Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Something to ponder from Joyce Meyer
How to Put the Devil in His Place
by Joyce Meyer
It’s tragic when people receive Jesus as their Savior and then never have any victory in their life on this earth. Jesus didn’t give His life on the cross just so we could barely get by and struggle through life until we get to heaven. He came so we could have life and enjoy it! (See John 10:10.)
The devil, on the other hand, wants to steal, kill and destroy – that’s his sole purpose. He’s a liar, deceiver, destroyer, controller, manipulator and accuser. He wants to take from you and doesn’t want you to enjoy anything. And he’s the source of evil in this world.
What Gave the Devil the Upper Hand in My Life
For many years I went to church every Sunday and didn’t realize the devil was a problem in my life. I read about him in the Bible and knew he had a few arguments with Jesus, but I really didn’t get it that he was directly affecting my life. Like most people, I believed my problems were just the way life is, and I had to muddle through things day by day, just hoping to make it.
I was deceived.
“ Jesus didn't give His life on the cross just so we could barely get by and struggle through life until we get to heaven. ”
I believed I would always have a second-class life because my father had abused me. I believed every time I made a mistake God was mad at me and I had to work my way back into His good graces. I felt like it was ungodly not to feel guilty and it was “spiritual” to feel bad about myself all the time.
It was pitiful. It seemed I would never get over my past. I knew nothing about righteousness, had no peace or joy, and was hard to get along with. I was going to church every week but I wasn’t learning how to live the Christian life.
But I eventually learned the truth!
How the Truth Will Set You Free
You see, the devil is real. He’s against anything and anyone who is for righteousness, peace, love, joy, generosity, compassion and kindness. He vehemently opposes our progress or spiritual growth. While we don’t need to pay an excessive amount of attention to him, we do need to understand his strategies so we can live victoriously and not struggle all the time.
The Word of God is a powerful weapon we must use to overcome the enemy. It shows us who we are in Christ and that we’re fighting our battles from a position of victory, not for victory. What I mean by this is we don’t have to strive to get victory – we already have it in Christ.
Here are some great scriptures that confirm this truth:
•1 John 4:4
•Romans 8:37
•Colossians 1:13
•Luke10:19
Our protection is the Word of God. We must know it, love it, obey it and use it against the enemy when he comes against us. Just as Jesus responded to the devil by speaking God’s Word), we need to speak out the Word of God against the enemy’s lies. As you do, the truth will set you free!
I want to encourage you to be aggressive, not passive, in living the Christian life. When people do nothing, that’s when evil takes over. But if we will actively choose to learn the Word and be determined to trust the Truth it brings, we will be free to live the abundant, victorious life in Christ!
Monday, March 14, 2011
The Widows Oil: 2 Kings 4:1-7 - Gods Supply in the Midst of poverty
Today I'd like to share with you an extract from a bible study by J Hampton Keathly 111 on Gods Supply in the midst of poverty.
In the bible passage the woman and her sons collected jars from their neighbours and poured oil into them from one pot. The oil was probably olive oil and was used for cooking, for lamps, and for fuel. The oil stopped pouring only when they ran out of containers. The number of jars they gathered was an indication of their faith. Gods Provision was as large as their faith and willingness to obey. Beware of limiting Gods blessing by lack of faith and obedience. God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
After you read the extract below think about what you are offering God to work with. Are you limiting him in any way. Pray for increased measure of faith and give all you have, not just a bit, so as not to limit God.
The Extract:
Exposition
1 Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” 2 And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” 3 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few. 4 And you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out into all these vessels; and you shall set aside what is full.” 5 So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons; they were bringing the vessels to her and she poured. 6 And it came about when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not one vessel more.” And the oil stopped. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”
The Widow Cries Out for Help (vs. 1)
In verse one we are simply told “a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha” for help. Then, in her statement to the prophet, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord,” we learn a few more details about this widow, exactly who this woman was is simply not disclosed. There are a number of principles to glean from these verses:
(1) Though she is not identified in the text and was not on the “who’s who” list of Israel’s prominent people (as most of us are not), the principle is she was not unknown to God. Each one of us are personally known and loved of God; we are the personal objects of His love.
Psalm 147:4 He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them.
Psalm 50:11 I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine.
Matthew 6:26-30 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. 30 But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith?
Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness.”
Our needs are never unknown to our sovereign Lord. Though our God is transcendent, above and sovereign over this world, He is also immanent, very much involved with His creation and with His people and the details of their lives. This will be clearly emphasized in the story of the ax head that will follow in chapter 6. Since her husband was one who feared the Lord and since she appealed to the prophet, she was certainly a believer, an Old Testament saint who had a relationship with God. As an Old Testament believer she was the special recipient of God’s very personal care as one of His special children (Phil 4:19).
(2) Though her appeal here was ultimately to the Lord, she sought help through Elisha. Her appeal was based on two facts: (a) as one of the sons of the prophets, her husband had been a servant and student of Elisha, and (b) her husband had revered (had been faithful to) the Lord. This scenario reminds us of how God usually meets the needs of His people through people, especially believers ministering to other believers. That we have such a caring responsibility to one another is one of the great themes of the New Testament, but this especially draws attention to our need to be more involved in the needs of those in our personal care or in our ministry.
Galatians 6:9-10. And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Her plight is spelled out in her statement, “and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” That her husband was a man who revered the Lord indicates the problem she faced was not caused by her husband’s folly, but by circumstances imposed upon him as a believer in his day of apostasy. According to the Old Testament Law, a person in debt and without the means of repayment or collateral could be forced into bondage as a servant (or his sons) until the year of Jubilee. The sons would have to work off their father’s debt (Lev. 25:39ff).38
Elisha Responds to the Widow’s Need (vss. 2-4)
“What shall I do for you?” As a man of God, Elisha was as available to a poor widow woman as he was with kings, so he was quick to come to her aid. As God shows no favoritism, but treats all men alike if they will come to Him in faith, so the people of God should show no favoritism and be just as available to minister to the poor as to the rich and the powerful. James, remember, warns us of the sin of partiality:
James 2:1-9 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. 2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, 3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? 7 Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called? 8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law, according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
The qualifications for elders, deacons, or for putting widows on the list for support relate only to Christian character or marks of maturity; they have nothing to do with position, power, or wealth.
Perhaps an illustration will help:
A Chicago bank once asked for a letter of recommendation on a young Bostonian being considered for employment.
The Boston investment house could not say enough about the young man. His father, they wrote, was a Cabot; his mother was a Lowell. Further back was a happy blend of Saltonstalls, Peabodys, and others of Boston’s finest families. His recommendation was given without hesitation.
