Take Your Place! By James L. Lantz
God’s people have believed in His goodness and in His mighty power from Abel offering Him his very best sheep, to Enoch being caught up to heaven without seeing death, and Noah heeding God’s warning to build the ark and save his family. Abraham and Sarah believed God’s word and received their promised son, Isaac. Abraham responded in faith when God placed demand on their covenant and called for him to offer up Isaac, his only begotten son. Heb. 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Samson, Ester, and many more have answered God’s call in the days leading up the time in which God would set up His kingdom. When Mary responded to Gabriel by saying, I am the Lord’s handmaid, may it be exactly as you have said, Jesus was received into the earth. Jesus found Himself in the Holy scriptures and declared that He must be about His Father’s business. Peter and the other disciples left everything to follow Jesus believing that the kingdom of God had come. Jesus made an astounding statement concerning those of us who would enter into the kingdom of heaven! Mt. 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: not with standing he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
There is a wonderful place called heaven where God lives and just as surely as Jesus came the first time, He is coming to catch away His glorious bride called the church. This will take place very quickly, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. 1 Thess. 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. After a most glorious time at the marriage supper of the Lamb we will return to the earth with our Lord and Master, Jesus, to destroy the enemies of God and set up Christ’s thousand year reign. Rev. 19:15&16 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
As for now, we who have been powerfully removed from the kingdom of darkness and gloriously translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son must aggressively take up the sword of the Spirit. Our dual citizenship gives us authority in the earth with access to the powers of the world to come! We will occupy our space and penetrate the gates of hell with the gospel of Jesus Christ that sets the captive free. We have been born for this time of the latter rain of the Spirit of God in the earth! Luke 4:18&19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Do not be intimidated by the fact that Jesus spoke these words about Himself, because He did not operate in his earthly ministry as the Son of God. Jesus had restricted Himself when He became a man and only ministered as a man anointed by the Spirit of God. Jesus did no miracles until He was baptized with the Holy Spirit in the river Jordan. Jesus only did what He saw the Father do and He only said what He heard the Father say. This same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you! Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. God is still doing miracles today through those who are baptized in the Holy Spirit!
Everyone is called to be a part of Christ church, but only those who respond in faith actually get immersed into the body of Christ. Mt. 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. God’s desire for all to come to Him is evident by His inclusive invitations like, whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved, and everyone who asks receives. John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. Notice that Jesus has already ordained you (those who are His) and not something that He is going to do for you when and if you make it too heaven. When we came to Christ we were baptized into His body by the Holy Spirit and no one and no devil can pry us from our Father’s hand. The only way we could ever be separated from our good heavenly Father is after we have partaken of the Holy Spirit, the good word of God, and His supernatural power and then decide that we don’t want Him anymore. ( Heb. 6:4-6, Jude 1:12, Heb. 10:39 ) I am not stupid and by God’s grace I am sticking with the Master, after all, all of the promises of God are in Him! 2 Cor. 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Jesus prequalified every one of us to be a recipient of His inheritance by taking our sins upon Himself and giving us His righteousness! Col. 1:12 ESV giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. It is a great privilege to be a child of God and to be a part of God’s ever increasing eternal kingdom!
1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
We entered into covenant with Father God when we made Jesus the Lord of our life. When we first entered into God’s family we were like a newborn baby in need of everything. We needed to be nursed and to be washed and changed. Everyone is excited about this newborn baby but we all want to see him grow. Peter exhorts believers to feed on God’s word so that they can grow up and become strong. 1 Pet. 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Moms and Dads are excited when their little ones begin to walk, talk, dress themselves and learn to read and write, and help with the household chores. We in the household of faith are pleased as well, when we see God’s people get involved with their heavenly Father’s work. The Spirit of God through John identifies the growth process that takes us from being easily overcome to one who overcomes the evil one. 1 John 2:12-14 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. . . . I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Our part of the covenant is to fulfill the purpose that we were created for. 1 Cor. 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. God made each of us different with unique gifts and talents and has a special place for us in the body of Christ! We are referred to as living stones, not living bricks, that make up God’s temple. God is moving powerfully by His Spirit and building His church! Jesus is coming back for a glorious church, one that is vibrant and victorious! Believe the gospel and reject the lies of the enemy. Take your place in serving the Lord, Delight yourself in Him, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Luke 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Take Your Place In Prayer!
Take Your Place In Reading God’s Word!
Take Your Place In Building God’s Kingdom!
Take Your Place In Serving Your Fellow Man!
If you have not yet joined God’s Royal Family, do it now. God is calling you to leave the devil’s family which offers no peace, no hope, or real joy, but guarantees you eternal destruction. God offers you eternal life and acceptance into His Royal family through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! God has determined that He will accept everyone who will accept His Son, The Lord Jesus Christ! You do this by committing your life to Jesus through confessing Jesus to be your Lord and believing that He is Lord in your heart. The closest comparison on this earth to our covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ is the marriage covenant between a husband and wife who both love God with all their heart. Our initial commitment to each other is consummated through intimacy and then continues this relationship through fellowship and love for each other. Our relationship with Christ begins with our repentance and vow to come under Jesus Lordship and continues as we walk in obedience and fellowship with our Master!
A Prayer Of Salvation!
Dear Heavenly Father:
I acknowledge my need for Jesus who is the Savior of the world!
I repent of all sin and commit my life to Jesus Christ today. I believe with
all my heart that Jesus is the Son of God who died for my sins. I believe
that Jesus has been raised from the dead to give me eternal life!
Thank you for accepting me as your child! Amen!
Signed : ________________________ Date : ___________
Be sure to testify of your commitment through water baptism, read your Bible, and go to a good church!
