I have given Man a kingdom to rule in and he has not done well in these last days. However, if evil does not come to stay, good will not rise up to confront it. There is a spiritual battle that is taking place now that the early Christians only read about in my revelation to John.
Men want Me to come with My power, putting evil down and correcting corruption. I want men to do that. All the power and authority man wants man would have if he were serious about ruling in the Kingdom of God.
In the Old Testament I required men to go to battle against their enemies. And yet, I brought the victory in their battles against evil. It was the same at the beginning of the New Testament. I conscripted men for evangelism, preaching, teaching, establishing churches, and being their prophets. I accompanied their confrontations against darkness with My light and power, showing signs and wonders, working miracles. In all these confrontations, both old and new testament followers learned My ways, and that I am the Captain of the Hosts Who brings victory over evil.
I will not accompany men’s systems nor build men’s kingdoms. But for those who serve Me in My Kingdom, I stand ready to bring the victory in their battles. The Kingdom suffers want because men have stopped believing they were meant to rule. Instead, they pray for Me to do something about all their problems. They look forward to times of change but are not part of making that change. Indeed, the leaders of the Church are wanting their systems to be honored and blessed by the very God Who is trying the change them.
Do I establish a man-pleasing system that locks the servants of God outside while only a few hand-picked men serve on the inside? Am I pleased with these few men who say to the prophets “I don’t need you”? I, Who am the Head of the body, have a body without all its members. Yet these few men want Me to bless their schools and churches with My power. The hand-picked approved men and women who speak on My behalf are not speaking for Me in entirety, for I cannot give them what is appointed to those servants whom they have excluded from My service. The ones who exclude others do so as if in service to Me, and yet they are forming a club for others like themselves to commend each other and approve each other for service to God. This is the “good-old-boy” club, and a corrupt system in which I cannot fulfill My Father’s will.
Has man not considered who is behind their good-old-boy system? This system comes offering security, getting men to yield their trust to one who serves himself and not God. As an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14), so comes the invitation to the pastors to join the system that will bring them success and keep their churches safe and secure from deceivers. The pastors do not recognize the intimidating nature of the few approved ones from the super churches who invite them to join their club. And so the trading begins; souls for security. Their congregation becomes members of a system that has no godly care for their souls, and no vision for their individual development. If these pastors knew they were trafficking in souls at the urging of satan (Rev 18:13), the angel of light, they would stop asking for My blessing. Indeed, it is because they seek the blessing of super churches that they have little from Me.
“Strategy” has become the new popular word for the Christian speakers of this time. Do they not realize that the enemy has out-strategized them? By rendering My body useless with so many non-functional members, how will She walk with Me towards victory at the end of this battle? Where are your individual wise men and prophets ? . . . for all I see are a few approved voices, and not the individual members of churches serving Me. Your schools churn out those who will serve, patterned after your approved way. They will not follow Me, but a few. If you had set an example for them of raising each man and woman into their place in the body, perhaps they would go and do the same. But you teach them to reject brethren that I send (see John 13:20). You have set a standard by which they judge My servants, and in not receiving them they cannot receive from Me. You have hardened the hearts of your students against the Lordship of the Holy Spirit by lifting up your ways and your standards above Me.
Shall I bless you for this? All you are doing is preparing your students to reject My voice when I speak, for My words will not fit into their understand, and you have not correctly taught them the ways, indeed, the Lordship of God.
If a man would boast of anything, let him boast that he knows and understands the Lord (Jer 9:24). Teach men to know Me and My ways and to understand Me, and then I will honor you. The knowledge of Me and My glory will cover the earth one day, just as the waters cover the sea (Hab 2:14). Then I will be glorified in My Kingdom. Amen.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
God's busines- making men righteous
God is in the business of making Man righteous. He wants us to partake of His divine nature and share eternity with Him.
When the Lord gave the law to Man through Moses, that law was unable to make men righteous. Men could not fulfill the requirements of the law, yet the law was necessary to bring men the knowledge of what sin was (Rom 3:20). The law was only a shadow of things to come, and was abolished, along with its requirements, when Jesus was nailed to the cross (Col 2:14).
Righteousness is obtainable through faith in Jesus (Rom 3:26). Yet, if we preach only the cross and abolition of the law, we leave men with a meaningless faith. No, we must preach the whole gospel: the walk of the Spirit leads men to righteousness. If the law was a shadow, then it is the life of the Spirit which casts that shadow.
Jesus imparts His Holy Spirit to those who believe on Him so that they could walk in true righteousness, not observing rules and performing rituals that have no worth, but by removing the foreskin of flesh from their hearts, the old man, and walking in newness of Life. It is not possible to walk in the flesh and be righteous, for the works our flesh seeks out are contrary to God’s nature. But the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness by causing the nature of God to enter our hearts, whereby we may walk in His righteousness. This is possible, if we choose to walk in the Spirit. To do so, a man must crucify his flesh.
