There is always and everywhere abundant work in the Lord’s Company.
‘Why do you stand here idle all day?" (Matthew 20: 6)
‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ (Matthew 20: 4 RM)
"As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
(Matthew 9:9 NLT)
Watch carefully how you live because the days are evil.
"And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father." (Ephesians 5: 18 - 19 RM)
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
(Romans 12:2 NLT)
When God chooses you for any work or mission, He provides everything necessary to accomplish it. Do not be afraid.
"The LORD turned to Gideon and said, “Go with the strength you have
and save Israel from the power of Midian. It is I who send you.”
"But Gideon answered him, “Please, my lord, how can I save Israel?
My family is the lowliest in Manasseh, and I am the most insignificant in my father’s house.”
“I shall be with you.” (Judges 6:14 - 15 RM)
If God is with you, it is accomplished.
Watch carefully how you live because the days are evil.
"And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father." (Ephesians 5: 18 - 19 RM)
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
(Romans 12:2 NLT)
The Instrument of sin will be the instrument of punishment.
"Because they had thus abandoned him and served Baal and the Ashtaroth, the anger of the LORD flared up against Israel, and he delivered them over to plunderers who despoiled them.
He allowed them to fall into the power of their enemies round about whom they were no longer able to withstand.
Whatever they undertook, the LORD turned into disaster for them, as in his warning he had sworn he would do, till they were in great distress. (Judges 2: 14 - 15 RM)
God has raised up the lowly
"Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?"
(Luke 1:42-43 NLT)
"For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name: He has raised up the lowly."
(Luke 1:49, 52)
God knows exactly what we need. Will you trust Him today?
"I gave you land you had not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build—the towns where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them."
(Joshua 24:13 NLT)
"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness [the profuseness of spiritual joy]."
(Isaiah s 55:2 AMP)
You too must forgive unconditionally
"The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.
(Matthew 18:23 - 25 MSG)
"The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt."
(Matthew 18:26 - 27 MSG)
Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire !
"Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me.
When I appealed to him in words,
praise was on the tip of my tongue." (Psalm 66: 16 - 17)
"Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies." (Psalm 103:2-4 NKJV)
If the Lord is with you, it is accomplished.
"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down he won't leave you."
(Deuteronomy 31:6 MSG)
"Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!"
(Psalm 27:14 NKJV)
The Eucharist and the Presence of Jesus here and now.
God knows we need the Eucharist. The food for the Journey and the medicine of immortality.
Lord prune us to bear more fruit in your Vineyard.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." (John 12:24 NKJV)
"I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit." (John 15: 1-2 AMP)
Fear God and deeply respect Him.
“Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength." (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NLT)
"Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name." (Deuteronomy 6:13 NIV)
The Eucharist is food for the Journey and the medicine of immortality.
"He got up, ate, and drank;
then strengthened by that food,
he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb." (2 Kings 19: 8)
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord;
whoever eats this bread will live forever." (John 6: 51)
"The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is; blessed the man who takes refuge in Him." (Psalm 34: 8 - 9)
The down payment of the cost of discipleship has been made by Jesus. Do not be afraid!
"Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat I am. Don't run from suffering, embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself; your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?"
(Matthew 16:24 - 26 MSG)
Don't be scandalized by the compromised messenger. The Message is utterly Reliable.
"Beloved:
We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
"Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.
You will do well to be attentive to it,
as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."
(2 Peter 1: 16, 19 NABRE)
God shows His very best to those who trust Him.
"Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
My daughter is tormented by a demon.” (Matthew 15: 22 RM)
"Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment."
(Matthew 15:28 NIV)
"No unbelief or distrust made Abraham waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. "
(Romans 4:20 AMP)
Today it appears smart to criticize our religious leaders. They may appear stupid in our opinion but remember who is their Boss: How do you know you are listening to Jesus? (Luke 10: 16)
"I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles! He sees the LORD as he is. So why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:8 NLT)
"Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night." (Psalm 51:1-3 NLT)
Jesus fed 5000. The people had their fill but soon forgot the miracle.
"Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers."
(Matthew 14:19-20 NLT)
"But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
(Matt 4:4 NLT)
God who knows exactly what we need, created us for Himself. Nothing in this world will ever satisfy us but God Himself. (St Augustine)
"Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time)."
(John 6:35 AMP)
"But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God."
(Matthew 4:4 AMP)
No servant is greater than his Lord. If they persecuted Jesus, what do you expect? Don't be afraid!
"Herod had John beheaded; John’s disciples came and told Jesus." (Matthew 14: 10, 12 RM)
"Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!"
(Matthew 5:10 AMP)
For much of 30 years, Jesus worked as a carpenter. First as an apprentice then as self-employed carpenter. His humility was evident to all.
"Where did this Man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?
Is not this the carpenter’s Son? Is not His mother called Mary?"
(Matthew 13: 54 - 55 AMP)
Jesus the carpenter was a self-employed business man. He knew first hand the joys and frustrations of self-employment.
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
"Blessed they who dwell in your house!
continually they praise you.
Blessed the men whose strength you are!
They go from strength to strength."
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
"I had rather one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked."
(Psalm 84: 4 - 5, 10 RM)
What do you do if you find by chance a hidden treasure? The Gospel is the hidden treasure in your backyard.
