July 2020

Invest Wisely

“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich…” –Revelation 3:18a

God wants you rich.

And He wants you to invest—wisely. BUT, not in material abundance that is tomorrow’s trash (Mat 6:20), or those fickle businesses on Wall Street that are doomed to all crash (Rev 18:19). No, He wants you to invest in a stock that is guaranteed to make you eternally rich (Mat 19:29; Luke 12:32-34). But know this, every investment has a cost. The coming Kingdom will cost you everything in the immediate (Mat 13:44-46; Luke 14:26-33). But, although it’s continual buy-in is struggle and strife (“fire”), it produces some sweet (and “refined”) dividends: righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness (1Ti 6:11). So investment the rest of your life’s efforts to acquiring Kingdom currency—Faith (Jam 2:5). For there is a lavish inheritance in glory awaiting those who have it (Rom 8:32; Col 3:24; 1Pe 1:4).

“In this with no bed or real estate
I know my reward ain’t no minimum wage
Plagued with the same birth pains
But I know my labor’s ain’t in vain…
But I’m a keep grinding ’til it rain And when the Boss back I get a raise”
–Trip Lee, “No Days Off”

“Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others. In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life.” –1 Timothy 6:17-19

Billy Neal

Dragnet

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” — Matthew 13:47-51.

Men, “The Kingdom is like a dragnet.” The net was cast into the sea and it gathered of every kind. The whole catch is drawn ashore, and afterwards is sorted. The good is gathered into vessels and the bad is thrown away as it will be at the end of the age. Angels will come and separate the wicked from the just and cast them into the furnace. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. This net is cast over and catches “fish” of every kind, without discrimination. Jew, Gentile, young, old, male and female, good and bad will be hauled in. Angels will do the sorting.

The sea is the world. The net is the gospel of Jesus and of the Kingdom. This net of the gospel will reach every nation and tongue. All will be judged by the blood of Jesus. Angels will collect those who accept His payment over our lives into “vessels” and those who have rejected will be discarded into a place of fire, crying and hostility.

Jesus asks the disciples, “Have you understood all these things?” They answered “yes”.

Have we understood these things? What is your answer?

We are continuing to draw nearer to “shore” where the sorting time shall begin. Some argue that it may have already be beginning. Could this be the time Jude 22-23 speaks of “snatching some from the fire”? Be it by compassion or by fear, compel men appropriately since the time of sorting is in fact coming

Move forward, men, testifying of His gospel in our time. Bad can be turned to good even while we are hauled ashore, perhaps even while the sorting has begun. But once a judgment has been rendered there is no appeal. We who believe and love as Jesus loves should be compelled to action by these parables.

Let’s go to work.

Vance Durrance

Shelter

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” — Matthew 13:31-32, NKJV.

Men, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed”. Jesus speaks another parable. The mustard seed is the smallest of herb seeds, but when it is grown it is greater than all the herbs and becomes a tree where birds come and nest. This tree is a refuge, it provides covering and safety, it provides comfort and vantage.

Coming to the empowering knowledge of Kingdom principles is like growing into a fruitful tree. Kingdom principles give answer to many questions about how to live out the Father’s will here on earth. Living out Kingdom principles in a world of false worship will no doubt make us stand out among other “herbs” or weeds.

There are refuge, empowerment, protections, and privileges in the great tree of Kingdom function. Living out Kingdom principles is recognizing spiritual attack and settling our hearts to say “I will dwell in the secret place of the Most High. I will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say, Lord, You are my refuge, and I will trust You. You will deliver me.” Ps. 91.

While many in the world are tormented by worry and anxiety over day to day issues, Kingdom citizens know how to access His peace, and take confidence in His promises. The world of “birds” and men recognize the value of coming to an immovable tree instead of a smaller herb which can’t give shelter during calamity. Anxious people come to immovable people for comfort and stability while the winds of calamity blow through their lives and circumstances. The mustard tree receives the same rain and wind as other herbs, but can withstand a flood and torrent by its deep roots in the Kingdom principles.

Move forward men, rooted deep in Kingdom function. Stand out among less established men. Be available to those needing refuge from storms. Grant protections through prayer to those who come upon you during attack. Be visible to those searching to grab hold of truth like a weary bird in a wind storm. Let Jesus make you into a shelter where He can be found.

Vance Durrance

The Amen

“The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.” –Revelation 3:14b

Jesus is THE “faithful and true witness.” A witness speaks of what they have seen and heard. A faithful witness is one who speaks truthfully and completely about their personal encounter of which they have intimate knowledge. Jesus stands out as THE embodiment of what a witness IS. He spoke boldly of what He knew—for He was no liar (John 8:55). He came from heaven (John 8:14,22) and testified to the truth (Joh 18:37) and to the very glory of God (Joh 14:9). Therefore, those that recognize Christ as these things (Joh 14:6) and have believed and received His testimony (1Jo 5:10), are now HIS witnesses (Act 26:16) who openly and completely share (by word AND deed) His glorious truth with the world (Act 1:8).

“It is one thing to speak about God in words, maxims, precepts; it is another thing to show us God in act and life. The one is theology, the other is gospel,” (MacLaren’s Expositions).

Deadly Chokehold

foursoils

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.
— Matthew 13:7.

Men, a sower is scattering seed. Some has now been cast among thorns. These thorns spring up and choke the good seed out. Jesus explains in vs 22, he that receives seed among thorns are like those who hear the Word but the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word and he becomes unfruitful.

We know the passage “you cannot serve God and money” in Mathew 6:24. We do our best to compartmentalize our lives into manageable sections. We have our work face, our church face, and our families often get whatever is left, after we spend time with the peers. We are not called to compartmentalize. We are called to “die to self daily” in surrender to the One that matters.

While at church do we discuss work and the topic of the day until the show begins. The cares of this world are choking the life out of what the Holy Spirit is trying to accomplish within us. Do we spend more time surfing information sources regarding the issue of the day than we do searching His Word for truths that apply to our daily growth regardless of season?

If this is you, you sir, are being choked by thorns. If the latest over hyped calamity takes your attention away from His Word planted within you, you sir are choked. If working overtime to buy the latest toy or gadget commands your time, you sir have fallen victim to the deceitfulness of riches.

There are very real dangers and troubles in our world. A bad health report is a legitimate concern. But! If we allow that concern to steal our peace, we are choked by the cares of this world. Jesus offers peace through the struggle and storm, promising to never leave or forsake us. Jesus endures the fire with us. What if we spent more time learning the protocols that bring heavenly authority and power into our physical lives than worrying about matters otherwise beyond our control?

Move forward men, clearing thorns out of our gardens. Cut the noise down so we can see and hear Jesus in our lives!

Vance Durrance