LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE AND OTHERS BY UNCOVERING THE LIGHT!

 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 KJV

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. Luke 11:33-36 KJV

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  Psalms 119:105 KJV

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.  Psalms 119:130 KJV

Light occupies a very prominent and important place in the Word of God! It is there from the first recorded utterance of God "Let there be light" in the first chapter of Genesis, to where the " the Lord God giveth them light" in the last chapter of the book of Revelation! Light plays a vital part in the life on this planet physically, and an even more vital part spiritually, in humanity. God is called "the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" His Word is a lamp and a light. Jesus is "the Light of the World" and we are also lights who should shine for Him!

1. WE ARE CALLED TO BE LIGHT AND TO DO WHAT LIGHT DOES BEST, TO ILLUMINATE!

As children of God we are made to shine, not of our own power, but by the Father's enablement. We are referred to as 'light' and 'children of light'!

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. John 12:35-36 KJV

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Ephesians 5:6-14 KJV

As the lights of the world,  we are expected to shine.  We do not EVER turn off the light. We are to let it shine before men for a reason, that God may be glorified. How can we glorify God? By letting our light shine before men in a particular manner. This allows men to see what the light shines on!

It's so bright in here and so dark out there! Why is the light not shining in the darkness?

When a person enters a house that's in darkness, that person automatically reaches for a light switch, in order to illuminate the area. When Jesus comes into a person's life, He produces light in that life. As we surrender our lives to Him, He lights up every room we open to Him. As we allow Him full access, and enjoy His light, we ourselves become transmitters of that light. In a blackout street, the house with all its window lighted up will draw attention. As children of the light we are transparently illuminating, as living letters, known and read by all men!

But 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: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 KJV

2. WE ARE CAUTIONED TO GIVE THE LIGHT THAT IS IN US FREEDOM TO PENETRATE!

If the light in us is to do any good, it must be allowed to penetrate. It will then expose all those dark murky parts of our lives, where the enemy loves to build and nurture his strongholds! As the light is allowed to penetrate, the enemy is forced to flee! He has no choice, for darkness always flees before the Light! Be we MUST allow the light to penetrate unhindered!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:16-21 KJV

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 KJV

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11 KJV

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:5-10 KJV

Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:8-11 KJV

3. WE ARE EXPECTED TO ALLOW LIGHT TO DO WHAT IT ALWAYS DOES TO DARKNESS - TO ERADICATE!

When Light is given unrestricted passage, it will eradicate every darkness in its path!

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Romans 13:12-14 KJV

Beware of those pretending to be light for therein lies the beginning of subtle shadows, devilish deception and faith-destroying darkness!

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 KJV

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV

The single answer to the five questions asked in the above passage is an unequivocal, resounding NO!!!

The light of the Word will stir our conscience and spotlight enemy strongholds! We can then allow the Light to penetrate and eradicate! If instead of responding positively, we try to rationalize, it is the beginning of a cover up. As we continue to make excuses, we actually lend support the stronghold and maybe unintentionally, give it permission to squat and take deeper root. We then continue to add more and more layers to the cover up! Without realizing it, we slowly but surely cover the light, and darkness descends. After the first feeling of discomfort and embarrassment, we pour on more rationale for the thoughts. Our new state subsequently become acceptable, as we gradually become accustomed to less light and more darkness. Soon we are so accustomed to the darkness, that we think darkness is the new light! Any appearance of real light becomes an annoyance, and something to be avoided or attacked.

The idiom "to be in the dark" means to be in a state of ignorance  or to not know something. Being "in the dark" can lead to error, blunders and leave us forever stumbling about without a light to show us where the real path is.

If you are left in the dark about something, then you are not given the information or truth that you should have.

So, what is hindering the light in you? What prevents you from obtaining useful God Glorifying revelation?

We should not be unbelieving when it comes to the Word of God, for unbelief blocks its entrance, resulting in darkness. Resistance to, and neglect of God's promises, prevents us from appropriating the light that should be illuminating us.

