II Corinthians 4:5-7
"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
October 31st
"And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith." Luke 17:5
"Lord, increase our faith," said the disciples to their Master! And what was the Lord's reply? (He gave them the KEY, yet how few of even the clergy have ever understood His reply!) In substance He replied; "When a hired servant has toiled all day, does his master thank him? Assuredly not! He has done but his duty! Instead, he tells him to get a hustle on and prepare something for his master to eat; AFTER THAT shall the servant also be privileged to partake (of nourishment)!" (Lk. 17:8).
Then on another occasion He said: * "MY MEAT is to DO THE WILL OF HIM WHO SENT ME" * (Jn. 4:34). In other words, doing our regular work; meeting our countless responsibilities energetically; living an honest, upright, and Godly life; these all are but OUR DUTIES for which we have been hired, and for which we shall receive our pay. Yet such "duties" shall not yield, neither add to our FAITH! But having faithfully fulfilled the DUTIES of our daily life, IF then we will "get a hustle on" and voluntarily go forth – in one manner or another – to "PROVIDE MEAT AND DRINK" for our Lord (diligently being about "the Father's business" in the execution of "His Will"), thereby and THEREAFTER shall He "ADD TO OUR FAITH"!
Thus we see how the true, SPIRITUAL FAITH is a GOAL in itself, and must be worked for and waited upon in great patience, for it can only come AFTER having not only lived and wrought faithfully, but going out of our way in DOING GOOD – in the sight of God! Yet the basic FAITH IN GOD is essential from the outset in order that from the commencement through a period of time we may faithfully PUT OURSELVES THROUGH THE PACES unto the end that we shall eventually reap!
The Tabernacle #1