We have trials in this life. What is being tested, but our faith? At the end of a long trial it is not all my “right and wrong” which God reviews with me, but what I believed about Him. Satan discounted God’s word and His character from the beginning, in the Garden of Eden. God is looking for me to affirm Who He is. God knows . . . but do I?
Throughout my trail satan accuses me as coming up short of goodness. Lessons in our churches support the idea that bad things happen to bad people. Therefore I am set on a course of improvement so that the blessings of God will come to me once again. What a startling surprise it is to find at the end of my trial that God actually had compassion on me during my trial, knew my flesh would act up wretchedly, and yet that my soul and everything within me would cry out for Him.
Seeking God for good, even for mercy, affirms that He is a good and merciful God, born of love and full of compassion towards us. Job said “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.” (Job 13:15) If our faith is going to be tried by fire, we need to trust and have hope in God’s purposes. Every man God purposes to serve Him He also prepares through fiery trials.
We look on the outward behavior as evidence that our lack of goodness brought on our unfavorable circumstances. Not so God. He looks on our heart and sees His dwelling place within us. He builds our faith up, testing and purifying it so that we can be glorified, and live with God forever. Amen.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Life's experiences as God's qualifications for ministry
As Christians, the Lord places many opportunities in our lives for growth. We are trained by life’s experiences, schools, and formal training in apprenticeships. When we cannot get the training we need for the calling we have in one setting, the Lord puts us in another.
Joseph would one day become second only to Pharoh in his responsibilities in Egypt. The training for this calling was a mixture of servitude to Potipher, and servitude to the ruler of the jail he later resided in. You could look at his unfortunate circumstances as “life-training”, or experience for the leadership role he would later assume under Pharoh’s appointment. Joseph did not come into his new role unprepared, for he had great wisdom gained through his relationship with God. How we look at things in our lives makes the difference between a prepared servant and a slave to bondage, for we can maintain inner freedom, or become embittered by our circumstances.
The Bible has many examples of God’s servants whose life’s experiences enabled them to grow in their knowledge of His ways. These men and women were able to lead and teach others. Today I will focus, not on famous men of our faith, but on women. Women are called to serve God alongside men, and yet there is very little opportunity for them to do so.
Paul lays out the ministry of women in his letter to Titus. The second chapter is an admonition for Titus to instruct older men, older women, younger men, and slaves. However, the instructions to the older women give us insight into their qualifications to be disciplers of younger women. Paul not only asks the older women to teach the younger women, but he views this process of discipling as being similar to Titus’ discipling of younger men (see the word “similar” in Titus 2:6, stating that they are equivalent ministries). The older women are qualified by their life’s experiences to disciple younger women and to teach “what is good” (Titus 2:3).
Women who lead their children in the ways of the Lord not only have experience in teaching, but in leadership. Those who “guide” their household need to learn how to use wisdom, have discernment, be gentle and kind . . . and the list goes on. Speaking of lists, we read about these as “gifts” in the book of Romans (Rom 12:6 – 8). They are qualities listed as prophesying, teaching, encouraging, contributing, leadership/governing, and showing mercy. We all are to use these gifts “according to the grace given to (us)” (verse 3).
I believe that one of the influences on Paul’s faith and ministry was a couple named Priscilla and Aquila. We learn that Paul called them both his “fellow workers.” (Rom 16:3). Today I’d like to encourage the women to see the valuable deposit of gifts which the Lord has deposited in you through your life’s experiences. God is not through with you yet! And I’d like to encourage the leaders of the churches not to dismiss the older women as if they have used up their value to God and are ready to be put out to pasture. I admonish you in the Lord to place these women into the calling of their individual destiny in the Lord. Amen.
Joseph would one day become second only to Pharoh in his responsibilities in Egypt. The training for this calling was a mixture of servitude to Potipher, and servitude to the ruler of the jail he later resided in. You could look at his unfortunate circumstances as “life-training”, or experience for the leadership role he would later assume under Pharoh’s appointment. Joseph did not come into his new role unprepared, for he had great wisdom gained through his relationship with God. How we look at things in our lives makes the difference between a prepared servant and a slave to bondage, for we can maintain inner freedom, or become embittered by our circumstances.
The Bible has many examples of God’s servants whose life’s experiences enabled them to grow in their knowledge of His ways. These men and women were able to lead and teach others. Today I will focus, not on famous men of our faith, but on women. Women are called to serve God alongside men, and yet there is very little opportunity for them to do so.
