Family Business part 1
I preach, and teach, and Rant a lot about how we are not supposed to try to follow in Jesus' foot steps, but rather to let Him make His own foot steps in our feet. That's kind of what this Rant series is about. Because when talking about being an heir, we're talking about inherting something. The Family Business. Receiving and releasing the gift we've been given. Being blessed to be a blessing. Taking what we've been given, and running with it. There are two memory verses that I want to use to set up the foundation for this Rant series. John 7:28 in the Message Bible says, "That provoked Jesus, who was teaching in the Temple, to cry out, "Yes, you think you know me and hwere I'm from, but that's not where I'm from. I didn't set myself up in business. My true origin is in the One who sent me, and you don't know him at all." And John 14:12, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." And here's how I see it: We're not supposed to try to be anybody--ANYBODY--that we're not. We're not supposed to try to be Jesus. We're not supposed to try to figure out what Jesus would do and then try to do that. That's too much trying. Too much works and labor. Labor and works don't work. Freely we have been given, freely we must receive... and freely we must give. And that's where my first verse comes in; we don't do anything by ourselves. We don't go into business for ourselves, or by ourselves. We simply get involved in the family business. We simply take what has already been established by our Father and spread it out. The works He has done and greater works. Because while we might not be able to turn water into wine... we can reach people that might otherwise not be reached. We can love people in a way that only we can love them. And that, by the way, is Jesus manifesting Himself to us, and in us, and through us, and as us. That's simply letting what's inside--the love of God--come out. What I'm trying to say is that instead of trying to do things on our own... we can, and should, just let God do what He wants to do. Its His business. LOVE is His business. And business is good. There are always people you can love. Always ways you can love people. When we get into trouble is when we try to get instead of just giving what we've got. Its a different focus. Self-centered vs Christ-centered (which means people-centered). Most of the time business is about getting. Making a profit. Earning a living. But did you ever notice that even though you're supposed to work for a living (in the natural), most of the time you kill yourself working? We've already been given everything we need. Inherited the family business. Our future is secure. We don't need to try to get anything. We can give what we've got. Which, again, IS the family business. Giving what we've got. Loving people with the love that we are loved with. Receiving and releasing the love of God!