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~Written by Stephen McClelland. For more free teachings, visit his website by clicking here. Be greatly blessed and encouraged!

A very famous and rich man was going to die with no heirs. He knew his end would come soon, but he still had some time. Wanting to entrust his fortune and his great work to someone who would do good things with it he set out to find several capable individuals that had the potential to successfully manage his great fortune. He found four.

He sent each of them invitations to come and learn from him. Plain white paper within plain white envelopes. “My time is short. Please come and learn from me. I will sustain you and your family during your studies. Upon my death it must be that someone will assume my responsibilities.”

The first man received the letter. He spat and mocked the rich man’s word’s. “He lord’s his wealth over others even in his death. What arrogance he displays by thinking my contributions are not good and just without his instructions. I will not go. If he is a good man let his great wealth be distributed equally to all men and let them decide what is good for themselves.”

This man was ignorant, a word which comes from Greek, meaning to be without proper knowledge. He made incorrect assumptions on the intentions of the offer and of the character of the man offering. The rich man had selected him because of his good works and had intended to increase his understanding and ability to enrich the lives of others in a way far more valuable than simply giving them money.

The second man received the letter with joy. He wrote back, “While I mourn your end, we all must die. Nevertheless I applaud your life and generosity toward myself and others. Regretfully, important matters require my attention and I will not be able to attend to your instruction. If you have found me capable I would still accept your fortune and with it do my best to fulfill your wishes.”

The rich man crossed out his name. This man was an idiot, from the Greek word which means to be unlearned or without instruction. He could not have fulfilled the desire and responsibilities without proximity. Without instruction, how could he understand the purpose, the justifications, the motives, the passion, the proven methods? How could he take the place of a man without knowing the man whose place he would be taking?

The third and fourth man accepted the invitation and moved their families to be with the rich man. They lived together, ate together, traveled together, etc. The rich man spent every remaining day of his life pouring into them everything he knew. He considered his greatest riches to be that which he had inside him. His character, his wisdom, and his desire to serve others. He died leaving these to the two men, as well as all his earthly possessions.

The third man proved to be inobservant. He rejected some of the rich man’s teachings, preferring his own character and wisdom to that which he had learned. He proved unfruitful in fulfilling his position despite having knowledge and instruction. He chose not to follow another and to follow himself.

The fourth man was ridiculed by many for being an imitator of the rich man. “You act just like him. You’re trying to talk just like he talked; do you even try to walk just like him too? If we asked you your name, would you use his instead of your own?” But the fourth man didn’t care. He felt honored to be chosen. He was happy to live the rest of his life in the manner requested. The rich man had given him so much and this was all that he had asked for in return. He considered it the most wonderful bargain.

Have you not known of the goodness of Jesus? Then you are truly ignorant.

Have you accepted His invitation but are still unaware of how He instructed His followers to live? Then by the purest definition, you’re an idiot. Someone who has not been taught.

Have you been learning about Him but haven’t really applied it to your life? Another way to call someone inobservant is to call them a fool. The wisdom of proverbs says that a wise man will hear instruction and do it and become wiser still, while a fool will reject instruction and go his own way.

Finally, the word imitate actually comes from the Greek word for disciple. Are you trying to imitate Jesus, to be his disciple? It is also true that you might be ridiculed for it. Even the term “Christian” itself shows this. It means “little Christ” and was originally used as a way of mocking disciples because they were behaving like Christ Himself behaved.

Jesus preached the kingdom, and repentance. Jesus cast out devils and healed the sick. Jesus was connected with His Father in heaven and empowered by the Holy Spirit on earth. Didn’t His disciples also have and do these things?

Brothers and sisters, stop being students of Christ only. With love let me say: you were called to be imitators also.

Image by Adam Derewecki from Pixabay

~Written by: Stephen McClelland. For free sermons and resources you can visit his ministerial website by clicking here <3 Be most blessed!

This morning I was reading in Romans where Paul compared Jesus to Adam. By one man’s transgression many were made sinners, and in the same way the obedience of one man, Jesus, many would be made righteous.

It reminded me of the things that the Lord had shown me comparing the ministries of Moses and Elijah to Jesus. Jesus had compared Himself to Jonah and Solomon, saying that one greater than them was here.