Is there liberty from the requirements of the law? Is their freedom from judgment? Yes, if we embrace that which cast the shadow, the walk of the Holy Spirit. God is in the business of making men righteous, and made this possible through faith in Jesus whose Spirit enables us to become the righteousness of God. Amen.
When the Lord gave the law to Man through Moses, that law was unable to make men righteous. Men could not fulfill the requirements of the law, yet the law was necessary to bring men the knowledge of what sin was (Rom 3:20). The law was only a shadow of things to come, and was abolished, along with its requirements, when Jesus was nailed to the cross (Col 2:14).
Righteousness is obtainable through faith in Jesus (Rom 3:26). Yet, if we preach only the cross and abolition of the law, we leave men with a meaningless faith. No, we must preach the whole gospel: the walk of the Spirit leads men to righteousness. If the law was a shadow, then it is the life of the Spirit which casts that shadow.
Jesus imparts His Holy Spirit to those who believe on Him so that they could walk in true righteousness, not observing rules and performing rituals that have no worth, but by removing the foreskin of flesh from their hearts, the old man, and walking in newness of Life. It is not possible to walk in the flesh and be righteous, for the works our flesh seeks out are contrary to God’s nature. But the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness by causing the nature of God to enter our hearts, whereby we may walk in His righteousness. This is possible, if we choose to walk in the Spirit. To do so, a man must crucify his flesh.
Is there liberty from the requirements of the law? Is their freedom from judgment? Yes, if we embrace that which cast the shadow, the walk of the Holy Spirit. God is in the business of making men righteous, and made this possible through faith in Jesus whose Spirit enables us to become the righteousness of God. Amen.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
The attitude of the laborers
We have each been individually called to serve the Lord. In our churches and ministries we corporately serve God and minister to each other, and to the unsaved. Though we travel through this life as a temporary home, our works leave a tangible legacy of Christ’s life through us, changing destinies and establishing His kingdom on this earth. As His servants, what should our attitude be concerning the fruits of our labors?
Jesus told a parable about tenants laboring in a vineyard for their landlord. At harvest time the landlord sent his servants to collect the portion of the fruit due him. From this story we see that our labors are not entirely our own. We work in the field, or vineyard the Lord calls us to . . . yet He retains ownership, and wants some fruit in return.
There is a difference between owning your own land, and being a tenant in someone else’s land. If a people own the land they work, all they produce is theirs. But if a people labor as tenants in someone else’s field, then they must pay tribute. In this parable the tenants did not want to give any fruit, or tribute to their landlord. When the son came to collect the fruit, the tenants said “Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.” (Mt 21:38) This would have allowed the tenants to keep everything for themselves.
Because of greed men have broken peace with other men, and nations have gone to war against other nations in order to keep all they labor for. And because of selfish ambition men break peace with God, refusing to have requirements of payment laid on them.
Jesus made it plain that it was not the works of the tenants alone that would keep them in the kingdom of God. He asked “ . . . when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” (Mt 21:40). We see that the Lord is looking for someone to bear fruit, not for themselves, but for Him. If we have selfish ambition and do great works for ourselves, we cannot fool Christ.
How do we know the intentions we have that motivate us to serve God? Jesus told us that we know a tree by its fruit (Mt 7:20). He went on to say that “Not everyone who says to Me ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Mt 7:21) This seems to be a strong argument for the importance of the works alone, but look at what the Lord says next; “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’” (Mt 7:22-23). Doing the works without yielding our hearts to Him will not give Jesus the fruit He desires. We will not become acquainted with Him and His ways if, when He comes to collect fruit for Him, we say “no, I want it for myself.”
Today let us renew our hearts in our service to the Lord, yielding our wills to His will as our Lord. This will keep our attitudes concerning our works in alignment with the scriptures, and we will have the great reward of knowing God. Amen.
Jesus told a parable about tenants laboring in a vineyard for their landlord. At harvest time the landlord sent his servants to collect the portion of the fruit due him. From this story we see that our labors are not entirely our own. We work in the field, or vineyard the Lord calls us to . . . yet He retains ownership, and wants some fruit in return.
There is a difference between owning your own land, and being a tenant in someone else’s land. If a people own the land they work, all they produce is theirs. But if a people labor as tenants in someone else’s field, then they must pay tribute. In this parable the tenants did not want to give any fruit, or tribute to their landlord. When the son came to collect the fruit, the tenants said “Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.” (Mt 21:38) This would have allowed the tenants to keep everything for themselves.
