When we press into Christ Jesus as our Lord God and Saviour, we have an assurance, a confidence that even when we are delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, He is present and always with us. Indeed, because of His love and mercy, we can have this treasure in our earthen vessel, "so that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
Thus, even when we are troubled on every side, we do not have to be distressed because we have the King of kings and Lord of lords dwelling within us.
This same Jesus whom ye/we once crucified -- He is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
The Son of man is the Lord of glory. The Word made flesh and dwelt among us. Yes, He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not.
But for those who "hear ye Him" in every thing we do, relying on the Lord's guidance and instruction -- Holy Ghost led, as were the apostles, we can let our conversations "be without covetousness." Likewise, we can be "content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5)
And though we walk through the shadow of death, we can fear no evil for Thou art with us, Thy rod and staff comfort us. (Psalms 23:1)
Perhaps, if we consider Jesus' parable, wherein He speaks of the kingdom to His disciples, we understand also that we can come to know Him as the pearl of greatest price. To recap for those who may not know this parable Jesus tells of a man that when he discovers the pearl, willingly sells all that he has to purchase the field wherein the pearl was hid.
Jesus said, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hides, and for joy thereof goes and sells all that he hath and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls; who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered every kind: which, when it was full that drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels ..." (Matthew 13:45-48)
This is why we -- "ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light ..." (I Peter 2:9)
Because we have the pear of greatest price living within, when we ask Jesus to be Lord and Saviour in our life, and then are water baptized in His precious Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:36-38)
Wherefore we labour that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him, knowing that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, and because of His love and kindness and mercy for us, He no longer imputes our trespasses against us, but rather, has committed unto us the Word of reconciliation, so that we too can become ambassadors for Christ. (II Corinthians 5:19-21) So that we can be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 1:8, 18) And that we willingly desire to preach the gospel of Christ without charge. (I Corinthians 9:18-19)
Doing so with willing hearts, speaking the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory, which none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed [them] unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea the deep things of God." (I Corinthians 2:7-10)
Therefore, don't let satan steal your joy. Instead, ask our Lord God and Saviour -- the Comforter -- the Holy Ghost -- to lead and guide you into all truth. For which cause we faint not, desiring to attend upon the Lord Jesus without worldly distraction.
Stand in the offering plate.
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