So I asked for more.

Lord if the Old Testament is filled with types and shadows, how does Jesus mirror and outperform Joseph?

Now in some ways it’s obvious, but I still asked.

He answered! In answering He connected a lot of things that I had never thought of or heard preached.

——

Joseph was his father’s favorite son. His brothers resented and rejected him, even more-so because he spoke of them bowing to serve him. He had dreams of even his parents bowing down to serve him.

To get rid of him and to redistribute their father’s favor among them, his brethren sold him to foreigners. He was falsely accused and judgement was executed against him. After being put in prison, he was quickly put in charge of it. Nothing happened in the prison without his knowledge and oversight.

Eventually he was delivered from prison and seated next to Pharaoh. Pharaoh said that Joseph would be ruler over his house. Pharaoh would be greater only in the throne. Everyone was made to bow before Joseph.

He became the savior of Egypt, and then the savior of all the surrounding nations. Finally, when Jacob and his sons saw their own lack, Joseph became the savior of the very brethren that rejected him. He told them what they had meant for his harm, God in His greatness had worked for their good.

—–

Jesus was the Father’s favorite. His brethren resented and rejected Him. They hated Him even more because He was presented as the Messiah, the one whom they were to bow down and serve. Jesus responded to the critics asking them why David prophesied of the Messiah, calling him Lord, if the Messiah was to be one of David’s sons. That’s the direct equivalent of Joseph’s second dream.

In their jealousy they gave him over to foreigners. They begged the Romans to get rid of Him. He was found not guilty of any crimes but executed anyway. Then Jesus showed up in the underworld, the prison where the dead were awaiting final judgement. The moment He arrived He took over. He took the keys of death, hell, and the grave.

Three days later He came fully alive out of prison of the dead. He ascended to heaven where He was seated at the right hand of God the Father. The Father has given Jesus all authority in heaven and in earth. He rules the whole house. God the Father is greater in name only, as Jesus is God the Word, and has been from the beginning. Jesus being in the form of God considered it not robbery to be equal with God. At His name every knee will bow, those in heaven, those in earth, and those under the earth.

He has become the savior to the Romans that put Him in the prison of death. He has become the savior of all nations on earth. Scripture speaks of a time where all Israel will return and receive this great salvation. Caiaphas prophesied by the Holy Spirit that it would be expedient for one man to suffer so that whole nation wouldn’t perish. Caiaphas was one of the ones that resented Jesus and worked to have Him killed. What they had meant for evil, God in His greatness has worked for the good of all men forever.

—–

If you are lacking the substance of life you need to seek out this Jesus. He holds the keys to the storehouses of heaven.

Joseph distributed grain out of Egypt’s barns to the hungry. Jesus distributes Himself because He is the bread of life.

Joseph was given an Egyptian name: Zaphnath-Paaneah which means “Treasury of the glorious rest.”

Jesus said, “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Jesus is the glorious rest. He opens up heaven’s treasury to all those that seek Him.

What are you waiting for?

Top image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

How can’t you help but fall in love with Someone who died and lives to give you everything?

In the deepening substance of intimacy with Him, I’m finding that “everything” is Him and the world is full of “nothing” when separated from Him.

He’s my hearts compelling.

The eternalized desire that wells in my soul.

This divine romance is more deep than my heartbeat.

His love is the source of eternal life.

I drift toward Him like plants follow the sun.

He is the substance that makes me truly alive.

His Presence is the warmth that causes my photosynthesis.

I find His love is all empowering.

The LORD appeared to us in the past: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion. -Jeremiah 31:3 Berean Study Bible

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. – 1 John 4:9 NIV

Dedicated to God my King & Father forever, and to Christine Lenia, who’s been an encouraging and comforting light in my heart.

I understand why some people are so afraid of true love.

For true love is sacrifice, it is death to self, complete vulnerability and eternal commitment of the spirit, body and soul.

The physical equivalent would be to take out one’s heart.

It would be to open one’s shirt, revealing one’s chest, and take out your glowing, pumping, delicate life source, and offering it to a deeply beloved.

It would be to step back, not move and only watch what your loved one does with your fragile heart.

