Bible and be trained for ministry, but after sitting under the so-called wise and learned professors who are skeptics that deny the power of God, they learn how to rationalize and become critics of the Bible. They become unbelieving believers. And by the time they graduate, their faith is shipwrecked and they are useless for any kind of ministry.<br />
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Before you go heading off to seminary, you'd better make sure the Lord told you to go there. I don't have a problem with higher education, especially of the biblical kind, but it can be very dangerous to your soul if you go someplace the Lord has not sent you. What you really need is not more head knowledge, but discipleship. That's what we offer in our <a href="http://doulostrainingschool.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Doulos Training School</a>, which is a free, three-year discipleship training program that provides both the theological, biblical training you need, and the necessary practical development where you learn to put what you've learned into practice. It's not for everyone, but we have people from various walks of life, including pastors and university students growing in God through this training. If you are interested in knowing more about it, let me invite you to see our <a href="http://doulostrainingschool.blogspot.com/p/co.html" target="_blank">DTS Overview</a> and prayerfully consider whether this is something the Lord would have you do.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Bringing Old and New Treasures Out of the Storeroom</span><br />
I'm reminded of what the Lord said to His disciples, after He taught them the meaning of the parables about the kingdom and uttered things hidden since the creation of the world. “'Have you understood all these things?' Jesus asked. 'Yes,' they replied. He said to them, 'Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.'” (Mt 13:51-52, NIV). Since it has been granted to us to know mysteries, then as we teach the Word to others, we can bring out of our storeroom new treasures as well as old, both the things that people are familiar with, as well as new revelations given by the Holy Spirit. It's not merely one or the other, but both the Old and the New.<br />
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The apostle Paul said, "Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." (1Co 4:1). He wanted to be regarded as a steward of God's mysteries, and that is what every disciple should strive to be. To one extent or another, we as disciples have all been entrusted with the mysteries of God, and He expects us to be good stewards of what He's entrusted to us. Let's be faithful with what we've been given and not take these precious things for granted.<br />
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In describing the qualifications for deacons, Paul wrote, "But holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience." (1Ti 3:9). There are those believers who have not <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2016/01/keeping-good-conscience.html" target="_blank">maintained a clear conscience</a> after receiving the secret of the faith, and the Lord is not pleased with them. But we're not of those who do so. Instead with the Lord's help we will have the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Closing Words</span><br />
I trust this little study has helped you to realize that we as disciples have been given a great privilege that they didn't have in the Old Covenant. The Lord has given to those of us under the New Covenant the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom and the things revealed to us belong to us and to our children forever. Even so, we must hold these mysteries with a clear conscience. And let's never forget that even if we could fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, if we have not love, we are nothing (1 Cor 13:2).<br />
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<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most Scripture quotations taken from
NASB, copyright the Lockman Foundation. Other Scriptures from the Holy
Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, where noted. Image from Sid Roth, <a href="https://sidroth.org/" target="_blank">It's Supernatural</a>, is used according to Fair Use
Act for commentary and educational purposes only. It may be subject to
copyright.<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Author's Note: </span>If you enjoyed
this message, you may also like other articles on the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Home page</a> of this blog. I recommend reading <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2011/02/secret-kingdom.html" target="_blank">The Secret Kingdom</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/02/paradoxes-of-kingdom-of-god.html" target="_blank">Paradoxes of the Kingdom of God</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2009/05/every-living-thing-has-its-own-unique.html" target="_blank">The Kingdom of God is Like This</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2012/03/transfer-between-physical-and-spiritual.html" target="_blank">The Link Between Two Realms</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-power-of-two-or-three.html" target="_blank">The Power of Two or Three</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/05/changing-atmosphere.html" target="_blank">Changing the Atmosphere</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-kingdom-of-god-as-revealed-to-james.html" target="_blank">The Kingdom of God as Revealed to James Agboola</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2016/01/keeping-good-conscience.html" target="_blank">Keeping a Good Conscience</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/02/gods-way-to-greatness.html" target="_blank">God's Way to Greatness</a>, and <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-sudden-nature-of-gods-kingdom.html" target="_blank">The Sudden Nature of God's Kingdom</a>. I also invite you
to visit my collection of blogs at <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" style="color: #3333ff;">"Writing for the Master</a>."
Now let me ask you a very important question.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a></div>
</div>
Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-72310252206430418832019-01-12T00:00:00.000-08:002019-01-16T09:02:58.974-08:00What Do You Mean By "Luck"?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I often hear people -- even Christians -- say to me, "Good luck with that!" Or else they simply say, "Good luck!" What do they mean by wishing me luck? Luck is for bunnies! I don't need it. It's a <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-forgotten-sin-of-worldliness.html" target="_blank">worldly myth</a> or superstitious belief that the chances of good fortune or misfortune are increased by certain objects, words, actions, and events apart from God. People who don't know God attach superstitious significance to certain things like four-leaf clovers, rabbits' feet, horse shoes, and crossing their fingers. They wish each other good luck, and even ask others to wish them good luck. However, as the children of God, we rely on the grace, favor and blessing of Yehova, the one, true, and living God, who is sovereign over all the events that take place in the universe. For more on this, please see my article <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2016/12/gods-sovereign-plans-and-purposes.html" target="_blank">God's Sovereign Plans and Purposes</a>.<br />
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We acknowledge His over-ruling power and providence, the effects of which may seem to our mortal minds to be casual, and we might call them "chance" or "coincidence," but actually they are according to God's predetermined counsel and foreknowledge. All your days were written in His book before one of them came to pass (Ps 139:16), and He ordained all your days before you were even born. Before a word is on your tongue, He knows it fully. See my article <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2016/11/fearfully-and-wonderfully-made.html" target="_blank">Fearfully and Wonderfully Made</a>.<br />
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Men's best efforts are broken, and their hopes are shattered by his sovereign providence. He teaches them that man's course is not merely up to them to decide, but it is subject to His divine will. As the proverb says, "In a man's heart he plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." (Pr 16:9). And another proverb says, "A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?" (Pr 20:24). Jesus taught us, "Apart from Me you can do nothing." (Joh 15:5b). We must employ our efforts and use the means He has placed at our disposal in life, but we must not trust in them; if we succeed, we must give all the praise to God alone (Ps 44:3; Zech 4:6). As the psalmist said, "Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." (Ps 115:1). All things are from Him, and through Him, and to Him. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Ro 11:36).<br />
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It was not because of luck that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary (Lk 1:28), or that she conceived Jesus the son of God in her womb while she remained a virgin (Lk 1:35; Mt 1:18,25), or that the star of Bethlehem guided the Magi from the east to the newborn King of the Jews (Mt 2:1-11), or that they were warned in a dream not to return to the evil king Herod (Mt 2:12), or that Herod was unable to kill the baby Jesus when Joseph escaped to Egypt with the child and his mother (Mt 2:13-14). It was not on account of luck that Simeon just happened to be there at the temple to see the baby Jesus when His parents presented Him to the Lord (Lk 2;22-35), or that Jesus' parents found Him in the temple at age twelve after he went missing during their return from Jerusalem (Lk 2:41-50), or that the Spirit of God descended upon Him in the form of a dove when He was baptized in the river Jordan (Lk 3:21-22), or that the Father's voice spoke from heaven to Him saying, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Lk 3:22).<br />
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It was not on account of luck that the ten lepers were healed (Lk 17:11-19), or that the man born blind received his sight (Joh 9:6-7), or that Peter's mother-in-law was instantly healed of her fever (Matthew 8:14–15, Mark 1:29–31, Luke 4:38–41), or that the deaf mute in Decapolis could suddenly hear and speak (Mark 7:31-37), or that the paralytic man was healed at the pool of Bethesda (Joh 5:8-9), or that the blind beggar Bartimaeus could see (Mark 10:46-52), or that the centurion's servant was healed (Mt 8:5-13; Lk 7:1-10), or that the woman who had been bent over for eighteen years was suddenly cured (Lk 13:10-17), or that the man's withered hand was restored (Mt 12:9-13), or that the hemorrhaging woman suddenly stopped bleeding when she touched the edge of Jesus' garment (Mt 9:20), or that the Gerasene demoniac was delivered from a legion of demons and restored to his right mind (Mark 5:1-20).<br />
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It was not because of good luck that Noah and his family survived the flood that destroyed everyone else on earth (Gen 8:15-18), or that Lot escaped from Sodom and Gomorrah right before it was destroyed by burning sulfur (Gen 19:23-24), or that Rahab the prostitute was spared, with her family and all who belonged to her (Josh 6:25), or that David was anointed king by Samuel (1 Sam 16:12-13), or that he defeated Goliath the giant (1 Sam 17:41-52), or that Daniel was able to tell the king his dream and its interpretation (Dan 2:26-47), or that he was promoted as ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men (Dan 2:48), or that he shut the mouths of the lions (Dan 6:21-22), or that the three Hebrew young men quenched the flames of the furnace (Dan 3:26-27), or that Lazarus was raised from the dead (Joh 11:1–44), or that the widow's only son sat up in his coffin and began to speak (Lk 7:11-17), or that the daughter of Jairus was raised from the dead (Mk 5:35-43), or that the water was turned to wine at the wedding (Joh 2:1-11), or that Peter found a coin in the fish's mouth to pay for his and Jesus' taxes (Mt 17:24-27), or that the Israelites crossed the Red Sea as on dry land (Ex 14), or that the lame man at the Gate Beautiful could suddenly walk (Ac 3:1-25). It was not because of luck that an angel appeared to Cornelius and told him to send for Peter in the home of Simon the tanner at Joppa (Ac 10:1-6), or that Peter just happened to receive a vision and hear the Lord's voice telling him to go downstairs and meet the three men sent from Cornelius just as they were knocking at the gate (Ac 10:9-20).<br />
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It was not because of bad luck that the homosexuals wanting to rape the angels that came to rescue Lot were struck with blindness (Gen 19:1-11), or that <a href="https://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2016/01/remember-lots-wife.html" target="_blank">Lot's wife became a pillar of salt</a> (Gen 19:26), or that Esau lost his birthright (Gen 25:29-34), or that pharaoh and the Egyptian army drowned in the Red Sea (Ex 14), or that Joseph was thrown into an empty cistern by his brothers (Gen 37:23-24), or that he was sold by them into Egypt (Gen 37:12-36), or that he was unjustly thrown into prison (Gen 39:20), or that Jeremiah the prophet was lowered into a muddy cistern (Jer 38), or that the three Hebrew youth were thrown into the blazing furnace (Dan 3:19-23), or that Daniel was thrown into the lions' den (Dan 6:16), or that John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded (Mk 6:14-19), or that James was put to the sword (Ac 12:1-2), or that Stephen was stoned to death (Ac 7:54-60), or that Ananias and Saphira dropped dead in front of the apostle Peter (Ac 5:1-10), or that fire devoured the 250 men who rebelled against Moses (Nu 16), or that the ground opened up and swallowed Korah, Dathan, and Abiram alive (Num 16), or that Elymas the sorcerer was suddenly struck blind (Ac 13:1-12), or that Paul and Silas were thrown into prison (Ac 16), or that Peter was imprisoned (Ac 12:3-11), or that King Herod was struck down by an angel of the Lord, eaten by worms, and died while giving an important public address (Ac 12:21-23), or that the ship Paul was sailing on was wrecked on the island Malta (Ac 27:41), or that John was banished to the Isle of Patmos (Rev 1:9). It was not because of bad luck that one of Jesus' twelve disciples was a devil who betrayed Him, or that Jesus was arrested, flogged, beaten, and crucified on the cross (Joh 18-19).<br />
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It was not due to good luck that Jesus rose from the dead after three days (Mt 28; Mk 16; Lk 24; Joh 20), or that Paul and all the others sailing with him survived the shipwreck (Ac 27:44), or that the Philippian jail was shaken by an earthquake and the doors swung open while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God at midnight (Ac 16:25-28), or that Peter's shackles fell off and the prison doors opened for him while the guards all remained asleep (Ac 12:3-11). It was not on account of luck that people were suddenly healed as Peter's shadow fell on them when he walked by (Ac 5:15), or that people were healed when they touched an apron or handkerchief that had touched Paul's body (Ac 19:12).<br />
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You won't find luck in the Bible. It's not in the Law or the Prophets, nor is it in the Psalms or Proverbs. It's not in the Gospels, Acts, Epistles, or the Apocalypse. Neither Jesus nor His apostles ever wished anyone good luck or taught that we need it at all. Nobody will ever enter the kingdom of heaven by their good luck (Joh 3:3; Eph 2:8; Rev 7:9-17; 21:26), nor will anyone ever be thrown into hell because of bad luck (Mt 10:28; Lk 12:5; Ro 6:23; Heb 12:14; Rev 20:11-15).<br />
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From a Christian perspective according to Scripture, there is no such thing as luck, since God is in control of everything. If something good happens, it is God's gift and blessing, according to His grace. For every good and perfect gift comes from above, flowing down from the Father of the lights, who changes not like shifting shadows (Jas 1:17). There is <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2015/05/a-time-for-everything.html" target="_blank">a time for everything</a>. In fact, there is a proper time and procedure for every matter (Ecc 8:6). God answers believing prayer, and no matter what happens, He is in control, not Satan. Jesus Christ disarmed the devil and his minions at the cross, triumphed over them, and made a spectacle of them (Col. 2:15). He has given us <a href="https://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-authority-of-believer.html" target="_blank">authority over them</a>. If we put on the full armor of God, use our faith in God, call upon the name of Jesus, stand upon His promises, and <a href="http://len-prayerpromises.blogspot.com/2013/10/personal-proclamations-of-faith.html" target="_blank">proclaim the truth</a>, then we can overcome the enemy in the battle against darkness every time. This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith (1 Joh 5:4).<br />
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Even if Christians mean well when they say, "Good luck," they are using a worldly cliché that has no Scriptural basis and is not based on truth. The Bible says we should not conform to the world (Rom 12:2), and Jesus said that we would have to give an account on judgment day for every idle word we speak (Mt 12:36). So let's get the word "luck" out of our vocabulary, and replace it with truth. If you want to wish someone well, then why not say, "God bless you!", or "The Lord be with you!", or "I'll be praying for you that it goes well." Better yet, since Jesus promised that our Father in heaven would do for us <a href="https://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-power-of-two-or-three.html" target="_blank">whatever two of us on earth agree to ask</a> for in prayer (Mt 18:19), then why not stop and pray for the person right at that moment before you part? For we trust in the name of the Lord our God!<br />
<br />
Grace, mercy and peace abundantly to you all who are in Christ..<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>, unless otherwise noted. Other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/#copy" target="_blank">New International Version® NIV</a>®, where noted. Images may be subject to copyright, and are used here for commentary and educational purposes only, according to the Fair Use Act.</span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">Author's note: </span><span style="font-size: small;">If you enjoyed
this post, please also read <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2014/06/grace-mercy-and-peace.html" target="_blank">Grace, Mercy, and Peace</a>, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2016/11/fearfully-and-wonderfully-made.html" target="_blank">Fearfully and Wonderfully Made</a>, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2016/12/gods-sovereign-plans-and-purposes.html" target="_blank">God's Sovereign Plans and Purposes</a>, <a href="https://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-authority-of-believer.html" target="_blank">The Authority of the Believer</a>, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2015/05/a-time-for-everything.html" target="_blank">A Time for Everything</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-sudden-nature-of-gods-kingdom.html" target="_blank">The Sudden Nature of God's Kingdom</a>, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2018/02/gods-amazing-plan-for-your-life.html" target="_blank">God's Amazing Plan for Your Life</a>, <a href="http://fromevildeliverus.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-lord-will-rescue-you.html" target="_blank">The Lord Will Rescue You</a>, <a href="http://fromevildeliverus.blogspot.com/2013/09/speak-to-storm.html" target="_blank">Speak to the Storm</a>,</span> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/gods-supernatural-provision-using-people.html" target="_blank">God's Supernatural Provision Using People</a>,</span></span></span> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2010/09/is-the-self-help-and-actualization.html" target="_blank">Is the the Self-Help and Actualization Movement a Sham?</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2011/03/from-self-confidence-to-confidence-in.html" target="_blank">From Self-confidence to Confidence in the Lord</a>, </span><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-kingdom-of-god-as-revealed-to-james.html"><span style="font-size: small;">The Kingdom of </span>God as Revealed to James Agboola</a>, <a href="http://fromevildeliverus.blogspot.com/2011/06/overcoming-world.html" target="_blank">Overcoming the World</a>, <a href="http://len-prayerpromises.blogspot.com/2013/10/personal-proclamations-of-faith.html" target="_blank">Personal Proclamations of Faith</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-forgotten-sin-of-worldliness.html" target="_blank">The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness</a>, <a href="https://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2016/01/remember-lots-wife.html" target="_blank">Remember Lot's Wife</a>, and <a href="http://miraculoussurvivals.blogspot.com/2013/11/angelic-escape-from-terrorist-assassins.html">Angelic Escape from Terrorist Assassins</a>, You may access the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/home.html" target="_blank">Main Directory for The Kingdom of God is Like This</a>, and you may also my complete blog
directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" style="color: #3333ff;">Writing for the Master</a>."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-86540592500130871292018-08-24T20:34:00.000-07:002018-09-15T20:25:23.005-07:00The Authority of the Believer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsD1ZSGsI6e6cjwwljmgZuo00ZqHXAF7VGD5N8hYGqV9TDvXB-kPhx2_5eGyL3GxyuJI_mvfsT31MGaYKWZ2XC6NVb3JkZtIoRkRHh2ot_m9ZiEhaKYhyWMAapMtqqMhwym5M-h59E06A/s1600/kingdom-authority.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="300" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsD1ZSGsI6e6cjwwljmgZuo00ZqHXAF7VGD5N8hYGqV9TDvXB-kPhx2_5eGyL3GxyuJI_mvfsT31MGaYKWZ2XC6NVb3JkZtIoRkRHh2ot_m9ZiEhaKYhyWMAapMtqqMhwym5M-h59E06A/s200/kingdom-authority.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
If we as believers realized the authority that we have in Christ, we would not allow the devil and his demons to do the things they do to us and to others, but would exercise that authority to the fullest extent. So what authority do we have according to God's Word?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Made in God's Image</span><br />
In the beginning man was made in God's image. "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." (Gen 1:26-27). This is our fundamental starting point, because God's original design was for man to be in His own image.<br />
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Being made in God's image has many aspects to it, including things like the ability to love, to know God, to worship, to reason, to think independently, and to understand. It also includes the aspects of our physical features, as well as our spirit man. It also means that once we are born, we exist forever, since the human soul cannot be destroyed and even after the death of the body the soul continues on its existence in either heaven or hell. But the aspect of being made in God's image that I want to discuss today is that man was given authority on earth. What does that entail?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Authority to Subdue the Earth</span><br />
First it involves authority to subdue the earth. "God blessed them; and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and <u>subdue it</u>; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'" (Gen 1:28). The word "subdue" here comes from the Hebrew word "kabash", which means to tread down, conquer, subjugate, bring into subjection, or subdue. God gave man authority to subdue the earth, which includes everything in it such as the ground, the trees, the plants, and the wildlife. But let's not forget that the wildlife includes the serpent, which represents the devil. This means that God originally gave man authority to subdue the devil and all of his demons.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Authority to Rule Over the Earth</span><br />
The second aspect that is involved in man receiving from God authority on earth is the express authority to rule over it. God said to them, "...and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'" (Gen 1:28). God gave man authority to rule over every living thing on earth. The Hebrew word for "rule" here and in verse 26 means to have dominion, prevail against, reign, or rule. Once again, this not only applies to every living thing that is seen but every living thing that is unseen as well, including the devil and his demons.<br />
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Perhaps you may question whether God originally gave man authority over the devil and his fallen angels before the fall, so that he might subdue them and rule over them. But there are some very good, biblical reasons why I believe Adam and Eve's authority extended even to the unseen spiritual realm of satan and his demons. Let me enumerate them.<br />
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1. To be made in the image of God, as the first Adam was, means he was a type of Christ, who is the second Adam (1 Cor 15:45). Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that he had the same level of authority on earth, before his fall, that Christ the second Adam had on earth, which included authority over all demons.<br />
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2. The term "image" of God comes from the Hebrew word "tselem" meaning "resemblance or representative figure." It can also mean "idol or physical image," similar to what we would call a statue, except that a statue is an inanimate object and Adam was a living human being. The Greek word used for "image" in the Septuagint is "eikon," meaning "likeness, representation, statue, or image." From this Greek word we get the modern English word "icon." This is the same Greek word the apostle Paul used in reference to Christ in his epistle to the Colossians, in which he wrote, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." (Col 1:15).<br />
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The apostle says in Hebrews that Christ is the "exact representation" of God's nature (Heb 1:3), which is what you would expect an icon to be. If you hold a mirror in front of you, you expect to see an exact representation of yourself reflected in it, and so it is with Christ's representation of God. Likewise, since Adam was also made in the image (eikon) of God, we should expect that he accurately represented God in all respects, except for His actual divinity. The Lord is God and God alone, but as one made in his image on earth, Adam possessed that same God-given authority that the Lord walked in. We would not expect anyone who is a representation of God on earth to lack authority over the devil and his demons, because we know God most definitely does have authority over all of them.<br />
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3. Adam was "the son of God," according to the genealogy of Christ in Luke 3:38. This doesn't mean he was the son of God in the same sense that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, because Adam was not divine, as I have already stated. Although Jesus was fully God and fully man, Adam was fully man and not God at all. But the term "son of God" with reference to Adam does mean that he was a direct creation of God, and not an offspring of someone else that God created. The term also implies by parallelism or analogy that he walked in the same authority over the devil and his angels.<br />
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4. The Lord would not have put man on the earth to subdue it and rule over it, knowing that the serpent was here to tempt man, subdue him, and rule over him as the god of this world. That would have been setting Adam and Eve up to fail, if the authority God had given them to subdue the earth and rule over it had not included authority over the serpent. In fact, the Scripture explicitly names the serpent as one of the wild beasts (Gen 3:1), so there can be no doubt that the serpent was included among "every living thing that moves on the earth," over which God had given man authority.<br />
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Therefore, according to Scripture, God gave man authority to rule and reign and to have dominion over the devil and his demons, and every other living thing on earth. His plan was for man to rule over the earth (Gen 1:26), which was the original state of man made in the image of God before the fall.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Image of God Marred</span><br />
However, the image of God was marred by the fall of man into sin. Up until that time everything that God made was good. He created it and He saw that it was good. That pattern is repeated all throughout the six days of creation (1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25). In fact, when He finished, "God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day." (Gen 1:31).<br />
<br />
After that the only thing that was not good was for man to be alone. Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." (Gen 2:18). So God put Adam into a deep sleep, took one of his ribs out and closed up his side, then made a woman out of it and Adam called her Eve. They became one flesh together as husband and wife. "And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." (Gen 2:25). So obviously that was good, too! It was all good.<br />
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They also had something holy, which was the seventh day that God rested on, which God blessed and sanctified (Gen 2:2-3). And they had a command from God, too. The command was not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Aside from the positive commands to be fruitful and multiple, to subdue the earth and rule over it, this was the only negative command God gave them for something they were not allowed to do. They were allowed to eat from any other tree in the garden except for that one.</div>
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Then entered satan into the scene. "Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, 'Indeed, has God said, "You shall not eat from any tree of the garden"?'" (Gen 3:1). The serpent subtly tricked the woman through deception to eat of that one tree that God had commanded her and Adam not to eat from. Once she ate from it and tasted its fruit, she also gave some to her husband and he ate it. This implies that Adam was right there with her when the devil deceived her and she ate it, and it explicitly states that he also ate of the fruit after that when she gave it to him. This is how man fell into sin and the image of God he was made in became marred.<br />
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In order to understand the magnitude of what happened at that moment, we have to remember that Adam and Eve were made in God's image and given authority to subdue and rule over the earth. Eve was supposed to have dominion over the serpent, subdue it, and rule over it, but instead she allowed it to subdue her, deceive her, and get the upper hand over her. By allowing him to do that, she sinned against God, and she relinquished her authority to the serpent. Once she did that, then he was able to rule over her as one of his agents to get Adam to do his bidding also. Once Adam ate of the fruit, and committed his first sin, he too allowed satan to subdue him and rule over him. Now the tables were turned and God's original design was twisted. The image of God in man was now marred.<br />
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At that point we see Adam and Eve ashamed, covering themselves and hiding from God. This is the point at which they become separated from God, which is one of the terrible consequences of sin. God comes looking for them, questions them, and then pronounces a curse on the serpent and consigns him to crawling on his belly, licking the dust beneath Adam's feet all the days of his life. He says the serpent will still be able to do damage by striking and bruising man's heel, but that man will bruise him on his head. This is also a prophetic allusion to the work of Christ on the cross, bruising the serpent's head. And God said there would be enmity between the serpent's seed and the woman's seed. This, too, was another prophetic word about Christ the woman's seed being at enmity with the devil's seed. There was destined to be warfare between Christ and the devil, as well as between all who are Christ's and all who are the devil's.<br />
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God then pronounces a judgment over the woman for listening to the serpent, being deceived by it, and eating the forbidden fruit. He also sentences the man to punishment for listening to his wife. God then makes coverings for them out of animal skins, so they can cover their shameful nakedness, which is a type of Christ. It typifies Christ giving His life just like those animals did whose skin Adam and Eve were covered with, so that He could take away our sin and enable us to cover our shame before God.<br />
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But at that point the image of God they were made in was marred. They had to be removed from the Garden of Eden, so that they would not eat of the tree of life any more and live forever in that condition. That was how mankind fell into sin and his authority was first abdicated to the devil.<br />
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Now since all men have sinned, the image of God that man was originally made in at the beginning has become disfigured by sin. It's like when you look at yourself in one of those concave or convex mirrors at the amusement park, and you see yourself looking either too fat or too skinny. You no longer look the way you are supposed to look, but you appear very strangely. That's what sin has done to the image of God in fallen man. Now man has a caricature of God's image that is distorted and no longer accurately represents God on the earth. This is satan's plan, since it brings pain to God's heart and goes against His will.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Image of God Restored</span><br />
When a person repents of his sin and puts his faith in Jesus Christ, because of His finished work at the cross paying the price of sin for us, and rising from the dead, then his sins are forgiven. Then God begins to restore His image in that person. The apostle Paul said, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." (2Co 3:18). It's a kind of metamorphosis like a caterpillar goes through when it becomes a butterfly. We go from being lowly worms, crawling on our bellies like the caterpillar and the serpent, into beautiful butterflies that float and fly effortlessly through the air far above the serpent and the ground. We who know Christ are being transformed from glory to glory into the same image as Christ.<br />
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That means the image of God in us is being restored to it's original condition. That means we also begin to exercise the authority originally given by God to man to subdue the earth and rule over it and every living thing in it, including satan and his minions.<br />
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Authority can only be given, it must never be usurped. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to the Lord Jesus Christ. "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.'" (Mat 28:18)<br />
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He has given authority to His disciples over the devil and all disease. "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mar 16:17-18).<br />
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As you read through the book of Acts, you can see the acts of the Holy Spirit performed at the hands of the apostles. "The Lord...confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders." (Ac 14:3, NIV). And the Lord continues to do the same thing today through his disciples around the world.<br />
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Jesus gave us power and authority over all the demons, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. And He sent us out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. (Mat 10:1; Luk 9:1-2). We have received of the fullness of Christ (Jn 1:19). We have the authority to do the same works that Jesus did, by doing them in His name (Jn 14:12)<br />
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Now we can say with the apostle Paul, "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." (2Ti 4:18) Now we can say as T.L. Osborne did, "The Man at God’s right hand, Jesus Christ, who loved me and died for me now lives in me." (Gal 2:2). The devil and his demons are eternally defeated, since Christ has triumphed over them through the cross (Col 2:15). We as believers have overcome them, because greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world (1 Jn 4:4). Jesus has given us authority over all the power of the enemy and nothing will injure us, when we exercise it (Lk 10:19). In all our difficulties, we have complete victory through Him who loved us (Rom 8:37).<br />
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Through faith in Christ, all things are possible to us (Mk 9:23). Because we have faith in God, we say to this mountain, "Be taken up and cast into the sea." We do not doubt in our heart, but believe that what we say is going to happen. It will be granted us. All things for which we pray and ask, believing that we have received them, they will be granted us. (Mar 11:22-24). Once you begin to get a hold of this, understand the authority you have in Christ, and begin to obediently exercise it, then I can truly say with the apostle Paul that the God of peace will soon crush satan underneath your feet (Rom 16:20).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Illustrations</span><br />
There are many examples that I could give to illustrate what it means to have dominion, and I will not attempt to give them all. But a couple will suffice.<br />
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One evening when I was in Bible school, I had gone out for a prayer walk in the neighborhood adjacent to our campus all by myself. When I returned and was coming up the walkway to my dormitory, a vicious dog charged at me unexpectedly from in front of me off to my right. I cannot recall what kind of dog, but seem to remember that it was a German shepherd. I had never seen this dog before and it was unknown to me. In an instant he was standing right in front of me barking ferociously, looking up at me with his jaws located right between my legs. I steeled myself from showing any fear that my natural man was inclined to feel at that frightening moment. I said to him in a loud, commanding voice, "I bind you in Jesus' name!" I may have also said, "Go!" but I am not certain about that. At that point, he immediately stopped barking and ran away. That is an example of taking dominion over the wild beasts, and I've done the same thing with other threatening creatures like wasps, whereby I command them in Jesus' name to go.<br />
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The other examples would be related to healing, miracles, and casting out demons, which I have experienced firsthand over the past 30 years. One time when I traveled to Bulgaria, I preached at a gypsy church in Kalekovits, Bulgaria. Fourteen people wanted healing, and the Lord healed many of them. One young lady manifested a demon that made her mute, and received deliverance after about 45 minutes. She was able to speak again! As the demon was coming out, she began coughing and spitting up blood. She later told us that as we were casting it out, she could feel something like a heavy, metal ball in her stomach that began coming up through her throat.<br />
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At another church here in the States in New Hampshire, my wife and I ministered to the sick one evening. One lady had suffered from scoliosis since age fourteen. After having her sit down with her legs out in front of her, I checked them and found that her left was longer by one-quarter to one-half inch. I spoke to her right leg and commanded it to grow out, which it did right before our eyes, until the two legs were perfectly even. She was then able to walk around without pain. She later said she felt a gentleness and had a vision of grapes when I prayed for her healing. My wife was led to minister inner healing while laying hands on her chest. She later said she felt a lump come up in her chest as my wife prayed.<br />
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All the glory goes to God for what He did for these people. They were healed and delivered by faith in Jesus' name according to Scripture. Without Him we can do nothing. My purpose in sharing these examples is to illustrate what I am teaching, and to emphasize the fact that this is not something that man taught me, but it is something I have experienced firsthand in my life.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
To summarize, man was originally made in God's image with authority to subdue the earth and rule over it. However, that image became marred by man's fall into sin. That problem remained until Christ came and died for us on the cross, paying the price for sin, and rising from the dead, so that we could have peace with God and be restored to our original state before the fall. That restoration includes all respects of the image of God that Adam was made in.<br />
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By putting your faith in Christ, you receive a full restoration to the original condition that God intended for man when he was created in the beginning. That means you are put back into right standing with God and fellowship with Him like they had in the Garden of Eden, when God walked with Adam in the cool of the day. It also means you are transformed from glory to glory into the same image as Christ. Therefore, the same authority that Christ walked in on earth, we also have in His powerful name.<br />
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The reason that some disciples are not experiencing that dominion on earth is that they deny the power of God in their lives through doubt and unbelief. But we are not among those who do so. Rather we are those who believe the full gospel and have experienced His power first-hand in our lives personally. We have seen the wonderful results of taking the dominion God has given to us in Christ and exercising it, and it is glorious. That same dominion is available for every true disciple of Christ, and it begins with receiving the baptism with the Holy Spirit.</div>
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<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most Scripture quotations taken from
NASB, copyright the Lockman Foundation. Other Scriptures from the Holy
Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, where noted. Kingdom Authority image may be subject to copyright, courtesy <a href="http://www.firstbaptistloveland.org/authority/kingdom-authority/" target="_blank">First Baptist Church Loveland</a>, used per Fair Use Act for commentary and educational purposes only.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Author's Note: </span>If you enjoyed
this message, you may also like other articles on the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Home page</a> of this blog. I recommend reading <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2011/12/supernatural-power-for-all-disciples.html" target="_blank">Supernatural Power for All Disciples</a>, <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2011/06/baptized-with-spirit.html" target="_blank">Baptized with the Spirit</a>, <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2011/11/laying-on-of-hands.html" target="_blank">The Laying on of Hands</a>, <a href="http://biblicalwellness.blogspot.com/2011/11/power-of-god-to-heal.html" target="_blank">The Power of God to Heal</a>, <a href="http://biblicalwellness.blogspot.com/2013/09/healing-is-in-atonement.html">Healing is in the Atonement</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/05/against-entropy.html" target="_blank">Against Entropy</a>, <a href="http://budapesttestimonies.blogspot.com/2011/03/delivered-from-voices-and-dizziness.html" target="_blank">Delivered from Voices and Dizziness</a>, <a href="http://plovdivtestimonies.blogspot.hu/2012/05/raised-from-dead.html" target="_blank">Pastor Raised from the Dead</a>, <a href="http://budapesttestimonies.blogspot.com/2011/11/healed-from-breathing-obstruction.html" target="_blank">Healed from a Breathing Obstruction</a>, <a href="http://fromevildeliverus.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-origin-of-sin.html" target="_blank">The Origin of Sin, Satan, and Secular Music</a>, <a href="http://fromevildeliverus.blogspot.com/2017/06/sin-satan-and-submerged-sphere.html" target="_blank">Sin, Satan, and the Submerged Sphere</a>, <a href="http://fromevildeliverus.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-kingdom-of-darkness.html" target="_blank">The Kingdom of Darkness</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/05/holy-fire-baptism.html" target="_blank">Holy Fire Baptism</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/05/changing-atmosphere.html" target="_blank">Changing the Atmosphere</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2012/03/transfer-between-physical-and-spiritual.html" target="_blank">The Link Between Two Realms</a>, <a href="http://len-prayerpromises.blogspot.com/2013/10/personal-proclamations-of-faith.html" target="_blank">Personal Proclamations of Faith</a>, <a href="http://workinggodsway.blogspot.com/2018/06/walking-by-faith.html" target="_blank">Walking by Faith</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/05/against-entropy.html" target="_blank">Against Entropy</a>, <a href="http://fromevildeliverus.blogspot.hu/2012/07/demonology-101.html" target="_blank">Demonology 101</a>, and <a href="http://biblicalwellness.blogspot.com/2011/11/role-of-demons.html" target="_blank">The Role of Demons</a>. I also invite you
to visit my collection of blogs at <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" style="color: #3333ff;">"Writing for the Master</a>."
