OCCUPY TILL I COME

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 16 December 2012

Hi all,

“Occupy till I Come!” These were Jesus’ instructions to us via the parable of the money (talents) and the three servants in Luke 19:13-27. “Invest this for me while I am gone” is the NLT translation. The parable deals with those who were obedient. It also deals in a devastating way with the one who did nothing with his master’s money. A fair question for me would be to ask us, “What are you doing with His gifts, talents and blessings?” Don’t answer me. Answer Him. One day there will be no alternative!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 16 December 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	OCCUPY TILL I COME
Some years ago, I read a story about a man. He’d been all over the world on a ship. He’d been unable to disembark. He had no means of identification. No birth certificate, no ID book and no passport. How he managed to get on the ship was not explained. At every port he visited, the authorities had refused to admit him. He was what we could best describe as a non-person. What happened to any family members, who might have identified him, was not stated. Nothing was mentioned about his life aboard the ship. Presumably the captain or owners must have given him work of some sort so that he could eat and drink. It was a sorry tale with little prospects of anything changing. There is a vague similarity with this wandering man and the life of a Christian on planet earth. Sure we have passports which enable us to travel round and see various places. But we are not really at home wherever we go. In a way our status is similar to the old Chorus: This world is not my home I’m just a passing through. / My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. / The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door. / And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore! This is part of the greater problem Christians face. We are in the world but not of the world. There is a clear distinction. When we have had glimpses of the glory of God and the splendours of His Kingdom, the things of this world become somewhat tasteless. In his letter to the Philippians Paul wrote: 23 I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. Philippians 1:23 NLT It’s easy to identify with this and look forward to leaving this world and being with Jesus. But that would do nothing for the Kingdom of God. If every Christian suddenly vanished from the face of the earth, who would be left to take to Gospel to the Nations? Current “rapture of the church” theory espouses this thinking.  Christians can “escape the tribulation”. Personally, I don’t think they are right. In which case they are in for a very rude awakening. I’d love to think I’m wrong! What we should do as Christians, is live as though He is coming back tomorrow. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve heard is that we should live as though He is coming back tomorrow and prepare to serve Him here indefinitely. Andrew Murray in a book written about a hundred years ago put it this way. He said that if his daily task was to plant a tree. Even if he knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow, he would start the day by planting a tree! Jesus, in the parable of the King and three servants used the phrase: 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. Luke 19:13 KJV Occupy till I come. It’s what He wants! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, Ephesians 2:19 NIV 22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God's firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God Himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. Hebrews 12:22-23 NLT 13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Hebrews 11:13 NLT 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Saviour. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control. Philippians 3:20-21 NLT 13 For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, Colossians 1:13 NLT 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11 ESV	They say I’m a South African; and I was born a Brit. But somehow these Nationalities just do not seem to fit. It’s stated in my Passport’s and so it must be right. And with these two Authorities, I do not wish to fight. But sadly, with these passports, there’s little one can do. Except visit some countries who really don’t want you. They only want your dollars; They’ll settle for your pounds. But if you are a nuisance, you’ll soon be homeward bound. It’s called the tourist industry. “Please come and see our land. But when you’ve spent your money you have to understand The quicker you get ready, and you have gone away, Another foreign tourist will visit us next day.” I’ve got another passport which Jesus Christ supplied.               Ephesians 2:19 NIV He’s given me a heart of flesh and hidden deep inside, This Diplomatic Passport, is all I’ll ever need, To get me into heaven. It’s recognised indeed! I’ve got the right of access, to the city of my God.                    Hebrews 12:22-23 NLT To tramp the Holy City, in the steps my Lord has trod. I’m sorry, I can’t show it. It’s hidden from your view. But when I’ve started doing the things He told me to, You’ll see things in abundance as clear as any bell, The fruit I’d be displaying, if I was bound for Hell. The fact is I am righteous! It’s like an overcoat. My Master gave it to me when I gave Him my “vote”. He said that I may wear it. It fits me like a glove. And it will by my covering, while walking in His love. He’s also given promises that still must come to pass. So I am truly confident and just as bold as brass; When I confess that someday, the Lord will give to me, Everything He’s promised back to antiquity!                Hebrews 11:13 NLT His diplomatic passport will never once expire. Not while Christ my Saviour is the One Whom I desire. No one else can steal it while it’s in my chest. While I serve the Master, I know that I’ll be blessed. I’ve still got one ambition, one purpose and one goal. To fight against the passions which war against my soul.1 Peter 2:11 ESV From darkness I’ve been rescued and this I know for sure. Jesus will assist me to keep my lifestyle pure!             Colossians 1:13 NLT Jim Strickland  Written 16th December 2012