Several days later, the Chicago bank sent a note saying the information supplied was altogether inadequate. It read: “We are not contemplating using the young man for breeding purposes. Just for work.”39
As we think about Elisha’s question, “What shall I do for you?,” we need to remember that Elisha was no ordinary prophet because of his many miracles. In a very unique way, he represented the person, power, and care of God. The widow, as the wife of one of the prophets under Elisha’s ministry, must have been familiar with what God had been doing through the prophet Elisha. In essence, then, she was seeking God’s provision through the prophet.
In those dark days of apostasy, God had acted powerfully first in Elijah and then in Elisha to authenticate His covenant care of Israel and the nation’s special purpose in the plan of God. When Elisha asked, “What shall I do for you?,” he was in essence saying, what do you want God to do for you through me? This question reminds us of James’ warning, “you do not have because you do not ask” (Jam. 4:2). Of course, it is also true that often we do not have because we ask with selfish motives that are based on self-centered living (Jam. 4:3).
There is no question that one of our great failures is our failure in prayer. Though we are always to ask according to the will of God and godly motives, we are still commanded to take our needs to the Lord and to entreat others to pray for us.
John 14:13. And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Matthew 21:22. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.
John 15:7. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.
Matthew 7:7-11. Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
Ephesians 6:18-19. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.
God wants us to come to Him as His children and in faith, with His glory always in view, to ask for our needs according to the will of God. Too often we either take Him for granted or act as though He does not care.
Interestingly, Elisha did not wait for an answer, at least one is not recorded. Why? Well, because her needs were obvious and she had already come to him and declared her problem which also indicated her request--income to pay off her financial obligation and save her sons from slavery. I am reminded of Matthew 6:8 and 32. God knows our needs before we ask; in fact, He has known them from all eternity. Then why do we need to ask? Because it causes us to be dependent on Him; it demonstrates our faith and demonstrates that it is He who ultimately meets our needs.
In verse two Elisha says, “Tell me, what do you have . . . nothing except a jar of oil.” Oil was a very important commodity; it was like money or gold. Oil is often a picture or type of the Holy Spirit inasmuch as the Old Testament practice of anointing priests and kings served as a type of the ministry of the Spirit. Oil as a type of the Spirit is clearly in view in Zechariah 4 where the constant flow of oil from the lampstand depicted the constant flow of God’s power and is interpreted as such by the words, “not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” in verse 6. But that does not seem to be the emphasis here. Rather, the focus in this passage is on the way the Lord takes what He has given us like our talents, gifts, physical abilities, financial provisions and multiplies them if we have faith to trust Him to take what we have and multiply it.
She was so destitute, that the only thing she had was this oil, which was used for anointing the body or for cooking--or she may have been saving it for her burial. But there is a principle here which we find repeated in Scripture: the way God generally meets our needs is to take what we have and to multiply it as we turn our lives over to Him and obey the principles of His Word. This is true of our talents, gifts, finances, or physical assets.
We need to investigate what we have in all areas and then, using those blessings as good stewards of God’s grace, however small they may seem, surrender them to the Lord and trust the Lord to bless and provide as He sees fit. Compare Elijah and the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-15) and the Lord with the loaves and fish (Mark 6:30-44).
But many today want to win the sweepstakes or lottery rather than have to trust God with whatever He has allotted them. Sometimes God does supply from places unknown and in ways beyond our imagination. But our responsibility is to take what we have no matter how small or large and turn it over to Him.
In verse 3 the widow was told to go and borrow “empty vessels.” Full vessels are heavy to carry, but that’s not the point is it? God can’t or will not put anything into full vessels without at least emptying the vessels first. As long as there were empty vessels there was God’s supply to fill them with the oil. The oil only stopped flowing when there were no more empty vessels to fill.
There are some important lessons for us here:
(1) The number of empty vessels brought into the house showed the woman’s faith, obedience, and her submission to God and His promise to her through the prophet.
(2) If we find that the supply of God stops, then either the need has been supplied according to His will, or there are no more empty vessels. If she had brought only a few, that would suggest there was insufficient faith, obedience or submission to God as her sovereign Lord and supplier of her need.
Note that she was not requested to gather a specific number of vessels; God wanted her to act in faith. For this reason Elisha warned, “do not get a few.” In other words, bring as many as you have faith that God will fill. Through the prophet, God was telling her (and us), “Believe me for your total need. Don’t skimp on my ability and willingness to do super abundantly to meet your need” (Eph. 3:20-21). “The limitation was not in the supply of oil but in the lack of empty vessels to be filled. We can always come in faith to God’s abundance of grace with our empty vessels to receive of His fullness of grace.”40
(3) God’s supply would be (and was) as large as her faith and obedience, without greediness. The moment we become greedy and selfish in our request, we not only stop the flow of God’s provision (Jam. 4:3), but we end up going in circles like a dog chasing his tail.
A man in Dallas had a Rolls Royce with an expensive phone in it. His friend in Houston saw it and decided he too should have such a beautiful car with his own private phone. So he saved for a year and finally accumulated enough to get his expensive car with his own private phone. Immediately, he called his friend in Dallas and said, “Bob, this is Bill in Houston calling from my Rolls Royce.” Bob then replied, “Hi Bill, can you hold a minute? One of my other car phones is ringing.”
The widow woman was to consider all of her needs--her debts, living expenses, ministry--and then act in faith accordingly, but without a spirit of greediness which, for one thing, would demonstrate, not faith in the Lord, but in what He supplied. Do I seek God, the Giver because I want to know Him, or do I seek the gifts God gives as though He were simply my genie?
A little girl accompanied her mother to the country store where, after the mother had made a purchase, the clerk invited the child to help herself to a handful of candy. The youngster held back. “What’s the matter? Don’t you like candy?” asked the clerk. The child nodded, and smilingly, the clerk put his hand into the jar and dropped a generous portion into the little girls’ handbag.
Afterward the mother asked her daughter why she had not taken the candy when the clerk first offered some to her. “Because his hand was bigger than mine,” replied the little girl.
I believe this godly woman brought vessels sufficient for her needs and stopped before greed took over. The amount of vessels was limited by the size of her room. God has promised to meet our need, but not our greed. But I wonder what I would have done? Would I have gone out and borrowed and borrowed until my whole house and yard was full?
“And you shall go in and shut the door behind you . . .” (vs. 4). The closed door suggests the principle of privacy. What she did was to be done without distractions so she and her sons could focus on the Lord and set their hearts upon Him in faith. To be alone with God is one of the vital needs of any believer in any time, but it is especially true in the days in which we live with all the noise and extreme busyness. One of the reasons we often do not see God multiplying our gifts and abilities is because we fail to get alone with Him individually and corporately to call upon Him and to focus our hearts upon His grace and supply.
Furthermore, Elisha’s absence when the miracle took place would demonstrate that the power came from God alone, not Elisha. This was certainly designed to encourage her to greater faith and dependence on the Lord. Devout faith and obedience produces an abundance of spiritual blessings.