Now let me ask you a very important question.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a></div>
</div>
Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-16351458883804179042018-07-23T09:51:00.000-07:002018-08-03T10:14:13.796-07:00Dependence in God's KingdomEvery year, Americans around the world celebrate Independence Day on July Fourth, marking the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. While I am very grateful for America's independence from England and it's crown, I would like to talk about the need for dependence in the kingdom of God and why that is so important.<br />
<br />
Someone I love and care about recently said to me that dependence is a problem. This person happens to be a former follower of Christ, who is no longer following or serving the Lord. He no longer wants anything to do with the Church or the Lord. But I think that this false notion that dependence is a problem is a worldly and a demonic one that has crept into the Church, and it threatens to choke the life out of those who believe it.<br />
<br />
All throughout the Word of God we see dependence, as well as interdependence, in God's Kingdom. Here are some of the verses that teach us about it:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Dependence on God</span><br />
Obviously the primary dependence that we all have is on God. He is the One who gives us all life and breath. As the apostle Paul said, "He is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else." (Ac 17:25, NIV). Every breath you take, every beat of your heart is a gift from God. Job said, "If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust." (Job 34:14-15, NIV). Isaiah said the Lord gives breath to the people on earth, and life to those who walk on it (Is 42:5). Just think about that! The very breath of God is in your nostrils. So at the most basic level of life, which are your vital signs, you and I depend on God.<br />
<br />
No matter what you undertake to do, you depend on God. If He is not doing it, then you are wasting your time. Whatever you seek to do, if the Lord does not undertake on your behalf, then your efforts are all in vain. As the psalmist wrote:<br />
<br />
"Unless the Lord builds the house,<br />
the builders labor in vain.<br />
Unless the Lord watches over the city,<br />
the guards stand watch in vain." (Ps 127:1)<br />
<br />
The Lord Jesus Himself told His disciples, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (Jn 15:5, NIV). Apart from Him we can do nothing. That is total and complete dependence on the Lord.<br />
<br />
We depend on God for everything, including forgiveness, daily bread, and deliverance from evil, not to mention the salvation of our souls. That's why the Lord told us to ask the Father for these, as He taught us to pray:<br />
<br />
“Our Father in heaven,<br />
hallowed be your name,<br />
your kingdom come,<br />
your will be done,<br />
on earth as it is in heaven.<br />
Give us today our daily bread.<br />
And forgive us our debts,<br />
as we also have forgiven our debtors.<br />
And lead us not into temptation,<br />
but deliver us from the evil one."<br />
(Mt 6:9b-13, NIV)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Interdependence of the Members of the Body</span><br />
Not only are we dependent on God and His Christ for everything, but the members of the Body of Christ are all interdependent upon each other.<br />
<br />
One of the things my friend proudly stated to me recently regarding dependence was, "I do not rely on churches or...assigning myself to some groups." However, the Church is the household of God (1 Tim 3:15; Eph 2:19), also known as the Body of Christ, which is a worldwide group meeting in local gatherings. Hebrews 10:25 says, "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."<br />
<br />
There is one body and each member of Christ's body belongs to all the others. "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (Rom 12:4-5). If you cut your finger, arm, leg, or foot off your body, how long do you think that member of your body will survive on its own? All the parts must remain together and connected to the Head, which is Christ. When you cut off a body part, it rots and stinks and perishes, and that is what happens to anyone who becomes disconnected from Christ.<br />
<br />
The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians:<br />
<br />
"Now if the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.<br />
<br />
"The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don’t need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don’t need you!' On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Cor 12:15-27, NIV).<br />
<br />
Any time a member of Christ's Body says they don't need the Body, they are declaring their independence, thereby separating themselves and <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2017/04/why-is-body-so-divided.html" target="_blank">creating a division</a> that ought not to be there. We depend on each other in many ways, even for things we may take for granted like prayer and encouragement. Pastors depend on God to provide through <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/is-tithing-required-for-christians.html" target="_blank">the generous tithes</a> and offerings of the members of the Church. <a href="http://sendlaborers.blogspot.com/2010/03/bad-news-about-good-news.html" target="_blank">Missionaries</a>, evangelists, and others in ministry rely on the generous financial and prayer support of others in the Body of Christ. You cannot get around this dependence, because it is built into the fabric of our lives. That's why our relationships to one another are so important.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Dependence in Nature</span><br />
We see dependence all throughout the earth in nature. God has created the world in such a way that everything is dependent upon Him for life. Job said, "In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." (Job 12:10, NIV). The Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet Isaiah about His provision of water for the wild animals:<br />
<br />
"The wild animals honor me,<br />
the jackals and the owls,<br />
because I provide water in the wilderness<br />
and streams in the wasteland,<br />
to give drink to my people, my chosen."<br />
(Is 43:20, NIV)<br />
<br />
The psalmist also wrote about the earth's dependence on God:<br />
<br />
"You care for the land and water it;<br />
you enrich it abundantly.<br />
The streams of God are filled with water<br />
to provide the people with grain,<br />
for so you have ordained it.<br />
You drench its furrows and level its ridges;<br />
you soften it with showers and bless its crops.<br />
You crown the year with your bounty,<br />
and your carts overflow with abundance.<br />
The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;<br />
the hills are clothed with gladness.<br />
The meadows are covered with flocks<br />
and the valleys are mantled with grain;<br />
they shout for joy and sing."<br />
(Ps 65:9-13, NIV)<br />
<br />
It's easy to see. The grass depends on God for the rain and sun, as well as on the nutrients in the soil. The sheep and deer and other animals depend on God for the streams of water, as well as the grass and other plant life to eat. The fish in the sea depend on God for the water they live in to be clean and for the food He provides for them, whether it is plankton or other fish. For there are countless inter-dependencies within the food chain, including marine life. In fact, the entire food chain is a series of inter-dependencies. If any part of the ecosystem becomes out of balance, lacking in some way, then it affects all the other members of the system.<br />
<br />
In fact, you can even see the dependencies in our earth's atmosphere. We depend on God for clean air to breath, although man does things that pollute that air. We depend on God for protection from harmful cosmic rays, particles, and objects like meteors, asteroids, coronal mass ejections, ultraviolet rays, magnetic storms, and many other threats to life on this planet. Even the very distance of the earth to the sun is perfect. Otherwise, if we were a little farther from it, the temperature would be too cold, and if we were a little closer to it, the earth would be too hot. Likewise, even the angle of earth's tilt is lovingly provided by God to sustain our life here on this planet. He is gracious and compassionate.<br />
<br />
Jesus said: "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?" (Mt 6:26-30, NIV).<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Dependence Magnified in Time of Need</span><br />
One thing that really helps to show a person their dependence on God is to be in need. If a person finds himself suddenly unable to breathe, and he feels he is suffocating, that will do wonders to help him realize his dependence. Initially he may receive help from another person, so that he can breathe, but ultimately that help would be useless without God. And it is God who provides the other person to help, since all things are from Him.<br />
<br />
Likewise, if a person becomes ill to the point of being unable to take care of himself, he will quickly come to realize that he is completely dependent on others to care for him, and ultimately that means he is dependent on God to provide those people. That applies whether it is the money to pay for professional care in a hospital, nursing home, hospice, or from a home care provider, or whether it is from members of church or family or neighborhood. If he is without any of these in such a situation where he has become an invalid, then he would surely die unless God miraculously sustained him. Therefore, nobody should proudly boast that they don't depend on anyone.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, that is not a reason for us to neglect our own responsibilities to work for a living and to take care of ourselves and our families. It is not a license to intentionally depend on others for a free ride through life, because idleness is not a virtue. For Paul the apostle clearly taught that "You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, <u>so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody</u>." (1 Thes 4:11b-12, NIV). Therefore, do your part to the extent that you are able, so that you will not be dependent on anybody, while understanding that we are all interdependent upon each other in the Body of Christ, and there are certain times when we may have to depend on others to help us.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
As we have seen, dependence is not a problem as some may think. Rather it is embedded into all life, so that we may ultimately realize our dependence on God. He is our Helper, our Provider, our Healer, our Deliverer, and our Savior through His Son Jesus Christ. Our hope and our strength are in Him. Therefore, while man may celebrate his independence, we celebrate our total dependence on God.<br />
<br />
<i>Attribution notice</i>: Scriptures
taken from The Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zonervan, used by permission. <br />
<br />
<i>Author's note</i>: If you enjoyed this post, you may also like <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-power-of-two-or-three.html" target="_blank">The Power of Two or Three</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/gods-supernatural-provision-using-people.html" target="_blank">God's Supernatural Provision Using People</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2011/12/gods-supernatural-hand-during-crisis.html" target="_blank">God's Supernatural Hand During Crisis</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2017/04/why-is-body-so-divided.html" target="_blank">Why is the Body So Divided?</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2017/07/a-biblical-view-of-poor.html" target="_blank">A Biblical View of the Poor</a>, <a href="http://sendlaborers.blogspot.com/2010/03/bad-news-about-good-news.html" target="_blank">The Bad News About the Good News</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/is-tithing-required-for-christians.html" target="_blank">Is Tithing Required for Christians?</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/where-should-you-give-your-tithe.html" target="_blank">Where Should You Give Your Tithe?</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2009/05/every-living-thing-has-its-own-unique.html" target="_blank">The Kingdom of God is Like This</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2010/11/multiplication.html" target="_blank">Multiplication</a>, as well as other articles found on the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/home.html" target="_blank">Home</a> page of this blog. You may also access my complete blog directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html">Writing for the Master</a>."<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-57484505366365786842018-07-23T00:00:00.000-07:002018-07-29T10:13:31.213-07:00The Power of Two or Three<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaBKE9f9DnJed2VnZdq0-BCG2U15OYR2iDeqaOks8fn0vF9cVbPxgD89G4XKoWLtLd1DcuL5OPUjDkhHSBp7nvhpNzRKwpdkKZwRQOzqnvVL41qBIgK1uxBdCf14THaDV_ZULFVq1N1U/s1600/hands.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="839" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaBKE9f9DnJed2VnZdq0-BCG2U15OYR2iDeqaOks8fn0vF9cVbPxgD89G4XKoWLtLd1DcuL5OPUjDkhHSBp7nvhpNzRKwpdkKZwRQOzqnvVL41qBIgK1uxBdCf14THaDV_ZULFVq1N1U/s200/hands.png" width="200" /></a>The Scriptures have much to teach us about the power of two or three believers. Let's examine that in God's Word to see what it says.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">All Things Established</span><br />
Firstly, all things are established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. This was taught in the law by Moses and repeated in the New Testament, and I would like you to keep this point in mind as you read through the remainder of my points in this article.<br />
<br />
Moses wrote, "A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; <u>on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed</u>." (Deu 19:15)<br />
<br />
Likewise, the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "This will be my third visit to you. 'Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'” (2 Co 13:1, NIV). It's interesting to see how Paul even applied that verse from the law to his visits to the Corinthians. He considered his third upcoming visit there to be a confirming one that would establish the matters there that he was writing to them about.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Holy Trinity</span><br />
God Himself is one God in three divine Persons, and we see this Trinity all throughout Scripture.<br />
<br />
"Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." (Gen 1:26-27)<br />
<br />
As I wrote in my article, <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-holy-trinity.html" target="_blank">The Holy Trinity</a>, the Hebrew word for "God" here is "Elohim", which is a plural noun. In order for it to be plural, that means it must refer to more than one, even though we know that God is one (Deut 6:1). And even if you don't know any Hebrew, you should be able to easily see in these verses in Genesis 1:26-27 that there is more than one divine Person, since God speaks of Himself in the first person plural. He uses terms like "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness." He was certainly speaking of Himself in the plural form.<br />
<br />
Another example of the Trinity all in one verse is the words of Jesus before His ascension, when He said, "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." (Luk 24:49). Here we have Jesus speaking about "the Promise," which is the Holy Spirit, and the Father, so the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all in one verse.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Then again He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (Act 1:7-8). Here we have Jesus speaking of himself when He says "My" witnesses, and of the Father when He says, "times or epochs which the Father has fixed," and of the Holy Spirit when He says, "the Holy Spirit has come upon you."<br />
<br />
The last example I will give is from Revelation. John wrote, "John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—" (Rev 1:4-5)<br />
<br />
In these opening verses of his apocalyptic book we again see all three Persons of the Holy Trinity. We see the Father as "Him who is and who was and who is to come," and the Holy Spirit as "the seven Spirits (or seven-fold Spirit) who are before His throne," and finally we observe "Jesus Christ" the Son. For more on this topic, please see <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-holy-trinity.html" target="_blank">The Holy Trinity</a>.<br />
<br />
So this power of two or three originates with God Himself who is three in One. The members of the Godhead are always in perfect agreement together, and He has existed like this throughout eternal ages past, without beginning. Therefore, the power of two or three is embedded in the very nature of God Himself, and perhaps it even has some connection with His other attributes, such as His omnipotence.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Triune Man</span><br />
Likewise, man is made in God's image with a spirit, soul, and body. In other words, you are a spirit with a soul in a body, which means you are one person with three parts. The apostle Paul wrote, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1Th 5:23)<br />
<br />
I am not saying that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are merely three different parts of God, because they are actually three distinct and divine Persons, not parts. But there is an analogy that can be drawn between the triune nature of God and man.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">A Cord of Three Strands</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPL5Rp4HNjPSLKwoQEVdpVmBVwOOzuc8mdHsv6HMH8diI9G3KqKqjJdVjE2Me5o78U08qKB1I9-kHRgIrMXTFGyORmDBrwBCoG_X3xrsbZuAnHwOIVtDgsx2KWwuScNDxqhX6hx_LIl4/s1600/Cord+of+three+strands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="480" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPL5Rp4HNjPSLKwoQEVdpVmBVwOOzuc8mdHsv6HMH8diI9G3KqKqjJdVjE2Me5o78U08qKB1I9-kHRgIrMXTFGyORmDBrwBCoG_X3xrsbZuAnHwOIVtDgsx2KWwuScNDxqhX6hx_LIl4/s200/Cord+of+three+strands.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
A cord of three strands is not easily broken and two are better than one. Solomon wrote:<br />
<br />
"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart." (Ecc 4:9-12)<br />
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This is self-explanatory. There is no question as to the wisdom and truth of this instruction. Two are certainly better than one for multiple reasons. For one thing, they can perform at least twice as much (if not more) work as one person. Another thing is that one will lift the other one up if he falls. Moreover, two are able to keep each other warm.<br />
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I recall that this was an Army survival tactic in cold weather when I was in the infantry, and perhaps it still is. In fact, the Army's "buddy system" uses this same principle to ensure that the two buddies assigned to each other look out for each other in all aspects of training and warfare, not just cold weather survival.<br />
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Another reason two are better than one is that they can better defend themselves against an attacker. And finally we see the wisdom of this principle proven in a cord of three strands, which is not as easily broken as a single strand would be. Anyone who is given the choice to climb the face of a cliff using either a cord of three strands or a rope made from a single strand will choose the cord of three strands unless they have a death wish.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Church Discipline by Two or Three</span><br />
The power of two or three also applies in matters of Church discipline, such as taking two others with you to address a brother who has sinned. Jesus said, "But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that <u>by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed</u>." (Mat 18:16)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Agreement of Two or Three </span><br />
If two or three agree as touching anything in prayer, it shall be done. Jesus said, "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven." (Mat 18:19). That is an amazing promise the Lord made to us based on the agreement of two or three believers.<br />
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Praying alone is wonderful, but you also need to pray with others. You need to have a prayer partner. So if you are a believer married to another believer, then you already have a prayer partner. If not, then ask the Lord to give you a prayer partner. This is also why group prayer meetings that have at least two or three people are even more powerful than when individuals pray alone.<br />
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In the old days, after making a significant point while preaching, fiery preachers would sometimes shout, "Can I get a witness!?" Then someone would shout, "Amen, brother!" or "Hallelujah!" When you understand the power of two or three, you will realize when someone says "Amen" (meaning "so be it") to a prayer or to some part of a message being preached, then the two come into agreement in the spirit, which powerfully establishes whatever they have agreed upon.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Two or Three Gathered in Jesus' Name</span><br />
Wherever two or three are gathered in Jesus' name, He is there. That means if they are gathered for prayer, worship, fellowship, evangelism, hospitality, or whatever purpose -- as long as it is in Jesus' name, then He has promised to be there. He said, "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." (Mt 18:20).<br />
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This is one reason why you should be a part of a congregation, because there are no lone rangers in the kingdom of God. I learned this the hard way as a new believer over thirty years ago. As a young infantryman in the US Army stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia in the United States, I had only been saved for about three months before I received a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) to Berlin, Germany. I brought my Bible with me to Germany, along with my Christian music recordings, and Christian music videos, but I could not find a solid Christian friend to fellowship with. I also did not agree with something about the way the Protestant chapel conducted services, so I did not attend them. Instead, I tried to walk with Jesus alone, without any fellowship, and this led to me drifting away from the Lord for the first few months I was in Germany. You can read more about that in my article <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2011/07/drifting-away.html" target="_blank">Drifting Away</a>. It was not until I went back to church and repented for my sins that I came back to the Lord six months after being transferred overseas.<br />
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That's one reason why the Bible teaches us that we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves. The apostle said, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Heb 10:24-25, NIV). There is power when two or three gather in Jesus' name, and the presence of the Lord is there.<br />
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Let me also say to you that this point, combined with my previous point about the power of agreement among two or three believers, is one reason why <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2015/08/life-transformation-groups.html" target="_blank">Life Transformation Groups</a>, as well as small home group meetings and house churches are so effective. It is easier to have two or three or ten or twelve people in agreement that to have three, four, or five hundred people all in perfect agreement. The larger the group, the less likely it is that they will all be in perfect agreement.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sent Out Two by Two</span><br />
Jesus sent the Twelve out two-by-two in six pairs to preach that men should repent. "And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits;" (Mar 6:7). Likewise, Jesus later sent the Seventy out two-by-two in thirty-five pairs (Lk 10:1). They were instructed to heal those "who are sick, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'" (Luk 10:9). They went out, and returned afterward rejoicing. "The seventy returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.'" (Luk 10:17). Once again it was the Lord's power demonstrated in pairs of two people who were in agreement in Jesus' name. This was the apostolic pattern followed by Peter and John, as well as Paul and Barnabas, as well as Paul and Silas.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Twelve Witnesses</span><br />
Jesus chose Twelve to be witnesses of His life, death, and resurrection (Mk 3:14-19; Ac 1:21-22). The fact that He died and rose again from the dead, and all that He taught during His earthly ministry, are established by the testimony of the Twelve.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Three Synoptic Gospels</span><br />
Consider the fact that there are three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) that testify of essentially the same things, plus a fourth gospel by John to overlay a spiritual layer of understanding. The Lord established the gospel not with one witness, but four.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Not Good to Be Alone</span><br />
It is not good for man to be alone. Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." (Ge 2:18). This was true of Adam when he was all alone in the world without a companion, and it is true today as well. There are many lonely people in the world, such as widows and widowers. Many of these people are shut-ins and they are all alone. Others may be in the hospital, the nursing home, or even in prison, and while they have people around them, they are lonely. They need a visit from someone who cares.<br />
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This Scripture doesn't necessarily mean it is better to be married than single. As I wrote in my article, <a href="http://marriage-covenant.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-gift-of-celibacy.html" target="_blank">The Gift of Celibacy</a>, some remain single for the sake of the kingdom; and it's best for them to do so. But that doesn't mean they are supposed to be a "lone ranger" and go through life all alone. While they may not be married, they still need fellowship. And even those in ministry need to have a ministry partner. Sometimes this will be a family member or someone else in Christ that they serve with in ministry as the early apostles did.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Two Become One</span><br />
The two (man and woman) shall become one flesh. This is repeated many times in Scripture.<br />
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"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." (Gen 2:24, NIV)<br />
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Jesus said, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh" (Mt 19:5. NIV)<br />
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In Mark's gospel, he records that Jesus said, "And the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh." (Mk 10:8, NIV)<br />
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The apostle Paul wrote, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." (Eph 5:31).<br />
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This illustrates how two people can be one in the same way that the three divine persons of the Holy Trinity are One. And since there are two of them, then as long as they come together in Christ, they are a microcosm of the Church. They both have a partner to agree with in prayer anywhere they go in the world.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus Had a Witness</span><br />
Even Jesus had a witness. He had the Father and the works He did by the power of the Spirit.<br />
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He said, "If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for <u>the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me</u>, that the Father has sent Me. And <u>the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me</u>. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form." (Joh 5:31-37).<br />
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Jesus identified His two witnesses: 1) "the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me." I believe this implied the Holy Spirit through Whom He did all of His works; and 2) "the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me." So the Father and the works that Jesus did by the Spirit provided the powerful testimony that established all that He did and said, as well as His divine identity.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Two Final Witnesses</span><br />
Let me also remind you that there will be the two final witnesses who prophesy for three and a half years.<br />
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"And I will grant authority to my <u>two witnesses</u>, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth." (Rev 11:3-4; cf. Zech 4:11-14)<br />
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These two witnesses operate together in Jesus' name and we can assume based on Scripture that the Father does for them whatever they ask of Him in agreement. If anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouths and devours their enemies; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire." (Rev 11:5-6)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Three Apostles on the Mount of Transfiguration</span><br />
We also see the power of two or three in that Jesus took three apostles with Him onto the Mount of Transfiguration. "Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves." (Mat 17:1).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Two Prophets on the Mount of Transfiguration</span><br />
Then there was the appearance of Moses and Elijah - two witnesses on the mountain with Jesus.<br />
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"And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, 'This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!'" (Mat 17:2-5)<br />
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That was an amazing experience that was powerfully established by three witnesses from heaven -- God the Father, Moses, and Elijah, as well as three witnesses from earth -- Peter, James, and John.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Witness of the Spirit</span><br />
We have the testimony (or witness) of the Spirit.<br />
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Paul wrote, "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God." (Rom 8:16)<br />
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The apostle wrote, "And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying..." (Heb 10:15). After saying this, he quoted from the Hebrew Scriptures. This illustrates that the Holy Spirit as the author of Scripture testifies to us as believers through the Word of God.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Satanic Trinity</span><br />
Even satan has an evil counterfeit trinity, consisting of himself the dragon, the beast (or antichrist), and the false prophet. Apparently satan seeks to play a role corresponding to the Father, while the antichrist attempts to replace Jesus Christ in ruling the world, and the false prophet performs miraculous signs and wonders that counterfeit the works of the Holy Spirit.<br />
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The apostle John wrote, "And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names." (Rev 13:1). In this verse we see the dragon or devil and the beast or antichrist.<br />
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John continued later in the same chapter, "Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon." (Rev 13:11). In this verse we see the false prophet, which together with the devil and the beast comprise the satanic trinity. The devil, too, understands the power of two or three. He knows this power is evident in the Holy Trinity, and is embedded in all life that God has created. He will seek to counterfeit it on earth during the three-and-a-half year Great Tribulation. During that time he will seek to rule the whole world through the beast and the false prophet, but will do so to his own ruin. For the Scripture tells us of his final demise in Revelation 20:10. It says, "And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Rev 20:10). Their condemnation is deserved.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Tower of Babel</span><br />
One last example of using the power of two or three for evil was when the people of Shinar decided to build a tower that would reach to the heavens. God went to see it for Himself and "The Lord said, 'If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.'” (Gen 11:6-7, NIV). Thus the tower was never finished and became known as the Tower of Babel. But it serves as an example of the power of two or three in agreement, because had they continued what they were doing, nothing they planned to do would have been impossible for them.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span></div>
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As we have seen from Scripture, there is amazing power in two or three in Christ. This applies in many different ways to every area of life, whether to Jesus being in the midst of two or three believers gathering in His name, or the Father doing anything that two or three believers agree about and ask Him for in Jesus' name. It also applies to matters of Church discipline, as well as marriage and ministry. In fact, as we have learned, all things are established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. I hope this has helped to build your faith, strengthen and encourage you, and show you another important secret of the kingdom of God. Now go put it into practice for the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ!</div>
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<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>., copyright The Lockman Foundation, used by permission. Other Scriptures from The Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zonervan, used by permission. Photo image copyright <a href="https://sgiumc.org/" target="_blank">Saint George Island United Methodist Church</a>, used according to Fair Use Act for educational and commentary purposes only.<br />
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<i>Author's note</i>: If you enjoyed this post, you may also like <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/07/dependence-in-gods-kingdom.html" target="_blank">Dependence in God's Kingdom</a>, <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-holy-trinity.html" target="_blank">The Holy Trinity</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2015/08/life-transformation-groups.html" target="_blank">Life Transformation Groups</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2016/09/how-to-start-ltg.html" target="_blank">How to Start an LTG</a>, <a href="http://marriage-covenant.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-gift-of-celibacy.html" target="_blank">The Gift of Celibacy</a>, <a href="http://budapesttestimonies.blogspot.com/2012/01/outpouring-of-spirit.html" target="_blank">Outpouring of the Spirit</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2012/03/transfer-between-physical-and-spiritual.html" target="_blank">The Link Between Two Realms</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2011/07/drifting-away.html" target="_blank">Drifting Away</a>, and <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2011/12/supernatural-power-for-all-disciples.html" target="_blank">Supernatural Power for All Disciples</a>, as well as other articles found on the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/home.html" target="_blank">Home</a> page of this blog. You may also access my complete blog directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html">Writing for the Master</a>."<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-22495924742306335442018-05-12T21:09:00.000-07:002018-08-26T20:37:57.274-07:00Changing the Atmosphere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NgY46y3cHuogD_5dXnBeUXGDdCGQudCFrDhiTtUQm6CNo3cgH7aC7W55K_VNWI-M7VACVKnCHj_k3UKTkIDh2Ce6EkQaikQeU8Qc03w6whxqj7xAQWLFDbt8D18KMcWrI3AvsVtZW8U/s1600/Changing+Atmosphere+Medium+Web+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="478" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NgY46y3cHuogD_5dXnBeUXGDdCGQudCFrDhiTtUQm6CNo3cgH7aC7W55K_VNWI-M7VACVKnCHj_k3UKTkIDh2Ce6EkQaikQeU8Qc03w6whxqj7xAQWLFDbt8D18KMcWrI3AvsVtZW8U/s200/Changing+Atmosphere+Medium+Web+view.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
We hear a lot these days about how the earth's atmosphere is changing. We also hear about geoengineering, in which man is intentionally changing the atmosphere. While that can and does occur in the natural realm, it can also occur in the spiritual realm.<br />
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Here is another illustration on a smaller scale that we can all relate to. Have you ever walked into a room and discovered that it had an odor you didn't like, and you decided to open some windows to refresh the air? That's just a simple example of one way to change the atmosphere in the natural realm. Likewise, there are times when the spiritual atmosphere needs to be changed, and there is a biblical way to do so, which we will examine together in detail here in this article.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Link Between the Spiritual and Natural Realms</span><br />
As I explained in my previous article, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2012/03/transfer-between-physical-and-spiritual.html" target="_blank">The Link Between Two Realms</a>, there is a direct connection between the natural and spiritual realms. Things that we do in the natural realm transfer over into the spiritual realm, and things that are happening in the spiritual realm transfer over into the natural realm. For example, if there is an oppressive spirit in a particular place, then it will be reflected in the way people feel. Consequently, their words, actions, and attitudes in that place will be in accordance with that oppressive atmosphere, unless they resist it. Likewise, if the music in a place glorifies satan, like the way rock music does, then there will be a tangible darkness in that place and the actions of the people there will be in accordance with it.<br />
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Conversely, if there is a spirit of faith in a given place, then it will lend itself to a tangible openness and a heightened expectation for miracles and healing to happen. I recall that it was this way on the Bible school campus that I attended at Zion Bible Institute in Barrington, Rhode Island. And indeed miracles were rather commonplace there. On the other hand, I have been to other places where there was a spirit of darkness, doubt, and unbelief. In Jesus' own hometown, even He was unable to do many miracles there, except lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them, because they didn't believe in Him. (Mar 6:4-6). In fact, He wondered at their unbelief.<br />
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Now let's give some examples from Scripture of changing the atmosphere.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus Changed the Atmosphere</span><br />
At the synagogue ruler's house, Jesus changed the atmosphere. Let's observe how:<br />
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"While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, 'My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.' Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples." (Mat 9:18-19, NIV)<br />
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"When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, he said, 'Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.' But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region." (Mat 9:23-26, NIV)<br />
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Why did Jesus put the crowd out of the house? It was because they were noisily mourning the girl's death, playing sad and mournful music on the flutes, and the atmosphere was not one in which to raise her from the dead. It was not conducive--in terms of faith--to her being raised up, but a disorderly one that gave way to grief over the girl's death. It was an atmosphere of fear, doubt, and unbelief.<br />
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By putting them all out of the house, Jesus changed the atmosphere. That is also why he did not let anyone go in with Him except Peter, James, John, and the child's father and mother (Lk 8:51). Then He went in and took the girl by the hand, her spirit returned to her body, and she got up.<br />
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Perhaps you think that Jesus raised her from the dead, because He was God. Certainly <a href="http://sun-of-righteousness.blogspot.com/2011/05/is-jesus-god.html" target="_blank">He was God</a> from His very birth and even before He was conceived in the womb (see <a href="http://sun-of-righteousness.blogspot.com/2011/05/is-jesus-god.html" target="_blank">Is Jesus God?</a>). The apostle John says that in the beginning He was with God and He was God (Jn 1:1). But the apostle Paul also tells us that Jesus emptied Himself of the glory and power He had with the Father before He came to earth. He said, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Phil 2:6-7, NIV).<br />
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This is known in Christian theology as His kenosis or self-emptying. In simple terms we can all understand, it was essentially His humiliation. He reduced Himself to the same level that all other men are at without ceasing to be God. It was like He tied both His hands behind His back in a sense, and had to do things the same way He expected His followers to do them, which is through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. That means that all of the miracles and healing He performed were done by the power of the Holy Spirit, as I wrote in my article, <a href="http://0.0.0.2/" target="_blank">By the Spirit of God Alone</a>. He Himself was baptized in water and with the Holy Spirit, and then declared that the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him, because He had anointed Him to preach the gospel, bring recovery of sight to the blind, and to set the oppressed captives free. (Lk 4:18). Therefore, He was our example in all things, and the way He went about doing things is the way we must go about them, too.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Peter Changed the Atmosphere</span><br />
Following Christ's example, Peter also changed the atmosphere before raising Dorcas from the dead. All healing and miracles are done by faith, and he first removed all distractions that would interfere with faith, which meant the weeping mourners had to leave the room. Scripture states:<br />
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"Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, 'Do not delay in coming to us.' So Peter arose and went with them."<br />
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"When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, 'Tabitha, arise.' And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord." (Act 9:36-42)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Elisha Changed the Atmosphere</span></div>
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Do you remember how Elisha changed the atmosphere? It was through music.</div>
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"Then the king of Israel said, 'Alas! For the LORD has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.' But Jehoshaphat said, 'Is there not a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?' And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, 'Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.' Jehoshaphat said, 'The word of the LORD is with him.' So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him."</div>
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"Now Elisha said to the king of Israel, 'What do I have to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother.' And the king of Israel said to him, 'No, for the LORD has called these three kings together to give them into the hand of Moab.' Elisha said, 'As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look at you nor see you. But <u>now bring me a minstrel.' And it came about, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him</u>." (2Ki 3:10-15)</div>
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He called for the minstrel to play his instrument, and when the minstrel did so, the hand of the Lord came upon him, so that he was able to prophesy. The music effected a change in the spiritual realm. Something changed in the atmosphere that made it conducive to prophesying. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">David Changed the Atmosphere</span></div>
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Not only did Elisha use music to change the atmosphere, but David did, too. He did this in the presence of King Saul, who had an evil spirit that made him experience outbursts of anger.</div>
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"Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him. Saul's servants then said to him, 'Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you. Let our lord now command your servants who are before you. Let them seek a man who is a skillful player on the harp; and it shall come about when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well.' So Saul said to his servants, 'Provide for me now a man who can play well and bring him to me.' Then one of the young men said, 'Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him.'" (1Sa 16:14-18)</div>
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"Then David came to Saul and attended him; and Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer. Saul sent to Jesse, saying, 'Let David now stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.' So it came about <u>whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him</u>." (1Sa 16:21-23)</div>
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The Scripture says that whenever the evil spirit came to Saul, David would play his harp, and Saul would be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him. The music of his harp produced a change in the spiritual realm that changed the atmosphere such that the evil spirit would not want to remain there. Glory to God!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Praise Changes the Atmosphere</span></div>
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In the same way, praise changes the atmosphere. That can happen when someone is praising the Lord without musical accompaniment (i.e., a Capella), or it can happen when someone sings praises to the music of instruments. The reason is simple: God builds His throne upon the praises of His people. David wrote in the twenty second psalm, "Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel." (Psa 22:3). Therefore, when the praises go up, the glory comes down. He lives within the praises of His people. I encourage you to try it yourself. Praise His name and you will never be the same. The glory of the Lord will fill the place where you are.<br />
<br />
When I was in the Army, I came to know Christ, and He set me free from my life of sin. Now I found myself living in a military barracks as a young, single man with other soldiers that were still bound by sin as I had been, yet they had no intention of changing. The rock music, pornographic videos and magazines, cigarettes and alcohol, course joking and foul language, were all around me. The atmosphere during off duty hours was similar to college dorm life in that respect, except with a little more discipline. One thing I did to cope with this dark and ungodly atmosphere was to wear a portable audio-cassette player clipped to my belt that I could carry about as I went about my tasks in the evening. That was before the days of CD players and MP3 players. I wore my light headphones and listened to Christian music that changed the atmosphere for me and made it one that glorified God, so that I was able to bear living in that environment.<br />
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My wife Jennifer tells me of what she did on one particular occasion when she was a teenage girl experiencing a sense of darkness about her. At that time she was probably fifteen or sixteen years old. She went into her bedroom and put an album on her record player and the first song that came on was called "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus." The vocalist on the album began singing the opening lines that go like this:<br />
<br />
O soul are you weary and troubled?<br />
No light in the darkness you see?<br />
There's light for a look at the Savior<br />
And life more abundant and free<br />
<br />
Turn you eyes upon Jesus<br />
Look full in His wonderful face<br />
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim<br />
In the light of His glory and grace<br />
<br />
So she knelt down beside her bed and turned her face upward, turning her eyes upon Jesus. As she did so, the atmosphere in her room changed and she experienced the light of His glory and grace upon her.<br />
<br />
On another occasion when she was a young, single adult in graduate school at Regent University, she was in her apartment feeling rather depressed. So she turned on her radio in her bedroom and listened to a two-hour, praise-and-worship radio program. She occasionally prayed, but she mostly just sat and listened to the praise and worship music. At the end of that time, her friend Janice came and knocked at the door to her apartment to get her for work. They both worked for Regent University's Housekeeping Department cleaning apartments there in the village. When Jennifer opened the door, Janice took one look at her face and said something to the effect that, "Wow! What's happened to you? You're glowing!" What happened was that she changed the atmosphere through praise and worship.<br />
<br />
Likewise, in our home today, our children change the atmosphere through praise and worship. Sometimes it is when one of them is going about her chores, sweetly singing praises to the Lord. At other times, it happens when they gather around together while one of them plays the guitar, and perhaps another plays the keyboard, while they all join in singing praises to God. It creates a wonderful atmosphere in the house, which I am able to sense even when I am downstairs in my office. Heaven comes down and fills the place.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Paul and Silas Changed the Atmosphere</span><br />
When Paul and Silas were in prison in Philippi, they changed the atmosphere in that place through their prayer and praises. Prisons in those days were not like the prisons we have today, where there are beds, sinks, toilets, heating, and a cafeteria. They were cold, dark, probably dank, and infested with pests such as spiders, centipedes, perhaps lice, and various bugs, as well as mice, rats or bats. First they were beaten with many blows, and then after being thrown into prison, their feet were fastened in the stocks. Here is what happened in that place.<br />
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"But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened." (Act 16:25-26)<br />
<br />
At midnight, they could have been complaining or sleeping, but they didn't yield to their flesh. Instead these two men chose as an act of their will to pray and sing praises to the Lord. Prayer and praise changed the atmosphere, such that it actually caused a sudden great earthquake that shook the foundations of the prison. What they did in the natural realm caused something to change in the spirit realm, which in turn affected a change in the natural realm in the form of an earthquake. Not only did the ground shake, but all the doors opened and everyone's chains were unfastened.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Scripture Reading Changes the Atmosphere</span><br />
There are many other things that can change the atmosphere. One of them is reading Scripture aloud. When you begin to read the Word of God out loud or play back a recording of someone else reading the Bible, such as you can find on various audio Bibles available for free on the internet, you will notice that it changes the atmosphere. Light comes into that place. In fact, even if you read your Bible silently, it changes the atmosphere. When you open up the Bible, it is like a great flood light is shining up at you and as you read, that light will enter your soul. But reading it aloud is the best way to experience the most powerful effect of it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Proclamations of Faith Change the Atmosphere</span><br />
Another one is making proclamations out loud like the ones I have written about in my article, <a href="http://len-prayerpromises.blogspot.com/2013/10/personal-proclamations-of-faith.html" target="_blank">Personal Proclamations of Faith</a>. If you begin to activate your faith and declare what you believe out loud, it will change the atmosphere. The demons fear your faith, and they will not want to be around if you keep boldly declaring those things aloud.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Thanksgiving Changes the Atmosphere</span><br />
Finally, it will change the atmosphere when you begin to just give thanks to God for everything you can think of, such as I have written about in my article, <a href="http://len-prayerpromises.blogspot.com/2013/02/giving-thanks-in-everything.html" target="_blank">Giving Thanks in Everything</a>. Thanksgiving to God is a type of offering, and while it may be a sacrifice for you to do so, assuming you have your fair share of burdens and cares, it will bring a change in your environment. It will create an atmosphere in which the Holy Spirit feels welcome and God's presence envelopes you. Try it and you will see what I mean.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
As I have just explained, there are positive ways that we can change the atmosphere we are in, according to the Word of God. They include removing the noisy voices of fear, doubt, and unbelief that are all around you, and entering into prayer, praises, and thanksgiving, as well as faith proclamations and Scripture reading, especially aloud. As you do these things, you will experience the shift in your environment. You'll be blessed because you did so. Something will change in the spirit realm and that will in turn be tangibly felt in that place.<br />
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<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most Scripture quotations taken from NASB, copyright the Lockman Foundation. Other Scriptures from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, where noted. Image by First Assembly Roxas Missions, Inc. in the Philippines is used according to Fair Use Act for commentary and educational purposes only. It may be subject to copyright.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Author's Note: </span>If you enjoyed
this message, you may also like other articles on the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Home page</a> of this blog. I recommend reading <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2012/03/transfer-between-physical-and-spiritual.html" target="_blank">The Link Between Two Realms</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/praise-lord.html" target="_blank">Praise the Lord</a>, <a href="http://len-prayerpromises.blogspot.com/2013/10/personal-proclamations-of-faith.html" target="_blank">Personal Proclamations of Faith</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.hu/2012/09/crying-out-to-god-loudly.html" target="_blank">Crying out to God Loudly</a>, <a href="http://len-prayerpromises.blogspot.com/2013/02/giving-thanks-in-everything.html" target="_blank">Giving Thanks in Everything</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2017/09/songs-of-holy-fire.html" target="_blank">Songs of the Holy Fire</a>, and <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-sudden-nature-of-gods-kingdom.html" target="_blank">The Sudden Nature of God's Kingdom</a>. I also invite you
to visit my collection of blogs at <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" style="color: #3333ff;">"Writing for the Master</a>."