Because of greed men have broken peace with other men, and nations have gone to war against other nations in order to keep all they labor for. And because of selfish ambition men break peace with God, refusing to have requirements of payment laid on them.
Jesus made it plain that it was not the works of the tenants alone that would keep them in the kingdom of God. He asked “ . . . when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” (Mt 21:40). We see that the Lord is looking for someone to bear fruit, not for themselves, but for Him. If we have selfish ambition and do great works for ourselves, we cannot fool Christ.
How do we know the intentions we have that motivate us to serve God? Jesus told us that we know a tree by its fruit (Mt 7:20). He went on to say that “Not everyone who says to Me ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Mt 7:21) This seems to be a strong argument for the importance of the works alone, but look at what the Lord says next; “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’” (Mt 7:22-23). Doing the works without yielding our hearts to Him will not give Jesus the fruit He desires. We will not become acquainted with Him and His ways if, when He comes to collect fruit for Him, we say “no, I want it for myself.”
Today let us renew our hearts in our service to the Lord, yielding our wills to His will as our Lord. This will keep our attitudes concerning our works in alignment with the scriptures, and we will have the great reward of knowing God. Amen.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
The Value of Your Reward
Have you ever wondered about your reward? As a Christian, it seems sort of selfish to look forward to recompense for what we have done on the earth. Indeed, in the parable about the servant laboring out in the field we learn that we are just doing our duty (Lk 17:10). Though doing our duty for God is translated into being a servant, and not being a person of no value, we still feel caution when equating our service with reward.
This morning the Lord broached this subject by having me look first at Jesus’ reward, and seeing that there is a purpose in being rewarded that transcends personal benefit. The scripture I was led to is found in Revelation 5; “’Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it . . . ‘You (Jesus) are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.’” (Rev 5:2,3,9,10).
Jesus was worthy, and part of His reward is to open the scroll. Besides dying for the purchase of men’s souls, we read that He makes those men into priests who will rule with Him in a Kingdom. His reward results in the government of the Kingdom being established. Yet this was not Jesus’ idea alone; He was doing the will of the Father. In partnering with His Father, and finishing His Father’s will on the earth, Jesus obtained a name above all names, a throne from which to rule, the authority to put all God’s enemies under His feet, and brothers and sisters to rule with Him in His kingdom. We are in His family now, and He is not ashamed to call us brothers (Heb 2:11).
One of the clues to Jesus’ reward is that He overcame. In Rev3:21 we learn that we are invited to overcome also, and then to sit with Jesus in His throne, just as He overcame and sat down in His Father’s throne. The idea of imitating Jesus is what makes us His followers, or “Christians.” As He was rewarded, so shall we be rewarded. As His reward was for the benefit for others, and to further the work of the Father on this earth, so shall our reward be. Jesus’ Spirit lives in us to make us just as worthy as He is.
What would this world be like if there were many worthy, overcoming people walking around as sons of God? There has never been such a time yet. In fact, not only do we groan inside to be glorified as sons of God, but the whole creation groans, waiting for us to receive our reward (Rom 8:19-22). The creation knows something better is coming and waits for it.
When Jesus’ sacrifice was complete, the prince of this world was judged. Because of one man’s overcoming, satan was condemned, for Jesus’ blood was righteous (Jn 16:11). It was a victory that brought tremendous authority with it. In this same manner, with the overcoming of the saints will come their reign in the Kingdom of God, and they will be set on thrones. Jesus told His disciples that they would judge the 12 tribes of Israel (Mt 19:28). The disciples had overcome the traditions of their fathers, forsaking all to walk in the newness of Life that Jesus brought. They partnered with Jesus until the end of the appointed works left for them to do on the earth. This partnership brought their reward, and the establishment of the new Covenant and end of the former covenant.
We in our times also have an overcoming to accomplish. We also have to overcome the traditions of the world, as well as the error of men and deceiving spirits let loose on the earth. Just as many of the first century Christian leaders were martyred, so we are admonished to overcome our enemy by “not loving our lives unto death.” (Rev 12:11). Those who overcome will be set on thrones (Rev 20:4). With the reign of Christ and His overcomers comes the judgment of all who opposed God and the faint-hearted who turned back. It is necessary to separate the holy from the profane in order to establish an entry into the City of God for all those who overcame (Rev 22:12-15).
In comparing our overcoming to Jesus’ overcoming, I have pointed out many similarities. Though no man can have His reward, yet we should not discount the value of our reward. He is preparing the whole world for a future in which those who overcome will reign with Him. In reigning with Him, we are preparing the people who follow Jesus to enter the City of God. In standing with Jesus during the oppression of the enemy (Rev 17:14), we assist Him in putting His enemies under His feet. Just as authority came to Jesus, it will come to His overcomers when the time is ready. Should we look forward to the day of our reward? The whole earth is looking forward to that day, so let us also. Amen.