The Widow’s Obedience and God’s supply (vss. 5-7)
These verses draw our attention to the nature of God’s person as powerful, loving, gracious, merciful, and like a Father to His children--they display the goodness of the Lord. He is the Father of the orphan, the friend of the widow, the Shepherd of the sheep, and the Protector of His undershepherds and their families (cf. Psalm 145:14ff).
Application
For Individuals
Elisha was a man who had a heart for serving others whether wealthy or poor. He did not minister to people based on how they might promote him or provide for him. He was only concerned that people might know and experience God’s grace and power in their lives. How available am I to do the same?
Like the poor widow, we all have certain needs--spiritual, emotional, and physical, but God knows those needs completely and He cares about them personally. Our most fundamental need is to come to him in faith, but with empty vessels that He might multiply our lives according to His purposes. While trusting Him to meet our need and never our greed, let us come not with just a few vessels. In other words, let’s not limit our loving and gracious God by our lack of faith and obedience to Him. He is the One who is able to do superabundantly above all we ask or think, but He has promised to do as the Psalmist said, in due season, in His own timing according to His perfect understanding.
For the Church
Local bodies of believers have many needs--both spiritual and physical, both large and small. We live in a world which is basically antagonistic to the work of God, but the problem we face is not in God’s supply of the oil or in people’s ability to meet needs. The real problem lies in our faith, in our obedience and submission corporately and individually.
Please note the emphasis here: As earthen vessels, we must empty ourselves of wrong mental attitudes, priorities, pursuits, or goals, and present ourselves as vessels of God to be filled (controlled) by the word and the Spirit of God. If our lives are cluttered with bad mental attitudes, with grumbling, with selfishness, preoccupation with the things of the world and there is indifference to God’s work, God may stop the supply of oil. And one reason the supply is stopped is that believers stop coming to Him. Carnal believers do not seek the cause of God and the supply of God, they are too caught up with their own world.
I believe this must begin with an evaluation of our own stewardship of giving, believing God that our giving will not be our lack. This means evaluating our own use of the funds God has allowed us to have. We need to begin with the oil we have individually and corporately.
But this also means in addition to our own financial responsibilities with the oil we have, looking to God to supply from other sources according to the wealth of His might, if that is what is needed. We must not turn this around and ignore the responsibility we have with our resources. It is our responsibility to ask God to multiply those resources for the purpose of greater giving and not simply pray for a miracle. In other words, we can’t simply pray for God to supply the oil, and ignore our responsibility to use the oil we have. We must first take the oil we have, trust God to multiply it, and then as the Lord supplies, not only pay our debts, and expenses, but give unto the Lord a return on His investment in us.
Remember, the oil was a very valuable commodity and stands for the valuable resources God has given us whether talents, spiritual gifts, physical abilities, or financial blessings, etc. Let us not limit the Lord. Let’s believe God. Let’s bring empty vessels, and not a few.
In the bible passage the woman and her sons collected jars from their neighbours and poured oil into them from one pot. The oil was probably olive oil and was used for cooking, for lamps, and for fuel. The oil stopped pouring only when they ran out of containers. The number of jars they gathered was an indication of their faith. Gods Provision was as large as their faith and willingness to obey. Beware of limiting Gods blessing by lack of faith and obedience. God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
After you read the extract below think about what you are offering God to work with. Are you limiting him in any way. Pray for increased measure of faith and give all you have, not just a bit, so as not to limit God.
The Extract:
Exposition
1 Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” 2 And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” 3 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few. 4 And you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out into all these vessels; and you shall set aside what is full.” 5 So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons; they were bringing the vessels to her and she poured. 6 And it came about when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not one vessel more.” And the oil stopped. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”
The Widow Cries Out for Help (vs. 1)
In verse one we are simply told “a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha” for help. Then, in her statement to the prophet, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord,” we learn a few more details about this widow, exactly who this woman was is simply not disclosed. There are a number of principles to glean from these verses:
(1) Though she is not identified in the text and was not on the “who’s who” list of Israel’s prominent people (as most of us are not), the principle is she was not unknown to God. Each one of us are personally known and loved of God; we are the personal objects of His love.
Psalm 147:4 He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them.
Psalm 50:11 I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine.
Matthew 6:26-30 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. 30 But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith?
Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness.”
Our needs are never unknown to our sovereign Lord. Though our God is transcendent, above and sovereign over this world, He is also immanent, very much involved with His creation and with His people and the details of their lives. This will be clearly emphasized in the story of the ax head that will follow in chapter 6. Since her husband was one who feared the Lord and since she appealed to the prophet, she was certainly a believer, an Old Testament saint who had a relationship with God. As an Old Testament believer she was the special recipient of God’s very personal care as one of His special children (Phil 4:19).
(2) Though her appeal here was ultimately to the Lord, she sought help through Elisha. Her appeal was based on two facts: (a) as one of the sons of the prophets, her husband had been a servant and student of Elisha, and (b) her husband had revered (had been faithful to) the Lord. This scenario reminds us of how God usually meets the needs of His people through people, especially believers ministering to other believers. That we have such a caring responsibility to one another is one of the great themes of the New Testament, but this especially draws attention to our need to be more involved in the needs of those in our personal care or in our ministry.
Galatians 6:9-10. And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Her plight is spelled out in her statement, “and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” That her husband was a man who revered the Lord indicates the problem she faced was not caused by her husband’s folly, but by circumstances imposed upon him as a believer in his day of apostasy. According to the Old Testament Law, a person in debt and without the means of repayment or collateral could be forced into bondage as a servant (or his sons) until the year of Jubilee. The sons would have to work off their father’s debt (Lev. 25:39ff).38
Elisha Responds to the Widow’s Need (vss. 2-4)
“What shall I do for you?” As a man of God, Elisha was as available to a poor widow woman as he was with kings, so he was quick to come to her aid. As God shows no favoritism, but treats all men alike if they will come to Him in faith, so the people of God should show no favoritism and be just as available to minister to the poor as to the rich and the powerful. James, remember, warns us of the sin of partiality:
James 2:1-9 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. 2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, 3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? 7 Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called? 8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law, according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
The qualifications for elders, deacons, or for putting widows on the list for support relate only to Christian character or marks of maturity; they have nothing to do with position, power, or wealth.
Perhaps an illustration will help:
A Chicago bank once asked for a letter of recommendation on a young Bostonian being considered for employment.
The Boston investment house could not say enough about the young man. His father, they wrote, was a Cabot; his mother was a Lowell. Further back was a happy blend of Saltonstalls, Peabodys, and others of Boston’s finest families. His recommendation was given without hesitation.