Now let me ask you a very important question.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a></div>
Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-25562754261621166202018-05-06T09:30:00.000-07:002018-07-29T10:15:27.862-07:00Against Entropy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqpDYPIfRh9P3j8qGhF8cbcV7tPYSDVPNAHGpAYm5b7pWl5ku42BSkh_6omM9boPlfHurczxs-EenZ-YqgJ_eHgWTP0a3ObcVc2HTHVyqB9aqMUTaxBxfQMlLqkKUKgnT9WtPTRxdfLo/s1600/1entropy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="1350" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqpDYPIfRh9P3j8qGhF8cbcV7tPYSDVPNAHGpAYm5b7pWl5ku42BSkh_6omM9boPlfHurczxs-EenZ-YqgJ_eHgWTP0a3ObcVc2HTHVyqB9aqMUTaxBxfQMlLqkKUKgnT9WtPTRxdfLo/s200/1entropy.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
My seventeen-year old daughter and I took an evening walk together hand-in-hand a couple days ago, and I asked her what she had been learning in school. She began to tell me what she was learning about entropy in science, so we discussed it a bit. Then this morning I had a dream in which I saw the words, "Against entropy," so I decided to write this article about it.<br />
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The second law of thermodynamics states that "the total entropy of an isolated system can never decrease over time. The total entropy can remain constant in ideal cases where the system is in a steady state (equilibrium), or is undergoing a reversible process." In order to understand that definition, you must know what entropy is.<br />
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Entropy is "a thermodynamic quantity representing the unavailability of a system's thermal energy for conversion into mechanical work, often interpreted as the degree of disorder or randomness in the system." So for layman's purposes, entropy could be defined simply as the degree of disorder in a system. Or entropy could be defined as "a lack of order or predictability; gradual decline into disorder." Some synonyms for entropy are deterioration, degeneration, crumbling, decline, degradation, decomposition, breaking down, and collapse.<br />
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Using my simplified definitions for entropy, my layman's definition of The Second Law of Thermodynamics, (which may not be technically and precisely correct), is that "the total degree of disorder in a system can never decrease over time, but generally increases." Put differently, "Everything is generally moving from a state of order to disorder." Or "All things are experiencing a gradual decline into disorder." We could also say that generally speaking, "Everything is undergoing some sort of deterioration, degeneration, crumbling, decline, degradation, decomposition, breaking down, or collapse."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRpbGYeuv73uj143AYR2dbPdBYyVuDqcyKg9mtBpDYYkrH8PgBrjQ7kKmcyvkgko8RymkopTXePwplIqkIcki-ehhlb6B6kDgwq-h2LGJoF2C47Ea4All3NdRHiRO4pTfjlE5w64JNwg/s1600/Rotten+bananas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="630" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRpbGYeuv73uj143AYR2dbPdBYyVuDqcyKg9mtBpDYYkrH8PgBrjQ7kKmcyvkgko8RymkopTXePwplIqkIcki-ehhlb6B6kDgwq-h2LGJoF2C47Ea4All3NdRHiRO4pTfjlE5w64JNwg/s200/Rotten+bananas.jpg" width="200" /></a>This law should be fairly obvious to most people, as examples of entropy abound all around us. The body of a human or animal that dies decomposes. In fact, even while we are still living we are decomposing! According to kidshealth.org, "Though you can't see it happening, every minute of the day we lose about 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells off the surface of our skin. So just in the time it took you to read this far, you've probably lost about 40,000 cells. That's almost 9 pounds (4 kilograms) of cells every year!" Much of the dust you find in your home is made of skin cells. Another example is the way that meat and fruit spoil and decompose. Meat becomes rancid and bacteria grows on it as it decomposes. Fruit goes through a rotting process and ferments. Wood becomes brittle over time and crumbles. Wooden structures that become very old eventually collapse. Trees die and collapse, too. Metal goes through an oxidation process known as rusting, which can eventually leave holes in it. Computers eventually break down. Mental disorders occur, and when people get sick and grow weak, this too is an example of entropy.<br />
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We also see the effects of entropy in the world. To borrow the words from a song that was recorded of heavenly <a href="https://youtu.be/tMm_rZBF4ck" target="_blank">angels singing in China</a> during the 1990's in the Mandarin language, "The famines are becoming more and more critical. There are more and more earthquakes. The situation is becoming more and more sinister. People are fighting against each other, nation against nation. Disasters are more and more severe. The whole environment is deteriorating. Disasters are more and more severe. People's hearts are wicked, and they do not worship the true God. Floods and droughts are more and more frequent. There is more and more homosexuality and incurable diseases. The climates are becoming more and more abnormal. The earth is more and more restless. The skies have been broken. The atmosphere is distorted."<br />
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The world is experiencing many fearful events, including plane crashes, severe weather, volcanoes, and terrorism. Many strange signs are occurring throughout the world, such as mass animal deaths and water turning blood red. For more on this, please see my articles <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-land-mourns-in-last-days.html" target="_blank">The Land Mourns in the Last Days</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-end-time-plagues.html" target="_blank">The End Time Plagues</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2016/03/wars-and-rumors-of-wars.html" target="_blank">Wars and Rumors of Wars</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2017/10/cosmic-rays-intensifying.html" target="_blank">Cosmic Rays Intensifying</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2016/02/fukushima-daiichi-nuclear-disaster.html" target="_blank">Fukusima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-contractions-are-coming-closer.html" target="_blank">The Contractions Are Coming Closer and Closer Together</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.hu/2013/03/something-is-going-on-2013.html" target="_blank">Something's Going on in 2013</a>, and <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2017/10/something-is-going-on-in-2017.html" target="_blank">Something's Going on in 2018</a>.<br />
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Who can deny that society is becoming more and more disorderly and that there are more random acts of violence, school shootings and riots in the streets? The crime rates are increasing, divorce is on the rise, families are breaking down, and the love of most is growing cold. For Jesus Himself predicted this would happen in the last days before His return. He said, "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." (Mt 24:12, NIV). That too is a type of entropy.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Entropy in Scripture</span><br />
The Bible speaks of this process. For example, the apostle Paul said, "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now." (Rom 8:20-22). Put simply, all of creation (i.e., everything in the natural realm including plants, animals, bodies of water, the sky or atmosphere, and the earth itself) is subjected to futility and is presently in bondage to corruption. Everything is in slavery to decay, which is exactly what the Second Law of Thermodynamics states.<br />
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Grass and flowers are good examples, too. Isaiah prophesied, "The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." (Isa 40:7-8).<br />
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According to the prophet, we as humans are undergoing that same process as the grass and flowers. Likewise, God said to Adam in the garden, "By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return." (Gen 3:19). This is fate of all people, "All came from the dust and all return to the dust." (Ecc 3:20b).<br />
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Hell is a place where entropy never ends. Every moment is filled with pain, torment, sorrow, regret, loneliness, and fear. It stinks terribly in hell, because of all the rotten, decaying flesh. The intense heat is unbearable, and the atmosphere is stifling, so you feel like you are suffocating. There is no water to drink, so there is nothing to quench your thirst. It's a place of outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mt 8:12, 22:13, 25:30), where the worms that eat them do not die, and the flames are never quenched (Mk 9:44,48). Don't go to that terrible place! Repent and put your faith in Jesus Christ to save you.<br />
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The Lord spoke about the things men treasure on earth that are destined to rust, rot, decay, or be stolen. He said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal." (Mat 6:19-20)<br />
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The apostle Peter said, "Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." (2 Pe 1:4, NIV). This means that there is corruption in the world, which is caused by evil desires or lusts. Sin has brought about death to mankind and all creation. But the Lord has given us promises whereby we may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world. This means that we can defy entropy.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Defying Entropy</span></div>
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While our earthly life may not last forever and we eventually die, we can have eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (Joh 3:16). The Lord said, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die." (Joh 11:25-26a).</div>
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The apostle Paul taught that eternal life is a gift from God given through Jesus Christ to those who believe in Him. He stated, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 6:23). On the one hand, sin brings death to people and the rest of creation. This is a kind of pay back for sin. But God has not left us hopeless. He has given a gift that you cannot earn, but can only receive by faith in Jesus Christ, and that gift is eternal life. Hopefully you can see how that defies entropy.</div>
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Up in heaven there is no entropy at all. Everything is living. As I said in my article, <a href="http://fromevildeliverus.blogspot.com/2018/04/to-sin-or-not-to-sin.html" target="_blank">To Sin or Not to Sin</a>, in heaven there is no death, no pain, no tears or sorrow (Rev 21:4). The city is made of pure gold, as pure as glass (Rev 21:18). Even the great street of the city is made of pure gold (Rev 21:21 ). It's walls are decorated with every kind of precious stone (Rev 21:19). The city shines brightly with the glory of God (Rev 21:11,23). There is a pure river of the water of life there that is clear as crystal, and there are many mansions (Jn 14:2). The tree of life is there, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month (Rev 22:2). There are countless myriads of holy angels, as well as the spirits of righteous men made perfect (Heb 12:22-23; Rev 5:11). There is no sin there, because nothing impure may enter that place, and nobody who does what is shameful or deceitful will ever enter it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life (Rev 21:27). God is reigning over the universe there on his throne at the center of it all, and Jesus Christ sits at his right hand with great power and glory -- with angels, powers, and authorities in submission to Him (1 Pe 3:22).</div>
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The people in heaven are all young and healthy, and the grass is all green with no brown spots or withering of any kind. Since there is no death, decay, or entropy of any kind in heaven, there is no dust, dirt, grime, or disease. There is no garbage or waste of any kind. There is no rust, but everything is shiny and new. And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." (Rev 21:5).<br />
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The kingdom of heaven is at hand, according to the Lord Jesus Christ. He said, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." (Mt 3:2, NIV). Consequently, when the kingdom of heaven is at hand, we experience the effects of it here and now. One of those effects is that His kingdom comes into our midst and His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. The glories of heaven are manifested here and now. When the kingdom of heaven is near, it reverses the usual effects of entropy, whereby disorder is normally increasing, not decreasing, and some unusual things can happen. The impossible now becomes possible. Let me give you some examples.</div>
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<b>Free Not to Sin</b></div>
<div>
In addition to having eternal life, there is a way to defy entropy while we are still alive on earth. I have alluded to one of them at the end of the last section, which is that the followers of Christ participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world. We have been set free from the law of sin and death and now live by the law of the Spirit of life. "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death." (Rom 8:2). Once you have been set free from the law of sin and death, you no longer have any obligation to sin. You are free not to sin! "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." (Joh 8:36). Your mind is set on the Spirit. which brings about life and peace. "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." (Rom 8:6).</div>
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<b>Abundant Life</b></div>
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As I said in my article, <a href="http://fromevildeliverus.blogspot.com/2018/04/to-sin-or-not-to-sin.html" target="_blank">To Sin or Not to Sin</a>, abundant life is a gift that those of us who know Jesus get to enjoy while we are still on earth before we die and go to heaven. Since I came to know Christ thirty-two years ago, I have experienced an abundant life in Christ filled with more joy, laughter, and fun than I could have ever imagined. There have been times when the Holy Spirit has come upon me and I have experienced a holy laughter that was pure and wonderful, unlike anything this world has to offer. Being baptized with the Holy Spirit and living the Spirit-filled life has been far more enjoyable than living that old life of sin and shame. I'm so glad I decided to give my life to Jesus and follow Him in this abundant life, rather than stay in sin. If I had remained in sin, I would never have come to know such joy unspeakable and full of glory! I would have probably ended up dead or in jail eventually, but instead he has blessed me with a wife and children and all the happy moments that we have enjoyed together. He has blessed me with the joy of preaching the gospel in countries around the world, as well as here in the United States, seeing people give their lives to Jesus. I have experienced the glory of His manifest presence, as well as the wonder of seeing people miraculously healed and set free from demons. I am able to sing and rejoice with a clear conscience. Nothing I had before Christ could ever compare with the abundant life He has given to me. This, too, defies entropy, because now there is order and peace, where there once was disorder and confusion.</div>
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"For God is not a God of disorder but of peace" (1 Cor 14:33a, NIV). So when you are right with God, order and peace replace disorder and confusion. It is the devil, not God, that brings disorder. The devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but Jesus comes that you may have life and that more abundantly (Jn 10:10). </div>
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<b>Casting Out Demons</b></div>
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When demons are cast out, then whatever disorder they have brought into a person's life is also removed. When Jesus cast out the legion of demons from the demoniac, it went completely against the second law of thermodynamics (Mk 5:1-20).<br />
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The demons had brought such disorder to that man's life that he was miserable. "Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones." (Mar 5:5). He was like a wild, rabid animal. Nobody could go near him for fear he would hurt them. For a long time the man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. Once Jesus cast the demons out of him, the demons with the Lord's permission went into the roughly two thousand pigs in the nearby herd. Once the demons entered into the pigs, they rushed down a steep embankment into the lake and drowned. Just imagine how miserable that man's life must have been with all those demons inside of him! It's no wonder he acted the way he did. Even the pigs went crazy and hated their lives so much that they all wanted to commit suicide. The demons drove them mad. It was not a good outcome for the pigs that day.<br />
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However, look at the outcome for the man who had been demon-possessed and was now delivered. Scripture says that the man was sitting down, clothed and in his right mind (Mar 5:15). No longer was he naked and out of his mind as he had been, but now he was dressed and well composed. He was experiencing total peace the way God intended for him. How wonderful!</div>
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Likewise, God has given to those who believe in Jesus the power to cast out demons. He has given us the power to defy and reverse the effects of entropy in specific instances. I have seen and experienced such things firsthand, so I can testify it is really true. Jesus said, "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mar 16:17-18). That passage gives us an excellent picture of how we, by God’s power, can reverse various processes resulting from the second law of thermodynamics.<br />
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If you believe in Jesus and have received <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2011/06/baptized-with-spirit.html" target="_blank">the baptism with the Holy Spirit</a>, then you will have power to be His witness. Jesus said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."(Act 1:8). Besides the power to cast out demons, here are some other effects of the kingdom of heaven coming near and the power of the Holy Spirit being manifested.<br />
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<b>Healing the Sick</b></div>
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Another example is healing. For the Lord promised that those who believe in His name will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. As I said, I have seen this first hand many times, and all the glory belongs to Jesus. The gospels and the book of Acts are full of many examples of Jesus and His apostles healing people of incurable sicknesses and diseases, such as leprosy (a skin disorder), as well as paralysis, blindness, deafness, muteness, hemorrhaging, lameness, and epilepsy (seizures). The Scripture says:<br />
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"And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her. And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them. When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city had gathered at the door. And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was." (Mar 1:29-34)<br />
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Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8), so He is still performing healing and miracles like that in the world today through His disciples. Some people deny this and think that everyone with a gift of healing or miracles is a huckster that is pretending to do these things in order to take people's money. That is simply not true. As I said, I can testify to what I have seen with my own eyes, and I can produce other witnesses who can do the same. I know that I am not lying but speaking the truth. Why is it so difficult for people to believe that God can do anything and that He changes not?</div>
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Even under the Old Covenant, God made this promise: “The Lord will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all who hate you.” (Deut 7:15). If God could do this for those under the Old Covenant, who’s to say He can’t do that under the New Covenant, which is founded on better promises, and has a better high priest, and better blood? Why would anyone say that such things that were possible under the Old Covenant are not possible under the New Covenant? The answer is lack of faith and unbelief.<br />
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All God’s promises are ‘yes’ in Christ, but we must say the ‘amen.’ The apostle Paul said, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God." (2 Cor 1:20, NIV). God has already given us many great and precious promises through which we may participate in the divine nature, and all we need to do is claim them by faith (2 Pe 1:4). As Jesus said, "Everything is possible for him who believes" (Mk 9:23, NIV). And on another occasion He said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." (Mk 10:27, NIV). Therefore, God still has the power to heal the sick and do anything He likes, even reversing entropy. And those who believe in Jesus are still able to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, but often times we limit Him by our own unbelief.<br />
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For more on healing the sick, please see my article <a href="http://biblicalwellness.blogspot.com/2011/11/power-of-god-to-heal.html" target="_blank">The Power of God to Heal</a>.<br />
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<b>Drinking Deadly Poison</b><br />
Another example of defying entropy is drinking deadly poison with no ill effects. Jesus said that one of the signs that would follow those who believe in Him is that if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them (Mar 16:17-18). This does not mean we are to be presumptuous and try drinking deadly poison to see what will happen. But if per chance we drink it, He promised that it would not hurt us. This is obviously impossible without God, since deadly poison causes death when it enters the human body.<br />
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For those who think that this Scripture is spurious and that we do not see it happening today where Christians are unharmed by deadly poison, let me share just one example of a case in point where it happened fairly recently. My brother and dear friend Michael Sambo, who is a preacher in Nigeria, was captured by Boko Haram terrorists while traveling on ministry. After they had already killed another one of their captives, who was lying dead right there beside him, they blindfolded him and made him drink poison. He drank it and suffered no ill effects, which proves that the passage in Mark 16 is true, and the power of God is able to defy entropy.<br />
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More than one of the terrorists also shot at him with assault rifles at close range while standing in front of him, but even though he heard the sound of the guns, none of the bullets touched him. In fact, God sent an angel to help him escape, just as He did for the apostle Peter when he was in prison. There are witnesses to corroborate his story, and I know him to be an honest man. Since this incident occurred, he has visited me and eaten in my home in the US, along with one of the witnesses, and I know that he would certainly not lie about this. For the full story, please see my article, <a href="http://miraculoussurvivals.blogspot.com/2013/11/angelic-escape-from-terrorist-assassins.html" target="_blank">Angelic Escape from Terrorist Assassins</a>.<br />
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<b>Raising the Dead</b><br />
Jesus also raised the dead during His earthly ministry. There are many examples of this.<br />
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One example is when He raised the twelve-year old daughter of Jairus the synagogue official from the dead. The man had asked Jesus to come and lay His hand upon the girl, who was sick, so that she would be healed. But by the time Jesus arrived, she was already dead and people were mourning. Scripture says:<br />
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"Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, 'Talitha kum!' (which translated means, 'Little girl, I say to you, get up!'). Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded." (Mar 5:41-42)<br />
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He also raised others from the dead like the son of the widowed woman (Lk 7:11-17), who was in a coffin, and Lazarus who had been in the tomb for four days (Jn 11:38-44). In the case of Lazarus, his body was already starting to stink from decomposition, but when he came forth at the command of Jesus and they removed the grave cloths, he was perfectly well.<br />
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And Jesus commissioned His disciples to do the same thing. He said, "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." (Mt 10:8, NIV). The apostle Peter also raised Dorcas from the dead (Ac 9:36-42), and the apostle Paul raised Eutychus (Ac 20:7-12). If there was ever a perfect example of reversing the effects of entropy, raising the dead is one of them. </div>
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<b>Resurrection of Christ</b></div>
Then there’s Jesus’ resurrection, which is the greatest example of all. If you want to talk about reversing entropy, just consider how He was raised from the dead. He had been beaten beyond recognition. His face was disfigured (Is 52:14). He had been scourged so much that the flesh on His back was ripped open and in shreds. He was nailed to the cross (Mt 27:35) and was left to hang there for six hours until He gave up His Spirit. His disciples took down His body, wrapped it in clean linen, and placed it in a tomb. But His body did not see decay.<br />
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The apostle Paul said, "God raised Him from the dead so that He will never be subject to decay. As God has said, ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’ So it is also stated elsewhere: ‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’ Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay." (Ac 13:34-37, NIV).</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
Since this world and the universe and all that is in them are subject to the second law of thermodynamics, they are in a state of gradual decline. There is entropy on every side -- physical entropy, mental entropy, social entropy, and even moral entropy. One thing you can count on is that entropy is not on your side. It's a bad thing, not a good thing.<br />
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Thanks be to God that Jesus Christ is the risen Savior of the world, who has brought the kingdom of heaven near to us. It is now at hand, and His disciples who believe in Him can and do receive power from His Holy Spirit to reverse the effects of entropy in specific instances right here on earth. This includes healing, miracles, casting out demons, drinking deadly poison without any ill effects, and even raising the dead. Those who have received the gift of eternal life through faith in Christ will spend eternity in heaven with Jesus, where there is no disorder or decay. That's good news for mankind. Repent, therefore, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.</div>
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<i>Attribution notice</i>: <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture taken from the NASB</a>, copyright the Lockman Foundation. Other Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible NIV where noted. Images used according to Fair Use Act for commentary and educational purposes only.<br />
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<i>Author's note</i>: If you enjoyed this post, you may also like reading <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2009/05/every-living-thing-has-its-own-unique.html" target="_blank">The Kingdom of God is Like This</a>, <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2011/06/baptized-with-spirit.html" target="_blank">Baptized with the Spirit</a>, <a href="http://biblicalwellness.blogspot.com/2011/11/power-of-god-to-heal.html" target="_blank">The Power of God to Heal</a>, <a href="http://biblicalwellness.blogspot.com/2011/11/role-of-demons.html" target="_blank">The Role of Demons</a>, <a href="http://biblicalwellness.blogspot.com/2011/11/cause-of-disease.html" target="_blank">The Cause of Disease</a>, <a href="http://fromevildeliverus.blogspot.hu/2012/07/demonology-101.html" target="_blank">Demonology 101</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2012/03/transfer-between-physical-and-spiritual.html" target="_blank">The Link Between Two Realms</a>, <a href="http://fromevildeliverus.blogspot.com/2018/04/to-sin-or-not-to-sin.html" target="_blank">To Sin or Not to Sin</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-land-mourns-in-last-days.html" target="_blank">The Land Mourns in the Last Days</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-end-time-plagues.html" target="_blank">The End Time Plagues</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2016/03/wars-and-rumors-of-wars.html" target="_blank">Wars and Rumors of Wars</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2017/10/cosmic-rays-intensifying.html" target="_blank">Cosmic Rays Intensifying</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2016/02/fukushima-daiichi-nuclear-disaster.html" target="_blank">Fukusima Daiichi Nuclea Disaster</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-contractions-are-coming-closer.html" target="_blank">The Contractions Are Coming Closer and Closer Together</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.hu/2013/03/something-is-going-on-2013.html" target="_blank">Something's Going on in 2013</a>, and <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2017/10/something-is-going-on-in-2017.html" target="_blank">Something's Going on in 2018</a>. Here is a link to the audio recording of <a href="https://youtu.be/tMm_rZBF4ck" target="_blank">Angels Singing in China</a>. For more articles like this one, please see the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/home.html" target="_blank">Home Page</a> of this blog. You can also find my complete collection of blogs at <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" target="_blank">Writing for the Master</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If
you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
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“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of
God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at
hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached
that we must repent and believe. <br />
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Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
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_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a></div>
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Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-22851001344516662202018-04-06T11:14:00.000-07:002018-05-19T09:37:39.197-07:00Multiplying Your Talents<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Lord compared the kingdom of God to a man giving talents to each of his slaves. Let's take a closer look at that passage in Matthew 25, and discover the implications for our lives. He said:<br />
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14 “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16 Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17 In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. 18 But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.<br />
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19 “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’<br />
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22 “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’<br />
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24 “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’<br />
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26 “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. 27 Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28 Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’<br />
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29 “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30 Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Mat 25:14-30)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Meaning of the Parable</span><br />
As in all parables, the parts of the parable each represent something in real life. The Lord had told the parable of the Ten Virgins just prior to this parable, which is recorded in Matthew 25:1-13, in order to describe what the kingdom of God is like. And He followed that with this parable of the talents, which is recorded in Matthew 25:14-30, in order to continue with His description of the kingdom of God. He began with the words, “For it is just like..." (v. 14). The pronoun "it" in this opening phrase of verse 14 refers back to its antecedent, which is the kingdom of heaven that he referred to initially in verse 1.<br />
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<b>Master</b><br />
The master in this parable represents the Lord. He is introduced in verse 14 as "a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them." It's important to note that the master entrusted his possessions to his servants. This illustrates that in the kingdom of heaven, the Lord, represented by the master in this parable, has entrusted His possessions to His servants.<br />
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<b>Talents</b><br />
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In order to understand this passage, it is necessary to know what the talents are that the master gave to his slaves. A talent is a certain sum of money, such as a bag of gold weighing 200 pounds (91 kg) or a bag of silver weighing 100 pounds (45 kg). The true value of the talent cannot be known, and it varied in different nations, but it was a specific weight or quantity of money. Someone has speculated that a talent today would be worth 1.25 million dollars. It should be noted that in this parable, the talents, or possessions of the master, are also referred to as the master's money in verse 18, so it was literally money in this story.<br />
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The master gave different amounts of talents to each of his servants, based on their individual abilities, since they did not all have the same level of ability. "To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey" (v. 15).<br />
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While the talents in the parable were literally money, they represent whatever gifts, skills, abilities, or talents the Lord has given to each of His servants who follow Him. It's interesting that the modern day word "talent" has come to mean those special abilities or faculties one has that are non-monetary. According to Webster's dictionary, a talent is: "Faculty; natural gift or endowment; a metaphorical application of the word, said to be borrowed from the Scriptural parable of the talents. Mat 25." Webster also defines a talent as one's eminent abilities.<br />
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<b>Examples of Abilities</b></div>
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The following is a list of examples of abilities, skills, and talents that you may possess, which you may not have thought of or realized you had:</div>
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Biblical knowledge and understanding</div>
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Scripture memorization</div>
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Singing</div>
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Song writing</div>
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Scientific understanding</div>
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An aptitude for learning</div>
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Organizational skills</div>
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Administrative skills<br />
Public speaking<br />
Speaking a second language</div>
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Reading</div>
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Writing</div>
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Poetry</div>
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Drawing artistically</div>
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Calligraphy</div>
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Helping others, including the poor, the weak, and those in need</div>
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Feeding people<br />
Loving people<br />
Being a good listener</div>
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Driving a motor vehicle</div>
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Bicycling</div>
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Running</div>
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Using the computer</div>
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Technical skills</div>
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Mechanical skills<br />
Carpentry</div>
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Playing musical instruments, such as the keyboard, guitar, etc.</div>
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Discipline</div>
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Photography<br />
Graphic design<br />
Website development</div>
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Cleaning</div>
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Cooking and baking</div>
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Food preparation</div>
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Knitting and sewing</div>
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Ironing clothes<br />
Hospitality</div>
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Faith and healing</div>
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Shopping and purchasing (including online)</div>
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Frugality (saving money)</div>
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Teaching</div>
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Parenting</div>
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Encouraging others</div>
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Hair cutting</div>
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Typing (keying)</div>
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Proof reading and grammatical advice</div>
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Operating a cash register</div>
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Leadership</div>
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Of course, many more could be added to this list. Perhaps you have taken these things for granted, but I intentionally included common things in my list to show that these are all abilities in some way, even if they seem ordinary and not very glamorous. But not everyone can walk, run, ride a bicycle, drive a motor vehicle, such as a car or truck, and not everyone can operate a computer, fix things, build things out of wood, save money shopping, read, write, sing, play an instrument, compose songs and poems, create artwork, do cleaning, or iron clothes. Don't take anything for granted that you are able to do. It is all given to you by the Lord and was originally His possession. Don't underestimate or bury any of your talents.</div>
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<b>Use of One's Talents</b></div>
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It's important to observe in the parable what each of the servants did with the talents they were given:</div>
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"Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more." (v. 16-17). </div>
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It was good that these two servants immediately put their talents to use. They went out and traded with their talents, putting their talents to work, in order to gain more talents than what they were originally given. This showed that they valued their master's possessions and wanted to be able to give him a return on his investment whenever he returned. These servants represent those who put to good use the abilities they have received from the Lord and gain more with them for the glory of God.</div>
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Unfortunately for the servant who was given one talent, he did not have the same attitude toward his master. Instead of going out and putting the talent to work to gain more with it, he dug a hole and buried it in the ground. This was based on his twisted view of the master and his inappropriate fear of the master as a hard man (v. 24-25). He did not gain any more with it, but only had the original talent to show the master upon his return. He represents those who serve the Lord that don't put their talent to use, perhaps because they view themselves as not being very talented or not having much in terms of abilities.</div>
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<b>Journey</b></div>
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The journey that the master went on in verses 14 and 15 represents the Lord going back to heaven after He rose from the dead. We read this in the book of Acts where His ascension is recorded:</div>
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"And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.'" (Act 1:9-11)</div>
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<b>Return of the Master</b></div>
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The master's return from his journey represents the return of the Lord Jesus Christ or His second coming. It says, "Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them" (v. 19). So we see that just as the master's return occurs a long time after he goes away on his journey, so the Lord's return happens a long time after He goes away to heaven. This is depicted the same way in the previous parable, in which the bridegroom's coming is delayed (v. 5). The Lord's return is also represented in the parable of the sheep and the goats that immediately follows the parable of the talents, in which the Son of Man comes back as King of all the nations (v. 31).</div>
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<b>Settling of Accounts</b></div>
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The master returned specifically to settle accounts with his slaves, which represents the Lord returning to hold all of His servants accountable and render to each person according to what he has done with the Lord's possessions that were given to him. This refers to the coming judgment, which is also represented in the parable of the sheep and the goats. In that parable, he states,"But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne" (v. 31). The Lord is depicted as sitting on His glorious throne with all the nations gathered before Him (v. 32).</div>
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There is coming a day soon when we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to settle accounts with Him. As the apostle Paul said, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.” (2Co 5:10-11).</div>
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It's important to observe the the master in the parable of the talents held each of his servants accountable for what they did with his possessions that he gave to them. Likewise, when the Lord returns, He will hold each of us accountable for what we did with what He gave us.</div>
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<b>Outcomes </b></div>
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The outcomes were different for the ones who put their talents to use than for the one who did not, and who buried his talent.</div>
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To the one who was given five talents and who gained five more, "His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’" (v. 21). Likewise, the one who was given the two talents and gained two more was told the same thing. The master was pleased with them and told them that they did well, and that they were good and faithful servants. That's what I want to hear the Lord say one day to me. Don't you? They were told to enter into the joy of their master where they would be put in charge of many things, since they had been faithful with a few things. This represents the eternal reward of the faithful who put to good use what the Lord has given them. Those who are faithful with a little will be entrusted with much. They are depicted as the righteous sheep in the parable of the sheep and the goats, in which the king says, "Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (v. 34).</div>
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However, the one who buried his talent received a very different response from his master. “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’" (v. 26-28).</div>