This morning the Lord broached this subject by having me look first at Jesus’ reward, and seeing that there is a purpose in being rewarded that transcends personal benefit. The scripture I was led to is found in Revelation 5; “’Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it . . . ‘You (Jesus) are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.’” (Rev 5:2,3,9,10).
Jesus was worthy, and part of His reward is to open the scroll. Besides dying for the purchase of men’s souls, we read that He makes those men into priests who will rule with Him in a Kingdom. His reward results in the government of the Kingdom being established. Yet this was not Jesus’ idea alone; He was doing the will of the Father. In partnering with His Father, and finishing His Father’s will on the earth, Jesus obtained a name above all names, a throne from which to rule, the authority to put all God’s enemies under His feet, and brothers and sisters to rule with Him in His kingdom. We are in His family now, and He is not ashamed to call us brothers (Heb 2:11).
One of the clues to Jesus’ reward is that He overcame. In Rev3:21 we learn that we are invited to overcome also, and then to sit with Jesus in His throne, just as He overcame and sat down in His Father’s throne. The idea of imitating Jesus is what makes us His followers, or “Christians.” As He was rewarded, so shall we be rewarded. As His reward was for the benefit for others, and to further the work of the Father on this earth, so shall our reward be. Jesus’ Spirit lives in us to make us just as worthy as He is.
What would this world be like if there were many worthy, overcoming people walking around as sons of God? There has never been such a time yet. In fact, not only do we groan inside to be glorified as sons of God, but the whole creation groans, waiting for us to receive our reward (Rom 8:19-22). The creation knows something better is coming and waits for it.
When Jesus’ sacrifice was complete, the prince of this world was judged. Because of one man’s overcoming, satan was condemned, for Jesus’ blood was righteous (Jn 16:11). It was a victory that brought tremendous authority with it. In this same manner, with the overcoming of the saints will come their reign in the Kingdom of God, and they will be set on thrones. Jesus told His disciples that they would judge the 12 tribes of Israel (Mt 19:28). The disciples had overcome the traditions of their fathers, forsaking all to walk in the newness of Life that Jesus brought. They partnered with Jesus until the end of the appointed works left for them to do on the earth. This partnership brought their reward, and the establishment of the new Covenant and end of the former covenant.
We in our times also have an overcoming to accomplish. We also have to overcome the traditions of the world, as well as the error of men and deceiving spirits let loose on the earth. Just as many of the first century Christian leaders were martyred, so we are admonished to overcome our enemy by “not loving our lives unto death.” (Rev 12:11). Those who overcome will be set on thrones (Rev 20:4). With the reign of Christ and His overcomers comes the judgment of all who opposed God and the faint-hearted who turned back. It is necessary to separate the holy from the profane in order to establish an entry into the City of God for all those who overcame (Rev 22:12-15).
In comparing our overcoming to Jesus’ overcoming, I have pointed out many similarities. Though no man can have His reward, yet we should not discount the value of our reward. He is preparing the whole world for a future in which those who overcome will reign with Him. In reigning with Him, we are preparing the people who follow Jesus to enter the City of God. In standing with Jesus during the oppression of the enemy (Rev 17:14), we assist Him in putting His enemies under His feet. Just as authority came to Jesus, it will come to His overcomers when the time is ready. Should we look forward to the day of our reward? The whole earth is looking forward to that day, so let us also. Amen.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The Poor in spirit
In Ps 86:1 we read David’s plea for the Lord to hear him, for he is “poor and needy”. This reminds us that the first beatitude states that the poor in spirit will receive the kingdom of heaven. What is the advantage of being poor in spirit, or “poor and needy” before God? Let’s look at the opposite of being poor in spirit first; being “full” of ourselves.
When we value ourselves too much, we promote who we are and are full of ourselves. In other words, we suffer no lack within ourselves because of who we esteem ourselves to be. It’s as if we own our gift and calling, and not that these things are from God. Being poor and needy is being dependant on God, the Gift-giver, the Creator. What we say and do is for Him, and not for ourselves.
When enemy, and people, oppress us with their unbelief in what we say and do, it can cause us to shore up our self esteem by our own means. A rising-up in our spirits to defend ourselves for who we are may occur. Once we do this, we are led to then promote ourselves by our gifts as proof that we are who we say we are. At this point our gifts and calling become tools for our own purposes instead of instruments for God’s glory.