Whether they accept it by engulfing your heart in their arms, allowing your soul to seep into their skin forever, or throw it to the ground and trample on it—the equivalent of fiercely stabbing you in the chest with a double-edged sword—it is up to them.

Or worse yet, they cannot respond, not even allowing you the rest of death.

They can simply walk away, suffocating your heart, leaving it ice cold gasping for air and the warmth of running blood.

If this happen dear one give your heart to God.

Let His heart become one with yours.

In the healing, blazing yet gauzy light of His Spirit your ears will fill with the holy deep drumming sound of His heartbeat.

The river waters of His soul will be sweet to your tongue and softer than lavender oil on your skin.

You will forever live in the fragrant hands of a God whose eyes are warmer than cinnamon.

He will secure your spirit in His.

He will embrace you as a father forever.

~This small excerpt was taken from my book Visions of Celestial Love.

I woke up with the sun, although physically tired, my heart was wildly awake. My dear husband snored lightly beside me, his pale back slightly exposed. My 1-year-old with tan caramel skin was sleeping peacefully. Her lips pursed close to her fingers. She was wearing a lovely sky blue and white dress. Her dark brown hair dangled over her closed eyes in fanciful spirals.

I tip-toed across the room and decided to grace my soon-to-arrive, family members in the lovely turquoise and ocean-blue patterned sun-dress my sister had given me.

After a fairly quick hot shower, I perfumed my body with aromatic pink himalayan salt lotion touched with the taste of heady essential oils.

After slipping into the dress and doing a few soft twirls, I decided it was perfect. I gazed at my reflection in the mirror and examined my washed face. Auburn braids fell across my shoulders and tipped below my chest. I wondered if I should put make-up on but decided it against—lest they think I was too dressed up.

Moments later I picked up my daughter and gave her warm milk…with each passing minute my heartbeat quickened in anticipation.

Suddenly I heard the code to the front door being pressed. I gathered Eden in my arms and ran toward the door—opening it hurriedly.

Three of the most loved people in my life all smiled brightly. The sun shining and warming their backs, illuminating their snow-white teeth and enriching their dark brown skin.

“Eden!” They all chimed together and started reaching for her.

With fake reprimand, I jerked my body away, “Oh, I see! I don’t matter anymore since becoming a mother?”

I hastened away toward the second living room with the electric fireplace set and widescreen television.

“Come give me my niece!” Azania cried and chased after me.

I giggled and put Eden down on the teal blue carpet. Suddenly three large adults surrounded her—two of whom she wasn’t that familiar with. She clung close to my side for a few seconds but then was quickly passed on from person to person.

Loud voices dotted on her, caring hands patted and rubbed on her.

She stared widely briefly and then started embracing all of the attention.

I grabbed my flame-colored worship flag with a ruby red handle and handed it to Eden. She gladly took it and started lifting it up and dancing with it. She reached for the television, expecting me to turn on the kids worship music video. When I didn’t she flayed her arms in fleeting protest and then started dancing around anyway.

My mother and sisters had just started asking me to make them breakfast when Stephen came down the stairway.

“Hey, what do ya’ll want for breakfast?” Stephen asked enthusiastically, “I can make pancakes and eggs for everyone.”

My heart sighed in grateful relief!

My family all thanked him with raised voices—as if each of them were trying to be heard over the other. While he cooked I woke up my cousin who was fast asleep in the lighting blue rental car. I giggled when she was startled to see my face. She had been deeply asleep for the whole drive. She gathered her things and headed inside to stretch out on the sandy colored couch. I helped my sisters unload their luggage.

After the large tasty breakfast, many of my family members drifted to sleep…each in different rooms in my parent’s large two-story house.

Two days have gone and it’s my 28^th birthday today. Each day with my family has been like collected a bag of treasures that will go into eternity. Each memory has stained my heart like a pleasing water-color glass mosaic. Precious tears have been shed from sensitive hearts, prayers have gone up like bowls of incense, laughter has erupted like trumpet blasts—loud, clear, ear-covering laughter.

The house has smelled like ginger and cayenne pepper caked fish for 36 hours, coating my clothes and the furniture with the memory of our celebrating the gift of life together. Bahamian rice with peas and coconut milk has been scarfed down and disappeared almost as quickly as it came. We have danced together, we have jested with each other, we have bowled careless words, we have kissed each other’s cheeks, we have laid on one another’s shoulders…we have lived.