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Sadly that servant's one talent was taken away from him and given to the one who had ten. He lost everything because of his inaction. His master did not view him as a good and faithful servant, but as a wicked and lazy servant, because he did not have any return on investment to show his master. </div>
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The master said, “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (v. 29-30).<br />
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Not only was his talent taken away from him, not only did he fail to hear the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant," but he was called a worthless slave and was thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. That should put the fear of the Lord into all of us, lest we end up like him. May it never be that any of us be found wicked, lazy, or worthless to the Lord due to neglect of the talents He's given to us, or failure to put them to good use for His glory.<br />
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This same warning is given in the parable of the sheep and goats, in which the king says to those on His left, "Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels... These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (v. 41, 46).<br />
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The righteous and wicked will be judged based on what they did and didn't do. The righteous are the ones who use their talents, money, gifts, and abilities to do good to others like feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, visiting the sick and those in prison, and clothing the naked. The wicked are those who fail to do these things, and to the extent that they fail to do so to the least of these, they fail to do it to Jesus.<br />
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<b>Ways to Multiply Your Talents</b><br />
The final thing in the parable that I would like to explain, as the title of this article implies, is the manner in which each of the good and faithful servants gained more with the talents they were given by their master. In our lives, here are some ways we can do that. You should use your talents to glorify God. If you can sing, then sing for the Lord. Do it around the house, and also in church. Do it to bless others, to encourage the saints, and to lead people to Christ. If you can use a computer, then do it for the glory of God. If you can drive a car, then use that for the glory of God. The same goes for writing. You can write articles that glorify God and post them on the internet. You can write poetry, too, if that is your particular ability. On and on the list goes, and the possibilities are unlimited. So get to work immediately and take stock of the talents the Lord has given to you, make a list of them, and then put those talents to good use for the kingdom of God.<br />
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You can also gain more talents or abilities by increasing and enhancing your existing ones through constant use and practice. Practice makes perfect, so as you use what you already have, you will become more proficient at it, and that will also constitute an increase of your talent.<br />
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Another way you can gain more talents, abilities, or skills is by acquiring new ones. You can take lessons, obtain training, apply yourself to learn new ones using the abilities you already have. Perhaps you can use your money to pay for guitar lessons or voice lessons. Or perhaps you can give someone help with learning to use the computer or you can repair their computer in exchange for keyboard lessons. Or you can use your reading ability to read a book and take a course on how to cook, so that you can use that new cooking ability for the glory of God. Then you can cook meals for those in need and bless them in the name of Jesus.<br />
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As I said, put whatever gifts, talents, skills, and abilities you have to good use loving and helping others. Teach others in the area of your ability, and thus multiply your talents in others for the Lord's glory. Learn from others in their area of ability. Help others to find and use their talents for God's glory. Be faithful with the abilities, skills, talents, and money the Lord has given to you.<br />
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Let's not forget that any money you have is obviously one of the talents the Lord has given to you, since the talents in the parable were literally money. Be sure to be a good steward with those resources by spending it wisely and putting it to use for the glory of God. That can include looking for ways to save money, being frugal, blessing others, giving to the poor and needy, giving financially to ministries that are advancing the kingdom of God, and investing in people to make a difference in this world for God.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
The master gave each one a certain number of talents each according to his own ability. Each went and traded with them, and gained more talents. They were faithful with a few things, therefore, the master considered them good and faithful servants. He invited them to share in His happiness and put them in charge of many things.<br />
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He who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. His master considered him a wicked and lazy servant. The master took away the talent from him, and give it to the one who had the ten talents. The master threw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.<br />
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Whether the master's servants enter into eternal reward or eternal punishment depends on what they do with the talents he has given to them. The extent to which the master increased their responsibilities depended on their faithfulness to put to use and multiply the talents he gave them initially.<br />
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Therefore, it behooves each of us as servants of the Master to be faithful to put to good use the talents that He has given to us, so that we may one day hear Him say, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave." It serves as a warning to us not to make the same fatal error as the wicked, lazy servant, by being like him and burying any talent the Master has given to us.</div>
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<i>Attribution notice</i>: <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture taken from the NASB</a>, copyright the Lockman Foundation. Image may be subject to copyright. The "Bags of Gold" image is from <a href="http://www.elimbcc.ie/bags-of-gold-matthew-2514-30/" target="_blank">Ballyfermot Community Church</a>, and is used per the Fair Use Act for educational and commentary purposes. The image of the bag of gold from First Presbyterian Church of Edwardsville.<br />
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<i>Author's note</i>: If you enjoyed this article, I also recommend reading my articles <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/02/faithful-in-little-things.html" target="_blank">Faithful in the Little Things</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-day-of-small-things.html" target="_blank">The Day of Small Things</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/04/god-chooses-weak-things.html" target="_blank">God Chooses the Weak Things</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2016/06/what-is-that-in-your-hand.html" target="_blank">What is That in Your Hand?</a>, <a href="http://workinggodsway.blogspot.com/2015/10/whatever-you-do-do-all-like-this.html" target="_blank">Whatever You Do, Do All Like This</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2009/05/every-living-thing-has-its-own-unique.html" target="_blank">The Kingdom of God is Like This</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2010/11/multiplication.html">Multiplication</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2016/06/multiplication-illustrations.html" target="_blank">Multiplication Illustrations</a>, <a href="http://len-hiddentreasures.blogspot.com/2014/07/better-little.html" target="_blank">Better a Little</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2018/02/gods-amazing-plan-for-your-life.html" target="_blank">God's Amazing Plan for Your Life</a>, and <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/10/success-in-gods-eyes.html" target="_blank">Success in God's Eyes</a>. I also recommend reading two poems by my daughter adapted from Matthew 25 called <a href="http://verses-to-the-king.blogspot.com/2013/01/use-your-talents_15.html" target="_blank">Use Your Talents</a> and <a href="http://verses-to-the-king.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-sheep-and-goats.html" target="_blank">The Sheep and the Goats</a>. For more articles on this blog, please see the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/home.html" target="_blank">Home Page</a>. You can also find my complete collection of blogs at <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" target="_blank">Writing for the Master</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and believe. <br />
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Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
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Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>. He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-12810988457230299052018-02-20T14:22:00.000-08:002018-04-08T11:20:17.722-07:00Faithful in the Little Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn60ivoZkVe-aupghhaf-dTqsj7SkfgniwYdenLt_J6JPDtha6PmSV2kgxy9jYwKGdxJNRIXlc9fsgqvjglTa7TDpJeoAD-hYGwlWNXbJjz-Ftvm5hfhKkOOUnA0NlCkJ7VT9Hh2GN7cA/s1600/Plant-a-Seed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="906" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn60ivoZkVe-aupghhaf-dTqsj7SkfgniwYdenLt_J6JPDtha6PmSV2kgxy9jYwKGdxJNRIXlc9fsgqvjglTa7TDpJeoAD-hYGwlWNXbJjz-Ftvm5hfhKkOOUnA0NlCkJ7VT9Hh2GN7cA/s200/Plant-a-Seed.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
In my recent article, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/02/gods-way-to-greatness.html" target="_blank">God's Way to Greatness</a>, I highlighted the lives of seven Hebrews whom God exalted to high positions. I emphasized that when He does that, it depends more on Him than on any striving for greatness on the part of the individual whom He is elevating. In fact, it is just the opposite. As I said in <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/02/paradoxes-of-kingdom-of-god.html" target="_blank">Paradoxes of the Kingdom of God</a>, you must humble yourself beneath the Lord's mighty hand, and He will lift you up in due time.<br />
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The Bible teaches us not to despise <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-day-of-small-things.html" target="_blank">the day of small things</a>, but rather be faithful in the little things in the place where we now find ourselves. The Lord said, "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much." (Lk 16:10). This is true regardless of what the Lord has called you to be, whether it is a king, a president, a prime minister, a preacher, a teacher of the Word, or a lowly servant.<br />
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Consider the examples I gave in <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/02/gods-way-to-greatness.html" target="_blank">God's Way to Greatness</a>, and what would have happened if they had not been faithful in the little things. If any of these people had not been faithful, things would have turned out differently.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Joseph</span><br />
If Joseph had become bitter toward God or toward his brothers for being thrown into a pit, sold into Egypt, or ending up in prison for doing the right thing, then things would have been quite different. The same is true if he had given in to the seductive demands of Potiphar's wife and compromised with her by sleeping with her. The same is true if he had held a grudge against his brothers, or if he had given up his faith in God during those long years in prison. He would not have been elevated to second in rank to Pharaoh, nor would he have been used to save the nations of Egypt and Israel during the seven-year period of famine. But he was faithful in the little things.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Daniel</span><br />
If Daniel had not refused to eat the king's food and drink his wine, things would have turned out differently. If he had not been a man of prayer, who continued to pray to God daily even when it was illegal, things would have turned out differently. What if he had feared being thrown into the lion's den and to save his own life had stopped praying to God? What if he had succumbed to fear rather than trust in God when they did throw him into the lion's den? What if he had not given the accurate interpretations to the king's dreams for fear that the king would put him to death? The Lord would not have exalted him to the third highest ruler in the kingdom. But he was faithful in the little things.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego</span><br />
Likewise, if Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had not been faithful in the little things, their lives would have turned out differently. They too, refused to partake of the royal food and wine, but lived on vegetables and water instead. But things would have been different, if they had bowed down to the idol for fear of being thrown into the blazing furnace, rather than trust in God. They would not have been promoted to administrators in the province of Babylon. But they were faithful in the little things.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Esther</span><br />
The same could be said of Esther, too. If she had been a coward and feared for her life, refusing to go before the king on behalf of the Jews, they would have been annihilated, and even she and her family would have been killed. If she had not humbled herself with fasting, before she sought an audience with the king, things would have been different, just as they would have also been different if she had not first prayed for three days. Things would have been different if she had not given Mordecai the credit for exposing the assassination plot against the king. They would have turned out differently if she had not followed the advice of Mordecai and not kept secret her national identity during the king's selection process when he was in search of a wife. They would have been different, if she had not followed the advice of the chief eunuch assigned to the king's harem during the period of preparation before she appeared before the king, and if she had not taken with her only what he recommended she take. But she was faithful in the little things.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Mordecai </span><br />
Likewise, if Mordecai had not reported to Esther the assassination plot against the king, things would have turned out differently. Perhaps the royal officers would have succeeded at assassinating King Xerxes and made Haman king in his place. If Mordecai had bowed down to Haman like all the royal officials at the king's gate did, things would have turned out differently. If he had not raised his orphan cousin like a daughter, things would not have turned out the same for him. If he had not humbled himself with fasting and had not prayed to God when he discovered Haman's evil plot to destroy all the Jews, things would have turned out quite differently. But he was faithful in the little things.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
Thank the Lord that each of these seven people were indeed faithful in the little things, and the Lord did exalt them to positions of greatness, in which he used them to save many lives. The same holds true for <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2018/02/gods-amazing-plan-for-your-life.html" target="_blank">God's Amazing Plan for Your Life</a>, too. Let this be an encouragement to each of us not to seek positions of power, not to seek greatness, but to bloom where we are planted and be faithful in the little things right where we are now.<br />
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<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>. Image may be subject to copyright. I would like to thank my wife Jennifer Lacroix for her contribution to this article.<br />
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<i>Author's note</i>: <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-day-of-small-things.html" target="_blank">The Day of Small Things</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/04/god-chooses-weak-things.html" target="_blank">God Chooses the Weak Things</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2016/06/what-is-that-in-your-hand.html" target="_blank">What is That in Your Hand?</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/04/multiplying-your-talents.html" target="_blank">Multiplying Your Talents</a>, <a href="http://workinggodsway.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-ebb-and-flow-of-ministry-for-lord.html" target="_blank">The Ebb and Flow of Ministry for the Lord</a>, <a href="http://workinggodsway.blogspot.com/2015/10/whatever-you-do-do-all-like-this.html" target="_blank">Whatever You Do, Do All Like This</a>, <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-servant-of-lord.html" target="_blank">The Servant of the Lord</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2009/05/every-living-thing-has-its-own-unique.html" target="_blank">The Kingdom of God is Like This</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2010/11/multiplication.html">Multiplication</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2016/06/multiplication-illustrations.html" target="_blank">Multiplication Illustrations</a>, <a href="http://len-hiddentreasures.blogspot.com/2014/07/better-little.html" target="_blank">Better a Little</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2011/07/beauty-of-brokenness.html" target="_blank">The Beauty of Brokenness</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2011/10/one-thing.html" target="_blank">One thing</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2011/02/secret-kingdom.html" target="_blank">The Secret Kingdom</a>, and <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/10/success-in-gods-eyes.html" target="_blank">Success in God's Eyes</a>. For more articles on this blog, please see the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/home.html" target="_blank">Home Page</a>. You can also find my complete collection of blogs at <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" target="_blank">Writing for the Master</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
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Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>. He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-851734250525402162018-02-19T10:04:00.000-08:002018-04-08T11:20:53.456-07:00God's Way to Greatness<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNA7nh11EQu2dGXeYkNFkVpcaqgNBU3Ad7109hkeEU_K7Y1w5rIROzs6UjJEA6Nrf23wsnATj56vZidJwmRm0w4gnaFoq8E_OEKFSWxi1-n2BoO_PryG_z_biB99YYiIvWOSVT4mcAYpI/s1600/Gods+Way+to+Greatness+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1286" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNA7nh11EQu2dGXeYkNFkVpcaqgNBU3Ad7109hkeEU_K7Y1w5rIROzs6UjJEA6Nrf23wsnATj56vZidJwmRm0w4gnaFoq8E_OEKFSWxi1-n2BoO_PryG_z_biB99YYiIvWOSVT4mcAYpI/s200/Gods+Way+to+Greatness+%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a>There are many paradoxes in the kingdom of God, as I have stated in my article <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/02/paradoxes-of-kingdom-of-god.html" target="_blank">Paradoxes of the Kingdom of God</a>. One of those is God's way to greatness. It's quite contrary to the world's way to greatness. In the world, men step on others in order to put themselves up higher, as they climb the ladder of success. Men make it their aim to be great and aspire to positions of power. They love the praise and recognition of men, and seek after it, rather than the praise that comes from God. They seek to please men rather than God and flatter others to their own advantage. But this is not so in the kingdom.<br />
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Let's look at some examples in Scripture of those who followed God's path to greatness. I have chosen to highlight the only seven Hebrews recorded in Scripture who at one time held positions of authority in secular government. I chose these as my examples, rather than those who were kings in Israel, because holding positions of authority in secular government has more relevance to the people of God today, since there is currently no nation on earth with a theocratic government under the one true God, and we essentially all live under secular governments.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Joseph</span><br />
We begin with Joseph. Although God showed him through dreams that he would rule over his parents and brothers, they didn't believe it. And since his brothers were jealous, because he was the favorite of his father, they threw him into a pit. But they later changed their minds and sold him to Midianite traders. Then the traders who brought him down to Egypt sold him as a slave to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard.<br />
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While he was serving in Potiphar's house, Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him. But because he was a man of integrity and refused to go to bed with her, she lied to her husband and falsely accused Joseph of trying to sleep with her. This got him put in prison. So as you can see, he was not taking steps to become a ruler, he was living for the Lord at any cost, regardless of the consequences.<br />
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Then because of his godly character, the prison warden put Joseph in charge of the other prisoners. No matter where Joseph went, he was always promoted by God. This shows us that no matter how the enemy tries to push you down, when you live a godly life for the Lord and walk in integrity, He will always see that you do well. It's the Lord who exalts you, not yourself.<br />
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Due to Joseph's gift of interpreting dreams, he eventually interpreted dreams for the baker and the cup bearer for Pharaoh, who had both been put in prison with him. He said that the king would put the baker to death and restore the butler to his position, and he asked the butler to remember him, when all went well. Although the butler did not remember Joseph initially, he did remember Joseph later when the king had a dream and needed someone to interpret it.<br />
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Joseph was brought forth from prison to interpret the Pharaoh's dream, which he did correctly. The Lord gave him wisdom to know that the dream meant there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Therefore, he was promoted and became second in command only to Pharaoh, and he was put in charge of the national grain program to stockpile and prepare for the famine. He did so well at it that it not only saved the nation during the famine, which did come as he predicted, but it even helped his own family back in the land of Canaan as well.<br />
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During the famine that eventually spread across the whole region, when his father Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent his sons there to buy grain and bring it back to feed their families. When they appeared before Joseph in Egypt, while not recognizing him as their brother, they bowed before him just as God had previously shown him as a young man through dreams that they would one day do so. The brothers who had hated him, thrown him into a pit, and sold him to traders, were now bowing in fear at his feet.<br />
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When Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers, they were shocked and wondered if he would use his power to take revenge on them for the way they had treated him earlier in life. However, he assured them that his being there was by divine design. He said, “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt." (Gen 45:8).<br />
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At Pharaoh's command, his whole family was then allowed to move to Egypt and remain there with him, which ultimately saved their lives. Only God could do this. And this shows that it was not something that Joseph actively sought after. Rather it was a fulfillment of God's purpose for Joseph.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Daniel</span><br />
Another example is Daniel. He was endowed by God with good looks, wisdom, an aptitude for learning, and a noble birth. He was well-informed and quick to understand. By divine appointment, he was also among the exiles of Israel that were carried off to Babylon. Therefore, when the Babylonian king had the chief of his court officials select men with these qualifications to serve in his palace, Daniel was among those selected.<br />
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Yet Daniel did not go along with the program without raising objections. He refused to eat the king's meat and drink the king's wine. Using his tact and wisdom, he negotiated with the chief official to exempt him and the other three Hebrew young men -- Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, from eating the royal food and drinking the king's wine. He got permission to let them eat only vegetables for ten days and drink only water.<br />
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At the end of the ten days, they were found to be looking healthier and better nourished than any of the other young men who had eaten the royal food. <br />
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"To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus." (Dan 1:17-21).<br />
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So all the glory goes to God for their opportunity to serve in the king's court. And later when the king had a dream, he wanted his magicians and wise men not only to interpret it, but to tell him the dream itself. None of them could do that, so the king decided to kill them all. But Daniel and the three other Hebrews fasted and prayed for divine intervention, and God gave Daniel both the dream and its interpretation. As a result, his life and the lives of the three Hebrew young men with him were spared.<br />
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"Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court." (Dan 2:28-29).<br />
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All the glory goes to God for their promotion to these high positions in the Babylonian government, because they were not seeking these positions. In fact, due to the king's decision to kill all the wise men, they would have been put to death along with the others, if God had not intervened. So it was the Lord who promoted them.<br />
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Once Daniel was in his high position as the third highest ruler, he did not compromise his faith. He remained true to the Lord all the way. When King Nebuchadnezzar became proud and had a dream, the Lord gave Daniel the interpretation. Even though the dream meant that the king would have to go through a terribly humiliating experience of being driven from men and living like an animal for seven years, Daniel did not fail to give him the message. He could have sought to protect himself and only tell the king what he wanted to hear. But he spoke the truth and called upon the king to repent.<br />
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When King Nebuchadnezzar's son Belshazzar was having a banquet with his chief nobles, getting drunk, and saw a hand writing a message on the wall, Daniel was called upon to interpret the handwriting. It was the king's mother who suggested the king summon Daniel, because she remembered him. Again, Daniel did not hold anything back, but told the king what the Lord had decreed for him, because of his sin. He said:<br />
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“But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription." (Dan 5:22-24)<br />
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He told the king that God had numbered his days and brought his kingdom to an end. He told him that he had been weighed on the scales and found wanting. He told him that his kingdom had been divided and given to the Medes and Persians. Anyone else who was looking out for themselves would have been afraid to say such things. As a result, Daniel was once again promoted.<br />
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"Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom." (Dan 5:29). God kept rewarding Daniel for his faithfulness and obedience. That prophecy came true that night and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom.<br />
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Daniel was a man of prayer, who prayed to God three times a day on his knees with the window open. When his enemies in government got a law passed that forbade anyone to pray to anyone but the king, they had the king throw Daniel into the lion's den. But Daniel prayed in the lion's den, and God sent His angel to shut the mouths of the hungry lions. As a result, the king was overjoyed and had Daniel's enemies, who had falsely accused him, thrown into the lion's den with their wives and children. Before they reached the floor of the lion's den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. "So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian." (Dan 6:28).<br />
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So once again we can see that Daniel refused to compromise with the world, and kept up his godly life of prayer, even when it became illegal to do so and meant being thrown into a lion's den. God was pleased to rescue him and be glorified through Daniel's life. So he prospered during that king's reign, as well as that of Cyrus. None of this was due to any efforts on Daniel's part to become a high ranking government official.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego</span><br />
I have already mentioned Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, who were known in Babylon as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They initially entered the king's service for the same reasons as Daniel, and not because they were seeking it. Later at Daniel’s request the king appointed them administrators over the province of Babylon.<br />
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Afterward they were tested when the king built an idol ninety feet tall and nine feet wide, and set it up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.<br />
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"He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it." (Dan 3:2-3).<br />
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He ordered everyone there to bow before the idol as soon as they they heard the sound of the musical instruments being played. And the punishment was death for those who did not do so. The herald proclaimed, "Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” (Dan 3:6).<br />
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Of course, they did not bow down to the idol. They did not compromise their faith in God. The Lord commands us in His Word not to have any idols or bow down before them, and they determined to obey God at all costs. This brought attention to them in a negative way, and they were brought before the king. He gave them another chance to bow, but they maintained their position, refusing to do so. He became angry and reminded them that if they did not bow to his idol they would be thrown into the blazing furnace. Their response was not politically correct, and they did not give in for a moment.<br />
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Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Dan 3:16-18).<br />
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They had faith that the Lord would deliver them from the king's hand, but even if He did not do so, they still refused to bow down to the idol he had set up. So the king had the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded his strongest soldiers to bind the three Hebrews and throw them into it. When they did so, the soldiers were killed by the heat, even though they themselves did not go into the furnace. But the three Hebrews remained alive walking around unbound and unharmed inside the furnace. And the king saw an angel inside there with them, whom he described as a fourth man that looked like a son of the gods.<br />
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Ultimately the king called them to come out of the furnace and he gave praise and glory to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. God had rescued them and the king acknowledged it. Scripture records:<br />
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"So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them."<br />
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"Then Nebuchadnezzar said, 'Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.' Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon." (Dan 3:26b-30)<br />
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It is obvious from this passage that they were certainly not seeking positions of power or trying to do all the right things in the eyes of the king to get promoted. In other words, they were not trying to be popular or score points with the king. In fact, they defied the king's command, and were willing to die for it rather than worship any god but their own God. Amazingly, as a result of this the king promoted them further. That's a wonderful example of God's way to greatness.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Esther and Mordecai</span><br />
Another wonderful example is Esther, who was among the Jews living in exile. She was raised by her cousin Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, when her father and mother had died. It happened that the queen wife of King Xerxes there so displeased the king that he banished her from his presence and needed to find another wife. A search was made throughout his kingdom for beautiful young virgins to be gathered into a harem for him to choose from, and Esther was among those selected. She pleased the eunuch in charge of the harem and won his favor, following his advice in all that she did.<br />
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After a rigorous, final selection process, she was ultimately chosen by the king to be his wife, for by the grace of God she had a lovely figure and was beautiful. "Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti...But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up." (Esther 2:17,20).<br />
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Meanwhile, Mordecai, who used to sit at the king's gate, happened to discover that two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway had become angry with the king and were plotting to assassinate him. Mordecai reported this plot to Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving Mordecai the credit. This ultimately saved the king's life, who had the two guards executed for their treachery. All this was recorded in the annuls in the king's presence.<br />
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At the same time, there was in that kingdom a certain evil man named Haman, who was highly favored by the king. The king honored him and gave him a seat of honor higher than all the other nobles. All the royal officials at the king's gate bowed down to him when he passed by, since the king had ordered it, except for Esther's adoptive father Mordecai, who was not a royal official and refused to do so. This infuriated Haman, who did not realize Mordecai was related to Esther. When Haman discovered that Mordecai was a Jew, he passed a law with the king's approval to kill all the Jews in the kingdom on a certain day. He did not realize that Queen Esther was a Jew, too.<br />
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"When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly." (Esther 4:1). When Esther's eunuchs and female attendants reported this to her, she was in great distress. So she sent one of the king's eunuchs assigned to attend her to go and find out what was bothering Mordecai and why. Mordecai sent word back to her through the eunuch about Haman's evil plot against the Jews, and he asked her to go into the king's presence and beg for mercy for her and her people.<br />
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Although she did not want to risk going before the king without being summoned by him, since that was against the law and punishable by death, Mordecai persuaded her to do so, suggesting that this could be the very reason why God had brought her to her position of royalty. He sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And <u>who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this</u>?” (Esther 4:12-14)<br />
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Queen Esther then requested that Mordecai and all the Jews in Susa fast and pray for three days for her. She also agreed to fast as they did, before she would seek an audience with the king about the matter. She made up her mind to do so, even if it would cost her life. Her attitude was, "If I perish, I perish." (Esther 4:16b). After the three days, she entered the king's presence, and he extended his royal scepter, which meant that she was welcome to approach him. When he asked to know what her request was, she very carefully and wisely invited the king to a banquet that she had prepared for him and Haman, his royal official.<br />
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She held the banquet over a period of two days, during which time it just so happened that the king could not sleep, and at his command his attendants read to him from the chronicles. They just so happened to come across the part documenting how Mordecai had uncovered the assassination plot that saved his life. Just as the king discovered that nothing had ever been done to honor Mordecai, Haman was entering his court, but did not know what the king had just been discussing. So the king asked Haman what should be done for the man the king delighted to honor. Haman assumed the king was talking about none other than Haman himself, so he recommended an elaborate ceremony for the man the king delighted to honor. The king then ordered Haman to do for Mordecai the very things he recommended. This humiliated and further infuriated Haman so much that he followed the advice of his wife to build a gallows seventy-five feet high, on which to hang Mordecai.<br />
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Meanwhile, by the second day of the banquet that Esther held for the king and Haman, the king was very eager to know what it was that Esther wanted, and he promised in advance to grant it to her, even up to half the kingdom. Esther eventually told the king about Haman's evil plot to destroy her and all her people. This infuriated the king, who left the banquet hall and went out into the garden. Haman knew the king had decided to kill him, so he fell on the couch where Esther was laying, in order to beg for his life. Just then the king returned from the garden to find him in that position, which appeared as if he were attempting to molest the queen. The king was told that Haman had prepared a gallows on which to hang Mordecai, the very man whose intelligence report had once saved his own life from the assassination plot. So the king ordered that Haman be hanged on his own gallows and he was immediately executed. After that the king's fury subsided.<br />
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"That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate." (Esther 8:1-2). So the tables were turned, and the destruction that Haman intended for Mordecai and the Jews came upon himself, while the honor, wealth, and authority that had belonged to him was given instead to Esther and Mordecai.<br />
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Then when Esther begged the king to do something about Haman's evil plot to destroy all the Jews, he authorized her and Mordecai to issue a decree and seal it with his own signet ring to avert the disaster, which Modecai did. Not only did the edict make it illegal for anyone to kill the Jews, but it authorized the Jews in every city "to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies." (Esther 8:11, NIV). Thus Esther and Mordecai administered justice, and the Jews were spared from annihilation.<br />
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"When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration." (Esther 8:15, NIV). God was truly glorified by this whole turn of events, including Mordecai's rise to power as second in rank to the king.<br />
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The account of Esther and Mordecai ends with these words: "King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores. And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of <u>the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted</u>, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? <u>Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews</u>, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews." (Esther 10:1-3)<br />
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Only God, who has lifted up the humble, could do this. And this shows that it was not something that either Esther or Mordecai actively sought after in any way. Rather it was God's fulfillment of His purposes for them.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
Therefore, in the accounts of all seven of these godly Hebrews, who held very high positions of authority in secular government, we see a common theme. They were not seeking to be great or to hold government positions. Rather they were seeking to live godly lives, refusing to compromise, walking with integrity, in obedience to God's commands, and the Lord is the one who exalted them in due time. He did so in each case for a specific purpose that brought glory to His name and saved many lives.<br />
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Joseph went from the pit to Potiphar's house, and from the prison to the palace. Daniel went from being an exile to administering justice as the third highest ruler in the kingdom. He was a man of prayer, in whom no fault could be found, whose faith shut the mouths of lions. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego also went from being exiles to being administrators in the province of Babylon. They refused to compromise or bow down to an idol, and God brought them out of the blazing furnace. Their faith quenched the fury of the flames.<br />
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Esther went from being an orphaned exile to a queen. Mordecai went from being a persecuted minority to second in rank to the king. They were both humble people of prayer, who loved God and loved their neighbors as themselves, who risked their lives for the sake of others. They were both godly people, whom God elevated to positions of greatness in a secular government, where they were able to use their authority to save many lives. They worked for the good of their people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews. Indeed it was for such a time as this that they we brought into the kingdom.<br />
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None of these people I have just highlighted set out to become rulers, but God had a plan for their lives to exalt them. The way He did so was something only He could do, and not something they could have manufactured or ever imagined. The same is still true for us today. The God of Joseph is the same today as He was then. If it is God's will for you to hold a top position of power in secular government, then He will bring it to pass in His timing, and it's not going to depend on your efforts. That should not be something you set your heart on. In fact, He may need to bring you through <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-fiery-sufferings-of-believer.html" target="_blank">many afflictions beforehand</a>, so don't be discouraged or dismayed if you find yourself in a pit, a prison, a fiery furnace, or amidst <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/01/persecuted-or-popular.html" target="_blank">persecution</a>.<br />
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The same goes for anyone who serves the Lord, because <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2018/02/gods-amazing-plan-for-your-life.html" target="_blank">God has an amazing plan for your life</a>, no matter who you are. It doesn't matter if you are destined to become a ruler or a <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2015/06/slaves-of-christ.html" target="_blank">lowly servant</a>. Your part is to please the Father by seeking to live a godly life in Christ Jesus, being a man, woman or child of prayer, having faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ, obeying His commandments, and refusing to compromise. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." (1 Pe 5:6, NIV). This is God's way to greatness.<br />
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<i>Attribution notice</i>: Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible NIV.<br />