Several days later, the Chicago bank sent a note saying the information supplied was altogether inadequate. It read: “We are not contemplating using the young man for breeding purposes. Just for work.”39
As we think about Elisha’s question, “What shall I do for you?,” we need to remember that Elisha was no ordinary prophet because of his many miracles. In a very unique way, he represented the person, power, and care of God. The widow, as the wife of one of the prophets under Elisha’s ministry, must have been familiar with what God had been doing through the prophet Elisha. In essence, then, she was seeking God’s provision through the prophet.
In those dark days of apostasy, God had acted powerfully first in Elijah and then in Elisha to authenticate His covenant care of Israel and the nation’s special purpose in the plan of God. When Elisha asked, “What shall I do for you?,” he was in essence saying, what do you want God to do for you through me? This question reminds us of James’ warning, “you do not have because you do not ask” (Jam. 4:2). Of course, it is also true that often we do not have because we ask with selfish motives that are based on self-centered living (Jam. 4:3).
There is no question that one of our great failures is our failure in prayer. Though we are always to ask according to the will of God and godly motives, we are still commanded to take our needs to the Lord and to entreat others to pray for us.
John 14:13. And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Matthew 21:22. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.
John 15:7. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.
Matthew 7:7-11. Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
Ephesians 6:18-19. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.
God wants us to come to Him as His children and in faith, with His glory always in view, to ask for our needs according to the will of God. Too often we either take Him for granted or act as though He does not care.
Interestingly, Elisha did not wait for an answer, at least one is not recorded. Why? Well, because her needs were obvious and she had already come to him and declared her problem which also indicated her request--income to pay off her financial obligation and save her sons from slavery. I am reminded of Matthew 6:8 and 32. God knows our needs before we ask; in fact, He has known them from all eternity. Then why do we need to ask? Because it causes us to be dependent on Him; it demonstrates our faith and demonstrates that it is He who ultimately meets our needs.
In verse two Elisha says, “Tell me, what do you have . . . nothing except a jar of oil.” Oil was a very important commodity; it was like money or gold. Oil is often a picture or type of the Holy Spirit inasmuch as the Old Testament practice of anointing priests and kings served as a type of the ministry of the Spirit. Oil as a type of the Spirit is clearly in view in Zechariah 4 where the constant flow of oil from the lampstand depicted the constant flow of God’s power and is interpreted as such by the words, “not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” in verse 6. But that does not seem to be the emphasis here. Rather, the focus in this passage is on the way the Lord takes what He has given us like our talents, gifts, physical abilities, financial provisions and multiplies them if we have faith to trust Him to take what we have and multiply it.
She was so destitute, that the only thing she had was this oil, which was used for anointing the body or for cooking--or she may have been saving it for her burial. But there is a principle here which we find repeated in Scripture: the way God generally meets our needs is to take what we have and to multiply it as we turn our lives over to Him and obey the principles of His Word. This is true of our talents, gifts, finances, or physical assets.
We need to investigate what we have in all areas and then, using those blessings as good stewards of God’s grace, however small they may seem, surrender them to the Lord and trust the Lord to bless and provide as He sees fit. Compare Elijah and the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-15) and the Lord with the loaves and fish (Mark 6:30-44).
But many today want to win the sweepstakes or lottery rather than have to trust God with whatever He has allotted them. Sometimes God does supply from places unknown and in ways beyond our imagination. But our responsibility is to take what we have no matter how small or large and turn it over to Him.
In verse 3 the widow was told to go and borrow “empty vessels.” Full vessels are heavy to carry, but that’s not the point is it? God can’t or will not put anything into full vessels without at least emptying the vessels first. As long as there were empty vessels there was God’s supply to fill them with the oil. The oil only stopped flowing when there were no more empty vessels to fill.
There are some important lessons for us here:
(1) The number of empty vessels brought into the house showed the woman’s faith, obedience, and her submission to God and His promise to her through the prophet.
(2) If we find that the supply of God stops, then either the need has been supplied according to His will, or there are no more empty vessels. If she had brought only a few, that would suggest there was insufficient faith, obedience or submission to God as her sovereign Lord and supplier of her need.
Note that she was not requested to gather a specific number of vessels; God wanted her to act in faith. For this reason Elisha warned, “do not get a few.” In other words, bring as many as you have faith that God will fill. Through the prophet, God was telling her (and us), “Believe me for your total need. Don’t skimp on my ability and willingness to do super abundantly to meet your need” (Eph. 3:20-21). “The limitation was not in the supply of oil but in the lack of empty vessels to be filled. We can always come in faith to God’s abundance of grace with our empty vessels to receive of His fullness of grace.”40
(3) God’s supply would be (and was) as large as her faith and obedience, without greediness. The moment we become greedy and selfish in our request, we not only stop the flow of God’s provision (Jam. 4:3), but we end up going in circles like a dog chasing his tail.
A man in Dallas had a Rolls Royce with an expensive phone in it. His friend in Houston saw it and decided he too should have such a beautiful car with his own private phone. So he saved for a year and finally accumulated enough to get his expensive car with his own private phone. Immediately, he called his friend in Dallas and said, “Bob, this is Bill in Houston calling from my Rolls Royce.” Bob then replied, “Hi Bill, can you hold a minute? One of my other car phones is ringing.”
The widow woman was to consider all of her needs--her debts, living expenses, ministry--and then act in faith accordingly, but without a spirit of greediness which, for one thing, would demonstrate, not faith in the Lord, but in what He supplied. Do I seek God, the Giver because I want to know Him, or do I seek the gifts God gives as though He were simply my genie?
A little girl accompanied her mother to the country store where, after the mother had made a purchase, the clerk invited the child to help herself to a handful of candy. The youngster held back. “What’s the matter? Don’t you like candy?” asked the clerk. The child nodded, and smilingly, the clerk put his hand into the jar and dropped a generous portion into the little girls’ handbag.
Afterward the mother asked her daughter why she had not taken the candy when the clerk first offered some to her. “Because his hand was bigger than mine,” replied the little girl.
I believe this godly woman brought vessels sufficient for her needs and stopped before greed took over. The amount of vessels was limited by the size of her room. God has promised to meet our need, but not our greed. But I wonder what I would have done? Would I have gone out and borrowed and borrowed until my whole house and yard was full?
“And you shall go in and shut the door behind you . . .” (vs. 4). The closed door suggests the principle of privacy. What she did was to be done without distractions so she and her sons could focus on the Lord and set their hearts upon Him in faith. To be alone with God is one of the vital needs of any believer in any time, but it is especially true in the days in which we live with all the noise and extreme busyness. One of the reasons we often do not see God multiplying our gifts and abilities is because we fail to get alone with Him individually and corporately to call upon Him and to focus our hearts upon His grace and supply.
