The Presentation of the Candidate
Greetings and good morning brothers and sisters. This is Dr. James Perry continuing with our series where we seek to explore the deeper meanings of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Over the years, the heavenly Father has revealed many revelations of spiritual truth to me, and I want to share them with you. This morning we ponder our lives as we share the presentation of the candidate.
And now, sit back and listen to today's message.
The Presentation of the Candidate
"And he said unto them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men and they straightway left their nets, and followed him.” Matthew, Chapter 4, Verses 19 and 20.
Brothers and sisters, in today’s broadcast with share with you a presentation whereby one of us was set aside for the ministry. Lets us listen to the presentation:
Today, we gather here to formally recognize and formally set aside one who has responded to the small still voice which ever says, "Herein is the way; walk in it." Many are called but few are chosen. When the many realize what is required of them, when they realize the price, even though the product is worth far more than it costs, they hang their head, and sadly walk away into the spiritual sunset, rather than walk into the spiritual sunrise.
Therefore only the few are left to be chosen. When the rich young man who desired to become one of Jesus' messengers was brought before Him, he failed to pass the crucial examination. He was unwilling to part with his most prized possession-his wealth. The Father requires our supreme loyalty. Half heartedness will not do. The all or none law applies. Either we give Him all or He will accept none. Almost all of us have some little pet evil that prevents us from whole heartily following the Master, therefor does his mercy eventually remove them from our lives.
Today, we have one who has broken with the evils of the past, and the uncertainties of the future. Today, we have one who has had the evils of the past crowded out by the goodness of the Father's ever present love. Today, we have one who has chosen the truths of the present rather than the errors of anxiety that spring from excessive preoccupation with that which is beyond one's control. Concerning the future, we are all in the hands of the Future Giver. Concerning the past, I can say little; of the future, I can say even less. But of the present, live gloriously and truthfully in the fullness of the Father's will.
Today, we have one who has become so filled with the love of the Father that she seeks to reveal this divine love to her brothers and sisters. Today, we have one who has reached that point of spiritual development wherein she delights to have the Father's love flow through her. Today, we have one who has made the discovery that God is love. Today, we have one who knows that love is the greatest thing, the greatest meaning, the greatest value.
Today, we wish to set aside one who has learned to fully appreciate the patience that the Father has shown her during the long years of deafness when she could not hear or would not hear the words of hope and comfort, and during the long years of darkness when she could not see or would not see the magnificent light of His love. And we all know that if one does not hear the words of warning, nor see the light, one is sure to fall in the ditch of spiritual darkness. We know that she appreciates the patience shown her, for she dares to stand here in this consecration circle, and dares to extend this divine patience to those who will not listen to the voice of wisdom, and must of necessity hear the voice of experience.
Her patience has its roots in her spiritual insight that truth will indeed triumph over error, for truth is eternal, and error is not. Error is the product of a proud, selfish, self righteous imperfect mind. Error seeks to foster a realty that is based on the foundation of self aggrandizement and self deception. All who choose error choose fear, and their lives are filled with it. They can not have the assurance of what they believe in, for what they believe is not real.
Patience is simply the time between seed planting and seed harvesting, and no one of sound judgment digs up his seeds prior to harvest time. These seeds of salvation are given all the help, opportunity, and time they need in order to grow and mature.
Today, we wish to set aside one who escaped the justice of God by falling on the mercy of His Son, Jesus. Such a grateful one is inspired to live justly and practice mercy in all her endeavors to enlighten those who struggle under the darkness of evil. Such a grateful heart will seek to personify that mercy which she received from the Lord, Jesus.
And like so many others, she is not what she would like to be, but she is thankful she is not what she used to be, but has caught a glimpse what she shall become, perfect even as Jesus is perfect. Such a grateful heart is so glad to have her spiritual eyes open to the wonders of God's love that she feels compelled to open the eyes of her spiritually blind brothers and sisters by the power of the Father's love and the Son's mercy by its personification in her life.
Finally, we come to set aside one who has experienced the fullness of the Father's forgiveness. Today, we have one who at the very last moment on the way to judgement, reached down into her soul, and with her dying thought cried, "Lord have mercy! I know I have profaned your law, but I repent. Please forgive me!" And at that very instant, she experienced a peace that has never left her, even though in some ways her life has gotten tougher than before. Just look at her full of joy and peace. See for yourself.
Today, we come to set aside one who has been forgiven much, and therefore has much more love to give than one who has been forgiven little. Today, we come to set aside one who wishes to show and tell the world what the Lord has done for her. And we pray that she will continue to walk in this marvelous light, and that by her very life, compel others to join her.
This concludes today’s message on the sharing of the Presentation of the Candidate. We hope you find something in this message to ponder and pray about while you go about your day.
Until next time, this is Dr. James Perry.
The Presentation of the Candidate
Inspirational Messages of Light
By Dr. James Perry
The Presentation of the Candidate
