Our Spiritual Richness

Today I must say that I have nothing of the LORD other than early morning dreams of comfort. So I just may simply share Pastor Hoekstra's writing on Grace, which is our sufficiency for all of our needs. Just as those of old had Yehovah-Sidkanue. The first is our being born a new in spirit and truth which the foolish deny as did Esau his birth rite and they therefore may remain as Esaus and will never find repentance. For all start out as an Esau, from which we are to progress on to become a type of Jacob, after we wrestle with the LORD of Glory. By this we also become a type of Abraham's seed of promise to honor him who knew GOD. This does not by any means make us a type of Israel who awaits her King the son of David's promise by GOD. This Israel denied for our benefit as spoken in prophecy. We are however heirs of GOD's many and varied promises through Christ our Master and as such has become our LORD and father, husband and husbandman and the Vine into Whom we are engrafted. All making us heirs of His Heir-ship of promise in His spiritual kingdom of heaven. Years ago the LORD said that through His training we would be able to put the scriptures together and that is what I am seeing today being played out.


 "Courageous, Selfless Ministry by the Grace of God"

"But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:24)


"Paul was given ministry by the Grace of GOD. "I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me" (Ephesians 3:7). To put it another way, he received his ministry from the LORD: "the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus." Paul's bountiful ministry was developed by the Grace of GOD. "I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (1Corinthians 15:10). Also, his ministry was to declare GOD's Grace: "to testify to the Gospel of the Grace of GOD." Paul's life demonstrated that such "grace saturates" for service leads to courageous, selfless ministry.

Paul's ministry was courageous. "But none of these things move me." The things that Paul faced were formidable. "The Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me" (Acts 20:23). Down through the centuries, matters less substantial than these have moved many a professing Christian from completing his calling. Yet, by leaning upon the sustaining Grace of GOD, Paul courageously endured great hardship and danger in the service of the Gospel of Grace. "But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of GOD: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings" (2Corinthians 6:4-5). 

Related to this courageous service was Paul's selflessness: "nor do I count my life dear to myself." This is the result of our own tribulation and trials when they are allowed to do what the LORD-GOD intends of them in our lives. In the molding and shaping of Christ's image and likeness in our soul. Soon, Paul would encounter another sober warning. It was given from a prophet of the LORD, who took Paul's belt and bound his own hands and feet. "So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles" (Acts 21:11). Those standing by, who loved Paul deeply, urged him not to proceed. Nevertheless, Paul confessed his willingness to even lose his life for the gospel, if necessary. "Then Paul answered, 'What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus' " (Acts 21:13). Such renouncing of self allowed Paul to "finish [his] race with joy." Thus his final testimony would become, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2Timothy 4:7)." This is the out come for us as well when we have walked as directed by the LORD to accomplish His goals for us on the earth before we are taken home.