Timely Insights into God's Word from Khandielese Reyes

“And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.  Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.  And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.”  (John 12:20-26) 

The illustration used by our Lord here in the book of John is indeed a most profound one.  Speaking of his own life he used the illustration of a corn of wheat that unless it falls to the ground and dies, it would have no bearing on production of fruit, but would simply abide alone.   Through the crucifixion death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a great harvest of fruit was produced.  Through his death, countless of men and women all over the world have gained access to the gift of life, reconciliation, and direct access to The Father, through The Son.  And many more wait to receive this blessedness, thus those who are now the possessors of the gift must go forth and show others how to obtain it.  Now, had The Lord remained, no man would have been able to obtain the precious gift of salvation and eternal life, nor would there have been opportunity for forgiveness of sin.  Therefore, the lives of those who would follow after him, must to go “From death to Life”, as before any can expect production of fruit, the seed(s) must first fall to the ground and die.  The death that ALL must experience who become followers of The Lord Jesus is the death of SELF, as before we can produce fruit of an effectual work that would be pleasing to Our Father, and become a useful vessel for the work of The Lord, we must learn to die to self.  Our desires must then become HIS desires, and our will MUST become HIS will.   

When we become believers on The Lord Jesus, and thus repent of our sins and accept His precious gift of life, He has then been invited to become The “Lord of our lives”, and although every believer profess this, not ALL actually have given Him his proper place in their lives.  If He is indeed Lord of our lives, then we first must be emptied of “self”, that he may take residence and begin working his perfect will through us for our lives.   He cannot be Lord of a “portion”, but must be Lord of ALL thus HE must be first in our lives above ALL things, and above ANY one.  If He is not first in our lives, then He is not Lord OF our lives therefore self still remains, and production of fruit thus lack.   

“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his OWN life also, he CANNOT be my disciple.  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, CANNOT be my disciple.”  (Luke 14:26-27)
Certainly this scripture does not mean that one should literally hate his/her relatives, friends, etc. as that would go against his commandment to LOVE.  But, what this scripture is mainly speaking of is putting the desire for others before Him for the very essence of discipleship is giving The Lord Jesus FIRST place in our lives.  In a family situation, there may be those of a different belief.   Thus, if a member of that family has given Jesus first place in his/her life, he/she must then be willing to accept possible disapproval and persecution by other members of that family whose beliefs differ.  However, if he/she fears rejection from his family and friends and attempts to serve the Lord in as if it were secrecy so as to escape possible persecution of others, such a one has placed the love and acceptance of others BEFORE Christ and are not worthy to be called His disciple.  To “bear” one’s cross and follow after Jesus is to be willing to accept ridicule, persecution, disapproval and even death from those who are enemies to the cross and whom despise the Name of The Lord.  If a believer is more concerned over the approval of others, and working towards pleasing man, he is ineffective for the work of The Lord and cannot truly be called his disciple.  For one to follow the Lord, one must be willing to forsake ALL, not some, but ALL and this would include family, friends, and THINGS.  A classic example of this would be the Lord’s original Disciples. 

In the book of Matthew chapter 4, the word describes how the Lord called his first disciples: “and Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him.”  (Matt 4:18-20) Notice how they IMMEDIATELY dropped what they were doing, left all behind and from that moment forward, followed after Him.  They did not question his calling or what he meant by “I will make you fishers of men” but simply heeded to His words.  No doubt there were some that left family behind including wives and children, they left their businesses and means of profit, and left ALL that was part of their old life to follow Him.  Scripture goes on to say: “And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.  And they immediately left the ship AND their father, and followed him.” (Matt 4:21-22)  Here, these two brothers James and John literally left their father there on the ship and immediately followed The Lord upon hearing His call.  They didn’t stop to explain to their father what they were doing, nor give explanation as to why they felt driven to follow the Lord without first questioning where they were going, or why he’d called them.  Certainly some family members must have questioned these brother’s actions, and possibly thought they’d lost all leave of their senses, but it’s obvious that what others thought of them was of no concern.   

We in turn must be the same.  We must be willing to go “From death to Life” by dieing to self and putting Christ first above ALL things.  The evidence of HE being FIRST would be demonstrated when we can truly say from the heart and not just from the mouth, NOT MY WILL, BUT THY WILL BE DONE”.  Then He has truly become the Lord of our lives.

“Thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with ALL thy heart, and with ALL thy soul, and with ALL thy mind.  This is the FIRST and GREAT commandment.”  (Matt 22:37-38)

I love you all so very much. Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember: Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!

The Lord be with you this day and always!  Shalom Uvracha (Peace and Blessings)…….. 

Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh,
Adonai Elohim Tzeva-ot
Asher Hayah Va-ho-veh VaY’vo

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come!

May the peace of the Lord be with you today and always……

Khandielese
Daughter & Servant
   of the Lord God