"Who has Believed, our report?"
Brethren,
Knowing that the book of Proverbs, is a book of wisdom. I often find myself, considering what The LORD, says, in 11:30 of Proverbs.
It reads like this: The fruit of the RIGHTEOUS is a Tree if LIFE; and he who wins Soul's is wise."
And that passage of SCRIPTURE, Beloved, brings me to Ephesians 5:15-17, where GOD, gives each of us, this admonition; saying: See then, that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of The LORD is.
[Brethren,
Do we each, "understand," that the will of The LORD, our GOD, "is SALVATION."
SALVATION?"
Yes, SALVATION for us," and everyone we encounter in LIFE."
For our LORD, Beloved, has called us not to care, only about our own interests. But also, for the interests of others. Why?"
Because we know, Beloved, how the "the gift" of SALVATION, is obtained."
For Ephesians 2:8-9 has made it abundantly clear, by saying: By GRACE you have been SAVED through FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is the Gift of GOD, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
And in regards to SALVATION; "Who can possibly boast?" Who can say, that they have earned their SALVATION?"
And so, GOD, Beloved," is sending us to tell everyone about the free gift of SALVATION." Yes, the gift, that is obtained by Trusting in the finished work of The Cross of CHRIST, and repentance of sin."
The LORD, our GOD, has called us, that we might meet the need that others have," of obtaining the knowledge of "SALVATION."
For 2nd Peter 3:9 "assures us," that GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all shouldould come to repentance.
Yes, unto repentance, and to embrace the knowledge of Everlasting LIFE." [Right!]
The knowledge of Everlasting LIFE, that is obtained through FAITH, in the "finished work" of The Cross of CHRIST." And so, how do you feel, Beloved, about being called by GOD?" Called to serve, and to GLORIFY HIM?🤔 Are we willing, to take our calling, seriously?" And if so, "What do you Believe, that our "performance review" will look like?"🤔 Good? Bad?
Don't know?" Well, if we take heed to The WORD of The LIVING GOD, and take our calling, seriously."
We will be very successful!"
Consider how The LORD, through Mathew 6:19-21, gives us each, this instruction: "Do not lay up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourself treasures treasures in HEAVEN, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do no break in and steal. For where your treasures is, there your heart will be also.
[With that said, Beloved."
Where is your treasure?"]
Because I am absolutely certain, that
"If" we've been taking our calling, seriously." We have been focused, on doing what our LORD, is sending us, to do." And if we have?" Then, we already have an accumulation of "treasure" in HEAVEN." And our heart, Beloved, is there, also."
And because it is, we accompany Paul, in his declaration from 2nd Timothy 4:7-8.
There, Paul, inspired by The SPIRIT of The LIVING GOD, said": I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the FAITH. [And KEEPING The FAITH," Beloved, is what matters most of all." For without it, we will not fight, or finish the race, nor stand tall."] Finally there is laid up for me the crown of RIGHTEOUSNESS, which The LORD, The RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only, but also to all who have LOVED HIS appearing.
[And Brethren,
Everyone, who even LOVES the thought, of our LORD'S appearing. Focuses on "bearing fruit," and living to GLORIFY GOD." For we "lack not, the ambition to obtain the treasures of HEAVEN." We have great interest, Beloved, in them." For they must be absolutely awesome!" And so, we strive, to reach this lost, and dying generation." We strive," to serve The LIVING GOD, and GLORIFY HIM, without any frustration!" But only, by obedience to HIS WORD, and every last instruction!"
And so, do you know anyone, Beloved, who “lacks ambition?”
Right!"
The ambition to succeed, in this race we run," for The GLORY of GOD?"
Consider this,
If an employer, such as, "Jeff Bezos," was offering a position, in his business. And the position, carried along with it, a salary of two hundred thousand dollars, yearly." Would you jump at the chance, to fill that position?" Most people, Beloved, would."
Well, please know, that what The LORD is offering us, is "far better," than that offered position!" And do we have any interest, or ambition, to work, for what our LORD, is offering us?" Do we?"
Consider this, imagine a performance review, of each of us, in The Hands of The LORD." And the report, on some reviews, reads: "Lacks ambition."
Surely, we can each agree," that that, is not what anyone of us, wants to know that The LORD, is reading, about us." Right? That we have no "ambition," or little interest to GLORIFY HIM."
We don't want to know that, Beloved!"
We don't!"
Consider what I'm saying, after reading, the parable of the talents."