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<i>Author's note</i>: If you enjoyed this post, you may also like reading <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/02/faithful-in-little-things.html" target="_blank">Faithful in the Little Things</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/02/paradoxes-of-kingdom-of-god.html" target="_blank">Paradoxes of the Kingdom of God</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2018/02/gods-amazing-plan-for-your-life.html" target="_blank">God's Amazing Plan for Your Life</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2016/06/what-is-that-in-your-hand.html" target="_blank">What is That in Your Hand?</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/04/god-chooses-weak-things.html" target="_blank">God Chooses the Weak Things</a>, <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/10/success-in-gods-eyes.html" target="_blank">Success in God's Eyes</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-day-of-small-things.html" target="_blank">The Day of Small Things</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/04/multiplying-your-talents.html" target="_blank">Multiplying Your Talents</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2011/07/beauty-of-brokenness.html" target="_blank">The Beauty of Brokenness</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2016/06/what-is-that-in-your-hand.html" target="_blank">What is That in Your Hand?</a>, <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/01/persecuted-or-popular.html" target="_blank">Persecuted or Popular?</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2013/08/walking-in-perfect-will-of-god.html" target="_blank">Walking in the Perfect Will of God</a>, <a href="http://workinggodsway.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-ebb-and-flow-of-ministry-for-lord.html" target="_blank">The Ebb and Flow of Ministry for the Lord</a>, <a href="http://workinggodsway.blogspot.com/2015/10/whatever-you-do-do-all-like-this.html" target="_blank">Whatever You Do, Do All Like This</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2009/05/every-living-thing-has-its-own-unique.html" target="_blank">The Kingdom of God is Like This</a>, and <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2015/06/slaves-of-christ.html" target="_blank">Having a Servant's Heart</a>. For more articles like this one, please see the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/home.html" target="_blank">Home Page</a> of this blog. You can also find my complete collection of blogs at <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" target="_blank">Writing for the Master</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>. He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-23273800050467986922018-02-16T18:01:00.000-08:002018-05-07T10:10:00.741-07:00Paradoxes of the Kingdom of God<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs547DVUOcRn801VHjK1uFSUJG6BQ2gymJ3GRv1PuVWEmM9E-ecXYzqyha0UuFTT7XMG0f5Zp9GvMQWksdjsrlU49L8lO0IwfxnlNzriWoX58wl2X81qoYbf6rSORhzjDK2O1SB8_lMXA/s1600/Paradoxes+of+the+Kingdom+of+God+3+Medium+Web+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="480" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs547DVUOcRn801VHjK1uFSUJG6BQ2gymJ3GRv1PuVWEmM9E-ecXYzqyha0UuFTT7XMG0f5Zp9GvMQWksdjsrlU49L8lO0IwfxnlNzriWoX58wl2X81qoYbf6rSORhzjDK2O1SB8_lMXA/s200/Paradoxes+of+the+Kingdom+of+God+3+Medium+Web+view.jpg" width="200" /></a>
There are many paradoxes in the kingdom of God. These are truths that appear to be self-contradictions, which in reality are not. They are fundamental aspects of life that go against natural reasoning. Let's look at some examples of those in Scripture.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Dying to Live</span><br />
If you want to live you must die.<br />
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"Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him." (Rom 6:8)<br />
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"For if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." (Rom 8:13)<br />
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"And [Jesus] was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.'" (Luk 9:23)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Losing to Save</span><br />
If you lose your life for Jesus' sake, you will save it.<br />
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"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?" (Luk 9:24-25)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Confessing Guilt to Be Justified</span><br />
In order to be justified, you have to confess your sin.<br />
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"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1Jn 1:9)<br />
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"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but he who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." (Pr 28:13, NIV).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Scarlet Turned White as Snow</span><br />
Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow.<br />
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"'Come now, and let us reason together,' Says the LORD, 'Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.'" (Isa 1:18)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hungering to Be Filled</span><br />
If you want to be filled, you have to hunger and thirst for righteousness.<br />
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Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." (Mat 5:6)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Wisdom Revealed to Little Children</span><br />
"At that time Jesus said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.'" (Mt 11:25, NIV).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Foolish Shame the Wise</span><br />
God uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.<br />
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The apostle Paul wrote, "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise..." (1Co 1:27a).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Strength in Weakness</span><br />
God uses the weak things of this world to shame the strong. God's strength is made perfect in weakness.<br />
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"And God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong..." (1Co 1:27b).<br />
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Paul wrote: "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor 12:9a, NIV).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Desirable is Detestable</span><br />
That which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in God's sight.<br />
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"And He said to them, 'You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.' " (Luk 16:15)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Servants are the Great</span><br />
If you want to be great, you must be a servant, and the greatest one is the servant of all.<br />
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"But Jesus called them to Himself and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.'" (Mat 20:25-27)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The First Are Last</span><br />
Jesus said, "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Mt 20:16, NIV).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Poor are Rich</span><br />
Jesus said to the church in Smyrna, "I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan." (Rev 2:9, NIV).<br />
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"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Mat 5:3)<br />
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James said, "Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?" (Jas 2:5)<br />
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"Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position." (Jas 1:9, NET)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Rich are Poor</span><br />
James continued, "But the rich person’s pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow." (Jas 1:10, NET). One can be rich in terms of earthly wealth, but be poor in the sight of God, as was the case with the church of Laodicea.<br />
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Jesus said in part to them: "'Because you say, 'I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,' and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see." (Rev 3:17-18)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Path to Destruction that Seems Right</span><br />
"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." (Pr 14:12, NIV)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Path to Life is Narrow</span><br />
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Mat 7:13-14)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Treasure in Jars of Clay</span><br />
God puts treasures in jars of clay.<br />
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"But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us." (2 Cor 4:7, NIV).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Broken Things are Beautiful</span><br />
When the woman broke the alabaster jar of very expensive perfume and poured it over Jesus' head, He said it was beautiful in God's sight.<br />
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"A woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. 'Why this waste?' they asked. 'This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.' Aware of this, Jesus said to them, 'Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.'" (Mar 14:6-9).<br />
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David prayed, "My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise." (Ps 51:17, NIV)<br />
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The Lord says, "These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at My word." (Is 66:2, NIV).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Negatives Turned into Positives</span><br />
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Rom 8:28)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Trials are for Your Perfection</span><br />
"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." (Job 23:10, NIV)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Loving Your Enemies</span><br />
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," (Mat 5:43-44)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Tough Love</span><br />
"Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them." (Pr 13:24, NIV)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Generous Prosper</span><br />
Those who give without sparing lack nothing. <br />
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"One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty." (Pr 11:24, NIV)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Pride Comes Before a Fall</span><br />
He who puffs himself up will go down to destruction.<br />
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"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." (Pr 16:18, KJV)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Way Up is Down</span><br />
And the way up is through the downward path of humility.<br />
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"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time..." (1Pe 5:6).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Walk by Faith and Not by Sight</span><br />
"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2Co 4:18)<br />
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"For we walk by faith, not by sight—" (2Co 5:7)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
By definition, a paradox is a statement or proposition that, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory. As we have just seen from Scripture, there are many such paradoxes in the kingdom of God. This is why those of us who have entered the kingdom cannot rely on our own natural, logical reasoning or our own sense of what seems right in order to make decisions in life. Neither can we rely on worldly wisdom.<br />
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For as high as the heavens are above the earth, God's ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. Therefore, we must rely on the Word of God and the leading of the Spirit of God to direct us, which will always go against what our flesh wants, and may sometimes make us look crazy, absurd, or foolish to others who don't understand. As we do so, we will find ourselves taking steps of faith that go against our natural reasoning, while trusting God with the results.<br />
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I hope this has helped to encourage you in your walk with the Lord, so that you may always be pleasing to Him.<br />
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<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>. Other Scriptures from the Holy Bible NIV and King James Version. I would like to thank my wife and children for their contribution to this article.<br />
<br />
<i>Author's note</i>: If you enjoyed this post, you may also like reading <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/02/gods-way-to-greatness.html" target="_blank">God's Way to Greatness</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/04/god-chooses-weak-things.html" target="_blank">God Chooses the Weak Things</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2011/07/beauty-of-brokenness.html" target="_blank">The Beauty of Brokenness</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2009/05/every-living-thing-has-its-own-unique.html" target="_blank">The Kingdom of God is Like This</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2018/02/gods-amazing-plan-for-your-life.html" target="_blank">God's Amazing Plan for Your Life</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2010/11/multiplication.html">Multiplication</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2016/06/multiplication-illustrations.html" target="_blank">Multiplication Illustrations</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2016/06/what-is-that-in-your-hand.html" target="_blank">What is That in Your Hand?</a>, <a href="http://workinggodsway.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-ebb-and-flow-of-ministry-for-lord.html" target="_blank">The Ebb and Flow of Ministry for the Lord</a>, <a href="http://workinggodsway.blogspot.com/2015/10/whatever-you-do-do-all-like-this.html" target="_blank">Whatever You Do, Do All Like This</a>, <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-servant-of-lord.html" target="_blank">The Servant of the Lord</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2011/01/being-witness-for-christ.html" target="_blank">Being a Witness for Christ</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2016/08/fruit-in-every-season.html" target="_blank">Fruit in Every Season</a>, <a href="http://len-hiddentreasures.blogspot.com/2014/07/better-little.html" target="_blank">Better a Little</a>, <a href="http://len-hiddentreasures.blogspot.com/2009/07/hidden-treasures.html" target="_blank">Hidden Treasures</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2011/10/one-thing.html" target="_blank">One thing</a>, <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/11/a-personality-profile-of-apostle-paul.html" target="_blank">A Personality Profile of the Apostle Paul</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2011/02/secret-kingdom.html" target="_blank">The Secret Kingdom</a>, and <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/10/success-in-gods-eyes.html" target="_blank">Success in God's Eyes</a>. You can also find my complete collection of blogs at <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" target="_blank">Writing for the Master</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>. He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-20356129258907625062017-07-21T11:01:00.000-07:002017-08-28T06:47:26.597-07:00A Biblical View of the Poor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A prosperity preacher once told me that poverty is a curse. He said, "Deuteronomy 28:1-68 reveals that poverty is a curse of the Law of Sin and Death. Galatians 3:13, 14 and 29 reveals (as you know) that Christ has redeemed us from every curse of the Law, having been made a curse for us. He did this that the blessings of Abraham might come upon believers in Christ in abundance. Abraham did not suffer in poverty. Rather, he was a wealthy man whom God made even more wealthy because of his obedience to God. (Genesis chapters 12-17)." This preacher went on to say, "Poverty is to be resisted by the believer and never accepted. It is the thief who came to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus came that we might have life more abundantly and poverty is not abundance of life. (John 10:10). Poverty is a hot-house where fear, anger and frustration grows."<br />
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That all sounds very logical, it does contain some valuable truths, and there are numerous Scriptures given to support that doctrine, but let's examine the Scriptures ourselves and see if all these statements are really true.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Is Poverty a Curse?</span><br />
According to the Law of Moses, prosperity is a blessing for those who obey the Lord's commandments. He said, "All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the LORD your God..." (Deu 28:2). Then the Lord goes on to declare the wonderful blessings of prosperity for His obedient children. He says you will be blessed in the city and in the country (28:3), blessed in your basket, blessed in your kneading bowl (28:5), blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out (28:6). He says, "The LORD will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God gives you. The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, as He swore to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways." (Deu 28:8-9). He goes on to say He will make you abound in prosperity (28:11), and make you the head and not the tail (28:13). Therefore, He is very clear that prosperity is a blessing for His holy and obedient people.<br />
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Then the Lord describes the curses that will come upon His children if they do not obey His commandments. The curses are just the opposite of the blessings. He says you will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country (28:16), cursed in your basket and cursed in your kneading bowl (28:17), cursed when you come in and cursed when you go out (28:19). He says you will borrow from the alien, and he will be the head while you will be the tale. He promises sickness and disease. destruction and defeat, as well as rebuke and retreat. He says, "If you are not careful to observe all the words of this law which are written in this book, to fear this honored and awesome name, the LORD your God, then the LORD will bring extraordinary plagues on you and your descendants, even severe and lasting plagues, and miserable and chronic sicknesses. He will bring back on you all the diseases of Egypt of which you were afraid, and they will cling to you. Also every sickness and every plague which, not written in the book of this law, the LORD will bring on you until you are destroyed." (Deu 28:58-61). Therefore, He is very clear that poverty is a curse for disobedient people, who do not obey everything written in the book of the Law. Poverty is the ruin of the poor (Prov 10:15)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Delivered from the Curse</span><br />
According to the apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians, Christ has redeemed us from every curse of the Law, having been made a curse for us. He said, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, 'CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE' — in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, <u>so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith</u>." (Gal 3:13-14). <br />
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The reason why the blessing of Abraham has come to the Gentiles in Christ is so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith, not so we could be wealthy Christians.<br />
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As it is written in the book of Acts, Paul also taught through Christ and His forgiveness of our sins when we repent and put our faith in Him, we are freed from all the things that you could not be free from under the Law. He said, "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses." (Act 13:38-39)<br />
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Praise the Lord that we are free from all that! Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (Joh 8:32). He also said, "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." (Joh 8:36). That's good news, people.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Abundant Life</span></div>
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It is not God who comes to steal and destroy, it is the devil. Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (Joh 10:10). The Lord still promises abundant life for those who truly follow and obey Him. So if anything is being stolen from you or destroyed, that comes from the devil. It is possible that somehow he has gained permission to do so in your life.<br />
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In Job's trials, we know it was the devil who was killing and destroying, but God was permitting him to do it (Job 1:11; 2:5). Yet Job said, "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21b). He acknowledged that it was the Lord who had given and the Lord who had taken away, and He praised God for it. For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things, to Him be the glory forever (Rom 11:36). The Scripture is also very clear that Job was a blameless and upright man, who feared God and turned away from evil (Job 1:8), and it says that in all this he did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing (Job 1:22). His great losses were not due to some sin in his life as his counselors may have implied.<br />
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Therefore, if you are not experiencing wealthiness right now as a believer in Christ, don't let anyone make you feel badly for it. Jesus said that a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions (Luk 12:15). He did not say that abundant life or "life to the full" necessarily includes being rich in the earthly sense like Abraham.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We Are Abraham's Descendants</span></div>
As followers of Jesus, we are Abraham's descendants. Paul said, "And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise." (Gal 3:29). God truly did prosper Abraham greatly, and he became wealthy. For those who obediently follow Jesus, the Word certainly does promise that my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Treasures in Heaven</span><br />
If you follow Jesus obediently, however, He does not promise that you will be wealthy on earth. There is no place in Scripture where Jesus said, "Come follow Me and I will give you earthly riches." But you will store up treasures in heaven and receive an eternal reward that far outweighs all your sufferings for Christ.<br />
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I think the proper focus needs to be on the eternal rewards and not on becoming wealthy here on earth. We fix our eyes on what is unseen, not on what is seen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but he unseen things are eternal (2 Cor 4:18).<br />
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Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Mat 6:19-21)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Should We Resist Poverty?</span></div>
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The prosperity preachers teach that we must always resist poverty. I do not necessarily agree with that teaching, especially since there is not one verse in the Bible that says to do so. Let me explain what I mean.<br />
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If you are poor, you should seek to understand the reason for it. You should also ask the Lord to search your heart and ensure that there is nothing in your life that would open a door for these things. It is possible that you are bringing it upon yourself. The analogy I could give you to help you understand what I mean is this: If you are committing fornication and you develop a sexually transmitted disease, don't blame it on the devil. He is the one that brought it, but you opened the door up for him by your own disobedience. Therefore, what you should do is repent of the sin that brought the disease.</div>
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But what if you are born again, following Jesus, living in obedience to the Lord to the best of your knowledge and ability, keeping a good conscience, and you are still experiencing lack in your life? Does that mean you are cursed? I don't think so. I think you should keep praying the Lord would deliver you and provide for you and your family, just as you should keep praying the Lord would heal you if you are sick. Then expect Him to do it. He is faithful and keeps all His promises.</div>
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"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication <u>with thanksgiving</u> let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Php 4:6-7)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Giving Thanks in All Things</span></div>
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Can you rejoice and give thanks in the midst of poverty and afflictions? Yes, you definitely can! Paul said, "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1Th 5:16-18). Rejoicing is not only for the good times, but for the bad times, too. And you should not only give thanks when everything is going well, but even when it's not. If you are experiencing trials, afflictions, and even the test of poverty, you can be thankful for them all. Thankfulness is evidence of a Spirit-filled life, and there is no law against it (Gal 5:23), so nobody can tell you not to thank the Lord for your poverty nor stop you from thanking Him in the midst of it.</div>
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Let me be clear that this does not mean you like your hardships or difficulties, but that you are thankful to God for them. You should rejoice and be thankful, because He has always been faithful to care for and provide for His obedient children. You should thank Him for all the ways He has blessed you in the past and all the ways He is still blessing you, even in the midst of your trials. You can thank the Lord, because you know that He will use these things for good. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Rom 8:28). You can thank the Lord, because He can and will cause everything in your life to work together for good, if you love God and are called according to His purpose. </div>
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You can be sure that He will mold you and shape you to make you more like Jesus in the midst of your trials, regardless of what they are. We cannot say that God won't perfect you in the midst of any particular trials. He can do all things, and we can give thanks in all things. As James said, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (Jas 1:2-4) The end result is that you will be lacking nothing.</div>
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You will be able to say with David, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." (Ps 23:1-2). You will not have want of anything or lack anything. You shall have everything you need. As David said, "I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread." (Psa 37:25)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">David's Poverty</span></div>
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While it is true that David never saw the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread, he did experience poverty in his own life personally. Prior to marrying Saul's daughter Michal, <u>David said that he was a poor man</u> and lightly esteemed (1Sa 18:23). In his psalms, David said, "But as for me, <u>I am poor and needy</u>; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay." (Ps 40:17).<br />
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"<u>This poor man called</u>, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles." (Ps 34:6)</div>
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Also "For <u>I am poor and needy</u>, and my heart is wounded within me." (Ps 109:42)<br />
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And "But as for me, <u>I am poor and needy</u>; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; LORD, do not delay." (Ps 70:5)<br />
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There is no reference in Scripture to David's poverty being due to any curse. In fact, the Bible says he was a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). We know that he cried out to the Lord in his poverty for the Lord to help and deliver him, and that's what we should do.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Poverty in the New Testament</span><br />
I also see poverty throughout the New Testament, and it is not called a curse. The story was told of the poor widow and she was not spoken of as accursed, but as one very dear to the heart of God who gave more than all the others who put in great sums of money.<br />
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"For they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on." (Mar 12:44; cf., Luk 21:4). This woman's story has been told throughout the world over the last two thousand years, and shows that you can still bring glory to God even though you are poor. Don't let anyone tell you, as that prosperity preacher said to me, that if you are poor you are not a very good poster child for Jesus. Moreover, the passage about that woman's act of generosity also shows us that it is not the amount you give, but how much it is in comparison to what you have left. God loves a cheerful giver. And those who are poor should practice giving also.<br />
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However, when the Lord encountered the poor, He did not tell them that poverty is a curse or tell them they were under a curse. That does not mean they weren't, but if they were, He never mentioned it. And He didn't tell them that if they gave Him their money that they would become rich.<br />
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When He met the blind beggar by the roadside on the way to Jericho, He did not lecture him about his need to "resist the curse of poverty." Rather He healed his blindness, so that he could see. "Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God." (Lk 18:43, NIV). The people did not praise God because the blind man became wealthy when he followed Jesus. Rather, they praised God because he was miraculously healed of blindness.<br />
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Jesus Himself was poor. Though He was rich He became poor, so that through His poverty, you might become rich (2 Cor 8:9). First, this does not mean, as some prosperity preachers may say, that you are going to become a rich person on earth if you become a Christian. Rather, we are supposed to follow in His steps (1 Pe 2:21). As that hymn says, "How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior, stepping in the light." Remember how Jesus taught us that a servant is not greater than his master (Joh 15:20). Secondly, His becoming poor was not a curse, it was part of His humiliation for our sake. The reason He became a curse, as Paul said in Galatians 3:13, was that He was hanged on a tree, which was the cross. <br />
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Joseph and Mary were poor, and look at how the Lord used them. We know they were poor, because when their days of purification were completed and they presented baby Jesus in the temple, they gave the alternate offering for Mary's cleansing that was designated in the Law. Those who were too poor to afford a Lamb could bring either two doves or two young pigeons, and that is what they offered in place of a Lamb (Luke 2:22-24; Lev 12:8).<br />
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The Macedonians were extremely poor and Paul did not label them as accursed or say their poverty was a curse, but commended them for their giving. He said, "That in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and <u>their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality</u>." (2Co 8:2). Paul did not try to propose a plan for them to become prosperous, but rejoiced in their generosity despite their poverty.<br />
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The Twelve <u>apostles left all they had to follow Jesus</u> (Luke 18:28). Peter said to the lame beggar at the Gate Beautiful, "<u>Silver and gold have I none</u>..." (Ac 3:6a, KJV). Even the apostle Paul himself knew what it was to experience poverty. He said, "To this present hour <u>we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless</u>;" (1Co 4:11). He said, "<u>I know what it is to be in need</u>, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, <u>whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want</u>." (Phil 4:12). He had experienced hunger, homelessness, thirst, and want, as well as times of plenty and being well fed. Yet nothing is mentioned of him being under a curse during his times of want. The focus was on how he had learned the secret of contentment. That's what I am talking about: we need to be content in whatever our circumstances and still thank the Lord in the midst of all things.<br />
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In the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11, the apostle tells of those who were destitute in their walk of faith. He says, "And others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword;<u> they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground</u>. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect." (Heb 11:36-40). Please note that they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. Does that sound to you like they were wealthy? No, but they gained God's approval for their faith. <br />
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The Lord also spoke to the church of Smyrna with regard to their poverty and never said a word about their being accursed or being under a curse of poverty. Rather He said they were rich in God's sight. "<u>I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich)</u>, and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan." (Rev 2:9).<br />
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On the other hand when He spoke to the Laodicean church, which was wealthy, He rebuked them.<br />
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"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 'Because you say, "<u>I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked</u>, I advise you to <u>buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich</u>, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 'Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent." (Rev 3:14-19)<br />
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The Lord called upon the wealthy Laodicean church to repent. They did not realize that in God's sight they were wretched and poor. They were wealthy in the natural, but poor in God's sight. He counseled them to buy from Him gold refined in the fire, so they might become rich. This is the same message for the wealthy church today in the Laodicean age that we live in. If you don't believe me, then listen to the testimony of Howard Pittman in my article, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.hu/2012/05/only-holy-three-shocking-testimonies.html" target="_blank">Only the Holy -- Three Shocking Testimonies</a>.</div>
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I think that the key is learning to be content when we are in need and hungry, just as we would be if we were well fed and living in plenty. Our faith is tested during times of poverty, but prosperity can be an even greater test. In plenty, people often crave for more and are never satisfied. They can also forget God. The Scriptures warn against the very real danger of forgetting God in the midst of your abundance (Deut 8:11-17).<br />
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Agur the son of Jakeh wrote, "Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God." (Pro 30:7-9)<br />
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A dear friend of mine, who made a good income for fifty years and always gave generously to others, is now living in poverty as an elderly man and his wife is struggling to support them by supplementing his Social Security with her job. I don't consider him to be under any curse. I don't understand it, but I don't tell him he is under a curse. He put others ahead of himself and took care of them without regard for his own future on earth. He had faith and trusted the Lord to take care of him. He is a blessed man who has stored up great riches in heaven and is now very close to the time when he will go to his eternal reward.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Blessed Are the Poor </span><br />
Let's remember that one of the beatitudes is the blessedness of being poor. The Lord said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Mat 5:3). This beatitude of poor-spiritedness has more than one application for our lives, including humility, brokenness, and contriteness of spirit. But yet another application is that of being contentedly poor. In order to best explain this, let me quote the words of a seventeenth century preacher and Bible commentator named Matthew Henry. He is perhaps my favorite commentator, and perhaps was the favorite of John Wesley, judging by the way he quoted his works. After I had already published this article, I decided to read Henry's view on being poor in spirit, and found that his comments confirmed what I believe and have already written in this article. Henry wrote the following regarding the first beatitude:<br />
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"The poor in spirit are happy, Mat 5:3. There is a poor-spiritedness that is so far from making men blessed that it is a sin and a snare - cowardice and base fear, and a willing subjection to the lusts of men. But <u>this poverty of spirit is a gracious disposition of soul, by which we are emptied of self, in order to [have] our being filled with Jesus Christ. To be poor in spirit is, 1. To be contentedly poor, willing to be emptied of worldly wealth, if God orders that to be our lot; to bring our mind to our condition, when it is a low condition</u>. Many are poor in the world, but high in spirit, poor and proud, murmuring and complaining, and blaming their lot, but <u>we must accommodate ourselves to our poverty, must know how to be abased, Php_4:12. Acknowledging the wisdom of God in appointing us to poverty, we must be easy in it, patiently bear the inconveniences of it, be thankful for what we have, and make the best of that which is. It is to sit loose to all worldly wealth, and not set our hearts upon it, but cheerfully to bear losses and disappointments which may befall us in the most prosperous state</u>. It is not, in pride or pretence, to make ourselves poor, by throwing away what God has given us, especially as those in the church of Rome, who vow poverty, and yet engross the wealth of the nations; but <u>if we be rich in the world we must be poor in spirit, that is, we must condescend to the poor and sympathize with them, as being touched with the feeling of their infirmities; we must expect and prepare for poverty; must not inordinately fear or shun it, but must bid it welcome, especially when it comes upon us for keeping a good conscience</u>, Heb_10:34. Job was poor in spirit, when he blessed God in taking away, as well as giving."<br />
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This is Henry's first definition of being poor in spirit, although he did give others, such as humility, brokenness, and contrition, as I have already mentioned.<br />
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For those who prefer to interpret this beatitude in a figurative sense, let me remind you that in Luke's gospel, it says, “<u>Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God</u>." (Lk 6:20, NIV). Here in this instance the Lord clearly said that the poor are blessed, and He meant it for those who are literally poor. He did not say, "Cursed are the poor," but rather said they are blessed, and taught that the kingdom of God belongs to the poor. In this same context, He also said, "Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied." (Lk 6:21a, NIV). We know that He meant those who are literally hungry, which is often a part of being poor. Afterward, He pronounced woes upon those who are rich and well-fed now in this life (Lk 6:24-25). This passage gives us a clear picture of God's view of the poor. True teaching such as this about the poor and the rich is missing from the pulpits today, amidst all the talk about prosperity.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The False Gospel of Prosperity</span><br />
I also believe that the modern, so-called "prosperity gospel" is a false gospel and has done a great deal of harm around the world. It fuels greed, feeds pride, and works against the formation of godly character. The souls of those who have spread that message are in danger, if they don't repent and amend their ways. If they want to teach about something that must be resisted, they should teach God's people to resist the devil (Jas 4:7) and to resist the temptation to sin (Mat 6:13; Lk 22:40; 1 Cor 6:18), such as covetousness, pride, worldlinesss, and ungodliness (Lk 12:15; Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:16; Tit 2:12; Jas 1:27; 4:10; 1 Joh 2:15-16). For more on this topic, please read my articles, <a href="http://wordistrue.blogspot.com/2013/09/whats-wrong-with-prosperity-gospel.html" target="_blank">What's Wrong with the Prosperity Gospel?</a>, <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/01/wisdom-for-wealthy-preachers-and.html" target="_blank">Wisdom for Wealthy Preachers</a>, and <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-forgotten-sin-of-worldliness.html" target="_blank">The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness</a>.<br />
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I see many warnings about the dangers of riches in Scripture, but not as many warnings about the curse of poverty. The warnings about poverty seem to be warning us about the things that can lead to poverty, such as disobedience to God's commandments, stinginess, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/is-tithing-required-for-christians.html" target="_blank">robbing God by withholding tithes</a> and offerings, <a href="http://fromevildeliverus.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-evil-spirit-of-alcohol.html" target="_blank">drunkenness</a>, gluttony, loving pleasure, chasing fantasies, laziness, <a href="http://workinggodsway.blogspot.com/2011/08/house-of-idleness.html" target="_blank">idleness</a>, refusing to work, drowsiness, loving sleep, lack of diligence, lack of discipline, and lack of judgment. One form of lacking judgment that leads to poverty is to live above your means. I think most people know that poverty is no fun, and they are not consciously seeking to be poor. It is more likely that if they become poor, it will probably not be because they intentionally sought for it. While we have the passage in Deuteronomy about the curse of poverty, the emphasis in Scripture is not that we must resist poverty. Rather the emphasis is on making sure you are not living your life in such a way that is displeasing to God, since you could unknowingly be bringing poverty on yourself by those things, such as I mentioned above.<br />
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Certainly God does want you to be a success in everything you put your hand to, but let's be sure that we understand the meaning of success in God's eyes. It does not mean being rich. For more on that topic, please see my article, <span style="color: #473624;"><a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/10/success-in-gods-eyes.html" target="_blank">Success in God's Eyes</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Poor Are Dear to God's Heart</span><br />
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Quite contrary to the way that prosperity teachers emphasize the cursed nature of poverty, and the blessedness of riches, we find that the poor are very dear to the heart of God. Let's look at some of those passages.<br />
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Jesus said He came to preach the gospel to the poor. He said, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed me to <u>preach the gospel to the poor</u>. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord." (Luk 4:18-19)<br />
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In fact, preaching the good news to the poor was one of the signs that Jesus was the expected Messiah. "Jesus answered and said to them, 'Go and report to John what you hear and see: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the <u>POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM</u>.'" (Mat 11:4-5)<br />
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Notice that the evidence that Jesus was the Messiah did not include preaching to the rich. Although He did preach to them, too. Part of the Lord's message to the rich is not to love money and to give to the poor! Jesus said to the rich man, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." (Mat 19:21; cf. Mk 10:21; Lk 18:22). Jesus taught not only the rich but all of us to give to the poor, and said it is an act of righteousness before God (Mat 6:2-4).<br />