When challenged, truth is our champion and time is our vindicator. Jesus has the two-edged sword in His mouth, and so should His followers. He is the Word of God, and reliance on the Word has always been his defense, even when He could have called legions of angles to assist Him. So should we answer with the truth and by the Spirit; the two edged sword. Over time God will prove who we are by letting His deposit in us come forth in greater and greater power. If we suffer for Him, we will know Him. If our boasting is from Him, we will not be full of ourselves, but of God. So being poor in spirit, we will be rich in the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.
When we value ourselves too much, we promote who we are and are full of ourselves. In other words, we suffer no lack within ourselves because of who we esteem ourselves to be. It’s as if we own our gift and calling, and not that these things are from God. Being poor and needy is being dependant on God, the Gift-giver, the Creator. What we say and do is for Him, and not for ourselves.
When enemy, and people, oppress us with their unbelief in what we say and do, it can cause us to shore up our self esteem by our own means. A rising-up in our spirits to defend ourselves for who we are may occur. Once we do this, we are led to then promote ourselves by our gifts as proof that we are who we say we are. At this point our gifts and calling become tools for our own purposes instead of instruments for God’s glory.
When challenged, truth is our champion and time is our vindicator. Jesus has the two-edged sword in His mouth, and so should His followers. He is the Word of God, and reliance on the Word has always been his defense, even when He could have called legions of angles to assist Him. So should we answer with the truth and by the Spirit; the two edged sword. Over time God will prove who we are by letting His deposit in us come forth in greater and greater power. If we suffer for Him, we will know Him. If our boasting is from Him, we will not be full of ourselves, but of God. So being poor in spirit, we will be rich in the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.
Monday, July 11, 2011
prayer
This morning when I awoke the Lord told me that a friend of mine was praying for me. He went on to tell me that prayer was necessary for the work ahead of my husband and I, and because the work was imminent, He moved on my friend to begin praying. Though I thought all this was touching, the Lord had me get up and really listen to what He was saying; prayer is necessary for the work of God to be accomplished. And agreement on the part of others is more important that solitary prayer.
Because God is sovereign, sometimes we wonder what our role is in prayer. I often hear that well-meaning Christians believe God will have His way, and His will stands alone, to be accomplished without our input. But Jesus gives us a glimpse into our input concerning the timing and the will of God. “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.” (Mt 9:37-38). The Lord’s harvest was important to Him, yet He didn’t accomplish the task alone. God designed it so that the harvest took the participation of Christian laborers to accomplish. And, Christian believers needed to pray for the laborers.
There is another place where Jesus tells a parable about needing laborers for the harvest. Men were standing around in the marketplace, waiting for their calling to serve. Yet no man would “hire” them to labor in the harvest (Mt 20:7). So the Lord Himself brought them in to help bring in the harvest.
The difference between the two harvests is that Jesus asked His disciples to pray and ask for laborers in the first one, and Jesus found He still did not have enough laborers during the 11th hour in the second one. If we take a look at history, we see that there were many brethren during the beginning of the Christian movement, ready to give their entire life to labor in the harvest. Whether they planted, weeded, watered, or reaped, the brothers and sisters of Christ moved across their lands and into others to labor for the Lord. I believe the movement of God during their time was related to the obedience of the disciples; they prayed for laborers.
Many of us believe we are living in the end times. This is the 11th hour and the harvest is ripe, needing to be brought in. We hear the message from ministers and evangelists, pastors and teachers. Yet there is little movement amongst the church. Though we are not all called out into the mission field, we are all called to prayer. Prayer about what is on God’s heart is a partnership with Him on what He is about to do.
Jesus taught His disciples that prayer moved the hand of the Father. “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Mt 18:19). When we agree together concerning God’s will, and pray, powerful things will happen. And, if we do not pray, there will be lack. When we feel that we are enough for the work of God, we will find the heat of the day tiresome, and though we do not want to “hire” anyone else to help with the labor, Jesus will step in to do so, for the Father’s business is important to Him.
Peter admonishes us to “be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” (1 Pet 4:7). If our mind is sound, and our thoughts concerned with the matters of the Kingdom, we will want to pray. Because we care about what God cares about, and agree with others concerning what God reveals that He is doing, His movement will begin. Today, let us be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, listening to whom He would have us pray for. We need to “hire” our brethren with our prayers, desiring them to enter into the labor of the Lord. God has some exciting things ahead of us and needs many laborers. Amen.
Because God is sovereign, sometimes we wonder what our role is in prayer. I often hear that well-meaning Christians believe God will have His way, and His will stands alone, to be accomplished without our input. But Jesus gives us a glimpse into our input concerning the timing and the will of God. “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.” (Mt 9:37-38). The Lord’s harvest was important to Him, yet He didn’t accomplish the task alone. God designed it so that the harvest took the participation of Christian laborers to accomplish. And, Christian believers needed to pray for the laborers.
