"The Dead "C"
- Luke 2:49b -
"I must be about my Father’s business?"
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Being dead is not good. It’s not good for you and it’s certainly not good for anyone else. Being alive is much better...agree, I thought so. Yea, I know some say "isn’t it better to be dead and out of this sin cursed world and be with Jesus". Sure it is. But you know what??? God needs you here on earth for the moment to get all His children we can saved and on their way to heaven. So, it’s time to get busy.
As I was listening to Christian radio the other week, they were talking about the Dead Sea over in Israel. And the Holy Spirit dropped another message title my way ("See, Sea, C" above). So, right away I began my search data on the Dead Sea. But using the wit Divinely bestowed upon me, the title "The Dead "C" came to me. And the "C" stands for "Christian", so wella,..."The Dead Christian ("C"). Now the data with the spiritual comparison.
Dead Sea Facts
· The lowest point on earth, 400 m below sea level. The lowest point in a Christian’s life is to be a dead one. Lifeless, no joy, no impact on family, friends or factory. To have the answer to their issues. To give hope to the hopeless and keep shut. To share the greatest love of all, the love of God.
· No form of life has been able to exist in its salty waters. The Dead Sea has the highest salt content of all seas’ waters. We are to be as the Word says, "The salt of the earth". But the salt can’t stay in us, we need to go salt the earths people. Salt will make them "thirsty" for God and the things of God. "The salt is no good if it never leaves the salt shaker, it is only an decoration to the kitchen table. (Matthew 5:13) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men (or swam in, Dead Sea). In this verse taken from the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, Jesus deals with the Christians influence. A Christian that is merciful or is meek, or is a peacemaker, or that is pure in heart will have a tremendous influence in the lives of those who have not given their heart to God. He says we are salt. In ancient times salt was an absolute necessity of life. Because of its seasoning and preservative qualities was one of the most highly prized minerals. In many societies it was so highly valued that it was used for money. In fact English word salary is derived from the Latin word Salarium which refers to the payments made to a Roman soldier with salt. History tells us that Herod’s temple had a chamber of salt for ceremonial use of salt. As well back then in war times, whenever a city was defeated the custom was to throw salt through out the city. This mean that the city had been separated from its past. Elisha used salt to purify the water of Jericho (2 Kings 2:20). In days of old the normal procedures when a child was born was to be rubbed with salt (Ezek. 16:4). Salt was gathered in Palestine from along the seashore or inland lakes. In Bible times and till today salt is used for seasoning our food. Who likes to eat food without salt? Even though salt is so small and yet hardly noticeable it makes a difference when applied to the substance.
Salt was used to flavor the offerings and sacrifices (Lev. 2:13, Ez.43:24) “All who would present themselves “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God: (Rom 12:1), must receive the saving salt, the righteousness of our Saviour.”. In order for our lives to be a living sacrifice for God they must be preserved and seasoned with righteousness of Christ. It was also used to preserve food. They did not have the refrigeration systems that we have today.
What did Jesus mean by this statement "You are the Salt of the Earth"? It is the silent witness of the Christian believer. It is the influence and impact that you and I have over other people’s lives to season, and preserve for eternal life. Christ is saying let your influence season people’s life for the kingdom. Salt changes things; a little salt can change the flavor any thing. It takes our salt to flavor a life, a city, our family and workplace. We as Salt must "rub" against those who have no flavor, those who are perishing who will. Remember Lot’s wife she became a pillar of salt because she wanted to be part of the world. We are not pillars of salt we are the “Salt of the earth”. By the way, The Dead Sea contains 43 billion metric tons of salt. We contain as much as we want too...ouch!!!
· Dead Sea salt is not a normal sea salt, its concentration of minerals is infinitely higher. Every Dead Sea crystal has a unique mix of minerals essential for your equilibrium (your brain food):
o Magnesium: plays an important role in almost every biological function which occurs in our bodies. Magnesium activates nearly 100 enzymes and helps nerves and muscles function. It is required for energy release, growth, cell and tissue function, hormone function, nerve messengering, DNA production, and muscle function. Known for its anti-allergic influence on the skin and promotes healing. The confidence we give people as they understand who they are in Christ will make them less nervous, their functions will function like created. And: By His stripes we are healed. Lay hands upon the sick and they shall be healed...need I say more.
o Bromide: Known for its soothing, relaxing and tranquilizing affect on the nervous system. I have not given you the spirit of fear, but of a sound mind...Fear not, a thousand times the Word says "fear not". Remember fear activates the enemy, while faith activates God.
o Iodine: Important for the correct functioning of the thyroid gland and an important factor in the body’s metabolic exchanges. Give our world the Word that they might grow thereby.
o Sulfur: A natural disinfectant. The Lord has power and authority over sickness and disease. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. Power against the devil will keep them from the infection of sin and it’s horrible trail...amen.
o Potassium: A crucial mineral which is important to every major body function including blood pressure regulation, regulation of cellular water content, maintenance of proper pH balance, transmission of nerve impulses and proper digestion. Potassium helps muscles contract and our hearts beat. Potassium, along with sodium and chloride, help to form electrolytes, the electrically charged ions, which make up our bodily fluids. This mineral is needed to regulate water balance, levels of acidity, blood pressure, and neuromuscular function. Potassium is also required for carbohydrate and protein metabolism and helps rid the body of wastes, normalizes heart rhythms and aids in reducing blood pressure. Sweating, and diarrhea deplete potassium. We have to train others in the Word to have a balanced life. One that has regular Bible reading, praying church attending habits. They won’t have a chance unless we tell and show them. They shouldn’t have to sweat when the enemy comes, they must have the weapon of the Word to stop the fiery darts. To be calm and confident at crisis and challenge times. To be level headed by standing on a firm foundation...amen.