Our last night together we participated in a life-coaching questionnaire together…. many deep things of the heart rose to the surface. We discussed our different places in life for almost 3 hours of intimate connection…sometimes with fear, sometimes with hiddenness, sometimes with gleeful enthusiasm and surrendered vulnerability. We ended in prayer and then worshipped until 11 pm in the night with colorful banners and lifted hands.

This morning the coffee pot has been brewed. I have looked fondly as eyes with bags underneath them have grabbed at the hazelnut creamer (it was a long, beautiful night that hued those eyes). Ruby red candles have been lit scenting the house like warm welcoming arms. Women are baking in the kitchen and sweet Johnny bread is rising in the oven. More words are being spoken as the dust of tiredness from two long days are being blown away by the readiness of living today…of loving today.

I am surrounded by noise, by life humming around me, by the greatest blessing Father has given me outside of a pure relationship with Himself…family.

I treasure these last few hours before they pack up and leave to return to their families (their husbands and children). I savor their presence like fluid oil on my skin, I relish the scent of them like lingering my nose at the touch of a soft petal. I weep in my heart knowing we will part physically soon.

My afternoon was spent in sweaty freedom, queenly extravagance, and rich generosity. After a Pilates workout, my sisters and I went to a neighboring reservoir at my suggestion. The hills were like browned hay, the wind was harsh, the bluish waters whipped about in waves. It was less than ideal, and I was grateful for their uncomplaining willingness to climb onboard with my impulsive idea of “fun.” We jogged down a hill, ran into each other, stopped for pictures, and became competitive. My sister Ashanti walked up to a hill with a narrow dirt path. Once at the top she turned her I-Phone on record. Azania and I stood at the bottom giving each other playful side glances.

“All right, on your marts, get set…. go!”

My throat burst forth giggles as we started off at a jog. When we reached the fork, I speed up and cut off my sister so she had to slow down to avoid the shrubs. The wind tossed my hair about my neck and shoulders. Azania laughed heartedly but didn’t push back. When we reached the top, I boasted in my smug success.

We met our father sitting in the rental car. He was content to keep out of the wind.

After our hike was over Azania treated my mother and me to extravagant pedicures. Our feet were soaked in hot salted mineral water that smelled sweet. Our backs were leaned against plush chairs that massaged everything from our necks down.

My leg was rubbed with oil and then kneaded by strong and gentle hands. A smiling middle-aged lady with silver strands streaking her jet-black hair put a steaming hot towel around my legs. She then began to work on my feet. Afterward, my legs were treated with hot rocks, and finally, my toes were painted before being slipped into neon orange sandals. I was then guided to a polished hazelnut wooden table decorated with a growing tree. Colorful ribbons were tied on the branches of the tree.

I took up a conversation with a lady who had just had her fingernails done. She too had been guided to the table. We sat across from each other and I admired her round bronze earrings with midnight blue moons at the center. Before long my sister caught my attention. She placed a pink strawberry iced drink from Starbuck’s on my lap. I was taken aback from her kindness…knowing my spa-like time at the salon was probably over $60.

After mom, Azania and I were in the car we drove to the store. My husband’s debit card was in my pocket. He wanted to buy my cake and ice cream. Azania and I slipped out of the car and she crossed her arm in my mine and held me close, “here’s some money for clothes,” she said.

I was once again surprised and almost wanted to protest but knowing that would sadden her, I didn’t.

We only spent a few moments in the clothes store. Undecided on what I wanted, I told her I would come back again. After I had picked out my choice cake and I went down the ice-cream isle and choose the fat-free frozen vanilla yogurt. 

Moments later, I walked into my parent’s comfy crowded house and relished the people inside. More noise resounded once my mother entered and I chuckled inside. Food was being cooked again and my sister Azania told me to meet her upstairs in my room. I wondered what was going on.

Once inside my room, I waited for her. In about a minute she appeared and started singing happy birthday softly. She handed me a black velvet bag tied with a glittery fall colored rope. Pacific Pearl was marked in cursive. She also held out an equally fancy jewelry box with a perfect bow at the center and a tan card.

