The Constant Vision
One of the great benefits of honoring the Lord by honoring His day, the seventh day, is that it allows the believer freedom from distraction in order to look again heavenward to Christ, and to trust God for the renewed vision of Himself. One's faith, but also the interpretation of Scripture is greatly determined by the vision one has of God. As one worships God in Spirit and truth, faith is inspired by beholding.
No Good Thing Withheld
God is the Giver of every good and perfect gift. It is out of the depths of His mercy and grace as Has revealed to us in Christ, that He gives as much as we are willing to trust Him for, and also, and without us knowing or seeing it all, over and above all that we can ask or think. He is desirous to bless us in greatest measure that others will be truly blessed, and this for eternity.
Golden Oil Poured Into Golden Lamps
Oil in the Bible is often a symbol for the Holy Spirit, His work and power. The fact that in some places in Scripture, we find it called "golden oil," simply enforces the fact that it is Divine. God's way in dealing with men and accomplishing His perfect will on earth and in heaven is always by His Spirit. The golden oil speaks of His working in the hearts of men by the Spirit, being just as real and effective as the oil that is seen in its life-giving power.
Come Home
What is the call of God to the aimless, lost individual, wandering about ever seeking the answer to the great questions of life and eternity? The call is simply to come home. This home is where God dwells and where he calls all and any one to come and dwell there with Him. It is a call to a right relationship with God the Father, based wholly and only on the finished work of Christ on the cross, and the saving power of the Spirit of Christ.
The Work Of God Is To Believe
Why did God choose to declare and provide for a soul's salvation to be known and lived by faith? It is because faith is a gift of God, something entirely outside of sinful man. It must be given and then received if there is to be the appropriation of forgiveness of sins, and the creation of a new man in Christ.
The Mysterious Miracle Of Christianity
Christianity is a miracle because it is only possible by God's doing. God creates, redeems in Christ, saves by the power of the Spirit according to the gospel, and makes a new creation out of a lost sinner. Not only is the message of Christianity one that is only of God, but the moving by the Spirit to save a lost soul is an act of God alone, for His glory.
The Missed Opportunity
God has given to us all and individually a certain amount of time, with all the resources in Christ, to accomplish His will on this earth. That opportunity is a daily one, and can be used well, or redeemed, or it can be wasted and missed through neglect or simply not addressing communion with God as the greatest calling a believer can have. The call to fruitfulness is a call to fellowship, abiding in Christ.
The Essential Vision
That which is fundamental, and so very essential to true faith and its applications to the life, is a true, balanced vision of God according to the Scriptures, and enlightened by the Spirit of God. God makes it every so plain and clear who He is in the Scriptures, both in the New and the Old Testaments, so that faith can truly be exercised, with the believer coming to know Christ in an ever-increasing way.
Much Land To Be Possessed
It is one thing to know a promise of God. It is quite another to act upon it in faith, being led by the Spirit. Such was the case of Israel and the possession of the promised land. The promise had been given, but the requirement to possess it was faith and obedience. Caleb had such an attitude, even when he was old. He would not be denied, for the glory of God, to receive the promised inheritance.
In The Name Of The Father, The Son, And The Holy Spirit
The Scriptures tell us that the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. The power and authority of Christ is expressed and applied by Spirit in answer to faith in His name. The great commission, to reach the world for Christ, carrying forth not only His word but revealing His Person, is only possible by the power and authority in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In the name of God, and specifically with regard to the gospel, the use of the name of Christ, the power of God will operate in answer to faith to accomplish the mission.