Furthermore, Elisha’s absence when the miracle took place would demonstrate that the power came from God alone, not Elisha. This was certainly designed to encourage her to greater faith and dependence on the Lord. Devout faith and obedience produces an abundance of spiritual blessings.
The Widow’s Obedience and God’s supply (vss. 5-7)
These verses draw our attention to the nature of God’s person as powerful, loving, gracious, merciful, and like a Father to His children--they display the goodness of the Lord. He is the Father of the orphan, the friend of the widow, the Shepherd of the sheep, and the Protector of His undershepherds and their families (cf. Psalm 145:14ff).
Application
For Individuals
Elisha was a man who had a heart for serving others whether wealthy or poor. He did not minister to people based on how they might promote him or provide for him. He was only concerned that people might know and experience God’s grace and power in their lives. How available am I to do the same?
Like the poor widow, we all have certain needs--spiritual, emotional, and physical, but God knows those needs completely and He cares about them personally. Our most fundamental need is to come to him in faith, but with empty vessels that He might multiply our lives according to His purposes. While trusting Him to meet our need and never our greed, let us come not with just a few vessels. In other words, let’s not limit our loving and gracious God by our lack of faith and obedience to Him. He is the One who is able to do superabundantly above all we ask or think, but He has promised to do as the Psalmist said, in due season, in His own timing according to His perfect understanding.
For the Church
Local bodies of believers have many needs--both spiritual and physical, both large and small. We live in a world which is basically antagonistic to the work of God, but the problem we face is not in God’s supply of the oil or in people’s ability to meet needs. The real problem lies in our faith, in our obedience and submission corporately and individually.
Please note the emphasis here: As earthen vessels, we must empty ourselves of wrong mental attitudes, priorities, pursuits, or goals, and present ourselves as vessels of God to be filled (controlled) by the word and the Spirit of God. If our lives are cluttered with bad mental attitudes, with grumbling, with selfishness, preoccupation with the things of the world and there is indifference to God’s work, God may stop the supply of oil. And one reason the supply is stopped is that believers stop coming to Him. Carnal believers do not seek the cause of God and the supply of God, they are too caught up with their own world.
I believe this must begin with an evaluation of our own stewardship of giving, believing God that our giving will not be our lack. This means evaluating our own use of the funds God has allowed us to have. We need to begin with the oil we have individually and corporately.
But this also means in addition to our own financial responsibilities with the oil we have, looking to God to supply from other sources according to the wealth of His might, if that is what is needed. We must not turn this around and ignore the responsibility we have with our resources. It is our responsibility to ask God to multiply those resources for the purpose of greater giving and not simply pray for a miracle. In other words, we can’t simply pray for God to supply the oil, and ignore our responsibility to use the oil we have. We must first take the oil we have, trust God to multiply it, and then as the Lord supplies, not only pay our debts, and expenses, but give unto the Lord a return on His investment in us.
Remember, the oil was a very valuable commodity and stands for the valuable resources God has given us whether talents, spiritual gifts, physical abilities, or financial blessings, etc. Let us not limit the Lord. Let’s believe God. Let’s bring empty vessels, and not a few.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Is worrying a Sin
Have you ever come across people who are constantly worrying about this or that. You know the type. They worry when things are going bad. When things are good they worry because things might get bad. Did you know that the bible tells us that worrying is a sin. Scripture tells us in Matthew 6:33-34 that " But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about its own things".
The context of this passage is the sermon on the Mount, where Jesus shares the secrets of spiritual victory with his disciples. Like most of us, the disciples were fretting over so many things. They worried if they would have food to eat and clothing to wear.
Jesus reminded them in Matthew 6:28-30
" So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil or spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith".
The key is faith. If we look at another scripture Romans 14:23, it tells us that " Whatever is not from faith is sin". Which is why worry is a sin. Worry is also a type of fear and fear is the opposite of faith. With opposites you cannot be one and the other at the same time. You cannot worry and be in faith at the same time. When you are in faith, you are not to worry.
God wants us to walk in faith. In Ephesians 2:8 the Bible says we are saved through faith. In James 5:15 the Bible says the prayer of faith will heal the sick. In Hebrews 11:6 the Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God. In James 1:6 we are told that if we want wisdom all we have to do is ask, but if we don’t ask in faith, the Bible says in verse 6, we won’t get anything. And in Romans 14:23 it says that anything that is not of faith is sin.
So, who needs faith? According to the Bible, God’s Holy Word, only those who want to be saved, healed, who want wisdom, who want to please God and who want to stay out of sin need faith. To me that makes faith extremely important, and it also explains why Satan hates it.
Worry is a tool of Satan. He knows that if he can get you to worry, you will not be in faith. When you are not in faith, you will be ineffective as a Christian. So today I will tell you the same thing Jesus did. Do not worry. No matter how bad things look, do not worry.
Remember, as Christians we walk by faith and not by what we see anyway. So when things look bad, look through the eyes of faith and worry will flee.
Stay in Faith,
Love P.
p.s.
For those of you seeking God in prayer to whatever challenges you are facing here are a few verses to stand on:
1 John 5:14-15 - " Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of him".
Psalm 91: 15-16 - " He shall call upon me, and I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation".
Psalm 145: 18 - " The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth".
Jeremiah 33:3 - " Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not".
Matthew 6:8 - " Your Father knowest what things you have need of, before you ask him".
Matthew 7:7-8 - " Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened".
Matthew 21:22 - " And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
The context of this passage is the sermon on the Mount, where Jesus shares the secrets of spiritual victory with his disciples. Like most of us, the disciples were fretting over so many things. They worried if they would have food to eat and clothing to wear.
Jesus reminded them in Matthew 6:28-30
" So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil or spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith".
The key is faith. If we look at another scripture Romans 14:23, it tells us that " Whatever is not from faith is sin". Which is why worry is a sin. Worry is also a type of fear and fear is the opposite of faith. With opposites you cannot be one and the other at the same time. You cannot worry and be in faith at the same time. When you are in faith, you are not to worry.
God wants us to walk in faith. In Ephesians 2:8 the Bible says we are saved through faith. In James 5:15 the Bible says the prayer of faith will heal the sick. In Hebrews 11:6 the Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God. In James 1:6 we are told that if we want wisdom all we have to do is ask, but if we don’t ask in faith, the Bible says in verse 6, we won’t get anything. And in Romans 14:23 it says that anything that is not of faith is sin.
So, who needs faith? According to the Bible, God’s Holy Word, only those who want to be saved, healed, who want wisdom, who want to please God and who want to stay out of sin need faith. To me that makes faith extremely important, and it also explains why Satan hates it.
Worry is a tool of Satan. He knows that if he can get you to worry, you will not be in faith. When you are not in faith, you will be ineffective as a Christian. So today I will tell you the same thing Jesus did. Do not worry. No matter how bad things look, do not worry.