Every Word of God, like good seed, comes with the power to accomplish what it says! However the Word in the mind is not enough! We hear this word, and many times never let it get pass our mind. It therefore remains static, a potential for light that is never realized, until it is allowed entrance into the heart!

Faith then comes into operation, and throws the switch, bringing wonderful, life giving, life healing, life empowering illumination. The static becomes dynamic, setting into motion the saving, delivering, healing power of God!

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:16-21 KJV

When God takes over, and is enshrined in our lives, night ceases to exist before the all encompassing power of the Everlasting Light!

And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. Revelation 21:22-25 KJV

Therefore Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.  Isaiah 60:1 KJV

May the light in you not be darkness! May we pay heed to the light until the day dawns. May the Word be rooted and grounded in us so that it produces what it promised!

STRIP DOWN TO RUN EFFECTIVELY FOR THE CROWN!

(Getting rid of Spiritual Clutter and placing ourselves for effective Christ-glorifying work!)

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 KJV

WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL LEST WE ALLOW THE SIMPLE TRUTH OF THE GOSPELOF JESUS CHRIST TO BECOME SMOTHERED UNDER A VIRTUAL AVALANCHE OF THEOLOGICAL OVERLOAD

A house remains new and empty for just a little while. In our natural lives we accumulate stuff over a period of time. We pack them in every available room, until we are so jam packed that things become squished together. Every nook and cranny becomes so stuffed, that we do not even remember what we have stacked away. The longer we have lived in a house the more we accumulate stuff in it.

Storage capacity on computers in this day and age has moved from the lowly Kilobytes era to Terabytes and beyond...So much storage! And correspondingly we can accumulate so much junk that we have system slowdown and overload! Junk mail rules over our inboxes. We lose our files somewhere in all that accumulated stuff on our computer hard drives.

Our spiritual life is no different. We accumulate stuff...spiritual junk...some good stuff and much bad. We squish them together until we can hardly distinguish the good...from the bad...from the outright ugly!

We become storehouses for so much spiritual buzzwords, religious jargon, theological terminology that our lives become a virtual stockpile, of often trivial, and many times dangerous stuff, taking up vital space, interacting and either amplifying or else nullifying each other!

Information overload, garbage overflow, junk pileup results in serious obstruction of our view and divert our course from our eternal goal. It's rather difficult to travel, much less run an efficient course when we're encumbered with junk and overloaded with useless fluff.

We become like Bunyan's Pilgrim, only we have exchanged the original burden for a bigger, ever increasing and more cumbersome burden, so that at the end of a wearisome day, instead of enjoying the sleep He gives to you His beloved, we pass the night with ceaseless groaning under self inflicted loads.

SPIRITUAL CLUTTER DOES NOT OCCUR SUDDENLY, BUT RESULTS THROUGH A GRADUAL PROCESS OF ACCUMULATION, OF SEEMINGLY HARMLESS BITS AND PIECES WHICH EVENTUALLY RESULT IN OVERLOAD, OBSTRUCTION AND OBFUSCATION OF THE SIMPLE SPIRITUAL TRUTHS!

We can become burdened down by manmade rules, rituals, and religion.

We can become burdened down by our own tendency to unconsciously accumulate things that are many times not edifying or profitable.

We can become burdened down by the enemy who is also usually behind all the subtle efforts to deceive and tie us up

We keep piling on the burdens and become wearily weighed down, while all the time Messiah is saying "Come unto me all ye that labour are heavy laden and I will give you rest" We have been literally forcing ourselves to keep a stiff upper lip, and to grin and bear it. We have manfully struggled on, and cajoled, forced or enticed others to do the same. But we need to live the words of that old Sunday School chorus?

Roll away roll away roll away...every burden of my heart rolled away!

There comes a time when we need to do inventory, stocktaking and an examination or reexamination of ourselves, to identify those burdens and junk in order to roll them all away! What's hindering us from receiving from God? Sometimes like Bartimaeus we have to cast away that which may hinder our expedient approach to the Lord, irrespective of how relevant it may have seemed!

