| by Alfio La Spina (Sooke British Columbia, Canada) |
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| Matthew 20:25-28 (ESV) 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Those of us that have been called out of darkness have been given certain abilities which we need to build on. We have to be diligent in prayer and be strictly obedient to the instructions given us in the Scriptures. This way we will be useful to our Father and able to help others enter into the Kingdom of God. 1 Peter 4:7-11 (ESV) 7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. We are about to enter a time as exciting as it was during the early church time. The end time church has a purpose just like the early church did. We can see the one world government beginning to be established. The start of the great tribulation is nearby. The servants of the Most High will let their light shine during that time. We need to get ourselves ready to teach others about the Kingdom of God that is about to be established. Watching the news that is basically all bad and the politicians that have their own agendas is frustrating. They have been caught in many lies, yet people still listen to them. It is a hard thing to listen to them and not get angry at them, however as servants striving for perfection, we need to have the mind of Christ. Which means we need to be patient with those people because it is possible that they will repent at some point. The best thing we can do is pray for them and hope they will repent. Of course, our carnal nature interferes with critical thoughts of judgment. However, this is what we must overcome. The perfect servant does not make judgments on such things there is an appointed time for that. Our Father is in complete control of what is going on here so we can rest in that and focus on being a perfect servant. John 12:47-48 (ESV) 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (ESV) 20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. Romans 12:12-14 (ESV) 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 1 Timothy 4:7 (ESV) 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; We need to examine ourselves daily, capturing every thought that is not in line with scripture and crush it. Scripture needs to be written on the tablet of our hearts. We need to daily ask our Father to give us wisdom and understanding in scripture and for help to overcome. This is the path to overcoming. Proverbs 3:3-4 (ESV) 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Our minds need to be constantly on the straight and narrow path of righteousness. We need to be always ready and eager to show others the Kingdom of God and be able to gently correct those that have gone astray. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (ESV) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. Philippians 2:14-15 (ESV) 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, It is absolutely imperative that we apply the word to our lives in order to come to perfection. Any thing less and we will not be in the first resurrection. Matthew 5:48 (ESV) 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. James 1:22-27 (ESV) 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. Matthew 5:43-48 (ESV) 43 “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. |
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