There is another place where Jesus tells a parable about needing laborers for the harvest. Men were standing around in the marketplace, waiting for their calling to serve. Yet no man would “hire” them to labor in the harvest (Mt 20:7). So the Lord Himself brought them in to help bring in the harvest.
The difference between the two harvests is that Jesus asked His disciples to pray and ask for laborers in the first one, and Jesus found He still did not have enough laborers during the 11th hour in the second one. If we take a look at history, we see that there were many brethren during the beginning of the Christian movement, ready to give their entire life to labor in the harvest. Whether they planted, weeded, watered, or reaped, the brothers and sisters of Christ moved across their lands and into others to labor for the Lord. I believe the movement of God during their time was related to the obedience of the disciples; they prayed for laborers.
Many of us believe we are living in the end times. This is the 11th hour and the harvest is ripe, needing to be brought in. We hear the message from ministers and evangelists, pastors and teachers. Yet there is little movement amongst the church. Though we are not all called out into the mission field, we are all called to prayer. Prayer about what is on God’s heart is a partnership with Him on what He is about to do.
Jesus taught His disciples that prayer moved the hand of the Father. “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Mt 18:19). When we agree together concerning God’s will, and pray, powerful things will happen. And, if we do not pray, there will be lack. When we feel that we are enough for the work of God, we will find the heat of the day tiresome, and though we do not want to “hire” anyone else to help with the labor, Jesus will step in to do so, for the Father’s business is important to Him.
Peter admonishes us to “be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” (1 Pet 4:7). If our mind is sound, and our thoughts concerned with the matters of the Kingdom, we will want to pray. Because we care about what God cares about, and agree with others concerning what God reveals that He is doing, His movement will begin. Today, let us be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, listening to whom He would have us pray for. We need to “hire” our brethren with our prayers, desiring them to enter into the labor of the Lord. God has some exciting things ahead of us and needs many laborers. Amen.
Monday, July 4, 2011
accountability and love of the truth 7-4-11
We, the people of Christianity, seek the restoration of the Church to the glory once experienced by the 1st century believers. But the Church will not experience this glory, nor the power of the 1st century church, until we restore two things to church life; defending the truth, and holding one another accountable to living the truth. We see this example when Paul confronted Peter for being insincere in his faith, not eating with the Gentile believers (Gal 2:11-14). Paul defended and held Peter accountable for the truth Peter himself had established in the church; the Gentiles were also granted an entrance into salvation (Acts 11:15-17). I firmly believe we have a pure gospel to preach because men like Peter and Paul made themselves accountable to the truth.
There are many reasons that we in our present time have allowed a great latitude in what we call “truth” amongst believers. First, we do not want to misjudge others, and second, we do not see ourselves individually as knowing exactly what the truth is in its totality. Yet, there is a way we can establish that which we should defend, and that by which we should live.
Clearly, the Lord left us in good hands when He left this earth. Jesus left us the Holy Spirit, calling Him the Spirit of Truth (Jn 14:17). He told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would “teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (Jn 14:26). We do not read that, before His death and resurrection, Jesus established how the church should be formed and what its function was. Knowing He would be absent, Jesus left this important matter to the ministry of the Holy Spirit who revealed and taught faithful believers the truth.
We are saved through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and by our belief in the truth (2 Thess 2:14). We escape the corruption which condemns us by walking in the Holy Spirit and being daily sanctified. The Holy Spirit not only teaches us the truth, but He exposes our sin to us personally so that we can be cleansed of it. This is to be loved as much as we love life itself, for the inner work of the Holy Spirit, if followed, loved and obeyed, gives us life in Christ.
Those who are not being saved do not love the truth of sanctification, and what they delight in is wickedness (2 Thess 2:10-12). It is not just ignorance about the truth or some doctrinal issues that they differ on. The fearful thing is that they reject the relationship of the Holy Spirit wherein they are cleansed of their corrupt fleshly nature.
Though we do not want to be harsh in our dealings with one another, we are still admonished to mix our mercy-giving with “snatch”-ing. Jude writes “Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” (Jd :22-23) We know that our brethren need encouragement, nurturing, kindness, patience, and much more to make their way successfully through this life. But there is a fear mentioned here that underscores the importance of being accountable to one another for following the truth.
The brethren who walk in the corruption of their flesh and do not obey the scriptures are the ones whom we should “snatch” from the fire. Will that make some of us unpopular? Yes. Will that return the Church of God to the standard of truth that others shed their blood to establish? Yes. The love of the truth and living according to the truth must be more important than the coziness of our relationships. It was more important for Jesus. It was more important for Peter, Paul, and all the apostles. If we truly want the Church to return to its former glory and power, let us live and speak as a people in love with the truth. Then God will confirm His Words with signs and wonders (Mk 16:20) and we will walk alongside Jesus as His glorious Bride Amen.