Paul declared that he only wanted to know one thing amongst the Corinthians, i.e. Jesus Christ and Him crucified! He refused to allow fancy talk and human wisdom to corrupt the simplicity of the gospel. He declared:

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2

Compare the rich young ruler and the rich fool with Paul’s response: But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Philippians 3:7-8 KJV) Paul was willing to let go in order to grab hold! Our reluctance to let go can result in defeat at the brink of victory! Ask the Israelites!

 Remember Messiah simplified to save...He stepped down to make it simple...don't complicate what God made simple!

Being burdened down is usually the result of allowing the darkness to creep in; and darkness can only creep in when light is shut out! The light may not have stopped shining, but we have succeeded in effectively covering it up with our clutter! It's usually a slow, casual process, that steals up unsuspectingly on us, making us gradually accepting of the slow diminishing of the light in our lives. Often we are unaware, until the first stumble because we’re unable to see! Now darkness is the new light, and when we allow the light in us to become darkness, how great is that darkness!

2 Chronicles 34 records Josiah's reign as Judah's king.

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left. For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images. And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about. And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 34:1-7 KJV

 Eighteen years later, when he was twenty six, while repairs were being done to the house of the LORD, the book of the law was found and brought before him. The Word of God had been buried among all the debris in His house! Yet when it was found and read to the king it resulted in a major revival in the land, with peace all the days of his reign. It may be hidden and tucked away somewhere among all the debris in your mind but as soon as you clear away the junk and irrelevancy you will discover that the Word of God is forever potent, and able to effect a radical, revolutionary and renewing change in your life!

When you're burdened down with man-made theological baggage and religious activity, it is difficult to look up and see the Source of Light! Ask the woman in Luke 13! The religious leader had his own ideas of how it should be done, but will provide escape routes for himself with justification!

And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him. Luke 13:10-17

Because of the spirit of infirmity this woman was bowed together...stooped down. She could not lift herself up. Jesus recognized her pretty obvious condition and did what was necessary to set her free. For 18 years she was bound and burdened down. In an instant she was set free, but instead of glorifying God, the board of religion was upset and angry that things were not done the way he and his comrades decreed. "That's not how we do things here!" In like manner so often the people of God are deprived of relief from their burdens because of the vain philosophy, copious regulations and tedious theology of man! Don't you just love it when Jesus upsets our limited expectations and it's no longer church as usual?

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. Hebrews 13:9 KJV

Jesus upbraided the elite during His sojourn on earth for the burdens they laid on the people.

And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Luke 11:46 KJV

And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. Matthew 23:2-4 KJV

So often we have become event oriented looking for the next spiritual experience in a meeting of some famous person. We become church bunnies hopping from meeting to meeting seeking to find what we already have living within us! When we realize Who it's all about we no longer seek an external experience but we release Him who is in us to accomplish within us what He already perfected!

Peter declared that you should be Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7 KJV

SINCE THERE IS A SPECIFIC PLACE AND PURPOSE IN THE ETERNAL PLAN, FOR EACH PERSON BORN INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD, WE NEED TO FIND OUR PROPER PLACE ORDER TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE WHOLE, AND FOR HIS GLORY!  

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  (Ephesians 2:10 KJV)

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.(Colossians 2:18-19 KJV)

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:19- 25 KJV

Many times when we gather together we are unable to achieve proper assembly because we are too much the individual…you know… (“Well this is ME, what I am…and I’m not changing for ANYBODY!) Are we assembled together or merely a gathering? When the various parts of the body are gathered together some assembly is required for it to be complete! There are so many gatherings today but not much assembling! Some assembly is required! The cluttered gathering of individual pieces should be assembled into the pattern laid out by God! We can be just a gathering of saints that are going nowhere, with no purpose for the rest of our sorry lives or we can find our place in the body of Christ and become functional! There are no Casual Christians or Convenient Christianity! There are no Partime Saints or Occasional Believers! We're either with Him or against Him, building or breaking, functional or obsolete! Your choice!

