O.C.C.U.P.Y. Until He Comes

Praise the Lord! God is calling us this year to come up and see things from His point of view. This can only transpire as we grasp an understanding of the kingdom of heaven. This is an on going process, but simply put God is calling us to submit to His was of being and doing right. This is not a difficult task. However, we will need the help of the Holy Spirit. As we allow Him to teach us, we will be able to see it as our Father sees it.

I begin this teaching with an exposition of a message I taught at our church. I believe your life will be blessed and you will be practically equipped to occupy until He comes. Jesus said in Luke 19:13 "And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come." Jesus also taught this parable in Matthew 25:14 which is similar to Luke 19:13. He said, "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods."

Note that in both of these verses that the servants and the goods both belonged to the nobleman and the man traveling. This is teaching us that we as God's servants, and all that we have belong to God. It should be counted an honor and privilege to receive something from God and take care of it for Him. If we approach our lives with this in mind, along with an attitude of gratitude, it should be easy to take care of what He has given us to care for.

Some may not feel adequate in taking care of God's goods. However, give attention to Luke 19:13 where it says ten servants were given ten pounds. The number ten in the Scriptures is indicative of completeness and wholeness. God has given us the complete set of tools and resources to be about His business until He returns.

The final thing that I would like to call your attention to in this pericope of scripture is the word "occupy." The Greek word for occupy is pragmateúomai. The root word is prágma which means to do or perform. So, occupy means to be doing, to be busy, occupied, to do business, to trade or traffic. All this fancy Greek word is saying is that we are on divine assignment and we have a responsibility to be about the Father's business until He returns.

I trust you have been blessed by today's teaching. Tomorrow I will be sharing how to practically occupy so it can be integrated into your daily lives. Stand firm in your faith and remember as always, IAAH!

Understanding the Kindgom of Heaven in 2011,

Pastor Sheila

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