"God's kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic—what a find!—and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field." (Matthew 13:44 MSG)
God reveals Himself to us so that as we get to know Him better, we may come to trust that He really cares for us.
“Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.”
(Exodus 34:6-7 NLT)
The work of grace in the soul follows the principle of the mustard seed. Small steps. Small beginnings. Silently. Steady progress.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” (Matt 13:31-32 NIV)
The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
"When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy bread to feed these people?" He said this to stretch Philip's faith. He already knew what he was going to do." (John 6:5 - 6 MSG)
"The eyes of all wait for You [looking, watching, and expecting] and You give them their food in due season." (Psalm 145:15 AMP)
Do not become like Pharaoh
"You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave.
That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."
(Matthew 20:25 - 28 MSG)
The Sunday Rest is a Rehearsal for Eternal Rest
"Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to God, your God. Don't do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your town.
For in six days God made Heaven, Earth, and sea, and everything in them he rested on the seventh day. Therefore God blessed the Sabbath day he set it apart as a holy day."
(Exodus 20: 8 - 11 MSG)
Eyes that see the work of salvation. Ears 👂 that hear the word of God
"I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it."
(Matthew 13:17 NLT)
"[This mystery] was never disclosed to human beings in past generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles (consecrated messengers) and prophets by the [Holy] Spirit."
(Ephesians 3:5 AMP)
God promises adequate provision
"Then the Lord said to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from the heavens for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in My law or not.
On the sixth day they shall prepare to bring in twice as much as they gather daily."
(Exodus 16:4-5 AMP)
"Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth." (Matthew 4:4 MSG)
My Father, my mother, my sister and my brother come together in love and doing the will of God the Father.
"Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."
(John 14:23 NKJV)
"For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
(Matthew 12:50 NIV)
In your distress, cry out to God. Trust Him. Then be still.
“Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the ʟORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The ʟORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13-14 NKJV)
"Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me— The very thing you've been unwilling to do." (Isaiah 30: 15 MSG)
“What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!” (Luke 14: 15 NLT)
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20 NKJV)
"And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”
(Revelation 19:9 NLT)
Called to join the Servant Jesus in spreading the message of Reconciliation
“Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen,
My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!
I will put My Spirit upon Him,
And He will declare justice to the Gentiles." (Matthew 12:18 NKJV)
"For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation."
(2 Corinthians 5:19 NLT)
Come to Me without fear because My yoke and my burden are tailor-made for you
"Come to me, all you who are troubled and weighted down with care, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and become like me, for I am gentle and without pride, and you will have rest for your souls; For my yoke is good, and the weight I take up is not hard.
(Matthew 11:28-30 BBE)
"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out." (John 6:37 NKJV)
The Lord has done great things for me. Yes, I will praise Him!
"What may I give to the Lord for all the good things which he has done for me? I will take the cup of salvation, and give praise to the name of the Lord."
(Psalm 116:12-13 BBE)
"I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. "
(Psalm 116:17-18 NLT)
Humble yourself before God and in due season, He will exult you.
"But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you.”
(Exodus 3:11-12 NLT)
"So I am telling you: Hands off these men! Let them alone. If this program or this work is merely human, it will fall apart, but if it is of God, there is nothing you can do about it—and you better not be found fighting against God!"
(Acts 5:38 - 39 MSG)
Don't be deceived by the glamour of sin
"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." (Psalm 95: 8 RM)
"But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamor of his sin may play on him]." (Hebrews 3: 13 AMP)
What does the Lordship of Jesus over all things mean to you?
"We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God's messenger. Accepting someone's help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I've called you into, but don't be overwhelmed by it. It's best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won't lose out on a thing."
(Matthew 10:40 - 42 MSG)
"Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have." (2 Corinthians 8: 12 NLT)
God Himself will provide the Lamb
"And Isaac said to Abraham, My father! And he said, Here I am, my son. [Isaac] said, See, here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt sacrifice? Abraham said, My son, God Himself will provide a lamb for the burnt offering. So the two went on together." (Genesis 22:7-8 AMP)
"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
(John 1:29 NKJV)
Destined, chosen, called and sealed with the Holy Spirit for this purpose
"But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees. But the LORD called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.’"
(Amos 7:14-15 NLT)
"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people." (Ephesians 1: 17 - 18 NIV)
What is your true worth in the eyes of God?
"What's the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don't be intimidated by all this bully talk. You're worth more than a million canaries."
(Matthew 10:29 - 31MSG)
No fear. No worry. No doubt.
God Never Fails!
Fear 😱 is useless. What is needed is trust.
"But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say. " (Matthew 10:19 NIV)
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." (Matthew 6: 34 AMP)
This is the time ⌚ of favor!
"And saying, The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled (completed), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent (have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel). (Mark 1:15 AMP)
"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law." (Galatians 4: 4 NKJV)
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Hiring - Many Openings
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
"Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
(Matthew 9:36-38 NLT)
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I promise. I will do it
"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
(Genesis 28:15 NIV)
"Then Jacob made this vow: “If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father’s home, then the LORD will certainly be my God."
(Genesis 28:20-21 NLT)
"In you, my God, I place my trust." (Psalm 91: 2 RM)
Your handicap is a providential gift 🎁
"Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it [thorn in the flesh]. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become."
(2 Corinthians 12:7 MSG)
Grant me Lord the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen!
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