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14 KJV)

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. (1 Corinthians 12:18-20 KJV)

TAKE HEED TO THE MINISTRY!

 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus. Colossians 4:1-18 KJV

And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:17

The ministry was received from The Lord. Pay attention to it. Fulfil it. Work to complete it. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity for God does all things well! Paul also reminded young  Timothy: But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5

Take heed...be aware, pay attention, be careful. The same word is used elsewhere by the Lord and others.

Paul knew Archippus personally and referred to him as a fellow soldier:

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: Philemon 1:1-2 KJV

He directed an individual, particular message to him. What prompted that message? We can speculate and theorize but regardless of what we conclude, there are some essential pieces of information encapsulated here that may very well apply to our lives as well. 

It's a special word to an individual, for God always has special individual words to each of His children! God said not to cast pearls before swine and He performs His own Words! So since we know we are not swine, but His children, therefore we have received something precious from Him… a ministry specifically made and particularly tailored to fit our special persons before Him!

Therefore

1. Take heed to the Ministry

3. You have received it in the Lord

4. Fulfill that ministry!

The church at Colosse was directed to encourage Archippus in the ministry so that he could fulfill it.

You've probably heard it before but I say it again...preachers and pastors can get discouraged in a big way. Discouragement may result in various reactions in addition to the drastic decision to drop out! Some preachers and pastors not liking the idea of "dropping out" may approach discouragement by adopting various innocuous seeming divergent activities. Many have given up the message they have been called to deliver, being instead, content with people pleasing addresses that often leaves a congregation feeling good about itself, but deprived of the actual living, life giving message from God. Many have fallen into the habit of preaching people empowering messages to a congregation, that knows not the conviction of sin produced by the Holy Ghost, working in lives to effect eternal transformation.

1. Pay attention to what you are doing for the Lord.

We can easily become sidetracked in a very good way, by seeking to enhance our ministry until it becomes so different from what we originally received from the Lord.

We can also become sidetracked or be distracted by the wear, tear and toils of life that results in a minimizing of the call of God.

We can interpret what this call really means in light of the world's definitions and descriptions, then try to emulate others because of the success they appear to be enjoying. By all worldly standards and measurement the Laodicean church was successful…enormously successful. It is sobering to hear what the LORD had to say about such success!

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:14-20 KJV

Why do we mention Laodicea here? Because this was probably the church where Archippus was ministering! Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:15-17 KJV What an tragic testimony of a church that was no longer Spirit led, just driven by worldly purpose, thinking it had its best life now!

We should bear in mind at all times that God's way of measuring success is vastly different from the ways of the world as far as the heaven is from the earth. In fact the paradoxes of God astounds us!

 "Richard B. Hansenis said, “Paradox is the wild territory within which most ministers live and work. We see unseen things. We conquer by yielding. We find rest under a yoke. We reign by serving. We are made great by becoming small. We are exalted when we are humble. We become wise by being fools for Christ's sake. We are made free by becoming bondservants. We gain strength when we are weak. We triumph through defeat. We find victory by glorying in our infirmities. We live by dying.” Tony Cooke
"Notice the many paradoxes of the kingdom contained in Jesus' beatitudes. In the beatitudes, Jesus speaks of "wealthy paupers, happy mourners, unaggressive conquerors, lusting saints, self-enriching benefactors, realistic visionaries, militant pacifists, and winning losers." Vic Grounds

Paul said:
By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:8-10 KJV

2. We each have a ministry for God has not left us wanting. He has given to every man according to his ability and faith. As we apply ourselves diligently to our ministry and execute our responsibility we remain faithful to the One Who gave it to us! We are to diligently fulfill our calling before God!

Our prayer should be as the song says "Please don't let me leave behind an unfinished task!" and our declaration should be like Paul …I've finished the course!