There are many reasons that we in our present time have allowed a great latitude in what we call “truth” amongst believers. First, we do not want to misjudge others, and second, we do not see ourselves individually as knowing exactly what the truth is in its totality. Yet, there is a way we can establish that which we should defend, and that by which we should live.
Clearly, the Lord left us in good hands when He left this earth. Jesus left us the Holy Spirit, calling Him the Spirit of Truth (Jn 14:17). He told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would “teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (Jn 14:26). We do not read that, before His death and resurrection, Jesus established how the church should be formed and what its function was. Knowing He would be absent, Jesus left this important matter to the ministry of the Holy Spirit who revealed and taught faithful believers the truth.
We are saved through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and by our belief in the truth (2 Thess 2:14). We escape the corruption which condemns us by walking in the Holy Spirit and being daily sanctified. The Holy Spirit not only teaches us the truth, but He exposes our sin to us personally so that we can be cleansed of it. This is to be loved as much as we love life itself, for the inner work of the Holy Spirit, if followed, loved and obeyed, gives us life in Christ.
Those who are not being saved do not love the truth of sanctification, and what they delight in is wickedness (2 Thess 2:10-12). It is not just ignorance about the truth or some doctrinal issues that they differ on. The fearful thing is that they reject the relationship of the Holy Spirit wherein they are cleansed of their corrupt fleshly nature.
Though we do not want to be harsh in our dealings with one another, we are still admonished to mix our mercy-giving with “snatch”-ing. Jude writes “Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” (Jd :22-23) We know that our brethren need encouragement, nurturing, kindness, patience, and much more to make their way successfully through this life. But there is a fear mentioned here that underscores the importance of being accountable to one another for following the truth.
The brethren who walk in the corruption of their flesh and do not obey the scriptures are the ones whom we should “snatch” from the fire. Will that make some of us unpopular? Yes. Will that return the Church of God to the standard of truth that others shed their blood to establish? Yes. The love of the truth and living according to the truth must be more important than the coziness of our relationships. It was more important for Jesus. It was more important for Peter, Paul, and all the apostles. If we truly want the Church to return to its former glory and power, let us live and speak as a people in love with the truth. Then God will confirm His Words with signs and wonders (Mk 16:20) and we will walk alongside Jesus as His glorious Bride Amen.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
The Kingdom
I will probably not win a popularity contest for saying this, but not everyone is going to be in the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ parables and other statements make it clear that God has a standard for those who will be in His Kingdom. Many Christians want a user-friendly church and a sin-tolerant fellowship, but that does a great disservice to their development as servants of God.
Jesus explained what sort of deeds and attitudes of the heart His Father was looking for, and warned about what would keep a man out of the Kingdom. Because He wants us all in the Kingdom with Him, Jesus faithfully told us everything. This made Him so unpopular that it cost Him His life.
It isn’t easy to be in the Kingdom. Bottom line is . . . it will cost us our lives also. A man must want the Kingdom enough to give up his present way of living (his life) to have the Kingdom (Mt 13:45-46). If a man doesn’t want the Kingdom with his whole heart, he won’t think it’s worth the price.
There were priests in Israel who found that the price of serving God was more than they wanted to pay. They said “It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out His requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.” (Mal 3: 14-15). These men regretted giving up their lives in service to God when they saw that those who retained their lives prospered. Even evil men got away with sinning, and were blessed with prosperity! It goaded the priests, and they despised their decision to serve God, for they did not serve Him from their hearts.
It may also goad us when we see that we have given up our former way of living for a Kingdom that is not yet tangible, and that we do not receive the blessings others have . . . others who do not sacrifice like we do. It will goad us, unless we want the Kingdom with all our hearts.
There is something different about those who walk in the Kingdom of God. There is a peace in their hearts, and the strength of joy that comes despite difficult circumstances. Much more, there is a transforming power that lives inside those who truly sell-out to become servants of God, and they become like Him whom they serve. One day they will “be released from the stall” when the “sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.” (Mal 4:2). God never short-changes those who desire Him with all their hearts. There is no price expected that will not bring the greatest reward in return. Today, let us affirm with our whole heart that we desire to walk with Jesus, and be in His Kingdom. Amen.
Jesus explained what sort of deeds and attitudes of the heart His Father was looking for, and warned about what would keep a man out of the Kingdom. Because He wants us all in the Kingdom with Him, Jesus faithfully told us everything. This made Him so unpopular that it cost Him His life.
It isn’t easy to be in the Kingdom. Bottom line is . . . it will cost us our lives also. A man must want the Kingdom enough to give up his present way of living (his life) to have the Kingdom (Mt 13:45-46). If a man doesn’t want the Kingdom with his whole heart, he won’t think it’s worth the price.