Paul lays out the ministry of women in his letter to Titus. The second chapter is an admonition for Titus to instruct older men, older women, younger men, and slaves. However, the instructions to the older women give us insight into their qualifications to be disciplers of younger women. Paul not only asks the older women to teach the younger women, but he views this process of discipling as being similar to Titus’ discipling of younger men (see the word “similar” in Titus 2:6, stating that they are equivalent ministries). The older women are qualified by their life’s experiences to disciple younger women and to teach “what is good” (Titus 2:3).
Women who lead their children in the ways of the Lord not only have experience in teaching, but in leadership. Those who “guide” their household need to learn how to use wisdom, have discernment, be gentle and kind . . . and the list goes on. Speaking of lists, we read about these as “gifts” in the book of Romans (Rom 12:6 – 8). They are qualities listed as prophesying, teaching, encouraging, contributing, leadership/governing, and showing mercy. We all are to use these gifts “according to the grace given to (us)” (verse 3).
I believe that one of the influences on Paul’s faith and ministry was a couple named Priscilla and Aquila. We learn that Paul called them both his “fellow workers.” (Rom 16:3). Today I’d like to encourage the women to see the valuable deposit of gifts which the Lord has deposited in you through your life’s experiences. God is not through with you yet! And I’d like to encourage the leaders of the churches not to dismiss the older women as if they have used up their value to God and are ready to be put out to pasture. I admonish you in the Lord to place these women into the calling of their individual destiny in the Lord. Amen.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
The New
The book of Revelation is encouragement for Christians to overcome. Many gifts are given to the overcomers to enable them to know and to serve God better. We see the word “new” written many times. And, if so many things are going to be made new, one wonders why people think that God is happy with the way things are now. What are we, as individuals, and corporately, as the Church, to change about the way we do things?
In Revelation we read about singing a new song (Rev 14:3-4), being given a “new name”(Rev 2:17), the City of God is called “New Jerusalem” (Rev 3:12), and even Jesus is called by a new name (Rev 3;12). Since we know that Jesus wants us to overcome while we are alive, we also know that the “new” will take place before we go to heaven.
One of the biggest clues to why things are new is a theme found throughout the Bible; purity. Those who sing a new song “did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure.” (Rev 14:3-4). This is spiritual purity, not abstinence from sex between a man and his wife. This purity is the opposite from what the teacher Jezebel taught when she “mislead My servants into sexual immorality . . . “ (Rev 2:20). Those that are pure will sing a new song. If the Church is preaching about purity, she is preparing people to sing a new song.
Those who hold onto their crown, their rightful authority in Christ, will be given the name of the new Jerusalem, and Jesus’ new name. Holding onto our authority must, therefore, be a difficult thing to do. For those who see their authority as a privilege amongst men and an entitlement to the earth’s goods, they will become indebted to pleasing both men and the world to maintain their position amongst them. For those who see authority as a God-given responsibility for which they will someday give account, they will refine themselves and their works in the fire of God’s Spirit. Churches who set men and women into places of responsibility and hold them accountable for godly living are preparing people to build and live in the new Jerusalem.
One of the most difficult concepts to grasp is that Jesus will have a new name. Yet He did not complete all that His Father has for Him to do when He died as the sacrificial Lamb. Jesus knew that one day He would also judge men’s works. Before that time, He wished to send His refiner’s fire. He said “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!” (Lk 12:49-50). Jesus wants to get us ready to receive our reward, and not judgment. What He began at the Cross He continues by the baptism of fire (Mt 3:11). Our Redeemer is now a refining fire, preparing those who follow Him, who overcome, for their reward.
Does the Church want to see Jesus’ ministry on earth as one of sanctification and fire? Or does the Church want to see the sacrificial Lamb on the Cross (His baptism), but not the fire which purges? Will we hear of the price paid for our souls, and how much God loves us, and not hear of the Holy Spirit’s fire which daily burns out our dross? If we only want the good and take no responsibility for purity of ourselves and those entrusted into our care, we are failing what God has entrusted us to do. The Church’s authority is only as good as the works she accomplishes, and those works must endure the Refiner’s fire also (1 Cor 3:13).