We do not decide what we want to do and then proceed to do it. We are given what He knows is best for us. When we can see as He sees, we are able to appreciate what He did, and are therefore able to work according to His will. Many times we "duck away" from what we've been called to do, and really seem to do at excellent job at what we turn our hands to in the earnest belief that the "ends justifies the means" (sort of!)

Do not seek another ministry than that which was given to you by the Lord.

Do not compare what you have been given with others…for selfish dissatisfaction and professional jealousy brings no glory to God.

Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. 1 Corinthians 7:23-24 KJV

 We should not seek to please men but the Lord. You may not be recognized by men but remain faithful to your calling

There are lots of unknown soldiers of the cross...unknown on earth but known in heaven. They are unnamed here to us, but their names are known in heaven. Then there are the little known to us, among whom is Paul's fellow soldier Archippus.

Paul at times referred to coworkers and companions as fellowprisoners, fellowhelpers, fellowcitizens, fellowheirs, fellowlaborers, workfellow and twice as fellowsoldiers. One of his fellowsoldiers was Archippus and he had a special message for him, Pay full attention to, and fulfill the ministry you have received in the Lord.

Perhaps you are saying that you have worked a lot and done enough, maybe for an ungrateful and unappreciative people, but we need to remind ourselves who we are really working for! When the realization of Who we work for settles in, then our desire is to please Him and not men.  We will move from the survival mode, into that for which we were made, and are destined for...more than a conqueror in Christ!  

Being lukewarm is like having a form of religion but denying the power thereof.  The church at Laodicea is defined by Christ as being neither hot nor cold but lukewarm. They do not want to be accused of outright coldness to the Lord but at the same time they are not displaying any  sort of enthusiasm towards the Lord or His Calling.

3. Fulfill that ministry!

Take the saddle off your back and stop giving the enemy a free ride. 

Put on the shoes of the gospel of peace and put the enemy where he belongs...right under your feet!

Dead fish can only float along with the tide and you're not dead yet! 

Some of us prefer to wait until we have the perfect sermon, the perfect poem, the perfect song, the perfect book or essay; and so we waste our whole life, never getting anything done that will last, simply because we never got anything started. We're stuck right where we should have started, while we keep telling ourselves that what we are doing we do for God; yet we get pretty upset when someone criticizes us or condemn us or cautions us. You know why? Because we are not really doing it for God but for ourselves, because we want the praise. We want someone to give us the accolades. We keep waiting for that one elusive opportunity to display our star quality, forgetting that He said "Occupy till I come!" 

God is not looking for self perfection but for your willingness and your effort to be in His will. All our efforts and results outside of God's will, no matter how excellent and praiseworthy they may seem to men, are just a vain exercise in mediocrity and non profitable before Him.

God knows you will make mistakes! For heaven's sake you were…we all were…huge mistakes, unable to dig ourselves out from the miry clay that was sucking us in! It took the Divine Dynamics of the Sovereign Saviour to jack us up out of our miserable wallowing, into a position of joyful acceptance before Him. We are accepted just as we are through His Blood! We cannot EVER be unloved by Him. So, like the children as we really are before our Father, let us do what pleases Him best…in childlike faith and trust take His hand, and allow ourselves to be led, wherever He wants to take us! It's a guaranteed happy ending!

Someone said triumph means you simply TRY, but  put a little UMPH behind it!

Obstacles can be a stumbling block to us or a stepping stone to greater things! Your Choice!

Stop seeing yourself as a victim and become a victor instead!

The difference between David and the quitters in Saul's army was that while they all saw the giant, the quitters only saw the end of their personal dreams and ran away from the giant, into their holes and shells. David saw the power and glory of the LORD beyond it all and ran towards the giant. Self vs. the Glory of the LORD! We all know how that ended!!! 

Finish what you Started! It's worth it all to hear Him say Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.  Matthew 25:21 KJV

 DON'T QUIT!

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill.

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As everyone of us sometimes learns.

And many a fellow turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man.

Often the struggler has given up,

When he might have captured the victor’s cup.

And he learned too late when the night came down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out,

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems afar.

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,

It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.

Anon.