Colossians 1:9 That is why we keep on talking to God about you since the day we heard about you. We ask him that you may know everything he wants you to do. We ask him that you may be very wise and that the Spirit will help you to understand.
10 We ask him that you will live the way the Lord wants you to live, so that you will please him in everything you do. We ask that you will do everything that is good. We ask that you will see the fruit from what you do. We ask that you will know more and more about God.11 God has wonderful power. And we ask him to give you all the strength you need to go through all your troubles, to be very patient in them, and to be happy.
12 Thank the Father who has made us ready to be with the people of God who live in his light.
Day 30—Paul was led of the Lord to find one of his most important texts from a Psalm of David. |
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Paul, beyond any doubt, knew the Psalms of David and their importance to the Covenant whereby the Lord Jesus ascended to the Throne of David. In Psalm 68 is the text he drew upon to tell of the ministries appointed by the Lord Jesus after His ascension to the right hand of His Father. These ministries, known by some as the “Ascension Gift Ministries,” are named in Ephesians 4:11. Their purpose is to lead the saints to their perfection (Ephesians 4:12). Thus, they hold a position in the Kingdom that is most important to its spread in the earth. But, alas, some assume to fill a place under the title of some of these ministries, either by their own decision or choice, or by the vote of some board. But the true ones are some appointed from the heavens. Their appointment connects them closely with the Lord Jesus and His triumph.
Jesus, we have learned, is the One Who created all things, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All these divisions of heavenly Government function under the watch-care of His dominion. Thus, the ministries appointed to lead his saints to their perfection are answerable to His authority. They are Kingdom ministries, functioning among the segments of Christ’s body till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the acknowledgment of the Son of God (Ephesians 4:13).
Seeing the function of these ministries appointed from the Throne, we begin learning from whence the saints will arise who shall take the Kingdom (Daniel 7:18, 21,22 and 27).
The understanding of these Scriptures, from the Prophets, the Psalms, the Lord Jesus and Paul—especially what Paul wrote in Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians—will add to our strength and protection as the time of the end draws close upon us. This is part—it is a great part—of the reason we have taken up the discipline of praying along the line of the prayers Paul prayed in his Prison Epistles.
DEAR LORD, we have little hope of being prepared for the time Jesus, the Prophets and Paul told of, unless Your Spirit brings upon us an understanding that opens the eyes of our hearts and of our understanding. Bring us Teachers and Pastors who will help us become ready and who will guide us through the dark days ahead. Bring us Prophets who hear correctly from Your Throne. Bring us Apostles appointed by Your Throne to lead us in the battle against the anti-Christ. Give us Evangelists who will search the fields for those who are yet to enter Your fold.
Berean Ministries
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Elk Park, NC 28622-0038
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