Because of corruption, God will bring the “new.” Because many leaders in our ministries do not set people in their rightful place, God will set those people as pillars in His temple and stones in His City. Because many preach a soft gospel and redemption without responsibility, Jesus will set his Refiner’s Fire ablaze in people of true authority. Because there are teachers who tickle the ears of many with lessons of “God accepts you just the way you are,” God will find men with integrity before Him who will preach purity, and it will be a new song amongst the redeemed. And because men hold other men down, blood-washed redeemed men who bear the forgiveness of God in their souls, and count them as worthless, God will give those who are scorned a new name which is their identity in Christ; and no man can steal it away from them.
God is about to turn our churches upside down, and inside out. He is not looking for a restoration of churches to their former selves; He is making things new for those who overcome. Amen, come Lord Jesus.
In Revelation we read about singing a new song (Rev 14:3-4), being given a “new name”(Rev 2:17), the City of God is called “New Jerusalem” (Rev 3:12), and even Jesus is called by a new name (Rev 3;12). Since we know that Jesus wants us to overcome while we are alive, we also know that the “new” will take place before we go to heaven.
One of the biggest clues to why things are new is a theme found throughout the Bible; purity. Those who sing a new song “did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure.” (Rev 14:3-4). This is spiritual purity, not abstinence from sex between a man and his wife. This purity is the opposite from what the teacher Jezebel taught when she “mislead My servants into sexual immorality . . . “ (Rev 2:20). Those that are pure will sing a new song. If the Church is preaching about purity, she is preparing people to sing a new song.
Those who hold onto their crown, their rightful authority in Christ, will be given the name of the new Jerusalem, and Jesus’ new name. Holding onto our authority must, therefore, be a difficult thing to do. For those who see their authority as a privilege amongst men and an entitlement to the earth’s goods, they will become indebted to pleasing both men and the world to maintain their position amongst them. For those who see authority as a God-given responsibility for which they will someday give account, they will refine themselves and their works in the fire of God’s Spirit. Churches who set men and women into places of responsibility and hold them accountable for godly living are preparing people to build and live in the new Jerusalem.
One of the most difficult concepts to grasp is that Jesus will have a new name. Yet He did not complete all that His Father has for Him to do when He died as the sacrificial Lamb. Jesus knew that one day He would also judge men’s works. Before that time, He wished to send His refiner’s fire. He said “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!” (Lk 12:49-50). Jesus wants to get us ready to receive our reward, and not judgment. What He began at the Cross He continues by the baptism of fire (Mt 3:11). Our Redeemer is now a refining fire, preparing those who follow Him, who overcome, for their reward.
Does the Church want to see Jesus’ ministry on earth as one of sanctification and fire? Or does the Church want to see the sacrificial Lamb on the Cross (His baptism), but not the fire which purges? Will we hear of the price paid for our souls, and how much God loves us, and not hear of the Holy Spirit’s fire which daily burns out our dross? If we only want the good and take no responsibility for purity of ourselves and those entrusted into our care, we are failing what God has entrusted us to do. The Church’s authority is only as good as the works she accomplishes, and those works must endure the Refiner’s fire also (1 Cor 3:13).
Because of corruption, God will bring the “new.” Because many leaders in our ministries do not set people in their rightful place, God will set those people as pillars in His temple and stones in His City. Because many preach a soft gospel and redemption without responsibility, Jesus will set his Refiner’s Fire ablaze in people of true authority. Because there are teachers who tickle the ears of many with lessons of “God accepts you just the way you are,” God will find men with integrity before Him who will preach purity, and it will be a new song amongst the redeemed. And because men hold other men down, blood-washed redeemed men who bear the forgiveness of God in their souls, and count them as worthless, God will give those who are scorned a new name which is their identity in Christ; and no man can steal it away from them.
God is about to turn our churches upside down, and inside out. He is not looking for a restoration of churches to their former selves; He is making things new for those who overcome. Amen, come Lord Jesus.
Monday, October 1, 2012
knowing God the way Jesus knew Him
Have you ever wondered how you know what you know about God and His ways? When Jesus taught, the people were amazed and said “How did this man get such learning without having studied?” His reply was that He got His teachings by following God’s will (Jn 7:15-16). In fact, Jesus told them that discernment came from following God’s will: anyone who did so would know that Jesus’ teaching came from God (Jn 15:17). You might say that these people would be tuned to the same station as Jesus was.
To follow God’s will one must both read about it and hear it. We read the Bible and have a general knowledge of what the Lord wants. But He speaks directly to our hearts to tell us specifically want He wants of us. If we do what He is asking us personally to do, and obey the scripture, we are following Him . . . abiding in Him.