Mathew 25:14-30 reveals that eye-opening, parable, like this: "For the KINGDOM of HEAVEN is like a man traveling to a far country, Who called HIS own servants and delivered HIS goods to them. [And in our case, "HIS goods," Is The "GOOD NEWS" of The GOSPEL of CHRIST."] And to one HE gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately HE went on a journey. Then he who had recieved the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had recieved two gained two more also. But he who had recieved one went and dug in the ground, and hid his LORD'S money. After a long time The LORD of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
"So he who had recieved five talents came and brought five other talents, saying: 'LORD, YOU delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' His LORD said to him, "Well done, good and FAITHFUL servant; you were FAITHFUL over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the Joy of your LORD. He also who had recieved two talents came and said, 'LORD, YOU delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His LORD said to him, "Well done, good and FAITHFUL servant; you were FAITHFUL over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the Joy of your LORD.'
"Then he who had recieved the one talent came and said, 'LORD, I knew YOU to be a hard Man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where YOU have not scattered seed.
And I was afraid, and went and hid YOUR talent in the ground. Look, there YOU have what is YOURS.'
"But his LORD answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited MY money with the bankers, and at MY coming I would have recieved back MY own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
[Brethren,
Can we each see, how the servant, chose to "give back," what his, LORD, had first given to him?" And with that said," Hasn't HE, Beloved, given each of us, the promise of "Everlasting LIFE," by simply Trusting in the "finished work" of The Cross, of HIS Son, JESUS CHRIST?" Yes?"
Well, please know, that because we Believe in our LORD'S "finished work" of The Cross." GOD has approved of us, and has entrusted us with The GOSPEL, to speak, not as pleasing men, but GOD Who tests our hearts."
For we are, Beloved, as hired hands, servants, entrusted to serve, and GLORIFY our GREAT GOD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST." And so, when it comes to work, and being about our FATHER'S business, employees who "lack ambition," will rarely "rise to the top." For without a strong conviction and desire to achieve something praiseworthy for GOD. "What can possibly be achieved?
What can be accomplished, Beloved, without any desire to GLORIFY GOD?" So we must possess ambition." But we must also beware, because ambition can be ominous, because it has a "dark side." Ambition, often has more to do with "elevating oneself," than with GLORIFYING GOD."
This was the case, with many of the kings of Israel, beginning, with the first one,
King Saul. He started out with humility, but later came to consider his position as something that belonged to him. He forgot, that GOD had put him in that position," and that he had been entrusted with a special assignment from GOD, to lead HIS people in a way, that would demonstrate "reverence," and "obedience," to GOD." And he was not to falter, by defaulting to doing the will and desires of the devil." For GOD, would give Saul, strict instructions!" And all HE wanted, from Saul." Was for him to humbly do, as he had been instructed, to do."
Brethren,
From what I've gathered, GOD is not seeking worshipers who will want do HIS will, some of the time." And then, the will, and desires of the powers of darkness, the other." The LORD doesn't want any worshipers, that prefer that."
For in Luke 9:62; The LORD makes it abundantly clear, by saying; "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for The KINGDOM of GOD.
Surely, The LORD wants to know, that we are loyal to HIM. And that we walk after HIM, in TRUTH!" Yes!" And that we prove that TRUTH, by embracing obediently, "The TRUTH of HIS "WORD."
Not like, Israel's first King, Saul." Who when GOD relieved him of his duty, Saul’s only concern was for himself. 1st Samuel 15:30 assures us, of this, by saying: "Then he said, "I have sinned; yet honor me now, please, before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship The LORD your GOD.
"Did you, catch that?"
Saul, said, that I may worship The LORD, your GOD.
And that indicates, that our LORD, wasn't his LORD." Why? Because our LORD, is our, LORD, because we do HIS will." Right!" And not that, Beloved, of the powers of darkness, who want us to Blaspheme The HOLY Name of GOD." They want us, to lie, and steal, and hate others."
Hate others?
Yes, because hate, "is equal" to murder." And no murderer, has Everlasting LIFE."
Brethren,
In a world where ambition often seduces people to do whatever it takes "to rise" to positions of power." The LORD, our GOD, calls us to humble ourselves, and come under The Authority of HIS WORD." Yes, and to build on The ROCK solid foundation," of GOD. And to do, as Philippians 2:3 admonishes us, saying: do nothing,
out of selfish ambition. And to do, even as Hebrews 12:1 instructs us to lay aside every weight of sin that ensnares us.
[Brethren,
I pray that we take our calling seriously." And to make it our aim to “rises up!”
"Rise up?"
Yes, because Genesis 4:24 reveals that Enoch walked with GOD, and pleased HIM so much." That HE took him."
Took him?
Yes, took him to HEAVEN." And isn't that, rising up?" Consider how it reads: And Enoch walked with GOD; and he was not, for GOD took him.
Brethren,
Do we have ambition to humbly LOVE, and SERVE GOD, and others."
And will our report, give a good reading?"
I pray, that it does!'
In JESUS, NAME!"
AMEN."
JESUS
OK