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John 3:34-36 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. (35) The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. (36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (KJV)
Up until the time of our Lord, the Holy Spirit would come upon the people, who would then deliver the message that the Spirit would speak through them, and then the Spirit would depart again. Jesus of Nazareth was the first born man who had the Spirit of Christ dwelling in Him; the Spirit would never leave nor forsake Him, but was within Him leading and guiding Him on the path of life. We too have access to this same measure of faith; this Spirit will not leave nor forsake you, however, we are the ones that wander off in areas that are not beneficial to our Spiritual well being, which simply put, is sin. Oh and by the way, that same love that our Father has for His Son in verse 35, yeah, you too are considered to be one of His children, with access to that love. Mark 4:24-25 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. (25) For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. (KJV) You know, the Lord would love to give His people a good measure, in fact it is so good that it overflows, and has to be pressed down, then shaken together to make more room. However with many, they limit God by beginning in the Spirit and then fall short by trying to perfect their lives according to the flesh. You have access to an unlimited resource Church; in fact, our Father who cannot lie says in His word that all things are now possible to those that believe, and that nothing should be considered impossible any longer. But sad to say, many get talked out of the Lord’s realm by letting the enemy steal, and take the truth that was sown in their heart and replace it with a cheap imitation, something that looks good to the outward but is a total abomination to the new inward creation in Christ. Ephesians 3:19-20 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (KJV) So how are you measuring up today? Are you feeling full yet, having gotten a good dose of the truth that is renewing your mind? If you notice throughout the word of God, His realm refers to fullness, abundance, above and beyond; and even a good measure pressed down shaken together and running over so that it not only waters your garden but those around you as well. Is the Lord exceeding your expectations, or are you not quite measuring up to His standards because you haven’t made Him or His Word a priority in your life? 2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. (KJV) Another area where many fall short is when they emulate others, and try to please people rather than God. Many limit the Lord because they think that if it doesn’t involve big numbers, like with other people, then they have fallen short in their walk. Nonsense, the more you leave mankind out of the equation, the more you will see the Lord in your life and have a personal vision of who you are in Christ. Anytime you compare yourself with others, or measure yourself by man’s standards, you are ripping yourself off as well as robbing the Lord from working in and through you. Philippians 4:12-13 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (KJV) Hey Church, how about a can do attitude? Well, if you are a can do person then you will see yourself the way He sees you; and will keep yourself full of the good news of the gospel of Christ, and no longer fall short with man’s cheap limited doctrines. God bless Church, and let the Lord continue to show you how you are more than a conqueror through Him that loves us and has our best interest at heart. The only way you will ever measure up and find peace and contentment is in the realm of the Spirit, and not that of the flesh. Romans 12:2-3 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (3) For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (KJV)
Thayer’s definition for ‘measure’: 3358 metron- 1) measure, an instrument for measuring a) a vessel for receiving and determining the quantity of things, whether dry or liquid b) a graduated staff for measuring, a measuring rod c) proverbially, the rule or standard of judgment 2) determined extent, portion measured off, measure or limit the required measure, the due, fit, measure Consider yourself a measuring cup, a vessel if you would, that our Lord fills with living waters. Now it is a matter of what you do with the measure that you have been given, and whether or not you are distributing these waters to others. Just like with other vessels, sometimes they can spring a leak, or tip over and spill their contents out. However, for the Lord to continue to use you as one of His chosen vessels you will need to use what was given to you first before He will refill the cup. Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (KJV) Is your cup running over today with some living waters, or have things gotten a bit stagnant? There is an old saying that says ‘in order to keep it you have to give it away’. Now, now, before you go reaching for your checkbook or wallet verse 38 is not referring to money as so many claim, but rather distributing to the necessity of the saints, which first and foremost should be the Spiritual answer, living waters, coming from the throne of God. Mark 9:41-42 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. (42) And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. (KJV) One of the most painful, excruciating, ways to die is of thirst. As harsh as it is in the realm of the physical, how much more in the realm of the Spirit? We are surrounded in a dead dried up world thirsting for truth. So if a cup of water is so vital, lifesaving in the outward, how much more is it to the inward man? Do you have a cup full to give out today, or is your cup empty because you didn’t take the time to go to the river of life and get a refill? How many of the Lord’s people have or are passing you by, and you are not getting what is needed from someone who claims to be one of the Lord’s own offspring? Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (KJV) You know, if you were thirsty and came across someone who you thought or was supposed to have a cistern full of water only to find out that it was broken and empty, what would be your reaction? Well, someday those that claimed to be of God who in reality turn out to be empty and dry, are going to find themselves in for an eternal dry spell. My prayer today is that you will let the Lord fill you with His truth, and then go and water His seed. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. What are you willing to give up, to win Christ?