In Jesus’ discourse about abiding in Him He tells the disciples that they “remain” in Him if they obey His commands (Jn 15:10), and are His friends if they do what He commands (Jn 15:14). Jesus is telling the disciples that they will get more than discernment if they follow Him in obedience, for friends know the will of the Father, and He will answer their prayers (Jn 15:15 & 23-24).
Later John tells us that the love of God is shown through our obedience to Him (1 Jn 5:3). A lot of our Christian walk relies on our willingness to follow, and obey, Christ. The rise of God’s people will be epitomized by their obedience, love and knowledge of Him, their friendship with Him, their discernment, and the fabulous way He answers their prayers. These people will prophesy and teach truth because they have spent time in the presence of God.
There will also be a rise of people who have fallen away from the Faith. They will say that they know God but they do not do what He says. Because obedience is the key to knowing God and His ways, these people will prophesy and teach lies (1 Jn 2:4 and 6). Their disobedience was prophesied about long ago and is one of their most noticeable traits (2 Tim 3:2 & Titus 1:16). Jesus said that their hearts would grow cold (Mt 24:12; see also 2 Tim 3:4). They lack discernment and go after false teachers, false prophets, and antichrists. We know they are not God’s friends because He does not receive them into the celebration of the marriage of the Bride to the Lamb (Mt 25:12).
One of the reasons people turn away from obeying the scriptures and God’s spoken word is because they want a convenient, self-centered faith. They disobey because they do not believe what God requires of them (1 Pet3:8b). These people are like the seed that fell on the rock, who received the Word with joy, but have no root. When the time of testing comes upon them, they fall away (see the Parable of the Sower; Lk 8:13). It is the unbelieving and liars, among others, who partake of the second death (Rev 21:8).
For those of us who prophesy, we must know God’s ways. That is what makes ministry rich and opens up the receiver’s heart, mind and spirit. To know Him, we must obey Him. There is no other way. Let us be like the people who rise up in God’s glory, and not in shame, for we were destined to be with Him forever. Amen.
To follow God’s will one must both read about it and hear it. We read the Bible and have a general knowledge of what the Lord wants. But He speaks directly to our hearts to tell us specifically want He wants of us. If we do what He is asking us personally to do, and obey the scripture, we are following Him . . . abiding in Him.
In Jesus’ discourse about abiding in Him He tells the disciples that they “remain” in Him if they obey His commands (Jn 15:10), and are His friends if they do what He commands (Jn 15:14). Jesus is telling the disciples that they will get more than discernment if they follow Him in obedience, for friends know the will of the Father, and He will answer their prayers (Jn 15:15 & 23-24).
Later John tells us that the love of God is shown through our obedience to Him (1 Jn 5:3). A lot of our Christian walk relies on our willingness to follow, and obey, Christ. The rise of God’s people will be epitomized by their obedience, love and knowledge of Him, their friendship with Him, their discernment, and the fabulous way He answers their prayers. These people will prophesy and teach truth because they have spent time in the presence of God.
There will also be a rise of people who have fallen away from the Faith. They will say that they know God but they do not do what He says. Because obedience is the key to knowing God and His ways, these people will prophesy and teach lies (1 Jn 2:4 and 6). Their disobedience was prophesied about long ago and is one of their most noticeable traits (2 Tim 3:2 & Titus 1:16). Jesus said that their hearts would grow cold (Mt 24:12; see also 2 Tim 3:4). They lack discernment and go after false teachers, false prophets, and antichrists. We know they are not God’s friends because He does not receive them into the celebration of the marriage of the Bride to the Lamb (Mt 25:12).
One of the reasons people turn away from obeying the scriptures and God’s spoken word is because they want a convenient, self-centered faith. They disobey because they do not believe what God requires of them (1 Pet3:8b). These people are like the seed that fell on the rock, who received the Word with joy, but have no root. When the time of testing comes upon them, they fall away (see the Parable of the Sower; Lk 8:13). It is the unbelieving and liars, among others, who partake of the second death (Rev 21:8).
For those of us who prophesy, we must know God’s ways. That is what makes ministry rich and opens up the receiver’s heart, mind and spirit. To know Him, we must obey Him. There is no other way. Let us be like the people who rise up in God’s glory, and not in shame, for we were destined to be with Him forever. Amen.
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