There were priests in Israel who found that the price of serving God was more than they wanted to pay. They said “It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out His requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.” (Mal 3: 14-15). These men regretted giving up their lives in service to God when they saw that those who retained their lives prospered. Even evil men got away with sinning, and were blessed with prosperity! It goaded the priests, and they despised their decision to serve God, for they did not serve Him from their hearts.
It may also goad us when we see that we have given up our former way of living for a Kingdom that is not yet tangible, and that we do not receive the blessings others have . . . others who do not sacrifice like we do. It will goad us, unless we want the Kingdom with all our hearts.
There is something different about those who walk in the Kingdom of God. There is a peace in their hearts, and the strength of joy that comes despite difficult circumstances. Much more, there is a transforming power that lives inside those who truly sell-out to become servants of God, and they become like Him whom they serve. One day they will “be released from the stall” when the “sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.” (Mal 4:2). God never short-changes those who desire Him with all their hearts. There is no price expected that will not bring the greatest reward in return. Today, let us affirm with our whole heart that we desire to walk with Jesus, and be in His Kingdom. Amen.
spiritual warfare
The Church needs to secure itself against loss and defeat. We as individual Christians also need to be wise how we walk through this life, and not suffer personal loss and defeat. Jesus portrayed our enemy as a thief who comes to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). The one who knows how to destroy the works of satan is Jesus, for that is why He came to the earth (1 Jn 3:8).
Our enemy, satan, is not all that unpredictable. If we do not want to suffer loss physically and spiritually, we can find great strategy in Jesus’ words. To begin with, we can prevent ourselves from going into spiritual bondage if we forgive. If we fail to forgive, we become bound and tormented (Mt 18:23-34). Jesus warned us about this in the parable of the unforgiving servant, and yet many people fail in this area by listening to the accuser of the brethren berate the one who has offended them. What is the weapon that maintains victory in this area? Blessing, and prayer (Mt 5:44-45).
Our relationships are not based in the realm of justice, but in grace. If we weigh the behavior of others and consider that they have taken more than they have given, we will justify our wrong and unloving, unforgiving attitudes towards them. Jesus asked us to extend grace to those who ask from us. “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Mt 5:41-42). If we want the accuser off our backs and out of our thoughts, we must extend both grace and forgiveness to our brother. When we justify unforgiveness by weighing our brother’s contributions to our and others’ lives, we are standing in God’s privileged spot as judge. Yet both forgiveness and grace, when they come from our hearts towards others, are the image of God found in Christ Jesus.
Jesus asked His disciples to be on the watch so that He would not come and find them naked and “be shamefully exposed.” (Rev 16:15). Failure to clothe ourselves in the likeness of Christ will cause us shame. Yet obedience to His words will cause us to defeat our enemy’s purposes in our lives, and in the lives of those around us. Spiritual warfare always begins with obedience to the scriptures. In Jesus’ words we find Life. Today, let us secure all our relationships through forgiveness, blessing, and prayer and be found doing the works that Jesus did; defeating the works of the devil. Amen.
Our enemy, satan, is not all that unpredictable. If we do not want to suffer loss physically and spiritually, we can find great strategy in Jesus’ words. To begin with, we can prevent ourselves from going into spiritual bondage if we forgive. If we fail to forgive, we become bound and tormented (Mt 18:23-34). Jesus warned us about this in the parable of the unforgiving servant, and yet many people fail in this area by listening to the accuser of the brethren berate the one who has offended them. What is the weapon that maintains victory in this area? Blessing, and prayer (Mt 5:44-45).
Our relationships are not based in the realm of justice, but in grace. If we weigh the behavior of others and consider that they have taken more than they have given, we will justify our wrong and unloving, unforgiving attitudes towards them. Jesus asked us to extend grace to those who ask from us. “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Mt 5:41-42). If we want the accuser off our backs and out of our thoughts, we must extend both grace and forgiveness to our brother. When we justify unforgiveness by weighing our brother’s contributions to our and others’ lives, we are standing in God’s privileged spot as judge. Yet both forgiveness and grace, when they come from our hearts towards others, are the image of God found in Christ Jesus.
Jesus asked His disciples to be on the watch so that He would not come and find them naked and “be shamefully exposed.” (Rev 16:15). Failure to clothe ourselves in the likeness of Christ will cause us shame. Yet obedience to His words will cause us to defeat our enemy’s purposes in our lives, and in the lives of those around us. Spiritual warfare always begins with obedience to the scriptures. In Jesus’ words we find Life. Today, let us secure all our relationships through forgiveness, blessing, and prayer and be found doing the works that Jesus did; defeating the works of the devil. Amen.
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