This is one of the hardest lesson to write, it is on staying faithful and persevering. And with writing this lesson, one must be tested in it right? My heart was heavy when putting the lesson together. The weight of concern for one of my children sat on my heart like an elephant on my chest. How easy it would be to just miss one class, to call someone to fill in...But I am the one with the vision for this course, the passion for it, the leader of it. How do I keep moving forward when I feel like stopping? I set myself to seek the Lord. In waiting on Him, He gave me what I needed when I needed it. He is the one who makes it possible to set your face like flint. He is the one who, when you call on Him, is faithful and mighty to save. And He is the one, who knows what how it feels to lead with a vision and a purpose when your heart feels overwhelmed by a trial. So please, hear my heart in this lesson and be encouraged to stay the course.
Luke 9:62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Having put in Greek Epiballo meaning
1.to throw one's self upon, rush in
2.to put one's mind upon a thing
This is an all or nothing attitude, It has the attitude of rushing into and taking hold. Epiballo is two words put together. The first Greek is Epi meaning 1) of position, on, at, by, over, against 2) Ballo meaning to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls. Ultimately it says you rushed into a position you have little concern for and then let go.
Plow/plough meaning Till to prepare the land for seed, to turn dirt up and over. To break up hard fallow ground. Figuratively it can mean repentance, or a concern for ministry. It is the only time in scripture that this word PLOUGH is used in the KJV
Looking back
Looking Blepo – To see: perceive anything: to feel. Back Eis- (ace), meaning into, unto, to, towards, for, among
So we could read the scripture this way.
If you rushed into a position you have little concern for, grab the till and begin a ministry but then your eyes saw something else and you felt like going towards it instead, you are not fit for the Kingdom.
Kingdom minded people have grit. They are fixed, purposeful and determined and unwavering.Holding a plow is a lot like holding the reigns to a horse. A horse can feel the gentlest of turns. When a rider is fixed on a course the horse and rider are like one. If the rider is in full run and is not committed, the horse knows it. Now hook that horse, mule or ox to a plow, with a firm grip, pushing the animal to move and then get distracted: you get crooked rows, missed rocks, and the possibility of harming the farmer or animal… complete chaos
Psa 17:3 NKJV - You have tested my heart; You have visited [me] in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
Dan 1:8 NKJV - But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Hebrew meaning for Purposed-violently lay hands upon to establish and make firm
It can also me to form, like a potter forms or fashions. To frame. Like in this verse.Isa 54:17 KJV - No weapon that is formed (purposed) against thee shall prosper; and every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This [is] the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [is] of me, saith the LORD.
We need the tools of Faithfulness, steadfastness, and perseverance to complete what we are called to cultivate. We must acquire a heart that is purposed: To violently set our hands to something and see it through to the end!
Mat 11:12 NKJV - "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
If you don not have the tools to begin don’t fret... If He calls you He equips you.
1Th 5:24 NKJV - He who calls you [is] faithful, who also will do [it].
Hbr 13:20-21 NIV - May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2Ti 3:16-17 NIV - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
God is not concerned with what you do or don’t have. He is concerned with your heart of obedience. Will you finish what He called you to do? Or will you grab the plow until something else interest you?
Matthew Henry Commentary
…"Note, Those who begin with the work of God must resolve to go on with it, or they will make nothing of it. Looking back inclines to drawing back, and drawing back is to perdition. Those are not fit for heaven who, having set their faces heavenward, face about. But he, and he only, that endures to the end, shall be saved.
I visited a vineyard that was advertised as a New Wine Vineyard. In driving up to it I was disgusted by what I saw. I had visited so many well cared for vineyards and was excited to see this one, because it was advertised as Christian owned. When driving the dirt driveway, I saw row after row of vines covered in weed and thistle. When pulling up to the home, I was greeted by two dogs but no owner. The man was a bus driver and was growing a vineyard on the side. And it was clear the vineyard was suffering from his double task. It was neglected, dry, weed ridden and fruitless. He had set his hand to the plow but was uncommitted and pre-occupied in other things. It was a disgrace, and the worst part for me was this was the one vineyard that claimed a Christian vision. It hammered in to me the reason I began studying vineyard. You must have a vision for the long haul! All out Commitment! Or Wait to start.
1Cr 15:58 NKJV - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Col 1:23 NKJV - if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Hbr 3:14 NKJV - For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
1Pe 5:9 NKJV - Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Dan 6:4 NKJV - So the governors and satraps sought to find [some] charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he [was] faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.
1Cr 4:2 NKJV - Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful
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