Remember, as Christians we walk by faith and not by what we see anyway. So when things look bad, look through the eyes of faith and worry will flee.
Stay in Faith,
Love P.
p.s.
For those of you seeking God in prayer to whatever challenges you are facing here are a few verses to stand on:
1 John 5:14-15 - " Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of him".
Psalm 91: 15-16 - " He shall call upon me, and I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation".
Psalm 145: 18 - " The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth".
Jeremiah 33:3 - " Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not".
Matthew 6:8 - " Your Father knowest what things you have need of, before you ask him".
Matthew 7:7-8 - " Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened".
Matthew 21:22 - " And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Gods Power made perfect in our weakness - Pauls Vision and his Thorn 2Cor 12: 7-10
Today I'd like to share with you from Paul's 2nd letter to the Corinthians 12: 7-9.
In the verses preceding these, Paul "boasts" about visions and revelations he had received from the Lord. Paul had been taken up to paradise ( the third heaven)and he told of these events to show that he had been uniquely touched by God. After Paul talks of these revelations he then talks about the thorn in the flesh that was given to him. We don't really know what Paul's thorn in the flesh was as he doesn't tell us.
There have been many theories as to what exactly this thorn was—so many theories in fact, that it is impossible to diagnose Paul's situation with complete assurance. Some have suggested that Paul's thorn came in the form of Jewish persecution because of the surrounding context speaking of opponents. Even in Numbers 33:55 thorns are used as a metaphor for the enemies of the Israelites. Others have suggested that Paul's own remembrance of his past was his thorn; Paul's past included the persecution of the church (Acts 8:1-3; Gal 1:13; Phil 3:6) which may have continually haunted him and kept him humble. Some even propose that Paul dealt with either carnal temptation or depression.
A physical ailment, however, seems more likely here, though the lack of details forbid a proper diagnosis. Physical infirmities that seem to fit the situation are malaria, Malta fever, epilepsy, convulsive attacks, and chronic ophthalmia.
Whatever the case, it was a chronic and debilitating problem which kept him from working. This thorn was a hindrance to his ministry, and he prayed for its removal; but God refused. Paul was a very self-sufficient person, so this thorn must have been difficult for him.
Paul's thorn came by way of a messenger of Satan in order to torment him. Yet at the same time it was given to him in order that he would not become conceited. The present paradox can be compared to that of the story of Job. Satan was permitted to afflict God's servant, yet only within the parameters set by God (Job 2). Paul also wrote about handing an immoral brother to Satan so that his flesh may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord (1 Cor 5:5). Satan is used at times as an instrument to bolster the faith or prove the righteousness of believers.
3 times Paul prayed for healing and did not receive it. However, he did receive things far greater i.e. grace from God, a stronger character, humility, and an ability to empathize with others. In addition, it benefited those around him as they saw God at work in his life. God, according to his sovereign plan, doesn't heal some believers of their physical ailments. We don't know why some are spared and others aren't. God chooses according to his divine purposes. Our task is to pray, to believe, and to trust. Paul is living proof that holy living and courageous faith do NOT ensure instant healing. When we pray for healing, we must trust our bodies to Gods care. We must recognize that nothing separates us from his love and that our spiritual condition is always more important than our physical condition.
Although God did not remove Paul's physical affliction, he promised to demonstrate his power in Paul. The fact that Gods power is displayed in weak people should give us courage. Though we recognize our limitations, we will not congratulate ourselves and rest at that. Instead, we will turn to God to seek pathways for effectiveness. We must rely on God for our effectiveness rather than simply on our own energy, effort or talent. Our weakness not only helps develop Christian character; it also deepens our worship, because in admitting our weakness, we affirm Gods strength.
When we are strong in our abilities or resources, we are tempted to do Gods work on our own, and that can lead to pride. When we are weak, allowing God to fill us with his power, then we are stronger than we could ever be on our own. God does not intend for us to be weak, passive, or ineffective - life provides enough hindrances and setbacks without us creating them. When obstacles come, we must depend on God. Only his power will make us effective for him and will help us do work that has lasting value.
Conclusion:
The thorn of which Paul speaks gives us an understanding of God's perspective concerning physical infirmities. Sometimes God uses illnesses for his purposes. Paul experienced many sufferings outside of his thorn (2 Cor 11:22-28), yet God used him mightily for the advancement of His Gospel. The existence of illness or suffering in a believer's life does not necessarily constitute a sinful life or a life that lacks faith. Paul pleaded with the Lord on three separate occasions for the Lord to remove the thorn, yet God's grace was enough for the apostle and His power is made perfect in Paul's weaknesses.
In the verses preceding these, Paul "boasts" about visions and revelations he had received from the Lord. Paul had been taken up to paradise ( the third heaven)and he told of these events to show that he had been uniquely touched by God. After Paul talks of these revelations he then talks about the thorn in the flesh that was given to him. We don't really know what Paul's thorn in the flesh was as he doesn't tell us.
There have been many theories as to what exactly this thorn was—so many theories in fact, that it is impossible to diagnose Paul's situation with complete assurance. Some have suggested that Paul's thorn came in the form of Jewish persecution because of the surrounding context speaking of opponents. Even in Numbers 33:55 thorns are used as a metaphor for the enemies of the Israelites. Others have suggested that Paul's own remembrance of his past was his thorn; Paul's past included the persecution of the church (Acts 8:1-3; Gal 1:13; Phil 3:6) which may have continually haunted him and kept him humble. Some even propose that Paul dealt with either carnal temptation or depression.
A physical ailment, however, seems more likely here, though the lack of details forbid a proper diagnosis. Physical infirmities that seem to fit the situation are malaria, Malta fever, epilepsy, convulsive attacks, and chronic ophthalmia.
Whatever the case, it was a chronic and debilitating problem which kept him from working. This thorn was a hindrance to his ministry, and he prayed for its removal; but God refused. Paul was a very self-sufficient person, so this thorn must have been difficult for him.
Paul's thorn came by way of a messenger of Satan in order to torment him. Yet at the same time it was given to him in order that he would not become conceited. The present paradox can be compared to that of the story of Job. Satan was permitted to afflict God's servant, yet only within the parameters set by God (Job 2). Paul also wrote about handing an immoral brother to Satan so that his flesh may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord (1 Cor 5:5). Satan is used at times as an instrument to bolster the faith or prove the righteousness of believers.
3 times Paul prayed for healing and did not receive it. However, he did receive things far greater i.e. grace from God, a stronger character, humility, and an ability to empathize with others. In addition, it benefited those around him as they saw God at work in his life. God, according to his sovereign plan, doesn't heal some believers of their physical ailments. We don't know why some are spared and others aren't. God chooses according to his divine purposes. Our task is to pray, to believe, and to trust. Paul is living proof that holy living and courageous faith do NOT ensure instant healing. When we pray for healing, we must trust our bodies to Gods care. We must recognize that nothing separates us from his love and that our spiritual condition is always more important than our physical condition.
