"Joint Heirs With Christ!"

"My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred." (S.O.S. 8:12)

  "Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers." (1 Timothy 4:7-10 NLT)

  If I could just have a nickel for all of the times I have not practiced godliness, I would have been able to retire by now and would be traveling the world. Oh, maybe not so much now, as the world has many travel restrictions; some of which, require you to quarantine and then pay for the room your kept in, as a prisoner. Anywho, I am trying to wrap this up by Valentines Day, as my next adventure is going to be that of my first: the very first Book of the Bible that I was told to read as a new believer! 

  It might not seem like much is being explained in the verse above, in regards to being joint heirs with Christ, but then again, there are many different things that are lacking full clarity; at least that is what is seen in the hearts of those that are not listening, particularly those that are not believers. What is the difference between those that believe and those that do not believe? The most hidden secret of heaven will be revealed in the last day: Those that are there, and those that are not! 

  I have studied the parable of the talents on several different levels and in several different ways; many of which I have previously shared with you in my past postings, whether it was in my posts on Isaiah 55, or my postings through the Psalms. Talents are primarily the gifts we are given; but not all are those that pertain to spiritual gifts of prophecy or healing or laying on of hands; but life itself is a gift, and it is to be lived out without trying to circumvent your responsibility. 

  Think of it as treasures of souls; the vineyard filled with grapes, each cluster another circle of souls and all of which are ripe for the harvest! No one can out give God; no matter how much you give or how hard your life struggle might seem, you can never have a life more valuable than the life that Jesus gave on the cross. If you think your life is hard and your suffering is more than you can stand, think about the weight that He bore so your suffering would not be in vain! 

  Matthew Henry sums up these two verses, saying, "If we be careful to give Christ the praise of our church-privileges, we may then take to ourselves the comfort and benefit of them. If the owner of the vineyard have had his due, the keepers of it shall be well paid for their cares and pains; they shall have 200, which sum, no doubt, was looked upon as a good profit. Those that work for Christ are working for themselves, and shall be unspeakable gainers by it." 

 God is never done with anyone, even after your dead! Your life lives on in some form or fashion. The real fruit of the vineyard is that which comes from the oldest vines...

"For we don't for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it's to honor the Lord. And if we die, it's to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose -to be Lord both of the living and the dead." (Romans 14:7-9) NLT