I reached for the bag first but she told me to open the card.

I complied and took out two glossy hard paper cards picturing glamorous women on the covers. One of the women had piercing pretty eyes and clutched shimmering pearls to her refined cheeks. Her plush lips were pursed open.

I turned the cards around and squinted to make out the small handwriting.

“They are instructions on how to take care of your jewelry.”

My eyes widened in realization, “you got me real pearls?!”

Azania nodded slowly with a smile.

“No way!”

I put down the cards and opened up the bag. A stunning rose-hued pearl, the size of a succulent grape, was circled by sterling silver and hung from a sparkling chain.

My eyes were transfixed and I fingered my gift with gratitude and pleasure, “thank you,” was all I remembered saying.

Azania tied the pearl and silver around my neck and I examined myself in the mirror, feeling like a wealthy lady, “I will need to buy a dark formal dress to wear this with,” I stated, with every intention of purchasing one.

Azania nodded and we remembered the royal blue, lacy long dress I had considered purchasing at the clothes store.

“Too bad I didn’t get it,” I verbalized in regret.

“You can always go back,” Azania offered and I agreed.

            After my enamor with my new necklace had quieted enough, I remembered the box beside the bag. I went toward it and guessed what it was before I opened it.

“Earrings?”

Azania nodded, “yes.”

            Two matching earrings glowed like the dust of the first snow against dark velvet. On each earring hung three dangling pearls, beautiful like ornaments coated with dew.

“These are so beautiful!” I gaped and afterward squeezed my sister tightly.

            The rest of my birthday was spent in the usual tumultuous fashion: noise, loud laughter, voices overlapping one another, conversations bubbling like a never-ending brook, more food being cooked and, as always, the cooing of adults over Eden.

            As the sun began to set, my heart began to sadden. I lingered around my family like the shirts that framed their torsos.  My most-beloved friend Alice handed me the birthday card she had purchased for me, tucked inside of it was gift money. We hugged closely and briefly before she left to drive back to the coast before sunset.

            Three hours or so passed before my sisters and cousin were in the rental car, their luggage secured in the trunk. I started to weep inside but the Holy Spirit comforted me and I remembered how blessed I was to have spent a wonderful weekend with them.

            After some prayer, more hugs, and mushy sentiments, the engine rumbled and the headlights turned on. I hugged my arms in the cold night air and blinked back some gathering tears.

            “I love you!” I called as the car reversed out of the driveway. Azania and Ashanti waved. My mother who had been standing on the balcony, waiting for them to leave so she could watch her show, retreated inside.  

            My father and I slowly made our way inside. Stephen was setting up the high-chair my cousin had bought for Eden. He had also opened up the fancy gate my sister Ashanti had bought for my preschool. I thanked my husband and sat beside him, silently praising God in my heart for my family.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. -1 John 4:7-12

Throughout my life, I’ve always had the faithful security of love from my family. When I wasn’t saved, I didn’t value my family as I do now. When I drifted away from God’s fatherly heart and became religious, I overlooked menial things like playing board games together with my family. I thought “secular” activities like running down reservoirs with my sisters wasn’t as valuable as feeding the homeless or attending church service. But now I’m beginning to see that family is one of the greatest blessings God gives to us on this side of eternity.

God is pleased when I love my family well and when I receive their love. He dwells with pleasure in the midst of things like long conversations over coffee and frying fish to feed eight mouths who feast like they were the 5,000. He delights in the way we touch each other, in the way my sisters coo over Eden, and even in the way I playfully teased Azania after cheating. God loves to abide with us. He abode with the disciples when Jesus cooked them a fishy breakfast with baked bread on the beach after his ascent from the grave.

He’s there with you in every breath you take, in every sigh you make, in every friend you have lunch with. He’s there for every cup of coffee you pour. He’s there in every shoulder you rub. He’s there with compassion in every tearful hug, at every graduation celebration, in every diaper change. He dwells in it all and everything becomes holy ground when there is genuine love. The miracle of His love is that we get to do life with Him, we get to share His compassionate heart, we get to hear Him in the voices of our loved ones. May all your “secular” activities be sprinkled with holy awareness that God’s love is waiting to pour upon you and through you to your family.