Although God did not remove Paul's physical affliction, he promised to demonstrate his power in Paul. The fact that Gods power is displayed in weak people should give us courage. Though we recognize our limitations, we will not congratulate ourselves and rest at that. Instead, we will turn to God to seek pathways for effectiveness. We must rely on God for our effectiveness rather than simply on our own energy, effort or talent. Our weakness not only helps develop Christian character; it also deepens our worship, because in admitting our weakness, we affirm Gods strength.
When we are strong in our abilities or resources, we are tempted to do Gods work on our own, and that can lead to pride. When we are weak, allowing God to fill us with his power, then we are stronger than we could ever be on our own. God does not intend for us to be weak, passive, or ineffective - life provides enough hindrances and setbacks without us creating them. When obstacles come, we must depend on God. Only his power will make us effective for him and will help us do work that has lasting value.
Conclusion:
The thorn of which Paul speaks gives us an understanding of God's perspective concerning physical infirmities. Sometimes God uses illnesses for his purposes. Paul experienced many sufferings outside of his thorn (2 Cor 11:22-28), yet God used him mightily for the advancement of His Gospel. The existence of illness or suffering in a believer's life does not necessarily constitute a sinful life or a life that lacks faith. Paul pleaded with the Lord on three separate occasions for the Lord to remove the thorn, yet God's grace was enough for the apostle and His power is made perfect in Paul's weaknesses.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Fruit of the Spirit
Today I want to share with you on the Fruit of the Spirit from some lessons I have been taught.
The life of a Christian is located in 4 areas:
- The body of Christ
- The gifts of the Holy Spirit
- The beatitudes and
- The Fruit of the Spirit
What is the most influential aspect of a Christians life and witness? It is Character! Your character defines who you are. A Christ-like character is your most important spiritual possession. Your calling, gifts and compassion are intermittent, whereas your character is a twenty-four hour a day experience of Christ.
What is the fruit of the Spirit?
The fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering (patience), Kindness, Goodness, faithfulness, Meekness (gentleness) and Self Control.
Note how the word Fruit is singular and not plural. Its one fruit with 9 aspects.
The heart of the Fruit of the Spirit is love. " The love of God abundantly poured into our hearts by the holy spirit. " Romans 5:5, John 7:37 - 39.
The fruit of the Spirit is about God's life of love being creatively formed and revealed in our lives. It is the highest form of Christian living but it is not a "cheap"product". It is revealed and given to those who earnestly long and seek to be Christ-like. It is open to all men and women and all men and women are called to it.
Love
When love is genuinely central in our expression of Christian life, then all the other ingredients are being exercised and revealed. Love is made up of joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, meekness, faithfulness and self-control.
Love is the outworking of Gods love in 4 directions:
1. Love for God: The bible tells us " You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your soul and with all your strength.
2. Love for our neighbours: The bible tells us " You shall love your neighbour as you love yourself." Our neighbour is any person whom you are able to help.
3. Love your enemies: The word tells us " Love your enemies and pray for those who despitefully use you"
4. Love between Christians: " A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you. By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Joy
Divine joy is a new testament experience. The birth of Jesus was heralded by words of joy. " I bring you good tidings of great joy". The death of Jesus was sealed by joy. " These things have I spoken to you that my joy might remain in you and that your joy may be full."The cross is the central factor of our joy because it unites us to our loving and eternal Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The new testament has 70 references to joy. Christian joy is not the same as human happiness, which is dependent upon our situation in life. Christian joy is centred upon:
1. The joy of sins forgiven
2. The joy of Christs presence with us
3. The joy of eternal life with Christ
4. The joy of the Holy Spirit
Peace
If you place your ear close to the heart of humanity there is one constant desire - Peace. This is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of the Lord.
" Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled and neither let it be afraid." " I have said this to you that in Me you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." We have Peace WITH GOD, peace WITH MAN, and we have the PEACE OF GOD.
Patience
People are impatient by nature. It spoils so many good things. The word "patience" in this ingredient of the Fruit has three meanings.
1. Patience: The ability to wait for Gods time.
2. Long-suffering: The ability to continue to work for something despite even the malice or hate of others to whom you want to do good. Roman 12:20.
3. Endurance: The ability to press on until the job is done. Matthew 24:12-13
"Well done good and faithful servant", God has an abundant supply of starters but he desires finishers. Stayers power is the Fruit of Spirit
Kindness
Kindness is often misunderstood in the Church and in the world. Kindness is not a simple factor. it is a deeply needful factor of life which so few people really have.
1. True kindness is borne out of a real and passionate love.
2. It is strong, sustained, warm and tender disposition to always seek the good of others.
3. It is unselfish and not self centred.
In short kindness is the Fruit of the Holy Spirit flowing from our innermost being to people in need.
Goodness
Jesus said: " Why do you call me good? Only God is good". Goodness is the character of God. Human beings are bad, sinful and evil by nature. They are sinners who need to be transformed by God's goodness into His likeness. Our good deeds ethical standards and legalistic religion do not make us good. Goodness is God's character of benevolence in us. Goodness and God-likeness are synonymous. god has a cure: for badness, sinfulness and evil in us.
1. The blood of Jesus cleanses any evil in us.
2. Obedience destroys sinfulness
3. The fullness of the Holy Spirit changes the evil to goodness.
Faithfulness
There are people who believe that faith is a natural faculty of mankind. For the Christian faith/faithfulness are the fruit of the spirit.
1. Faithfulness means you can be trusted. " If any man will come after me, let him take up his cross and follow me."
2. Faithfulness means you are reliable 3John 5." You do a faithful work"
3. Faithfulness means to go on until the job is done
Meekness
Meekness is not weakness. Moses was a meek man. The word has 6 ingredients. Humility, Gentleness, Teach-ability, Control-ability, Self-sacrifice, Strength.
Meekness is:
1. Humility in place of arrogance.
2. Control in place of Lawlessness
3. Self-sacrifice in place of indifference and cruelty.
4. Strength in place of insecurity
Self-Control
The "self" is a very strange person. It is the spoiler of so much. it is easily noticed by the following descriptions: Self love, self reliance, self confidence, self made, self indulgent.
The "self" is our greatest cause of pain because it is the most uncontrollable aspect of our personality. "Everywhere I go, I go too, and I spoil everything". There are those who believe you must a) know yourself, b) accept yourself, c) express yourself. Jesus gives the opposite advice." If anyone will come after Me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." The fruit of the Spirit is self-control. It has nothing to do with what we can do but what God can do in and through us if we allow him space to do so. How does the self come under the control of God?