If you remember, we are to disengage (disentangle) from this world, and renounce or give up its thoughts and ways so that we can be a successful labourer in our Lord’s vineyard. To worship our God in Spirit and in truth we can’t remain entangled in the affairs of this life. The flesh and Spirit are contrary to one another; if you try to serve both you will end up holding to one lovingly and hating the other. So which one do you want to hate? Are you willing to die to the things of this life, so that you can be an able minister of Christ? Many are willing in the beginning, but few continue to be willing. Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (KJV) Galatians 1:10 (from Adam Clarke Commentary) Paul well knew that, if he endeavoured to please man, he could not be the servant of Christ. Can any minor minister hope to succeed, were even an apostle, had he followed that line, could not? The interest of Christ and those of this world are so opposite, that it is impossible to reconcile them; and he who attempts it shows thereby that he knows neither Christ nor the world, though so deeply immersed in the spirit of the latter. When we accepted Christ, we became a new creation in Him, old things were passed away, given up, and behold all things became new. And we were given the ministry of reconciliation to share with others, a ministry that is to be alive and real, known and read of all men; showing forth a life that portrays Christ in us the hope of glory, and how this reconciliation is occurring between us and God through faith; being alive in Christ and dead to this world. Galatians 2:19-20 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. (20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (KJV) Galatians 2:19-20 (from Adam Clarke Commentary) And this life of faith consists in dying with Christ to the things of the present world, and expecting, as co-heirs with Him, the blessings of the eternal world. And who can work all this in us but only he who lives in us? That man has arrived to a high degree of mortification, who can say Christ liveth in me, and I am crucified to the world. Such a one must have renounced not only earthly things, but his own self also. Are you willing to give up this life, your wants and desires, so that you can be an able minister of Christ, that one more might give up this world in their hearts to experience the love, joy, peace, and power of Christ in their lives? My beloved brethren, I encourage you to give up the world, be a servant of Christ, and receive your crown of righteousness that is laid up for you in heaven; and not only for you, but all those who love his appearing which is made possible through you. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (KJV)
Mark 10:21 (from Adam Clarke Commentary) [One thing thou lackest] What was that? A heart disengaged from the world and a complete renunciation of it and its concerns, that he might become a proper and successful labourer in the Lord’s vineyard. Disengaged means to release; disentangle. Renunciation means the act of disowning, casting off, or giving up; abandonment, rejection. We are in this world but we are not to be of this world. Our new life in Christ consists of those things above, not those things here on this earth where moth and rust does corrupt. Our manner of life should be confessing that we are strangers and pilgrims just passing through; and not entangling ourselves in the affairs of this life. Through faith we look to new heavens and a new earth, not laying up our treasures here in this life, but laying up in store a good report before God, so that when we stand before His judgment seat our intercessor Christ Jesus will confess that we are one of theirs and we shall receive our crown of righteousness that is laid up for us. Now, think about it…really, what do we have to look forward to here on this earth? It is passing away and so will we if we do not hold fast our profession of faith and endure in truth unto the end. What will it profit you, if you gain the whole world, and lose your soul? What will you give today in exchange for your soul? Galatians 6:14-16 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (KJV) How about, you and I commit our whole heart and life to Christ instead of the weak and beggarly elements of this world. How about, you and I lay down our life today, and raise up in a new life in Christ. How about, you and I not conform to the world, avoid profane and vain babblings, disengage and abandon evil communications which will corrupt our good manners in Christ, and allow ourselves to be separated from our mother’s womb, the fleshly things that tie us to this world. How about, instead, let us be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that you and I can prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Are you willing to disengage from and renounce the hidden things of darkness to be a servant of Christ? Well… 1 Peter 4 1:2 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (2) That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (KJV) So finally, my beloved brethren, seeing then that all these earthly things shall be dissolved, having taken up your cross and chosen to follow Christ, remain as the few strangers and pilgrims just passing through on your way home, and disengage from and renounce those things that were gain to you in this world, and count them as loss that you may gain in Christ. And be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless this day. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Today, my beloved brethren, I have these words of encouragement to share with you (which I pray will minister to your heart as they did to mine) on behalf of our Father in heaven through His Son Christ Jesus our Lord.
Isaiah 26:3-4 (from Matthew Henry’s Commentary)
Psalm 37:3-6 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. (4) Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (5) Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (6) And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. (KJV) Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. (2) He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. (3) And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. (KJV) Psalms 62:5-8 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. (6) He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. (7) In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (8) Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. (KJV) To love Him is to trust Him. God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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