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When Zacchaeus the tax collector became a follower of Jesus, he gave half his possessions to the poor (Lk 19:8). This and the other fruits of repentance that he demonstrated were proof to the Lord Jesus that salvation had come to his house and that he had become a child of Abraham (Lk 19:9).<br />
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The Lord taught us to invite the poor into our homes. "But when you give a reception, <u>invite the poor</u>, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luk 14:13-14). The emphasis was on being repaid at the resurrection, not in this life.<br />
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The Lord told the true story of a rich man in hell and a poor beggar in Abraham's bosom. On earth, the rich man had lived in luxury every day while Lazarus the poor man had sat at his gate begging. "Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. In hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom." (Luk 16:22-23)</div>
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Notice that it was the poor man who went to his reward with Abraham and the rich man who went to hell. If the poor man was under a curse, it was certainly not the point the Lord chose to emphasize.</div>
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The apostle Paul said that the apostles and elders in Jerusalem asked him to remember the poor, which is what he himself was eager to do. "They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do." (Gal 2:10). Job also rescued the poor who cried for help (Job 29:12), and his soul grieved for them (Job 30:25). </div>
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Yet human nature is to show favoritism to the rich, because of evil motives, and to look down upon the poor. James warned about this when he wrote, "For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, 'You sit here in a good place,' and you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,' have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with <u>evil motives</u>? Listen, my beloved brethren: <u>did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?</u> But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court?" (Jas 2:2-6)</div>
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James emphasized that God chose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him. So why do the prosperity preachers emphasize the evil nature of poverty and the blessedness of wealth? Because they think that godliness is a means to financial gain (1 Tim 6:5).</div>
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The Bible says we will always have the poor with us. "For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.'" (Deu 15:11) And Jesus also said this. "For you always have the poor with you..."(Mat 26:11)</div>
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The poor are hated by their neighbors (Prov 14:20), shunned by their relatives, and avoided by their friends (Prov 19:7), but God cares for the poor and raises them out of poverty. "He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with nobles, And inherit a seat of honor; For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, And He set the world on them." (1Sa 2:8; cf. Ps 113:7). Though everyone else forsakes the poor, God will not forsake them (Is 41:17).</div>
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"<u>He will have compassion on the poor and needy</u>, And the lives of the needy he will save. He will rescue their life from oppression and violence, And <u>their blood will be precious in his sight</u>;" (Psa 72:13-14)</div>
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God takes it personally when the poor are mistreated or shown kindness. "<u>Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God</u>." (Prov 14:31; cf., 17:5, NIV). Scripture says, "<u>Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord</u>, and he will reward them for what they have done." (Prov 19:17, NIV).</div>
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Jesus also said that whatever you do for the least of these His brethren, you have done it unto Him. </div>
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"But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. <u>For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me</u>.' Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, <u>to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me</u>.'" (Mat 25:31-40)</div>
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That means that how you treat a person who is poor, hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, or in prison, is how you treat Jesus. You are doing it to Him, because He identifies with them, just as it is written all throughout the Scriptures.<br />
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One time during a worship meeting, my youngest daughter, who was nine years old at the time, testified that the Lord had spoken to her during her quiet time that morning. She said, "While I was in prayer, I asked the Lord to speak to me. So I waited and I heard, 'Go out and minister.' I asked, 'How, Lord?' He said, 'Psalm 82.' When we looked up that psalm, we found that it was about ministering to the poor.<br />
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For example it says, "Vindicate the weak and fatherless; <u>Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy</u>; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked." (Psa 82:3-4). This once again shows God's love and compassion for the poor and needy.<br />
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Indeed the righteous care about justice for the poor (Prov 29:7). And "The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor." (Prov 22:9, NIV)<br />
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Yet the solemn warning still remains for the rich who ignore the poor:<br />
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"Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you." (Jas 5:1-6)<br />
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The Bible says, "Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but <u>those who close their eyes to them receive many curses</u>." (Prov 28:27, NIV).<br />
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Therefore, seeing how dear the poor are to the heart of God, is it better to be rich or poor? It depends. Solomon said, "Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is crooked though he be rich." (Pro 28:6), and "better to be poor than a liar." (Pro 19:22). You see, sometimes it is better to be poor. What good does it do you to be rich, if you are a crooked liar and lose your own soul? As Jesus said, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Mk 8:36, NIV)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus Appears to a Homeless Man</span><br />
Just to help you see God's heart for the poor, let me share with you a very interesting video about how Jesus appeared to a homeless man and told the man He is coming very, very, very, very, very, very very soon. This testimony was told to me in October 2007, while I was on a missions trip to Bulgaria, by sister Marina Dimitrova, who is a friend of mine and the Director of Operation Reach All (ORA International) in Bulgaria. Please see <a href="https://youtu.be/bc0pSM-urCI" target="_blank">Jesus is Coming Very Soon Part I</a> and <a href="https://youtu.be/lymBLXaL3Xc" target="_blank">Jesus is Coming Very Soon Part II</a>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span></div>
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As you can see, there is definite biblical support for much of what the prosperity preacher said to me, which I mentioned in the opening of this article. Poverty is one of the curses of the Law for the disobedient. All who are in Christ are delivered from the curse of the Law. We are Abraham's descendants, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. In Him we are forgiven, and we are freed from all the things we could not be freed from under the Law of Moses, including every curse. We now have abundant life in Christ. We have the promise that He will supply all our needs. </div>
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However, in the midst of poverty, we can still give thanks, because we should give thanks in all things. As the old hymn says, "Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done." Then trust God and obey Him, and He will see you through. If the Lord is your Shepherd, you shall lack nothing. You will have treasures in heaven, but He didn't promise you would be wealthy in the world's eyes. Those who lay up riches for themselves on earth and ignore the poor are in danger of perishing like the rich man in hell. We should be eager to remember the poor and give to them. </div>
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God loves the poor and cares for them. Their blood is precious in His sight. He sees when they are oppressed, hears their cry, and comes to their rescue. He takes it personally when others mistreat them. Whatever we have done for one of the least of these, we have done it unto Jesus. God blesses those who help the needy.</div>
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Jesus, whose steps we are supposed to walk in, was poor and needy. And so were David, Joseph and Mary, and the widow who gave her last penny. Lazarus the beggar was poor. So were Paul and the Twelve apostles, and the church in Smyrna, whom the Lord encouraged by telling them they were rich. The focus in Scripture is always on the eternal, heavenly reward that awaits us, not on temporal, earthly wealth.<br />
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We must be poor in spirit, emptied of self and filled with Jesus Christ. We must be contentedly poor, willing to be emptied of worldly wealth, if God orders that for our lives. We must accommodate ourselves to our poverty, must know how to be abased, acknowledging the wisdom of God in appointing us to poverty; we must be at ease in it. We must not set our hearts upon worldly wealth, but cheerfully endure losses and disappointments. We must anticipate and prepare for poverty. That does not mean we fear or shun it, but welcome it, especially when it comes upon us for doing God's will.<br />
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<u>If you are following Jesus Christ obediently as your Lord and Savior, and you are poor and needy, He says that you are blessed and the kingdom of God belongs to you. Please know that you are in good company. You are among the ranks of many other saints in ages past who have gone down the same road, as well as countless believers throughout the world who are presently undergoing the same kind of sufferings</u>. But know that you are storing up riches in heaven where neither rust nor moth corrupt. The Lord cares for you and says, "You are rich." His eye is on the sparrow, and you can be sure He watches over you. You are worth more than many sparrows (Mat 10:29-30). Continue to cry out to Him and He will deliver you. Remember the parable of the persistent widow. Jesus said, "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Lk 18:7-8, NIV)<br />
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<em>Attribution notice</em>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #473624;">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</span></a>. Other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible -- NIV. Photos are subject to copyright, used according to the Fair Use Act that allows copyrighted images to be used for educational and commentary purposes.<br />
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<i>Author's note</i>: I also recommend reading <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/gods-supernatural-provision-using-people.html"><span style="color: #473624;">God's Supernatural Provision Using People</span></a>, <a href="http://fromevildeliverus.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-lord-will-rescue-you.html" target="_blank">The Lord Will Rescue You</a>, <a href="http://wordistrue.blogspot.com/2013/09/whats-wrong-with-prosperity-gospel.html"><span style="color: #336699;">What's Wrong with the Prosperity Gospel?</span></a>, <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/01/wisdom-for-wealthy-preachers-and.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">Wisdom for Wealthy Preachers and Prosperity Teachers</span></a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-forgotten-sin-of-worldliness.html" target="_blank">The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/is-tithing-required-for-christians.html" target="_blank">Is Tithing Required for Christians?</a>, <a href="http://workinggodsway.blogspot.com/2011/08/house-of-idleness.html" target="_blank">House of Idleness</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2014/10/alcohol-and-cigarettes-ten-divine.html" target="_blank">Alcohol and Cigarettes -- Nine Divine Revelations</a>, <a href="http://len-hiddentreasures.blogspot.com/2014/07/better-little.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #473624;">Better a Little</span></a>, <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/10/success-in-gods-eyes.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #473624;">Success in God's Eyes</span></a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-afflictions-of-righteous.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">The Afflictions of the Righteous</span></a>, <a href="http://len-hiddentreasures.blogspot.com/2009/07/hidden-treasures.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #473624;">Hidden Treasures</span></a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/04/god-chooses-weak-things.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #473624;">God Chooses the Weak Things</span></a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/cost-of-discipleship.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">The Cost of Discipleship</span></a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-fiery-sufferings-of-believer.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">The Fiery Sufferings of the Believer</span></a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2016/06/what-is-that-in-your-hand.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #473624;">What is That in Your Hand?</span></a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2009/05/every-living-thing-has-its-own-unique.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #473624;">The Kingdom of God is Like This</span></a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2010/11/multiplication.html"><span style="color: #473624;">Multiplication</span></a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2016/06/multiplication-illustrations.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #473624;">Multiplication Illustrations</span></a>, ans <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2011/07/beauty-of-brokenness.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #473624;">The Beauty of Brokenness</span></a>. More of my articles about the Kingdom of God may be found on the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/home.html" target="_blank">Home</a> page of this blog. You can also find my complete collection of blogs at <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #473624;">Writing for the Master</span></a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #473624;">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</span></a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #473624;">Doulos Missions International</span></a>. He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #473624;">www.dmiworld.org.</span></a> </div>
Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-77054972151496098082017-04-20T20:29:00.000-07:002018-04-08T11:21:19.871-07:00The Day of Small Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBAwuUYEK9KvjkWiPwbfJu0z2GuLcXIMGf5xULGQg63gLx6kGePGBN6Lh6AyUcN5YrYBmQJM4EhcnOZAnPOforg1Rjy5k9qGSMZ_eMlppDynJLbFFj1BUIEuplGiVejwVHacSqaDDln8/s1600/Plant-a-Seed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBAwuUYEK9KvjkWiPwbfJu0z2GuLcXIMGf5xULGQg63gLx6kGePGBN6Lh6AyUcN5YrYBmQJM4EhcnOZAnPOforg1Rjy5k9qGSMZ_eMlppDynJLbFFj1BUIEuplGiVejwVHacSqaDDln8/s200/Plant-a-Seed.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
I want to talk to you today about the day of small things. You may have known a time in your life when God was using you in a much greater way than He is today. Or you may have never been used by God in any great way at all, but you long for the day when God does use you to make a mighty impact for His glory. Perhaps this time in your life seems like the day of small things, but don't despise it. The Scripture says, "For who has despised the day of small things?" (Zec 4:10a).<br />
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After the Jews had been in Babylonian exile for seventy years, and they returned to Jerusalem, they needed to rebuild a new temple, because Solomon's temple had been destroyed by the enemy. Though the beginnings of the new temple seemed so small in comparison to the beautiful temple Solomon had built, God had greater things in store for them.<br />
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And on an individual basis, the same is true. Obadiah wrote down what God gave him, and it became a book of the Bible. Since it was only one chapter, he could feel inferior and wish he was like one of the other prophets that God used in a much greater way. He could look at Isaiah whose prophetic book is a very lengthy sixty-six chapters. Or he could look at Ezekiel, whose book is forty-eight chapters long. He could wonder why the Lord only used him to write that short passage. Yet now it is part of the Bible, and we are blessed by what he wrote about the day of the Lord.<br />
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Likewise, Jonah only wrote four chapters. He had that one time when God used him mightily to save those who were headed for destruction. He preached to the perishing people of Nineveh and they repented, from the king on down to the least of them, therefore God changed His mind and decided not to destroy them as He had planned. He had mercy and spared them, because they humbled themselves and repented. Afterward, Jonah could wonder why he was not used in a greater way. He could look back upon that time as a real high point in his ministry and wonder why there were not more opportunities to do great exploits for God like that. Yet those four chapters became part of Scripture and every time we read them we are blessed over and over by what God inspired him to write.<br />
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Then there is Jude, who wrote that short epistle. He could feel as though he was inferior compared to the apostle Paul, who wrote so prolifically, and whose epistles now comprise about half of the New Testament. Yet just think how many people over the past two thousand years have been blessed by the inspired words of Jude's epistle.<br />
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Each one did what God gave them to do, and did not despise the day of small things. They were content to be used to the extent that God chose to do so. And I'm sure that once they reached glory, they discovered the marvelous way the Lord used them and continues to use them. They must have been humbled and awed when they realized what the Lord did with their little lives.<br />
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For most of us, we will not find out until we reach the kingdom of heaven all that God has done through our lives, and the people He has touched through us. It's best that we don't know now, lest we become proud and think we have done something great for God.<br />
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What about the person who led <a href="https://yeshua-the-messiah.blogspot.com/2017/03/sid-roths-relationship-with-messiah.html" target="_blank">Sid Roth</a> to Christ? I am told he is a humble man, yet look at what the Lord is doing through our brother Sid, reaching Jews and Gentiles for Christ around the world with the gospel and the demonstration of the Spirit.<br />
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So when we look at the way God is using us, and we feel it is insignificant, let's remember not to despise the day of small things. Let's do it as unto the Lord and for His glory. Let's be content to leave the results with God. And let's keep in mind that He uses the weak things and the things that are not to shame the strong and the mighty.<br />
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<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>. Image may be subject to copyright.<br />
<br />
<i>Author's note</i>: <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2018/02/faithful-in-little-things.html" target="_blank">Faithful in the Little Things</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/02/gods-way-to-greatness.html" target="_blank">God's Way to Greatness</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/04/god-chooses-weak-things.html" target="_blank">God Chooses the Weak Things</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2016/06/what-is-that-in-your-hand.html" target="_blank">What is That in Your Hand?</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/04/multiplying-your-talents.html" target="_blank">Multiplying Your Talents</a>, <a href="http://workinggodsway.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-ebb-and-flow-of-ministry-for-lord.html" target="_blank">The Ebb and Flow of Ministry for the Lord</a>, <a href="http://workinggodsway.blogspot.com/2015/10/whatever-you-do-do-all-like-this.html" target="_blank">Whatever You Do, Do All Like This</a>, <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-servant-of-lord.html" target="_blank">The Servant of the Lord</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2009/05/every-living-thing-has-its-own-unique.html" target="_blank">The Kingdom of God is Like This</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2010/11/multiplication.html">Multiplication</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2016/06/multiplication-illustrations.html" target="_blank">Multiplication Illustrations</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2011/01/being-witness-for-christ.html" target="_blank">Being a Witness for Christ</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.com/2016/08/fruit-in-every-season.html" target="_blank">Fruit in Every Season</a>, <a href="http://len-hiddentreasures.blogspot.com/2014/07/better-little.html" target="_blank">Better a Little</a>, <a href="http://len-hiddentreasures.blogspot.com/2009/07/hidden-treasures.html" target="_blank">Hidden Treasures</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2011/07/beauty-of-brokenness.html" target="_blank">The Beauty of Brokenness</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2011/10/one-thing.html" target="_blank">One thing</a>, <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/11/a-personality-profile-of-apostle-paul.html" target="_blank">A Personality Profile of the Apostle Paul</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2011/02/secret-kingdom.html" target="_blank">The Secret Kingdom</a>, and <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/10/success-in-gods-eyes.html" target="_blank">Success in God's Eyes</a>. You can also find my complete collection of blogs at <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" target="_blank">Writing for the Master</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-73358080658724961362017-04-20T19:47:00.000-07:002017-07-10T14:22:00.385-07:00Why is the Body So Divided?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Someone once asked me about the reason for divisions in the church. He wrote: "Why do you think there are so many different beliefs within Christianity and so many different denominations? When Jesus established the Church, it was only one Church, and the saints were of one mind and one heart."<br />
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In response I agreed that when Jesus established the Church, it was only one Church, and the saints were of one mind and one heart. That's the way it's supposed to be, so it started off healthy. On the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church, they were all in one accord. "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." (Act 2:1).<br />
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The believers had all things in common. "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;" (Act 2:42-44)<br />
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The congregation was of one heart and soul. "And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them." (Act 4:32)<br />
<br />
Paul said, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Eph 4:4-6, NIV)<br />
<br />
He also wrote, "Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind." (Phil 2:2, NIV)<br />
<br />
Since there is only one Body, which was united at the beginning, and since it was God's intention that the Church remain united, then anyone who did not do so was in the flesh. When divisions were created in the Body, it was a result of someone being in the flesh. <br />
<br />
One the one hand you had people who taught heresy, rejected the truth, and corrupted their ways, and others needed to separate from those people, when the heretics refused to submit to the Word of God. One such example was when Martin Luther attempted to bring reformation within the Church with his 95 Theses that exposed abuses in the Church. The leaders of the Roman Church refused to listen and excommunicated him when he refused to recant. That same scenario has been repeated many other times throughout Church history on large and small scales.<br />
<br />
There were also heretics teaching error beginning in the first century, as we see from 2 Pet 2, Jude, Galatians and other epistles, as well as Rev 2. Coupled with this there were others who felt -- either rightly or wrongly -- that their particular doctrine was the correct interpretation of Scripture, that they must separate from others who did not agree with them, and become a distinctive group. Some may have sincerely done so to maintain doctrinal purity, even if their doctrine itself was not actually sound, and others may have done so for carnal reasons. For example, some people followed their favorite leader. This even occurred in the first century, so it didn't take long for things to become divided:<br />
<br />
"Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, 'I am of Paul,' and 'I of Apollos,' and 'I of Cephas,' and 'I of Christ.' Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void." (1 Cor 1:10-17)<br />
<br />
So as you can see, what we began with on the Day of Pentecost and in Jerusalem with the church being in one accord and devoted to the apostles' teaching, soon developed divisions, which have continued ever since.<br />
<br />
There is a flip side to the divisions in that they show us something about the people involved on both sides of the split. They show which ones have God's approval. Paul said, "No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval." (1 Cor 11:19). They also show which ones did not belong to us in the first place. John said, "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us." (1 Jn 2:19).<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
Just as there is only one Body, it's God's will that we all be in one accord, of one heart and soul, that we all agree and that there be no divisions among us, but that we be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. Therefore, when divisions do occur, it shows us who has God's approval and who does not really belong to us.<br />
<br />
<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>. Other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible NIV, where noted. Segmented orange image courtesy of <a href="https://www.ometria.com/blog/so-youve-segmented-your-customers-now-what" target="_blank">Ometria</a>. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Author's note: </span>If you enjoyed
this post, I recommend reading these related articles: <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2009/05/every-living-thing-has-its-own-unique.html" target="_blank">The Kingdom of God is Like This</a>, <a href="http://wordistrue.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-nature-of-false-prophets.html" target="_blank">The Nature of False Prophets</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-difference-between-disciple-and.html" target="_blank">The Difference Between a Disciple and a Believer</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2015/06/slaves-of-christ.html" target="_blank">Having a Servant's Heart</a>, and <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/cost-of-discipleship.html" target="_blank">The Cost of Discipleship</a>. You may also like the other posts in this blog available
through the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/home.html" target="_blank">Home page</a>. You may also access my complete blog
directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" style="color: #3333ff;">Writing for the Master</a>."
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-64259287713977664692016-03-22T16:08:00.001-07:002021-03-27T14:28:36.664-07:00Thy Kingdom Come<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6B8fugOdruZIoVKnTX14a9EPjWApvyQXJZAJnR7Rtuwc_Q537IE7JxLXjgu75Ja-tiQNn95BIy9hoEf2qN_ZVvf5HLF8s6YasWV0SW8xqmSTd5yiTrednOr-6DbcDWku42ynM-jJFulg/s1600/All+Hail+King+Jesus.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6B8fugOdruZIoVKnTX14a9EPjWApvyQXJZAJnR7Rtuwc_Q537IE7JxLXjgu75Ja-tiQNn95BIy9hoEf2qN_ZVvf5HLF8s6YasWV0SW8xqmSTd5yiTrednOr-6DbcDWku42ynM-jJFulg/s200/All+Hail+King+Jesus.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come.” (Lk 11:2). Of course, there is more than one way God answers this prayer. His kingdom in our lives personally means our submission to His Lordship over us, as He rules and reigns in us. Moreover, His kingdom on earth will ultimately be fulfilled when Jesus Christ comes back to rule and reign on the earth. By praying, "Thy kingdom come," we are asking Him to rule and reign over us personally, corporately, and eventually over the whole world. However, there is something else we are asking for when we pray this prayer.<br />
<br />
In the same passage where Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He later said the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. He said, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" (Luk 11:13). The part of the Lord’s Prayer that corresponds to asking the Father for the Holy Spirit is “Thy kingdom come.” The Holy Spirit serves a central role in the kingdom of God.<br />
<br />
Likewise evil spirits or demons play a central role in satan’s kingdom. Jesus addressed this when He said, “If satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand?” (Lk 11:18). He was specifically responding to the accusation that He was driving out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons (Lk 11:15). His point was that if that were true, then satan’s kingdom would not stand, since his own house would be divided against itself. However, He actually drove out demons by the finger of God, (by the Spirit of God), which meant that the kingdom of God had come to them. He said, "But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." (Luk 11:20). In saying this, Jesus affirmed the central role of the Holy Spirit in the kingdom of God. When the kingdom of God comes, the Holy Spirit comes. When the Holy Spirit comes, the kingdom of God comes. <br />
<br />
Conversely, when evil spirits are operating in people’s lives, the kingdom of satan has come to them. It is critical that the demons cooperate with each other, in order for satan’s kingdom to stand. But imagine how difficult that is for them to do so, since they are fallen, evil entities. They are full of pride, jealously, hatred, even hatred for one another, so it’s a fragile, brittle kingdom, and the main reason they cooperate is out of fear of their master, satan. But we can pray that the Lord would throw the enemy into confusion, causing the demons to turn and fight each other. Then the kingdom of satan will not stand, and he will fail to achieve his goals.<br />
<br />
Jesus came to bring division on earth, so let’s pray to that end! He said, "Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." (Luk 12:51-53).<br />
<br />
When His kingdom, His Spirit, and His holy fire come upon the earth (Lk 12:49), it brings division. Families are divided. Some within the family will love the truth, love the Holy Spirit, and receive Him and His holy fire. Others will not. They will love their lives and persecute the family members who do the will of God. That’s normal; so don’t be surprised when it happens. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
Satan is destined to fail, and his kingdom will surely fall. But the kingdom of God endures forever, and shall not be destroyed. <br />
<br />
Let’s pray for our heavenly Father’s kingdom to come. Let’s receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Let’s love the truth, do the will of the Father, walk by the Spirit, and maintain the unity of the Spirit.<br />
<br />
Does the Lord Jesus Christ reign as King in your heart today? If not, then why not ask Him
to do so? Have you asked for and received the gift of the Holy Spirit? If not, there is no time like the present to do so. <br />
<br />
<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>. "All Hail King Jesus" painting © 2012 <a href="http://www.inspired-art.com" target="_blank">Danny Hahlbohm</a> all rights reserved by the artist.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Author's note: </span>If you enjoyed
this post, I recommend reading these related articles: <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2011/06/baptized-with-spirit.html" target="_blank">Baptized with the Spirit</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/05/holy-fire-baptism.html" target="_blank">Holy Fire Baptism</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/is-obedience-optional.html" target="_blank">Is Obedience Optional?</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-difference-between-disciple-and.html" target="_blank">The Difference Between a Disciple and a Believer</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2015/06/slaves-of-christ.html" target="_blank">Having a Servant's Heart</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/cost-of-discipleship.html" target="_blank">The Cost of Discipleship</a>, and <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.hu/2012/10/the-law-of-christ.html" target="_blank">The Law of Christ</a>. You may also like the other posts in this blog available
through the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/home.html" target="_blank">Home page</a>. You may also access my complete blog
directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" style="color: #3333ff;">Writing for the Master</a>."
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-28049691143776676212016-01-02T07:40:00.000-08:002016-01-28T06:05:13.182-08:00All of His Works Praise Him<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRxGW7l2or4D2Gr24kPOeBe_c4u0K28uAa0YQgxg3o1kVN-Glunf3TMFQF0w6Y6YsoGMGdJfbUwpAtCIcc3N1ERsuTArkohBwP6Vrzqyp7LtZyUxsI4X_9xniZBL7mFDppHOEIXCrdRY/s1600/View+over+Crystal+Lake+Medium+Web+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRxGW7l2or4D2Gr24kPOeBe_c4u0K28uAa0YQgxg3o1kVN-Glunf3TMFQF0w6Y6YsoGMGdJfbUwpAtCIcc3N1ERsuTArkohBwP6Vrzqyp7LtZyUxsI4X_9xniZBL7mFDppHOEIXCrdRY/s200/View+over+Crystal+Lake+Medium+Web+view.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View Over Crystal Lake by C.V. Lacroix</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some who have been to heaven have testified that the flowers and trees sing praises to God and give thanks to Him continually there. This is actually in the Bible. <br />
<br />
David said, “Bless the LORD, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the LORD, O my soul!” (Psa 103:22)<br />
<br />
In this verse, David is speaking to the works of the Lord, ordering them to bless the Lord. He does the same elsewhere in the Psalms, where he commands various things that God has created to praise Him. And he commanded all His works in all places in His dominion to do this, so that includes everything both in heaven and here on earth. <br />
<br />
The Hebrew word for “works” in this verse is “ma‛aśeh,” meaning here a “thing made, ware of making, possession, handiwork.” (Strongs). In other verses of Scripture this word is used to describe some of His handiwork, such as man, the heavens, the sun, moon, and stars.<br />
<br />
David said, “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.” (Psa 139:13-14). This psalm shows the wonderful work that man is, in the way that he is fearfully and wonderfully made by God.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vIMBNEbPy5Uh3NGhEs4zmDc1HT03FT9_OcNfOQadKYilZjT6v4_cd6HV284C4Zcn_WOGHllx6ZP5_yK7aTRj9icbXZ5qrEOK22ms2fohi8PEXnFHfglXqZjpHnPfPS_b_0SNzxjqUHU/s1600/Majestic+Sunset123+Medium+Web+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vIMBNEbPy5Uh3NGhEs4zmDc1HT03FT9_OcNfOQadKYilZjT6v4_cd6HV284C4Zcn_WOGHllx6ZP5_yK7aTRj9icbXZ5qrEOK22ms2fohi8PEXnFHfglXqZjpHnPfPS_b_0SNzxjqUHU/s200/Majestic+Sunset123+Medium+Web+view.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Majestic Sunset by C.V. Lacroix</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The heavens are also God’s works. David said, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;” (Psa 8:3; cf., Ps 102:25)<br />
<br />
Those very heavens that God made are telling of His glory. “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” (Psa 19:1)<br />
<br />
Not only the heavens, but everything that God has made on earth are His works and His possessions. David said, “O LORD, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; The earth is full of Your possessions. There is the sea, great and broad, In which are swarms without number, Animals both small and great.” (Psa 104:24-25)<br />
<br />
Sailors have seen His works in the ocean. “Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters; They have seen the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep.” (Psa 107:23-24)<br />
<br />
His works are great, splendid and majestic, and include what man calls “wonders,” such as the Seven Wonders of the World. “Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them. Splendid and majestic is His work, And His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonders to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and compassionate.” (Psa 111:2-4). Some of the His wonders include the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea off the Australian coast, Mount Everest, The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, the Parícutin volcano in Mexico, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, and the Amazon Rainforest.<br />
<br />
Indeed, all of His works give thanks to Him. “All Your works shall give thanks to You, O LORD, And Your godly ones shall bless You.” (Psa 145:10). All of His works include everything He has made in nature. So this verse shows that not only His godly ones will bless Him, but even all of His works of nature will give thanks to Him.<br />
<br />
Angels give praise to God, and so do the sun, moon, and stars. "Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created." (Psa 148:2-5). This is yet another example in Scripture where we see David speaking to the works of the Lord, commanding them to bless the Lord.<br />
<br />
We also see in other parts of Scripture where we can speak to God’s creation, such as when Jesus spoke to the fig tree and commanded it to never bear fruit again, and it withered (Mt 21:19; Mk 11:12-14,20-21). Another example is where Jesus said that we can speak to a mountain or a mulberry tree, commanding it to be taken up and thrown into the sea, and it will be done, as long as we have faith in God and believe that what we say is going to happen (Mk 11:22-24; Lk 17:5-6). He said these creations of God would surely obey us. So we can also speak to them like David did to the angels, the sun, moon, and stars, and command them to praise the Lord, being confident that they will do what we say.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkBlgzZZZTX5oD7F7w49SrvrivQRlCqec6esVUg65svJePxOuIDpjrNkqcO6kTnSdvU_4TM0T9WYUcNgcTpGZAHrcuDMQfq9sjs0ZFVWwUf24bTD1fcYLbEc2XUUbIWd8OEgjF7b7AyI/s1600/The+Bloom+of+Spring013+Medium+Web+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkBlgzZZZTX5oD7F7w49SrvrivQRlCqec6esVUg65svJePxOuIDpjrNkqcO6kTnSdvU_4TM0T9WYUcNgcTpGZAHrcuDMQfq9sjs0ZFVWwUf24bTD1fcYLbEc2XUUbIWd8OEgjF7b7AyI/s200/The+Bloom+of+Spring013+Medium+Web+view.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bloom of Spring by C.V.Lacroix</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not only the heavens but the earth and all that is in it praise the Lord, including the creatures of the sea, fire, hail, snow, clouds, wind, mountains, hills, trees, beasts, cattle, birds, and all people small and great, young and old. "Praise the LORD from the earth, Sea monsters and all deeps; Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word; Mountains and all hills; Fruit trees and all cedars; Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged fowl; Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth; Both young men and virgins; Old men and children. Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above earth and heaven." (Psa 148:7-13).<br />
<br />
Immediately after I was born again at age nineteen, while serving as a soldier in the US Army, I could see that the grass was greener and the sky was bluer than I had ever realized before, and when I heard the birds tweeting, I knew they were praising my Lord. It was like I had been dead all my life, and I was alive for the first time. Now I was experiencing life vividly in the kingdom of light, as it was intended to be.<br />
<br />
As I pointed out in the beginning of this article, Psalm 103:22 says that all of the Lord’s works are commanded to bless Him, which includes everything both in heaven and here on earth. In heaven there is nothing to hinder anyone from seeing and hearing His works giving Him praise and thanks. But I believe it is also happening on earth, even though we do not see it or hear it. As we have just read in Psalm 148, all of the created things we see on the earth below, in the depths of the sea, and in the heavens above are supposed to be praising the Lord, including non-human creatures and lifeless objects.<br />
<br />
Not only do they praise Him, but also because of all the sin and idolatry on the earth, all creation suffers and groans with earnest expectation, as it waits eagerly for the sons of God to be revealed.<br />
<br />
“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.” (Rom 8:19-22)<br />
<br />
It is subjected to futility until one day when it will be set free from slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. That glory will be revealed on the day of the Lord.<br />
<br />
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” (2Pe 3:10-13)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prepare the Way by C. V. Lacroix</td></tr>
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Then the Scripture will be fulfilled that says: "For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Isa 55:12). So when the Scripture says that mountains and hills will shout for joy to the Lord, and trees of the field will clap their hands to Him, it is literally true that they will do so. <br />
<br />
As I wrote in <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2015/01/james-agboola-revelation-of-heaven-and.html" target="_blank">James Agboola Revelation of Heaven and Hell</a>, brother James said of his experience in heaven, “The flowers there, you will see them going left and right, singing praises to God…You could see trees moving…Everything in the Kingdom of God are living things. There’s nothing dead. Everything you will see there [is] moving. If you see a mountain, it can move. It can talk. It can praise God.”<br />
<br />
Therefore, when the Scriptures say that all of His works everywhere in His dominion shall bless Him and give thanks to Him, it’s really true. The Kingdom of God is like this!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>, unless otherwise noted. The "View Over Crystal Lake", "Majestic Sunset," "The Bloom of Spring," and "Prepare the Way," paintings are by my seventeen-year old daughter, C.V. Lacroix. You can find more of her lovely, inspired artwork at <a href="http://a-brushwithlife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Brush with Life</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Author's note: </span>If you enjoyed
this post, please also read <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-kingdom-of-god-as-revealed-to-james.html">The Kingdom of God as Revealed to James Agboola</a>, <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2015/01/james-agboola-revelation-of-heaven-and.html" target="_blank">James Agboola Revelation of Heaven and Hell</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.hu/2013/05/michael-thomas-sambos-revelation-of.html" target="_blank">Michael Thomas Sambo's Revelation of Heaven and Hell</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2012/03/transfer-between-physical-and-spiritual.html" target="_blank">The Link Between Two Realms,</a> and <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2011/02/secret-kingdom.html">The Secret Kingdom</a>. You may access the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/home.html" target="_blank">Main Directory for The Kingdom of God is Like This</a>, and you may also my complete blog
directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" style="color: #3333ff;">Writing for the Master</a>."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
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_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission.
Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-24255578798545840312015-08-13T16:25:00.001-07:002021-03-27T14:28:54.617-07:00An Incomparable Inheritance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Let’s consider together the incomparable inheritance of the righteous in Christ. To inherit is “To possess; to enjoy; to take as a possession, by gift or divine appropriation.” (Webster’s Dictionary). Let’s find out from Scripture what the righteous will take as their possession, by gift or divine appropriation, to enjoy forever on account of Christ.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Kingdom of God</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXwVcsxg_5sAkQ6NfpUm59LcNu-zgnkmxE1uE3G2t3D-pWYTWhWCAPcv8j00N7FWcPCmJtjc1WLB0XGCn18vbaOObmkOXDIXS0z80aUUI7hBox1_JJc_jjB_PjrrKZndjrX_QABLBy0M/s1600/All+Hail+King+Jesus.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXwVcsxg_5sAkQ6NfpUm59LcNu-zgnkmxE1uE3G2t3D-pWYTWhWCAPcv8j00N7FWcPCmJtjc1WLB0XGCn18vbaOObmkOXDIXS0z80aUUI7hBox1_JJc_jjB_PjrrKZndjrX_QABLBy0M/s200/All+Hail+King+Jesus.png" width="200" /></a>First of all, the righteous in Christ will inherit the kingdom of God. "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, <u>inherit the kingdom</u> prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Mat 25:34)<br />
<br />
"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to <u>give you the kingdom</u>." (Luk 12:32)<br />
<br />
We will need a new, glorified body to enjoy the kingdom of God that we will inherit, since human flesh and blood will not inherit it. That's why we seek to attain to the resurrection of the dead (Phil 3:11). The apostle Paul said, “Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly. Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot <u>inherit the kingdom of God</u>; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and <u>the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality</u>.” (1Co 15:49-53)<br />
<br />
“Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and <u>heirs of the kingdom</u>, which He promised to those who love Him?” (Jas 2:5)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Promised Land</span><br />
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For the disciple of Christ, the Promised Land speaks of the kingdom of heaven, also known as the kingdom of God, our eternal dwelling place. The promises given to Israel belong to all God’s children scattered abroad, whom the Lord Jesus has gathered together into one.<br />
<br />
As the apostle John wrote about Caiaphas the high priest saying: “Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that <u>Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad</u>.” (Joh 11:51-52)<br />
<br />
As the apostle Paul wrote, “This mystery is that through the gospel <u>the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel</u>, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” (Eph 3:6, NIV)<br />
<br />
"Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants to whom You swore by Yourself, and said to them, 'I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens, and all this land of which I have spoken I will give to your descendants, and <u>they shall inherit it forever</u>.'" (Exo 32:13)<br />
<br />
“Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide in prosperity, And his descendants will <u>inherit the land</u>.” (Psa 25:12-13)<br />
<br />
“For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they <u>will inherit the land</u>.” (Psa 37:9)<br />
<br />
“But the humble will <u>inherit the land</u> And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.” (Psa 37:11)<br />
<br />
“For those blessed by Him <u>will inherit the land</u>, But those cursed by Him will be cut off.” (Psa 37:22)<br />
<br />
“Wait for the LORD and keep His way, And He will exalt you to <u>inherit the land</u>; When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.” (Psa 37:34)<br />
<br />
“For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah, That they may dwell there and possess it. <u>The descendants of His servants will inherit it, And those who love His name will dwell in it</u>.” (Psa 69:35-36)<br />
<br />
Thus says the LORD, "In a favorable time I have answered You, And in a day of salvation I have helped You; And I will keep You and give You for a covenant of the people, <u>To restore the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages</u>; (Isa 49:8)<br />
<br />
"When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry all of them up, And a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in Me will <u>inherit the land</u> And will possess My holy mountain." (Isa 57:13)<br />
<br />
"I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, And an heir of My mountains from Judah; <u>Even My chosen ones shall inherit it</u>, And My servants will dwell there. (Isa 65:9)<br />
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'For there will be peace for the seed: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce and the heavens will give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to <u>inherit all these things</u>. (Zec 8:12)<br />
<br />
"However, there will be no poor among you, since the LORD will surely bless you in <u>the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, if only you listen obediently to the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all this commandment which I am commanding you today</u>. (Deu 15:4-5)<br />
<br />
"So Moses swore on that day, saying, 'Surely <u>the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever</u>, because you have followed the LORD my God fully.' (Jos 14:9)<br />
<br />
“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to <u>a place which he was to receive for an inheritance</u>; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Heb 11:8)<br />
<br />
“The righteous will <u>inherit the land</u> And dwell in it forever.” (Psa 37:29)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Eternal Life</span><br />
The Scriptures say the righteous will inherit eternal life, and that will be forever. “The LORD knows the days of the blameless, And <u>their inheritance will be forever</u>.” (Psa 37:18)<br />
<br />
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and <u>will inherit eternal life</u>.” (Mat 19:29)<br />
<br />
As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, <u>what shall I do to inherit eternal life</u>?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. "You know the commandments, 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" (Mar 10:17-19)<br />
<br />
A ruler questioned Him, saying, "Good Teacher, <u>what shall I do to inherit eternal life</u>?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. "You know the commandments, 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.'" And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth." When Jesus heard this, He said to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." (Luk 18:18-22)<br />
<br />
And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, "Teacher, <u>what shall I do to inherit eternal life</u>?" And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live." (Luk 10:25-28)<br />
<br />
“So that being justified by His grace we would be made <u>heirs according to the hope of eternal life</u>.” (Tit 3:7)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Salvation</span><br />
The apostle Paul wrote about the angels, known as ministering spirits, sent to serve the heirs of salvation. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will <u>inherit salvation</u>?” (Heb 1:14)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Earth</span><br />
While the references to the Land the righteous will inherit refer to our eternal dwelling place in the kingdom of God, it is also true that the righteous will inherit the earth.<br />
<br />
Jesus said, "Blessed are the gentle, for <u>they shall inherit the earth</u>." (Mat 5:5)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Honor</span><br />
"He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with nobles, And <u>inherit a seat of honor</u>; For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, And He set the world on them. (1Sa 2:8)<br />
<br />
“The wise will <u>inherit honor</u>, But fools display dishonor.” (Pro 3:35)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Good</span><br />
“He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, But <u>the blameless will inherit good</u>.” (Pro 28:10)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">An Inheritance</span><br />
"And I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 'But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, <u>that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me</u>.' (Act 26:15-18)<br />
<br />
“For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, <u>those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance</u>.” (Heb 9:15)<br />
<br />
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain <u>an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you</u>,” (1Pe 1:3-4)<br />
<br />
“Also we have obtained <u>an inheritance</u>, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,” (Eph 1:11)<br />
<br />
“Giving thanks to <u>the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance</u> of the saints in Light.” (Col 1:12)<br />
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“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that <u>from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance</u>. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” (Col 3:23-24)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Blessing</span><br />
The apostle Peter wrote, “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for <u>you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing</u>.” (1Pe 3:8-9)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Holy Spirit of Promise is a Pledge </span><br />
“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, <u>you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance</u>, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Eph 1:13-14)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Lord</span><br />
“<u>The LORD is the portion of my inheritance</u> and my cup; You support my lot.” (Psa 16:5)<br />
<br />
Matthew Henry remarked about the Lord as our inheritance with these words:<br />
<br />
“Choosing the Lord for its portion and happiness. ‘Most men take the world for their chief good, and place their felicity in the enjoyments of it; but this I say, The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup, the portion I make choice of, and will gladly take up with, how poor soever my condition is in this world. <u>Let me have the love and favour of God, and be accepted of him; let me have the comfort of communion with God</u>, and satisfaction in the communications of his graces and comforts; let me have an interest in his promises, and a title by promise to everlasting life and happiness in the future state; and I have enough, I need no more, I desire no more, to complete my felicity.’ <u>Would we do well and wisely for ourselves, we must take God, in Christ, to be…the portion of our inheritance in the other world. Heaven is an inheritance. God himself is the inheritance of the saints there, whose everlasting bliss is to enjoy him. We must take that for our inheritance, our home, our rest, our lasting, everlasting, good</u>, and look upon this world to be no more ours than the country through which our road lies when we are on a journey.”<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">A New Heaven and A New Earth</span><br />
He who overcomes will inherit a new heaven and a new earth. The apostle John wrote, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.’ And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ And He said, ‘Write, for these words are faithful and true.’ Then He said to me, ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. <u>He who overcomes will inherit these things</u>, and I will be his God and he will be My son.’” (Rev 21:1-7)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Promises of God</span><br />
In Hebrews 6, the term “promises” refers to all that God promised Abraham.<br />
<br />
“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but <u>imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises</u>. For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, ‘I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.’ And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.” (Heb 6:11-15)<br />
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“For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.” (Gal 3:18)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Those in Christ Are Heirs with Him</span><br />
“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and <u>if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ</u>, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” (Rom 8:16-17). This says to me that whatever Christ inherits the righteous will inherit also. <br />
<br />
Matthew Henry also saw it the same way. He wrote:<br />
<br />
"Christ, as Mediator, is said to be the heir of all things (Heb 1:2), and <u>true believers, by virtue of their union with him, shall inherit all things, Rev 21:7. Those that now partake of the Spirit of Christ, as his brethren, shall, as his brethren, partake of his glory (Joh 17:24), shall sit down with him upon his throne, Rev 3:2</u>1. Lord, what is man, that thou shouldst thus magnify him! Now this future glory is further spoken of as the reward of present sufferings and as the accomplishment of present hopes."<br />
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“And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, <u>heirs according to promise</u>.” (Gal 3:29)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Inheritance of the Wicked and Foolish</span><br />
By way of contrast, it's worth mentioning what the wicked and foolish will inherit.<br />
<br />
"He who troubles his own house will <u>inherit wind</u>, And the foolish will be servant to the wisehearted." (Pro 11:29)<br />
<br />
"<u>The naive inherit foolishness</u>, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge." (Pro 14:18)<br />
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“For this you know with certainty, that <u>no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God</u>.” (Eph 5:5)<br />
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"Or do you not know that <u>the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God</u>? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." (1Co 6:9-10)<br />
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"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that <u>those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God</u>." (Gal 5:19-21)<br />
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"<u>See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau</u>, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you know that even afterwards, <u>when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears</u>." (Heb 12:15-17)<br />
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“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels'...Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Mt 25:41,46, NIV)<br />
<br />
"But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, <u>their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death</u>." (Rev 21:8)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Lord’s Inheritance</span><br />
The Scriptures say that the saints are the Lord’s inheritance.<br />
<br />
'Ask of Me, and <u>I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance</u>, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. (Psa 2:8)<br />
<br />
'I will abandon the remnant of <u>My inheritance</u> and deliver them into the hand of their enemies, and they will become as plunder and spoil to all their enemies; (2Ki 21:14)<br />
<br />
"Whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, 'Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel <u>My inheritance</u>.'" (Isa 19:25)<br />
<br />
"I brought you into the fruitful land To eat its fruit and its good things. But you came and defiled My land, And <u>My inheritance</u> you made an abomination. (Jer 2:7)<br />
<br />
"I have forsaken My house, I have abandoned <u>My inheritance</u>; I have given the beloved of My soul Into the hand of her enemies. (Jer 12:7)<br />
<br />
"<u>My inheritance</u> has become to Me Like a lion in the forest; She has roared against Me; Therefore I have come to hate her. (Jer 12:8)<br />
<br />
"Is <u>My inheritance</u> like a speckled bird of prey to Me? Are the birds of prey against her on every side? Go, gather all the beasts of the field, Bring them to devour!<br />
(Jer 12:9)<br />
<br />
"I will first doubly repay their iniquity and their sin, because they have polluted My land; they have filled <u>My inheritance</u> with the carcasses of their detestable idols and with their abominations." (Jer 16:18)<br />
<br />
I will gather all the nations And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there On behalf of My people and <u>My inheritance</u>, Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; And they have divided up My land. (Joe 3:2)<br />
<br />
"Terror and dread fall upon them; By the greatness of Your arm they are motionless as stone; Until Your people pass over, O LORD, Until the people pass over whom You have purchased. "You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of <u>Your inheritance</u>, The place, O LORD, which You have made for Your dwelling, The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established. "The LORD shall reign forever and ever." (Exo 15:16-18)<br />
<br />
"I prayed to the LORD and said, 'O Lord GOD, do not destroy Your people, even <u>Your inheritance</u>, whom You have redeemed through Your greatness, whom You have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. (Deu 9:26)<br />
<br />
'Yet they are <u>Your people, even Your inheritance</u>, whom You have brought out by Your great power and Your outstretched arm.' (Deu 9:29)<br />
<br />
(for they are <u>Your people and Your inheritance</u> which You have brought forth from Egypt, from the midst of the iron furnace), (1Ki 8:51)<br />
<br />
"For <u>You have separated them from all the peoples of the earth as Your inheritance</u>, as You spoke through Moses Your servant, when You brought our fathers forth from Egypt, O Lord GOD." (1Ki 8:53)<br />
<br />
"Save Your people and bless <u>Your inheritance</u>; Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever." (Psa 28:9)<br />
<br />
"You shed abroad a plentiful rain, O God; You confirmed <u>Your inheritance</u> when it was parched." (Psa 68:9)<br />
<br />
"Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, Which You have redeemed to be the tribe of <u>Your inheritance</u>; And this Mount Zion, where You have dwelt." (Psa 74:2)<br />
<br />
“O God, the nations have invaded <u>Your inheritance</u>; They have defiled Your holy temple; They have laid Jerusalem in ruins.” (Psa 79:1)<br />
<br />
"That I may see the prosperity of Your chosen ones, That I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, That I may glory with <u>Your inheritance</u>." (Psa 106:5)<br />
<br />
Let the priests, the LORD'S ministers, Weep between the porch and the altar, And let them say, "Spare Your people, O LORD, And do not make <u>Your inheritance</u> a reproach, A byword among the nations. Why should they among the peoples say, 'Where is their God?'" (Joel 2:17).<br />
<br />
"For the LORD'S portion is His people; Jacob is the allotment of <u>His inheritance</u>.” (Deu 32:9)<br />
<br />
"Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on his head, kissed him and said, 'Has not the LORD anointed you a ruler over <u>His inheritance</u>?'" (1Sa 10:1)<br />
<br />
"He also delivered His people to the sword, And was filled with wrath at <u>His inheritance</u>." (Psa 78:62)<br />
<br />
"From the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel <u>His inheritance</u>." (Psa 78:71)<br />
<br />
"For the LORD will not abandon His people, Nor will He forsake <u>His inheritance</u>." (Psa 94:14)<br />
<br />
"Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against His people And He abhorred <u>His inheritance</u>." (Psa 106:40)<br />
<br />
"The portion of Jacob is not like these; For the Maker of all is He, And Israel is the tribe of <u>His inheritance</u>; The LORD of hosts is His name." (Jer 10:16)<br />
<br />
"The portion of Jacob is not like these; For the Maker of all is He, And of the tribe of <u>His inheritance</u>; The LORD of hosts is His name." (Jer 51:19)<br />
<br />
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are <u>the riches of the glory of His inheritance</u> in the saints," (Eph 1:18)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
All who are in Christ are fellow heirs with Him, and we are His inheritance. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble; that there be no immoral or godless person among you. For such people do not inherit the kingdom of God. Rather let’s imitate those who through faith and patience inherit all that God has promised the righteous, including salvation, the earth, honor, good, eternal life, the kingdom of God, also known as the kingdom of heaven, the Holy Spirit, and even the Lord Himself.<span style="font-size: small;"> What an incomparable inheritance!<br />
<br />
<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>, unless otherwise noted. Other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/#copy" target="_blank">New International Version® NIV</a>®, where noted. The "All Hail King Jesus" painting © 2012 is by <a href="http://www.inspired-art.com" target="_blank">Danny Hahlbohm</a>, all rights
reserved by the artist. The "View Over Crystal Lake" and "River of Delights" paintings are by my seventeen-year old daughter, C.V. Lacroix. You can enjoy more of her lovely artwork at <a href="http://a-brushwithlife.blogspot.com/2014/01/why-this-blog.html" target="_blank">A Brush with Life</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Author's note: </span>If you enjoyed
this post, please also read </span><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-kingdom-of-god-as-revealed-to-james.html"><span style="font-size: small;">The Kingdom of </span>God as Revealed to James Agboola</a>, <a href="http://miraculoussurvivals.blogspot.com/2013/11/angelic-escape-from-terrorist-assassins.html">Angelic Escape from Terrorist Assassins</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2015/03/gabriel-doufle-kokou-testimony-of.html" target="_blank">Gabriel Doufle Kokou Testimony of Heaven and Hell</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2013/12/linda-ngaujah-revelation-of-heaven-and.html" target="_blank">Linda Ngaujah Revelation of Heaven and Hell</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.hu/2013/05/michael-thomas-sambos-revelation-of.html" target="_blank">Michael Thomas Sambo's Revelation of Heaven and Hell</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2012/03/transfer-between-physical-and-spiritual.html" target="_blank">The Link Between Two Realms,</a> and <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2011/02/secret-kingdom.html">The Secret Kingdom</a>. You may access the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/home.html" target="_blank">Main Directory for The Kingdom of God is Like This</a>, and you may also my complete blog
directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" style="color: #3333ff;">Writing for the Master</a>."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
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_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission.
Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-45170145770206981112015-07-18T14:41:00.000-07:002019-01-12T12:35:45.423-08:00The Sudden Nature of God's KingdomHave you ever noticed the sudden nature of God's kingdom? Things happen so suddenly! In other words, they occur in an unexpected manner without preparation. So I thought it would be good to look at that in the Word together with you, because it's very encouraging and edifying. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">God Suddenly Speaks</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFe57zy513mHED9jVIr5Zbte9fXOL4McUKuNz7syoJQBJfsWg9x3qiZL2Ya7reag60Uvx7Rzz8S2uJpf0jGmgDTF0GHgSdorWy2GnfBHESo2P2qdewTp1gd9sLRM0WPJ5HGpynkMGHtA/s1600/Jesus%2527+Shining+Face031+Medium+Web+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFe57zy513mHED9jVIr5Zbte9fXOL4McUKuNz7syoJQBJfsWg9x3qiZL2Ya7reag60Uvx7Rzz8S2uJpf0jGmgDTF0GHgSdorWy2GnfBHESo2P2qdewTp1gd9sLRM0WPJ5HGpynkMGHtA/s200/Jesus%2527+Shining+Face031+Medium+Web+view.jpg" width="155" /></a>First of all, the Lord speaks suddenly.<br />
<br />
“<u>Suddenly the LORD said</u> to Moses and Aaron and to Miriam, ‘You three come out to the tent of meeting.’ So the three of them came out.” (Num 12:4)<br />
<br />
"Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and <u>behold, a voice out of the cloud said, 'This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!</u>' When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified." (Mat 17:1-6)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">God Acts Suddenly</span><br />
Not only does God speak suddenly, but He also acts suddenly.<br />
<br />
"I declared the former things long ago And they went forth from My mouth, and I proclaimed them. <u>Suddenly I acted</u>, and they came to pass.” (Isa 48:3)<br />
<br />
“<u>Suddenly</u> the fingers of a man's hand emerged and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, and the king saw the back of the hand that did the writing.” (Dan 5:5)<br />
<br />
“And <u>suddenly</u> there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.” (Act 2:2)<br />
<br />
“As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and <u>suddenly</u> a light from heaven flashed around him;” (Act 9:3; cf. 22:6)<br />
<br />
“And <u>suddenly</u> there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened.” (Act 16:26)<br />
<br />
"And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, <u>the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him</u>, but went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea." (Act 8:38-40)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Temple Restored Suddenly</span><br />
When the people of Israel rebuilt the temple after their exile, it was restored suddenly, because God's hand was with them in it. “Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced over what God had prepared for the people, because the thing came about <u>suddenly</u>.” (2Ch 29:36)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Calamity Comes Upon the Wicked Suddenly</span><br />
I think it's also worthwhile to note how calamity also come suddenly upon the wicked.<br />
<br />
"Why do the wicked still live, Continue on, also become very powerful? …They spend their days in prosperity, And <u>suddenly</u> they go down to Sheol [Hell].” (Job 21:7,13)<br />
<br />
“I myself have seen a fool taking root, but <u>suddenly</u> his house was cursed.” (Job 5:3, NIV)<br />
<br />
“But God will shoot them with his arrows; they will <u>suddenly</u> be struck down.” (Psa 64:7, NIV)<br />
<br />
“How <u>suddenly</u> are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!” (Ps 73:19, NIV)<br />
<br />
“Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will <u>suddenly</u> be destroyed—without remedy.” (Pro 29:1, NIV)<br />
<br />
“A worthless person, a wicked man, Is the one who walks with a perverse mouth, Who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, Who points with his fingers; Who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil, Who spreads strife. Therefore his calamity will come <u>suddenly</u>; Instantly he will be broken and there will be no healing.” (Pro 6:12-15)<br />
<br />
“My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change, For their calamity will rise <u>suddenly</u>, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?” (Pro 24:21-22)<br />
<br />
“Moreover, man does not know his time: like fish caught in a treacherous net and birds trapped in a snare, so the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it <u>suddenly</u> falls on them.” (Ecc 9:12)<br />
<br />
“But the multitude of your enemies will become like fine dust, And the multitude of the ruthless ones like the chaff which blows away; And it will happen instantly, <u>suddenly</u>.” (Isa 29:5)<br />
<br />
“Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, ‘Since you have rejected this word And have put your trust in oppression and guile, and have relied on them, Therefore this iniquity will be to you Like a breach about to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose collapse comes <u>suddenly</u> in an instant…’” (Isa 30:12-13)<br />
<br />
"But these two things will come on you <u>suddenly</u> in one day: Loss of children and widowhood. They will come on you in full measure In spite of your many sorceries, In spite of the great power of your spells.” (Isa 47:9)<br />
<br />
"But evil will come on you Which you will not know how to charm away; And disaster will fall on you For which you cannot atone; And destruction about which you do not know Will come on you <u>suddenly</u>.” (Isa 47:11)<br />
<br />
"Will not your creditors rise up <u>suddenly</u>, And those who collect from you awaken? Indeed, you will become plunder for them.” (Hab 2:7)<br />
<br />
“Disaster on disaster is proclaimed, For the whole land is devastated; <u>Suddenly</u> my tents are devastated, My curtains in an instant.” (Jer 4:20)<br />
<br />
“O daughter of my people, put on sackcloth And roll in ashes; Mourn as for an only son, A lamentation most bitter. For <u>suddenly</u> the destroyer Will come upon us.” (Jer 6:26)<br />
<br />
"Their widows will be more numerous before Me Than the sand of the seas; I will bring against them, against the mother of a young man, A destroyer at noonday; I will <u>suddenly</u> bring down on her Anguish and dismay.” (Jer 15:8)<br />
<br />
“May an outcry be heard from their houses, When You <u>suddenly</u> bring raiders upon them; For they have dug a pit to capture me And hidden snares for my feet.” (Jer 18:22)<br />
<br />
“<u>Suddenly</u> Babylon has fallen and been broken; Wail over her! Bring balm for her pain; Perhaps she may be healed.” (Jer 51:8)<br />
<br />
“While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then destruction will come upon them <u>suddenly</u> like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.” (1Th 5:3)<br />
<br />
The fact that calamities come so suddenly upon the wicked should be a deterrent against wickedness among God's people. It should put the fear of the Lord into our hearts, so that we avoid joining in with the wicked in their deeds and avoid friendship with the world.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Trials and Hardships May Come Suddenly</span><br />
However, being righteous does not mean your life will be free from sudden trials or hardships. Quite the contrary. Suffering is a normal part of our walk with God. Just look at Job:<br />
<br />
“While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, ‘Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when <u>suddenly</u> a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!’” (Job 1:18-19, NIV)<br />
<br />
Likewise, the disciples encountered their share of sudden trials, even while the Lord was right there with them. “<u>Suddenly</u> a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.” (Mt 8:24, NIV)<br />
<br />
"Beloved, <u>do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;</u> but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation." (1Pe 4:12-13)<br />
<br />
“For <u>it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God</u>; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if <u>it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved</u>, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?” (1Pe 4:17-18)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sin Happens Suddenly</span><br />
In light of what Peter said about judgment beginning with the house of God in the form of fiery trials coming upon us to test us, we should avoid sin in all its many forms. Otherwise, if you are not careful, it can happen suddenly.<br />
<br />
“With her many persuasions she entices him; With her flattering lips she seduces him. <u>Suddenly</u> he follows her As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, Until an arrow pierces through his liver; As a bird hastens to the snare, So he does not know that it will cost him his life.” (Pro 7:21-23).<br />
<br />
That why we should pray that we will not be led into temptation, which is something the enemy desires to do in our lives. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Evil spirits Manifest and Attack Suddenly</span><br />
Just as sin happens suddenly, it's also true that evil spirits manifest and attack suddenly.<br />
<br />
“They shoot from ambush at the innocent; they shoot <u>suddenly</u>, without fear.” (Ps 64:4, NIV)<br />
<br />
“And a spirit seizes him, and he <u>suddenly</u> screams, and it throws him into a convulsion with foaming at the mouth; and only with difficulty does it leave him, mauling him as it leaves.” (Luk 9:39)<br />
<br />
We battle not against flesh and blood, but against evil at many levels of the kingdom of darkness. For every sin, there is a demon by that same name. And when you commit a sin, you open yourself up to being a pathway for the devil.<br />
<br />
The devil and his demons are determined to take mankind down to hell. Therefore, be on your guard. Be vigilant. Peter wrote, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.
Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking
someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the
same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren
who are in the world." (1Pe 5:8-9)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Holy Angels Appear and Disappear Suddenly</span><br />
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If you are walking in the light as Jesus Christ is in the light, then you can be encouraged by the fact that you have a host of unseen, angelic forces around you protecting you. Those who are with us are more than those who are with the enemy. They usually don't appear, but when they do, it usually happens suddenly.<br />
<br />
"Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, 'Alas, my master! What shall we do?' So he answered, 'Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' Then Elisha prayed and said, 'O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.' And <u>the LORD opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire</u> all around Elisha." (2Ki 6:15-17)<br />
<br />
When the Lord took Elijah from Elisha, it happened suddenly that a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared. “As they were walking along and talking together, <u>suddenly</u> a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.” (2 Ki 2:11, NIV)<br />
<br />
“And an angel of the Lord <u>suddenly</u> stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.” (Luk 2:9)<br />
<br />
“And <u>suddenly</u> there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’" (Luk 2:13-14)<br />
<br />
“While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men <u>suddenly</u> stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living One among the dead?’” (Luk 24:4-5)<br />
<br />
“Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. <u>Suddenly</u> a man in shining clothes stood before me…” (Ac 10:30, NIV)<br />
<br />
“And behold, an angel of the Lord <u>suddenly</u> appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and woke him up, saying, "Get up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands.” (Act 12:7)<br />
<br />
“They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, <u>suddenly</u> the angel left him.” (Ac 12:10, NIV)<br />
<br />
“They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when <u>suddenly</u> two men dressed in white stood beside them." (Act 1:10, NIV)<br />
<br />
It was rather suddenly that an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, when the apostles were heading back to Jerusalem from Samaria. He was instructed to go in a different direction.<br />
<br />
"So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. But <u>an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip</u> saying, 'Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.' (This is a desert road.)" (Act 8:25-26)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Visions and Revelations May End Suddenly</span><br />
On the Mount of Transfiguration that I mentioned already, the disciples saw Elijah and Moses talking with Jesus enveloped by a white cloud. Then just as suddenly as it began, it ended when Elijah and Moses disappeared. “<u>Suddenly</u>, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.” (Mk 9:8, NIV). That's the nature of visions and revelations the Lord gives to His people. They can end suddenly, like being disconnected from a phone call.<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Lord Appears Suddenly</span><br />
Even more wonderful than angels appearing suddenly is the fact that the Lord Himself can appear suddenly to anyone at any time, and He still does so today. “<u>Suddenly</u> Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.” (Mt 28:9, NIV).<br />
<br />
While I have not yet had that privilege, I know others who have, and hope to one day see Him myself.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Lord Will Come Suddenly</span><br />
Lastly, I want to remind you that the Lord is coming right away. He is coming quickly. And when it happens, it will be suddenly.<br />
<br />
"’Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And <u>the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come</u> to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, <u>behold, He is coming</u>,’" says the LORD of hosts.” (Mal 3:1)<br />
<br />
"And he said to me, 'These words are faithful and true'; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place. 'And <u>behold, I am coming quickly</u>. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.'" (Rev 22:6-7)<br />
<br />
"Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you <u>suddenly</u> like a trap;” (Luk 21:34)<br />
<br />
"Therefore, be on the alert--for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning-- in case he should come <u>suddenly</u> and find you asleep. "What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!'" (Mar 13:35-37)<br />
<br />
The sudden nature of God's kingdom requires that we remain on the alert. <span style="font-size: small;">Let us be found watching.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>, unless otherwise noted. Other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/#copy" target="_blank">New International Version® NIV</a>®, where noted. The "Jesus' Shining Face" and "Daddy and His Guardian Angel" illustrations (</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">which </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">have both been retouched electronically)</span></span>, as well as "Thou Art Worthy", </span><span style="font-size: small;">were made by my seventeen-year old daughter, C.V. Lacroix. You can find more of her lovely, inspired artwork at <a href="http://a-brushwithlife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Brush with Life</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">Author's note: </span><span style="font-size: small;">If you enjoyed
this post, please also read </span><a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-kingdom-of-god-as-revealed-to-james.html"><span style="font-size: small;">The Kingdom of </span>God as Revealed to James Agboola</a>, <a href="http://miraculoussurvivals.blogspot.com/2013/11/angelic-escape-from-terrorist-assassins.html">Angelic Escape from Terrorist Assassins</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.hu/2013/05/michael-thomas-sambos-revelation-of.html" target="_blank">Michael Thomas Sambo's Revelation of Heaven and Hell</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2012/03/transfer-between-physical-and-spiritual.html" target="_blank">The Link Between Two Realms,</a> and <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2011/02/secret-kingdom.html">The Secret Kingdom</a>. You may access the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/home.html" target="_blank">Main Directory for The Kingdom of God is Like This</a>, and you may also my complete blog
directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" style="color: #3333ff;">Writing for the Master</a>."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-1453182284639515802015-05-28T19:32:00.000-07:002017-07-25T13:10:56.148-07:00A Time for Everything<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seasonal Reflections </td></tr>
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We learn from Scripture that “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity…” (Eccl. 3:1-3). Notice it says a time for everything, and then separately it refers to a season for every activity. That's what I want to talk to you about today.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">A Time for Miracles</span> <br />
Jesus said a lot about time. There is a time for us to be involved in miracles. Jesus replied, “Dear woman, why do you involve me? <u>My time has not yet come</u>.” (Jn. 2:4). Then he proceeded to turn the water to wine, his first miracle. <br />
<br />
There’s also a time to be healed, a time to plant, a time to laugh. Timing is the key to every miracle. One Friday, one of our elders named Bob had a bad fall. This was the seventh time he had fallen in recent years. He hurt his neck and wrist and was limping. That night, a brother named Jeremiah was visiting and he prayed for Bob, who was then miraculously healed without any more pain. This was the Lord’s timing, that His glory might be revealed.<br />
<br />
Remember that Lazarus fell ill and Jesus was told about it. Then Lazarus died, and Jesus showed up four days later in the timing of the Lord. It seemed like Jesus was too late and had missed the opportunity to heal Lazarus. Yet Jesus raised him from the dead, and the glory of the Lord was revealed.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Harvest Time</span> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Grain Harvest</td></tr>
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There is a time for souls to be harvested. "Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the <u>time</u><b> </b>of the harvest I will say to the reapers, 'First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.'" (Mat 13:30)<br />
<br />
“Do you not say, ‘Four more months and then the harvest? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields. They are ripe for harvest!” (Jn 4:35). The Lord wants to teach us to observe with the eyes of our spirit from moment to moment, and see things as God sees them, rather than the way they appear in the natural realm. <br />
<br />
There is a designated time to do the Lord's work. Jesus said, "We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work." (Joh 9:4). As long as it is day, we must work the works of the Lord, because the night is coming when no man can work. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Understanding the Times</span> <br />
Jesus said, “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as the twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.” (Mk 13:28). We need to develop a similar ability to understand the times by what we see, hear, and sense in our spirit.<br />
<br />
There are various times and seasons that occur on God's timeline. Some people don't believe there is any such thing as dispensations, but it is right in the Bible. For example, there is the time of God's favor, which we are currently in. "For he
says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I
helped you.' I tell you, now is <u>the time of God's favor</u>, now is the day
of salvation." (2 Cor 6:2).<br />
<br />
There is also "the times of the Gentiles." Jesus said, "They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the <u>times of the Gentiles</u> are fulfilled." (Lk 21:24, NIV). The times of the Gentiles began with the salvation of Cornelius and his household in Acts 10, and it continues until it is fulfilled at a future date that is soon approaching.<br />
<br />
There is the time of Jacob's trouble. Jeremiah said, "How awful that day will be! No other will be like it. It will be <u>a time of trouble for Jacob</u>, but he will be saved out of it." (Je 30:7, NIV). This is also called the time of punishment. "For this is <u>the time of punishment</u> in fulfillment of all that has been written." (Luk 21:22, NIV). This period runs concurrent with the time of great distress, known as the Great Tribulation. "For then there will be <u>great distress</u>, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again." (Mt 24:21). This period will last for a time, times, and a half time, during which the antichrist will reign on earth.<br />
<br />
"He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for <u>a time, times and half a time</u>." (Dan 7:25, NIV).<br />
<br />
"The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, 'It will be for <u>a time, times and half a time</u>. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.'” (Dan 12:7, NIV).<br />
<br />
"When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for <u>a time, times and half a time</u>, out of the serpent’s reach. Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus." (Rev 12:14-17, NIV)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">A Time to Be Persecuted</span><br />
Jesus warned us in advance that a time will come for us to be persecuted. "They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but <u>an hour is coming</u> for <u>everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God</u>…But these things I have spoken to you, so that <u>when their hour comes</u>, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. (Joh 16:2,4) <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">A Time for True Worship</span> <br />
Jesus said, “Woman, believe Me, <u>an hour is coming</u> when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father…But <u>an hour is coming, and now is</u>, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.” (Joh 4:21,23). There was even timing for this juncture in the history of mankind when the nature of worship would be changed.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">A Time for Plain Talk</span> <br />
Jesus said, “A <u>time</u><b> </b>is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.” (Jn 16:25). There is a time for receiving clear revelation of the Father. In fact, immediately after He said that, His disciples realized He was no longer speaking to them figuratively, but plainly.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus' Entire Life Happened on God's Schedule</span><br />
There was a time for Jesus to be born. Paul said that God sent His Son “when the time had fully come.” (Galatians 4:4). There was a time for Jesus to begin preaching. Jesus came preaching the gospel of God and saying, "The <u>time</u><b> </b>is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mar 1:15). The word for time is “kairos”, meaning “set or proper time, season, or time.”<br />
<br />
Whenever His enemies tried to seize Him, before it was time for Him to be crucified, they were unable to do so. “So they were seeking to seize Him; and no man laid his hand on Him, because <u>His hour had not yet come</u>.” (Joh 7:30) <br />
<br />
“These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one seized Him, because <u>His hour had not yet come</u>.” (Joh 8:20)<br />
<br />
Jesus brothers were going up to the Feast and asked Jesus if He was coming with them. “So Jesus said to them, ‘<u>My time is not yet here</u>, but your time is always opportune…Go up to the feast yourselves; I do not go up to this feast because <u>My time has not yet fully come</u>.’" (Joh 7:6,8). As children of God, not just any time is right. There is a right time that we must wait for.<br />
<br />
There was Jerusalem's "time of visitation" when God visited the city through His Son Jesus Christ. However, they did not recognize it. He said, "You did not recognize <u>the time of your visitation</u>." (Luk 19:44b)<br />
<br />
The Lord knew when the hour had come for Him to glorify God by giving His life on the cross for the sins of the world. “And Jesus answered them, saying, ‘<u>The hour has come</u> for the Son of Man to be glorified.’” (Joh 12:23).<br />
<br />
"Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from <u>this hour</u>'? But for this purpose <u>I came to this hour</u>. Father, glorify Your name. Then a voice came out of heaven: ‘I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.’" (Joh 12:27-28)<br />
<br />
“Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, ‘Father, <u>the hour has come</u>; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You…’” (Joh 17:1)<br />
<br />
There was a time for Him to be betrayed. He said, “Look, <u>the hour is near</u> and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.” (Mt 26:45; cf. Mk 14:41). There was a time for Jesus to be handed over to be crucified. Jesus knew it would be “during the Passover.” (Mt 26:2). <br />
<br />
He told the disciples, “Now is your time of grief.” (Jn 16:22). There was a time for His disciples to grieve for Him. There was even a time for Peter’s denial of Christ. It was to happen “this very night before the rooster crows.” (Mt 26:34). The Lord even knows in advance when we will stray and disobey. <br />
<br />
He knew when the hour had come for all His disciples to be scattered. "Behold, <u>an hour is coming</u>, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” (Joh 16:32).<br />
<br />
Jesus also knew the time He would rise from the dead would be on the third day. (Mk 10:34).<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Time of His Return</span> <br />
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Jesus said regarding the timing of His future return, “Be on guard. Be alert. You do not know when that <u>time</u><b> </b>will come.” (Mk 13:33).<br />
<br />
"For this reason you also must be ready; for <u>the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will</u>.” (Mat 24:44)<br />
<br />
"But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. "You too, be ready; for <u>the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect</u>." (Luk 12:39-40)<br />
<br />
Just as there were the days of Moses, the days of Noah, and the days of Elijah, there will be <u>the days of the Son of Man</u>, when Jesus returns. And He said to the disciples, "The days will come when you will long to see one of <u>the days of the Son of Man</u>, and you will not see it. "They will say to you, 'Look there! Look here!' Do not go away, and do not run after them. "For just like the lightning, when it flashes out of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky, so will <u>the Son of Man be in His day</u>. But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. "And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in <u>the days of the Son of Man</u>." (Luk 17:22-26).<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Millenium</span><br />
Another time period
mentioned in the Scriptures, which is yet future and takes place on earth is called
"the thousand years." Since the word millenium means a thousand years, many people refer to this period as "The Millenium." It is spoken of in the prophets, as well as the book of Revelation.<br />
<br />
"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time. Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for <u>a thousand years</u>. When <u>the thousand years</u> are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Rev 20:1-10)<br />
<br />
As the Scripture says, Christ will reign during "the thousand years" period, and so shall the one who has part in the first resurrection. The Scripture speaks of "the thousand years" eventually being completed.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Opportunities to Serve and the Judgment Day</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZQQjRvf1-wuqxkY7neyMW2Msl9b5EPAxv-mlUwU_6V4q8nchsg8jtqL81DXyg6xqmP5vy8zPZrmtfJ3ucj_QZQPNagn_j8IMmyewzp_q8tO0Kw7y1dPyrFToSc4oMWPXRiG8aT1KVXI/s1600/Good+Samaritan+Painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZQQjRvf1-wuqxkY7neyMW2Msl9b5EPAxv-mlUwU_6V4q8nchsg8jtqL81DXyg6xqmP5vy8zPZrmtfJ3ucj_QZQPNagn_j8IMmyewzp_q8tO0Kw7y1dPyrFToSc4oMWPXRiG8aT1KVXI/s200/Good+Samaritan+Painting.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Good Samaritan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We all face the tyranny of the urgent in our lives each day. It could be a phone call or an errand. We are often distracted and detoured to the right or the left by the seemingly urgent, and skip what’s important to God. When we do so, we miss the Lord’s timing. Instead we need to avoid those distractions and give priority to what God is doing.<br />
<br />
When do we do these things that are important to God? The righteous will ask this same question on the judgment day, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and cloth you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” They wanted to know the times when they had obeyed. Jesus replies, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Mt 25:37-40).<br />
<br />
Likewise, the wicked will ask Him when they had failed to do these things. He will tell them that whatever they did not do for the least of these brothers of His, they did not do for Him.<br />
<br />
"Truly, truly, I say to you, <u>an hour is coming and now is</u>, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live…Do not marvel at this; for <u>an hour is coming</u>, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; <u>those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment</u>.” (Joh 5:25,28-29) <br />
<br />
During our lives on earth, the Lord gives us opportunities to repent and opportunities to obey. There are <u>times</u><b> </b>of refreshing that come from the Lord’s presence when we repent and turn to the Lord. (Acts 3:19).<br />
<br />
We as servants of the Lord must perform our duties at the proper time. And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper <u>time</u>?" (Luk 12:42)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">God's Set Schedule</span><br />
Both dates and times are on God’s set schedule. Just before Jesus ascended to heaven, the apostles asked Him if He was at that time going to restore the kingdom to Israel. “Then they gathered around him and asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know the <u>times</u><b> </b>or <u>dates</u><b> </b>the Father has set by His own authority.’” (Acts 1:6-7, NIV). In this verse, the word “times” is “kairos,” and the word “dates” is “chronos” meaning “a fixed or special occasion; or interval; an individual opportunity; season, space, time, while.”<br />
<br />
We don’t usually get advance notice of when these things will happen. Yet in both our actions and our postponements, we may either obey or compromise. While it is not for us to know the times or dates the Father has set, we are still supposed to operate in the timing of the Lord, in step with the Lord, and in the peace of God. (Galatians 5:25).<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Age to Come</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VL7tYUdm1S5CaKmfUwzxsE0kvPagX885jT86_2d5Ne969TZKXLPqLH6U9p-JLyrnGOo-qMkvZqwxmuCb811ZuZNhDVyArq_IqBGSB9rdX3ZW_Q-hLw0x_eQneEwewqnIb4ghYGwOGK8/s1600/All+Hail+King+Jesus.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VL7tYUdm1S5CaKmfUwzxsE0kvPagX885jT86_2d5Ne969TZKXLPqLH6U9p-JLyrnGOo-qMkvZqwxmuCb811ZuZNhDVyArq_IqBGSB9rdX3ZW_Q-hLw0x_eQneEwewqnIb4ghYGwOGK8/s200/All+Hail+King+Jesus.png" width="200" /></a></div>
I have already mentioned that there are biblical references to
various dispensations on God's timeline. One of them that I did not yet
mention specifically is a future period, called "the renewal of all
things" or "the regeneration." In the account of the incident when His
disciples asked what their reward would be, since they had left
everything to follow Him, Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at <u>the renewal of all things</u>,
when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed
me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or
mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred
times as much and will inherit eternal life." (Mt 19:28-29, NIV).<br />
<br />
The
Greek word for "the renewal of all things" is "paliggenesia", meaning
"Rebirth (the state or the act), that is, (figuratively) spiritual
renovation; specifically Messianic restoration: - regeneration."