· Oxygen level: 10 times higher than that of any earth atmosphere. We as believers are containers of the life of God. We have within us the Holy Spirit. We must allow Him through us to breath out that life of God. A life is what people desire the most. A life of peace, prosperity, and provisions. God has it all. He has given us Himself, not to keep but to give to others.
· UV rays: Filtered (low penetration of UV rays= less danger to the body in sunburn conditions). As we challenge ourselves to disciple those who are in Christ or newly saved folks, the knowledge of God’s word we teach and train them with will keep them from getting "burnt by the devil". They will obtain wisdom and knowledge of the Most High and know what to do and how to deal with "life".
Did you learn anything friend??? Not only about the Dead Sea, it’s contents, but that all the minerals, the salt need to come out to be effective...or it might as well be dead and good for nothing. I don’t want to be dead, how about you???
Now to our main scripture verse, " I must be about the father’s business".
we all have the same Father, right??? If you don’t work you don’t eat. And if you don’t eat you die, which applies spiritually as well as physically. The word "must" here means: it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper, necessity lying in the nature of the case, necessity brought on by circumstances or by the conduct of others toward us. Necessity in reference to what is required to attain some end, a necessity of law and command, of duty, equity, necessity established by the counsel and decree of God, especially by that purpose of his which relates to the salvation of men by the intervention of Christ and which is disclosed in the Old Testament prophecies concerning what Christ was destined finally to undergo, his sufferings, death, resurrection, ascension. The emphasis "must" be put on the "I must". His priority business, His most effort "must" be put into the Father’s business. God’s agenda "must" come before ours. Being busy keeps us alive. Being busy for God keeps us alive in Him. "About" means, I must be in the same business my Father is in. The one who started the business is trusting us to carry it on. Carrying out forever the family name and legacy. "Business" means an occupation, a job, what we do for a living (so we keep living not dying). In the O.T. the Hebrew word "dabar" means word, or word of the Lord. So, friend our job is the Word. Do you understand??? The Word is in us. The Word comes out of us as directed by the Holy Ghost, and the Word reaches the lost. My, my it’s so powerful. On we go.
Jesus came to do the Father’s business. Our main Bible verse is in red letters in your Bible because Jesus said it. Here is the Lord’s business plan.
- (Luke 19:10) "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
- (John 4:34) " My food...is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work."
- (John 5:30) "I seek not to please myself, but Him who sent me."
- (John 6:38-40) The Father’s will for JESUS is for Him to give eternal life to all who believe in Him.
- (John 8:29) "I always do what pleases Him."
- (John 12:49-50) "...Whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."
- (John 17:1-4) "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to
do."
The late Charles Spurgeon said of Jesus and His part in the Father’s business: "It was his Father’s business made him sweat great drops of blood; his Father’s business ploughed his back with many gory furrows; his Father’s business pricked his temple with the thorn crown; his Father’s business made him mocked and spit upon; his Father’s business made him go about bearing his cross; his Father’s business made him despise the shame when, naked, he hung upon the tree; his Father’s business made him yield himself to death, though he needed not to die if so he had not pleased; his Father’s business made him tread the gloomy shades of Gehenna, and descend into the abodes of death; his Father’s business made him preach to the spirits in prison; and his Father’s business took him up to heaven, where he sitteth on the right hand of God, doing his Father’s business still! His Father’s business makes him plead day and night for Sion; the same business shall make him come as the Judge of quick and dead, to divide the sheep from the goats; the same business shall make him gather together in one, all people who dwell on the face of the earth! Oh, glory to thee, Jesus; thou hast done it! Thou hast done thy Father’s business well".
Here is His business plan for us.
- (John 17:18) "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."
- (John 20:21) "As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you."
- (Acts 1:8) "...you will be My witnesses..."
What makes us do the best we can do and be in "The Business"??? For one thing we "must" be obedient. We have no choice, we must do it, we must serve God, we must go after the end time harvest, we must be about the business of winning souls and discipling them, amen. Our spirit needs to be ever obedient on the job for God spirit. It must drive us, impel us to be at our best in our position at the business. Obedient in serving, praying, reading the Fathers business manual, His Word. Our flesh, our will, our ideas, our opinions must be in check, while God’s Spirit works through our spirit. We must say like Jesus said in (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". Second, it’s our call, our mission, part of God’s plan for our life, it’s in our destiny. No one else can touch our world He has given to us more than us. We can’t sit, we must go. (Matt. 28:18-20) "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Thirdly, we must be confident. The business is, has been, and will always be successful. Anything God is in is. It’s anointed, it’s powerful, it gets the job done. It does what it’s says it will do.
How do we go about doing "The Business"??? "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. " (Prov. 3:4-6). God started the business and has full confidence in you to do your part in it. As I end this message, I trust you’ve been challenged2Bchanged. Friend, I too get caught up in everything it seems except what I’m supposed to be doing for God. The saying goes like this, "you make all these plans and then life happens". The enemy sidetracks and distracts, messes with our family and the rest. It’s the "must". We must be about the business of the Father. Jesus is coming soon, very soon for His bride. And He want every soul to take that heavenly ride. Come alive and live for Him, don’t be a dead "C".
challenge42day HUMOR
* Don’t be "deadwood" in the "Dead Sea"
* "There’s No Business Like Soul Business"
* "It’s the world’s largest business"
* "The Dead Sea, People are going to it instead of it going to them"
In closing let us pray for you my friend, Father, I ask you to bless my friends reading c42day, right now. Lord, let this message penetrate their hearts and realize their need to "Alive in Christ" for you. Give them faith to believe and trust in Our Mighty God. It’s my and I know your desire Lord that they have been challenged to change their life. For sure they have been challenged2Bchanged. In Jesus Name...Amen
God Bless,
Mike & Carole
