Orange Moon Cafe "More, Leading To More"

The Special of the Day... From the Orange Moon Cafe...

   "More, Leading To More"    

   "For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath" (Mark 4:25).  

   Why will those who have be given more, and those who do not have find even their paltry measure taken away?  The answer lies in reception, the reception of faith.  If we have God's gifts of grace in the Lord Jesus Christ, whatever their measure and mode, we have received them by humbly trusting Him.

   "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12).

   If one has much in God's economy, the reason lies in humble recognition of need, and confident reception of our Lord's promised provision.  No less than mighty King David confessed, "I am poor and needy."   However, he proceeded to affirm confidence in the rich and needless God in whom he believed: "Thou art my help and deliverer" (Psalm 40:17).  While David did not perfectly walk in such humility and faith, his relationship with God was established and maintained to the degree he received much from the Lord through a lifetime that led to the New Testament affirmation, "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after Mine own heart, which shall fulfill all My will" (Acts 13:22).  In King David, the principle applies.  He received much by faith, which led to his receiving even more, resulting in likeness to his Lord.

   A far greater example lies in the Lord Jesus.  "I can do nothing of Myself" He declared, "the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works" (John 5:19; 14:10).  The divine Son of God lived an earthly lifetime as the human son of man.  In so doing, He did not relinquish His deity.  He did not live by His own capabilities, however.  He rather lived a life of receiving from His Father in order to be able to give to all others.  He lived life such as God call us to live it.

    "The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into His hand" (John 3:35).

    "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).

     "Freely ye have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8). 

    The same truth applies to all in whom the Spirit of the Lord Jesus lives.  We must walk in the continual awareness of our need, and in the continual affirmation of God's provision.  Thereby we receive provisions of spirit, soul, and body according to His wisdom.  And thereby we receive more in order that our lives may reflect our Savior's self sacrifical heart of gracious lovingkindness to all.  Indeed, grace is God's giving, as administered by the Holy Spirit's perfect application in accordance with our needs and the needs of our particular sphere of influence.  Faith is our reception of such infinite generosity, which then leads to our bestowal of grace to others.  The more we trust our Lord and receive His provision, the more the blessed cycle of grace proceeds.  We receive.  We give.  We receive more.  We give more.  The Apostle John well knew the gift of more leading to more, and we close with his proclamation of the Christ who exemplifed the truth, and now lives in us to empower our own walk of humility and faith...

"And of His fullness have we all received, and grace for grace."

(John 1:16)

"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"

(John 8:32)

Weekly Memory Verse

    His commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.
(I John 5:3-4)

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