(Strongs). The New American Standard Bible and some other versions
translate this as "regeneration" in the verse above. The Lord said this
regeneration would occur "when the Son of Man sits on his glorious
throne." Luke's gospel records this same exchange between Jesus and His
disciples as follows:<br />
<br />
And He said to them, "Truly I say
to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or
parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not
receive many times as much at this time and in <u>the age to come</u>, eternal life." (Luk 18:29-30).<br />
<br />
Here
in Luke's account, Jesus referred to "the renewal of all things" as
"the age to come". The word for “age” in this verse is “aion,” meaning
“perpetuity (also past); age, course, eternal, (for) ever, ever.”
(Strongs). In that "age to come", all things will be renewed for the
righteous, and we will inherit eternal life. As the Scripture says:<br />
<br />
"Then I saw <u>a new heaven and a new earth</u>; for <u>the first heaven and the first earth passed away</u>,
and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for
her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, 'Behold,
the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and
they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He
will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be
any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the
first things have passed away.' And He who sits on the throne said, '<u>Behold, I am making all things new</u>.' And He said, 'Write, for these words are faithful and true.'" (Rev 21:1-5)<br />
<br />
Therefore,
this renewal of all things is an age yet to come, when Jesus Christ
sits on His glorious throne. Our Lord and His Christ will reign forever
and ever, and His kingdom will have no end (Lk 1:33; Rev. 11:15; Exo.
15:18; Psa. 146:10; Mic. 4:7). How can we begin to grasp eternity or
measure it? In heaven there is no time, but rather ages. One age
follows another as God’s program unfolds and His kingdom is advanced,
and it goes on for eternity.<br />
<br />
Every day that we are
given to remain alive on this earth is God's grace to us. It's another
opportunity to serve, another opportunity to repent, and another
opportunity to obey. Let's make the most of every opportunity with the
Lord's help, practicing righteousness, holiness, and truth, so that we
may dwell with Him throughout eternity. Jesus Christ is the one and only
Way to heaven. There is no other way but through Him.<br />
<br />
<i>Attribution notice</i>: <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>. Most other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/#copy" target="_blank">New International Version® NIV</a>®, "The Good Samaritan" by Dan Burr of <a href="http://www.danburr.com/" target="_blank">Dan Burr Illustration</a> copyright 2013 used by permission. "Golden Grain Harvest" and "Seasonal Reflections" illustrations by my sixteen-year old daughter, C.V. Lacroix. You can find more of her artwork at <a href="http://a-brushwithlife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Brush with Life</a>. "Time is At Hand" and "All Hail King Jesus" paintings © 2012 <a href="http://www.inspired-art.com/inspiredartworks/home.html" target="_blank">Danny Hahlbohm</a>, all rights reserved by the artist.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Author's note:</span> If you enjoyed this article, I also recommend <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2016/08/times-and-epochs-father-has-determined.html" target="_blank">Times ans Epochs the Father Has Determined</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-kingdom-of-god-as-revealed-to-james.html" target="_blank">The Kingdom of God as Revealed to James Agboola</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2012/03/transfer-between-physical-and-spiritual.html" target="_blank">The Link Between Two Realms</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.hu/2014/11/michael-shigabas-end-time-message-for.html" target="_blank">Michael Shigaba's End Time Message for Mankind</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2015/01/sequence-of-signs-preceding-coming-of.html" target="_blank">Sequence of Signs Preceding the Coming of Christ</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2015/02/synching-up-seven-seals-with-gospels.html" target="_blank">Synching Up the Seven Seals with the Gospels</a> <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.com/2014/01/rapture-revelation-to-angelica-zambrano.html" target="_blank">Rapture Revelation to Angelica Zambrano</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2009/05/every-living-thing-has-its-own-unique.html" target="_blank">The Kingdom of God is Like This</a>, <a href="http://workinggodsway.blogspot.hu/2013/03/righteous-deeds-and-white-robes.html" target="_blank">Righteous Deeds and White Robes</a>, and <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-judgment-seat-of-christ.html" target="_blank">The Judgment Seat of Christ</a>. Other related articles are available on the <a href="http://workinggodsway.blogspot.com/2013/12/home.html">Home</a> page. You may also access my complete blog
directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" style="color: #3333ff;">Writing for the Master</a>."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org</a>.Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-91639986723748756712015-01-31T17:02:00.000-08:002015-08-15T19:19:17.053-07:00The Kingdom of God as Revealed to James Agboola<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsU2MPUYwMFTqkbHo7OxZu5Hry3HMuDqiKEVE6JHuXIyucHiPhW4uzvK7pHJed1qhzvmfT1tLrwhZO0TvmcPzBbASKyKlZHaSLs2ZzNpxyt3yjzET5WoR2ma02yr1W3AlgXoGDuCPwxk47/s1600/James+Agboola+Medium+Web+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsU2MPUYwMFTqkbHo7OxZu5Hry3HMuDqiKEVE6JHuXIyucHiPhW4uzvK7pHJed1qhzvmfT1tLrwhZO0TvmcPzBbASKyKlZHaSLs2ZzNpxyt3yjzET5WoR2ma02yr1W3AlgXoGDuCPwxk47/s1600/James+Agboola+Medium+Web+view.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother James Agboola</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I wrote in my recent article <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2015/01/james-agboola-revelation-of-heaven-and.html" target="_blank">James Agboola Revelation of Heaven and Hell</a>,
of a testimony from a brother who actually died and came back to tell
about it. His spirit came out of his body and he went to the place where
others have gone and never come back. From this brother’s testimony
there are a number of lessons about three different topics, including
the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of darkness, and life after death. In
this article, I will use his own words in summary of the lessons learned
about the first of those three topics -- the Kingdom of God.<br />
<br />
Regarding
the Kingdom of God, James was allowed to experience what it will be
like at the rapture, in which there will be a very loud trumpet sound,
and the righteous will suddenly be caught up to meet the Lord in the air
and taken to heaven. Each one will be given a white robe. However, he
was shown that after you’ve been raptured, your work must be tested.
Your work has to be examined. Your life has to be examined before you
proceed, based on what is written in your file, and some are still
disqualified from there. Those whose works qualify are allowed to enter
through the gate. <br />
<br />
There is nothing dead in the Kingdom of God.
Everything in the Kingdom of God is alive. There’s nothing dead.
Everything is moving and praising God. There is the sound of instruments
praising God with sweet melodious songs. Everybody speaks one language
there. The streets are made of pure gold and so are the buildings.
Everything is beautiful, and there is the river of life. The righteous
are living in paradise, where they are now comforted with peace. And
their life on earth is a distant memory that is difficult to remember,
as of a place they only passed through very briefly.<br />
<br />
He was shown
that the world is on the verge of collapse, because of the sin of the
world. But before it collapses, God will rapture His people out of it.
Until then it remains in total darkness. The world is full of darkness.
Darkness has taken over. And the arrows of death will come invisibly to
take the lives of millions from the earth. When those arrows strike a
person, they instantly take the person’s life. But the righteous ones
are sealed with a seal that can only be seen in the spirit realm as a
star, so that the arrows of death have no power over them. The arrows
are diverted away from them.<br />
<br />
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the
Life. No any other way can lead anyone to the Kingdom of God. No any
other way. No any other religion. It’s only Jesus Christ. If you go away
from His way, your name will be removed from <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.hu/2013/05/the-book-of-life.html">The Book of Life</a>, and you
will lose the Kingdom of God. So you must continue the race. And at the
end of the race, if you make it, your destination is the Kingdom of
God. Whatsoever you read in the Bible, it’s just as it is -- there is
nothing additional, nothing different, just the truth. Everything in the
Bible is just as it is. Just read it and believe it. And it shall be
with your soul in Jesus’ Name. <br />
<br />
The coming of the Lord is not soon anymore. He is coming
now. He has waited for so long. He is coming now. Prepare for His
coming. Without holiness, no one will enter the Kingdom of God, no
matter what they do. Walk before Him and be thou perfect. Even if you
have been saved, you have to keep running.<br />
<br />
If you are a Christian
who has backslidden, don’t let the devil rejoice over you, that you now
fall in the hand of the devil. Carry your Bible. Open to Psalm 51.
Begin to pray. Read it and begin to pray for mercy. Continue to ask God
for mercy. Continue to ask God for mercy.<br />
<br />
The Lord is so
merciful! Heaven is real. Hell is real. People are dying in their
thousands and going to hell. Anyone who has experienced hell would not
even wish their worst enemy on earth to go to that place where they are
weeping, crying, waiting for another chance to repent, and it is too
late. <br />
<br />
The Lord gave brother James a second chance in order to
warn us of that horrible place. Tell God now, “I surrender all.” He will
care for you. He knows what we need. God loves us. God cares for us.
There is no other love like His. So let us hold fast our faith. Let us
hold fast that which God has said in the Bible and believe. And God will
see us through.<br />
<br />
<i>Author's note</i>: Please prayerfully listen to this brother's testimony, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2015/01/james-agboola-revelation-of-heaven-and.html" target="_blank">James Agboola Revelation of Heaven and Hell</a>, and use the <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.hu/2013/05/testimony-review-process.html">Testimony Review Process</a>
adopted by this blog, as you decide for yourself whether the Lord has
spoken to him. For issues and concerns, each person must confirm with
the Lord, whether something is valid or not.<br />
<br />
I also recommend my article <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-sudden-nature-of-gods-kingdom.html" target="_blank">The Sudden Nature of God's Kingdom</a>. You may access my
complete blog directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html">Writing for the Master</a>."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907103695923905091.post-46377137580269672332014-02-16T06:17:00.000-08:002020-03-03T20:07:09.365-08:00God's Supernatural Provision Using People<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBv5Wu8XQMhTpbH37cYe5m0l_DjKGR00Zyqu3F9SGvFGM0AnsCVDPkRWEQJv2uevyOvmWzS_CZyB9oSC8WmZAJOZbGGm1uVfBN7rJaNNWSJ6sO3m8a4IgQQM3aHz9QNUEhdoE-fJY1iaw/s1600/Feeds_the_Sparrow.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBv5Wu8XQMhTpbH37cYe5m0l_DjKGR00Zyqu3F9SGvFGM0AnsCVDPkRWEQJv2uevyOvmWzS_CZyB9oSC8WmZAJOZbGGm1uVfBN7rJaNNWSJ6sO3m8a4IgQQM3aHz9QNUEhdoE-fJY1iaw/s1600/Feeds_the_Sparrow.png" width="320" /></a></div>
In the world, especially Western culture, we are accustomed to having many possessions. We have our vehicles, homes, computers, wardrobes full of clothing, a week's supply of food, some money in the bank, and many other stockpiles or supplies for future use. This is why the <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2013/09/whats-wrong-with-prosperity-gospel.html" target="_blank">prosperity gospel</a> is so popular, because people like to hear that. In fact, the prosperity preachers want you to believe that Jesus would wear designer clothes if He had lived on earth during our day.<br />
<br />
However, the truth is quite the opposite. Jesus did not usually have the resources on hand that He needed. Instead, He worked supernaturally, often using people, and God still provides that way for those who follow Jesus. Let's take a look at some examples.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Owner of the House with a Guest Room</span> <br />
First there is the instance of the owner of the house with a guest room.<br />
<br />
On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples *said to Him, "Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?" And He *sent two of His disciples and *said to them, "Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?"' "And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there." The disciples went out and came to the city, and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover. (Mar 14:12-16).<br />
<br />
If we were in the same situation as Jesus was, when His disciples asked Him about making preparations, we would probably be thinking about renting a room for this purpose, buying a proper table cloth for the supper, buying the food we will need to celebrate the holiday. We might be thinking about buying a special wine cup that is fitting for such a momentous occasion. We would be wondering, "Where am I going to get the money to buy all this?" But that was not the way Jesus operated then, and it's not the way He operates now.<br />
<br />
Notice how it was only when it came time to prepare for the Passover
that the Lord concerned Himself with this. And it was a human being who
was going to let them use the guest room in his home. He had no house or
upper room of His own. And it was by supernatural revelation (word of
wisdom and prophecy) that the provision was revealed to Him. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Donkey and the Colt</span><br />
Next there was the instance of the donkey and the colt that Jesus borrowed.<br />
<br />
When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me. "If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them." (Mt 21:1-3). The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats. (Mt 21:6-7).<br />
<br />
Notice how it was only when it came time to go into Jerusalem that the Lord concerned Himself with the need for a donkey. Up until that time He did not have the donkey or the colt. And it was a human being who was going to let them use his animals for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem. And it was by supernatural revelation (word of wisdom and prophecy) that the provision was revealed to Him.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The First Fish that Comes Up</span><br />
Then there was the fish that paid the tax. <br />
<br />
When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?" He *said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?" When Peter said, "From strangers," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are exempt. "However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me." (Mt 17:24-27).<br />
<br />
Notice how it was only when it came time to pay the tax that the Lord concerned Himself with the need for the money. Up until that time He did not have the money to pay the tax. And it was a human being who was going catch the fish with the coin in its mouth. And it was by supernatural revelation (word of wisdom and prophesy) that the provision was revealed to Him.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Five Loaves and Two Fish</span><br />
We can't forget the five loaves and the two fish! <br />
<br />
When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, "This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!" They *said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish." And He said, "Bring them here to Me." Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children. (Mt 14:15-21).<br />
<br />
Notice how it was only when it came time in the evening to feed the crowds that the Lord concerned Himself with the need to do so. Up until that time He did not have any food to feed them. And it was human beings who had the five loaves and two fish. And God made the provision by supernatural power (a miracle) in multiplying the fish and loaves.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Seven Loaves and a Few Small Fish</span><br />
The seven loaves that fed the four thousand men, besides women and children, was no less miraculous.<br />
<br />
And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, "I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way." The disciples *said to Him, "Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?" And Jesus *said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven, and a few small fish." And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, seven large baskets full. And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. (Mt 15:32-38).<br />
<br />
Notice how it was only after the people had been with Jesus for three days and it came time to feed the crowds that the Lord concerned Himself with the need to do so. Up until that time He did not have any food to feed them. And it was human beings who had the seven loaves and a few small fish. And God made the provision by supernatural power (a miracle) in multiplying the fish and loaves.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Peter’s Boat for Teaching the People</span><br />
Yet another great example is how the Lord borrowed Peter’s boat for teaching the people.<br />
<br />
Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. (Luk 5:1-3).<br />
<br />
Notice how the Lord did not have his own boat, but He made use of someone else’s boat (Peter’s) to sit in while He taught the people. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">A Boat</span><br />
There was more than one boat that Jesus borrowed during His three year ministry. Here are some other examples recorded in the Synoptic Gospels that simply refers to it indefinitely as "a boat."<br />
<br />
“And He told His disciples that a boat should stand ready for Him because of the crowd, so that they would not crowd Him;” (Mar 3:9).<br />
<br />
“He began to teach again by the sea. And such a very large crowd gathered to Him that He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the land.” (Mar 4:1; cf., Mt 13:2).<br />
<br />
“On that day, when evening came, He *said to them, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd, they *took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.” (Mar 4:35-36).<br />
<br />
“Getting into a boat, Jesus crossed over the sea and came to His own city.” (Mat 9:1).<br />
<br />
“Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities.” (Mat 14:13).<br />
<br />
Notice how the Lord did not have his own boat, but He made use of someone else’s boat for transportation across the sea. This boat probably did not belong to the disciples, since they left their boats with their fathers when they followed Jesus (see Mt 4:21; Mk 1:20; Lk 5:11).<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Catches of Fish </span><br />
The miraculous catch of fish demonstrated what God can do when all our best human efforts fail.<br />
<br />
When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets." When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." (Luk 5:4-10).<br />
<br />
That was not the only miraculous catch of fish that happened. After the resurrection of Jesus, He did another such miracle.<br />
<br />
Simon Peter *said to them, "I am going fishing." They *said to him, "We will also come with you." They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing. But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus *said to them, "Children, you do not have any fish, do you?" They answered Him, "No." And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch." So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. (Joh 21:3-6).<br />
<br />
Notice how in both instances (recorded in Lk 5 and Jn 21) the disciples did not have any fish. In fact, the disciples, who had once been professional fishermen, did not even have the natural ability to catch the fish, since they had been fishing all night and caught nothing. But it was by divine revelation that the Lord spoke it and it happened. God provided supernaturally, but they had to do something. They had to obey the Lord’s command. So He still used people, along with what they had, including their boats and nets.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Women Contributing to Their Support</span> <br />
The Scripture tells us that along with the Twelve, a group of women traveled with Jesus, who were contributing to their support.<br />
<br />
"Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means." (Luk 8:1-3)<br />
<br />
Once again we see that the Lord used these people who had benefited from the Lord's ministry to help support Him and the apostles out of their own private means. They gave of what they had and God used that to help fund the ministry of His own beloved Son. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Borrowed Tomb</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descent of Jesus from the Cross</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The last example I would like to give is the borrowed tomb.<br />
<br />
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. (Mat 27:57-60)<br />
<br />
Notice how the Lord had no burial plan, no life insurance to cover the expenses, no grave that He had prepared in advance, not even a tomb stone prepared with His name and a special epithet. He took no thought for those things before His death.<br />
<br />
Since all of His disciples had deserted Him, they did not have a care for the fact that He was left hanging from a cross, and would not be able to take Himself down. After His death, He would be left there for the vultures to pluck at. This was not a concern of there's, since they were frightened by the wrath of man, and did not want to be associated with Jesus at that time. But God sent Joseph of Arimathea, along with his friend Nicodemus (see Jn 19:39), to take Jesus down from the cross, prepare Him for burial, and place his body in Joseph's own tomb that had never been used. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">My Personal Experience</span><br />
Throughout the past twenty-eight years since I have been walking with the Lord, I have seen these same kinds of things happen in my own life. God has used people many times to provide for us in answer to prayer.<br />
<br />
When we were about to go to the mission field in 2008, we had sold our home and lived in an apartment for a couple years, but during the last couple weeks before we moved to Central Europe, we needed a place to stay. A brother and sister in Christ from our church gave us a place to stay at their home. A large group of people from our church helped us pack our belongings and move there, and when it was time to go to the airport, once again there were many from our church that came to help us, along with my biological brother. I recall how brothers and sisters in Christ drove us to the airport in Boston, which was nearly an hour away, along with all our baggage. They saw us off to the mission field with love.<br />
<br />
When we arrived in Hungary, it was once again a brother in Christ and his father-in-law, who picked us up at the airport, and carried us to our home. A couple years later, it was brethren in Christ from our church in Budapest, Hungary, who came to help us move from that home to another rented house an hour away in a village. It was brethren in Christ who gave financially before we moved overseas, which enabled us to buy a family van in Hungary when we arrived.<br />
<br />
When my wife gave birth to our fifth child, shortly after we arrived in Hungary, we chose a hospital that was an hour away from home. A brother and sister in Christ from our church, who lived about twenty minutes from the hospital, kept our children at their home while Jennifer was giving birth, and they let us stay at their home for a day or two after she and the baby were discharged. Then a sister in Christ from our church in Budapest loaned us a baby crib, since we didn't have one. And as I travel around Eastern Europe to countries like Bulgaria and Romania, it is the brethren in Christ who pick me up at the airport, show me hospitality, and let me stay in their homes.<br />
<br />
During the nearly five years now that we have served as missionaries to Eastern Europe, God provided for us through brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ across the US who have given sacrificially to support our ministry. Praise God for their generosity!<br />
<br />
During a short trip back to the States on furlough in 2011, it was a brother and sister in Christ who let me stay at their home and use their car to drive around the northeast and visit churches and individuals. They let me stay at their home while I was in my home town. They have managed the home office of our ministry as volunteers since around 2006, and without their help we could not have done what the Lord did through us. They have been a constant help to us, serving us in many ways, including faxing things to us overseas, making deposits at the bank, taking care of our tax document filing each year. There were several people who volunteered as the bookkeeper for our ministry over the years, and we have never gone without someone to serve in this important role, even to this day.<br />
<br />
When we needed to come back to the States on furlough in 2013, they went to a car dealer located nearly an hour away to test drive a vehicle I found on the internet. They did all the leg work at the bank to pick up the check from the loan we took, and they picked up the vehicle along with another brother in Christ. When we arrived back at the Boston airport from overseas, there was a group from our home church there to pick us up. A sister in Christ offered us her apartment to use for weeks, and a group of people donated a cooler full of food. Other brothers and sister in Christ let us use their vehicles until we were able to get the one we had bought registered to drive. Then another family showed us hospitality and let us stay in their home for a few weeks.<br />
<br />
After we returned to the States on furlough during the summer of 2013, we had mechanical problems with our van. So I asked a church we know in Belgium to pray for us about this need. Not only did they pray for us, but they sent an offering, which covered the entire expense with a few cents to spare, and neither they nor we could have known what the final exact cost would be. We could go on and on testifying of the countless times the Lord has used people to provide for us. God has been good to us, and He has provided the things we needed, which we did not have, and which we could not have gotten on our own.<br />
<br />
I praise and thank God for the way He has provided. "All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Self-Sufficient and Independent</span><br />
Prior to the experiences I have just described during the period from 2008-2013, when I first left my prosperous, professional career in the health insurance industry in 2006, we were introduced to a network marketing company by an elder in our church. This company was operated by a Christian family, so we had a certain high degree of trust in them. We invested and joined around the end of 2006, and had great hopes that we would become independently wealthy, so that we would not need to depend on others to fulfill our calling as missionaries. We thought that we would get to a place financially where we would not need to rely on financial support of faith partners. <br />
<br />
At the beginning, that venture looked promising, and started off well. However, the economy took a nose dive in June 2007 and that venture dissolved into nothing very quickly. Looking back, we've learned from our mistakes, and we can see that was not the will of God.<br />
<br />
The Lord has not called us to be self-sufficient and independent. This was not how Jesus or His apostles lived, and it is not His will for us. The Lord did not have mansions on earth -- a lakeside property in Galilee and one in Jerusalem. He did not have a warehouse or silos full of grain to feed the masses. He did not carry with Him all the provisions He might need to accomplish His mission. And He doesn't expect us to do that either. Otherwise, only the rich would be able to do His will. The poor would never be able to serve in ministry to fulfill the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations (see Mt 28:18-20). They would say, "I can't do that, because I don't have the resources to invest." But the Lord has not favored the rich. He has blessed the poor, and uses them in His great kingdom plans.<br />
<br />
"And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, '<u>Blessed are you who are poor</u>, for yours is the kingdom of God. <u>Blessed are you who hunger now</u>, for you shall be satisfied.'" (Luk 6:20-21a)<br />
<br />
"'But <u>woe to you who are rich</u>, for you are receiving your comfort in full. <u>Woe to you who are well-fed now</u>, for you shall be hungry.'" (Luk 6:24-25a)<br />
<br />
"...<u>Those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces</u>." (Lk 7:25)<br />
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"<u>Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth</u>, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;" (Mat 6:19-20)<br />
<br />
"<u>No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth</u>. For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. <u>Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they</u>? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? <u>Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you</u>? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But <u>seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.</u>" (Mat 6:24-34)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
We have seen in God's Word what happened with the large upper room, the donkey and colt, the fish and loaves, the fish with the coin, the boats, the miraculous catches of fish, and the borrowed tomb. These examples show that Jesus did not have enough resources in the natural realm to do what He needed to do. He did not have His own boat, His own donkey, or pantry full of food. But He drew from the inexhaustible supernatural resources of heaven to accomplish it, and God always provided.<br />
<br />
No wonder Jesus taught us to pray to the Father in heaven, "give us this day our daily bread." He did not tell us to pray for tomorrow's bread, or next week's bread, or the bread we will need for the next six months. But we are simply to concern ourselves with today and ask our heavenly Father for today's daily bread.<br />
<br />
One key in most of these examples I have highlighted was that <u>God did use people to provide</u>. In most of these instances, a person had to give something they had to Jesus to help Him. It may have been a loaf of bread, a couple fish, or a donkey. In other instances they had to do something in obedience to the Lord, which did not make sense in the natural. Then God took what they gave or did, and He did something exceedingly glorious with it that went way beyond anything they could ever do with it. He did something supernatural to provide.<br />
<br />
I hope this has helped you understand the economy of God's kingdom. It's quite different from the world's economy. I hope it has encouraged you today to live radically for God by following Jesus. In the world, we may have many possessions and yet be poor in God's sight. But in God we may be poor and have nothing in this world, yet be very rich in God and have everything we need. In fact, we always have enough to do whatever we need to do, and a storehouse of eternal rewards awaiting us in heaven, too.<br />
<br />
<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>. The "He Who Feeds the Sparrow" painting © 2012 is by <a href="http://www.inspired-art.com/inspiredartworks/home.html" target="_blank">Danny Hahlbohm</a> and Clay Harrison, all rights
reserved by the artist.<br />
<br />
"Descent of Jesus from the Cross" onto the shroud held by Joseph of Arimathea, painted by Jouvenet, Jean-Baptiste (1697) - Musée du Louvre, Paris.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Author's note: </span>If you enjoyed
this post, please also read <a href="http://sun-of-righteousness.blogspot.com/2013/09/all-things-handed-over-to-jesus-christ.html">All Things Handed Over to Jesus Christ</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2012/03/transfer-between-physical-and-spiritual.html" target="_blank">The Link Between Two Realms,</a> <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-authority-of-believer.html" target="_blank">The Authority of the Believer</a>, and <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2013/09/whats-wrong-with-prosperity-gospel.html">What's Wrong with the Prosperity Gospel?</a>. You may access the <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2014/02/home.html" target="_blank">Main Directory for The Kingdom of God is Like This</a>, and you may also my complete blog
directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" style="color: #3333ff;">Writing for the Master</a>."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
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<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a><a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/"></a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com2