FromNowUntilForeverBook8.5x5.5 REV.indd

believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father” (John 14:12). Yet, because He did make the fateful journey 2000 years ago, all of the above have taken place. As a result, Christ is receiving “A kingdom for himself ” (Luke 19:12). Earthly king- doms have come and gone throughout time, while Jesus has been building an eternal, heavenly kingdom. This kingdom is one in which all believers are priests (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6).This means we can go directly to God by way of the blood of His Son Jesus, the great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), rather than through an earthly mediator. Note that before the nobleman left on journey, he gath- ered ten of his workers together and gave each one a mina, valued at approximately $65.00. Although that’s not a lot by to- day’s standards, it represents approximately four months wages for a farm worker at the time. After distributing the money, he issued an assignment, which consisted first of this opportunity : “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13). “The word occupy means not merely to possess, as it often does in our language, but to improve, to employ in busi- ness, for the purpose of increasing it, or of making profit on it.” 69 Literally speaking, the nobleman provided these work- ers with a wonderful chance to invest and prosper financially. From a spiritual standpoint, these funds symbolize the gifts the Holy Spirit bestows upon us. By providing us these gifts, God provides for and equips us to represent Jesus on earth. That said, do you know what your gifts are? If so, are you putting them into practice? Paul urged his young son in the ministry, “To kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you . . .” (2Timothy 1:6), words that are just as applicable now as they were then.

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