John 9: 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.
4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Jesus said neither his parents’ sin nor his own sin caused his illness but God would work in it and reveal Himself. Jesus continued on to say that He, Himself, must work while it was day because the night was coming. And we believe Jesus was not speaking of 6:00 PM that evening as the night. We all have our ‘night’ coming and even as Jesus we need to do the Works of Father while we have DAY to do it.
And this is not to encourage you or me to get busy; not at all. The last thing we need is to be more ‘busy’. Do you recall any where in Scripture that says Jesus ran or Jesus hurried? Busy is just not a word we can associate with Jesus. But we can associate the word ‘occupied’. He was occupied with doing the Works of Father while He had DAY to do it. That is all He is asking of us to ‘Occupy’. To be occupied with Him. He gave a Parable. You know the one about the ‘pounds’ given to the servants.
Luke 19: 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
Pounds (or talents, gifts, abilities, opportunities – you get the picture) have been given to each of us by Our Lord – whatever we are going to do with them, we need to do it now while we have DAY. No, not in a frenzy; not harried and hurried but STEADY and TIMELY, just like Jesus – BE YE OCCUPIED.
Oc·cu·py
Tr.v. Oc·cu·pied, Oc·cu·py·ing, oc·cu·pies
1. To fill up (time or space): a lecture that occupied three hours.
2. To dwell or reside in.
3. To hold or fill (an office or position).
4. To seize possession of and maintain control over by or as if by conquest.
5. To engage or employ the attention or concentration of: occupied the children with coloring books.
Take your pick. I like 2. Residing (abiding) in Christ Jesus will keep me occupied and on track. Don’t you think?
John 15: 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Lord, we want to be occupied; we want to be ‘gainfully employed’ in Your Vineyard. Help us recognize the gifts, the talents, the opportunities You have given us and help us Holy Spirit to be willing to use them rather than bury them in busy-ness with temporal matters that will not advance eternity. Even more help us turn temporal tasks into eternal accomplishments. I know You in us can do that. And by Your Grace I am watching to see You do this in me today.
And today we are praying for these listed here. Each and every one of them, You know them by name and by need and we entrust them to You and we proclaim that You do all things well and we know You are occupied still with Eternal Matters for Father’s Glory and our good. To You Lord be Praise Forever.
We entrust our IDOK Troops to You today for their safe keeping and for the peace of their families and friends. As best we know how we entrust America to You for You to correct and convince as You see fit. We trust that whatever comes You are in control and those who are ‘occupied’ in You, You will provide all we need. We pray for the Peace of Israel. We pray for Vacation Bible Schools that are to begin soon, anoint Your people to deliver Your Word to children, tender their hearts to receive it. Reap a mighty harvest, Lord. And Abba, love on our IDOKs today, convince each of them today that You are in love with them. Amen and amen. Malpas Family. Kevin M and Family. Darlene. Rachel. Allison. Kinard Family. Alla Mae. W C and family. Richard and Emma and family. Oprah. Chris B. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Odessa H. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Tonya and family. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Pattie S. Vickie. Lisa W. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. Chuck. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance and Baby. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family.
Every IDOK church.
The Peace of Israel
Revival in America.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Brant W. Christopher R. Joshua M. Brent. Drew. Justin G. Kyle N. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T.
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J.Travis N. Hawk. Lyndon A.
Civilian in Country – Lee.
As I post this it is 100°F and clear in Balad, IQ & the time there is 4:09 PM AST – on May 28, 2008