1. The Lordship of Christ
2. The power and indwelling of the Holy Spirit
3. The fellowship in the Body of Christ.
How to grow in the Fruit of the Spirit
How can we receive the Holy Spirits power in order that we might express the fruit of the Spirit?
1. Listen to the Lord Jesus Christ on the day of his Ascension Luke 24:49
2. Listen to his promise of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8
3. Observe the historical reality. Acts 2:4
4. Drink at the fountain of life. John 7:37-39; John 4:7-13
The deeper you live in Christ the more the flow of the spirit wells up within you. The more of the Lord Jesus Christ you reveal.
Stay blessed.
P.
The life of a Christian is located in 4 areas:
- The body of Christ
- The gifts of the Holy Spirit
- The beatitudes and
- The Fruit of the Spirit
What is the most influential aspect of a Christians life and witness? It is Character! Your character defines who you are. A Christ-like character is your most important spiritual possession. Your calling, gifts and compassion are intermittent, whereas your character is a twenty-four hour a day experience of Christ.
What is the fruit of the Spirit?
The fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering (patience), Kindness, Goodness, faithfulness, Meekness (gentleness) and Self Control.
Note how the word Fruit is singular and not plural. Its one fruit with 9 aspects.
The heart of the Fruit of the Spirit is love. " The love of God abundantly poured into our hearts by the holy spirit. " Romans 5:5, John 7:37 - 39.
The fruit of the Spirit is about God's life of love being creatively formed and revealed in our lives. It is the highest form of Christian living but it is not a "cheap"product". It is revealed and given to those who earnestly long and seek to be Christ-like. It is open to all men and women and all men and women are called to it.
Love
When love is genuinely central in our expression of Christian life, then all the other ingredients are being exercised and revealed. Love is made up of joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, meekness, faithfulness and self-control.
Love is the outworking of Gods love in 4 directions:
1. Love for God: The bible tells us " You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your soul and with all your strength.
2. Love for our neighbours: The bible tells us " You shall love your neighbour as you love yourself." Our neighbour is any person whom you are able to help.
3. Love your enemies: The word tells us " Love your enemies and pray for those who despitefully use you"
4. Love between Christians: " A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you. By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Joy
Divine joy is a new testament experience. The birth of Jesus was heralded by words of joy. " I bring you good tidings of great joy". The death of Jesus was sealed by joy. " These things have I spoken to you that my joy might remain in you and that your joy may be full."The cross is the central factor of our joy because it unites us to our loving and eternal Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The new testament has 70 references to joy. Christian joy is not the same as human happiness, which is dependent upon our situation in life. Christian joy is centred upon:
1. The joy of sins forgiven
2. The joy of Christs presence with us
3. The joy of eternal life with Christ
4. The joy of the Holy Spirit
Peace
If you place your ear close to the heart of humanity there is one constant desire - Peace. This is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of the Lord.
" Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled and neither let it be afraid." " I have said this to you that in Me you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." We have Peace WITH GOD, peace WITH MAN, and we have the PEACE OF GOD.
Patience
People are impatient by nature. It spoils so many good things. The word "patience" in this ingredient of the Fruit has three meanings.
1. Patience: The ability to wait for Gods time.
2. Long-suffering: The ability to continue to work for something despite even the malice or hate of others to whom you want to do good. Roman 12:20.
3. Endurance: The ability to press on until the job is done. Matthew 24:12-13
"Well done good and faithful servant", God has an abundant supply of starters but he desires finishers. Stayers power is the Fruit of Spirit
Kindness
Kindness is often misunderstood in the Church and in the world. Kindness is not a simple factor. it is a deeply needful factor of life which so few people really have.
1. True kindness is borne out of a real and passionate love.
2. It is strong, sustained, warm and tender disposition to always seek the good of others.
3. It is unselfish and not self centred.
In short kindness is the Fruit of the Holy Spirit flowing from our innermost being to people in need.
Goodness
Jesus said: " Why do you call me good? Only God is good". Goodness is the character of God. Human beings are bad, sinful and evil by nature. They are sinners who need to be transformed by God's goodness into His likeness. Our good deeds ethical standards and legalistic religion do not make us good. Goodness is God's character of benevolence in us. Goodness and God-likeness are synonymous. god has a cure: for badness, sinfulness and evil in us.
1. The blood of Jesus cleanses any evil in us.
2. Obedience destroys sinfulness
3. The fullness of the Holy Spirit changes the evil to goodness.
Faithfulness
There are people who believe that faith is a natural faculty of mankind. For the Christian faith/faithfulness are the fruit of the spirit.
1. Faithfulness means you can be trusted. " If any man will come after me, let him take up his cross and follow me."
2. Faithfulness means you are reliable 3John 5." You do a faithful work"
3. Faithfulness means to go on until the job is done
Meekness
Meekness is not weakness. Moses was a meek man. The word has 6 ingredients. Humility, Gentleness, Teach-ability, Control-ability, Self-sacrifice, Strength.
Meekness is:
1. Humility in place of arrogance.
2. Control in place of Lawlessness
3. Self-sacrifice in place of indifference and cruelty.
4. Strength in place of insecurity
Self-Control
The "self" is a very strange person. It is the spoiler of so much. it is easily noticed by the following descriptions: Self love, self reliance, self confidence, self made, self indulgent.
The "self" is our greatest cause of pain because it is the most uncontrollable aspect of our personality. "Everywhere I go, I go too, and I spoil everything". There are those who believe you must a) know yourself, b) accept yourself, c) express yourself. Jesus gives the opposite advice." If anyone will come after Me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." The fruit of the Spirit is self-control. It has nothing to do with what we can do but what God can do in and through us if we allow him space to do so. How does the self come under the control of God?
1. The Lordship of Christ
2. The power and indwelling of the Holy Spirit
3. The fellowship in the Body of Christ.
How to grow in the Fruit of the Spirit
How can we receive the Holy Spirits power in order that we might express the fruit of the Spirit?
1. Listen to the Lord Jesus Christ on the day of his Ascension Luke 24:49
2. Listen to his promise of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8
3. Observe the historical reality. Acts 2:4
4. Drink at the fountain of life. John 7:37-39; John 4:7-13
The deeper you live in Christ the more the flow of the spirit wells up within you. The more of the Lord Jesus Christ you reveal.
Stay blessed.
P.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Gods Law - Do the old testament laws still apply to us today
Do the old testament laws still apply to us today
I have often been asked about whether Gods Laws as handed down to Moses still apply to us today. Most people believe and often argue that Jesus came to do away with the law and that the laws in the old testament don't apply to us anymore because Jesus set us free from them. Is that truly so? I strongly believe in going back to the word of God in answering such questions and looking at it in context of the word and this what the word says:
Jesus speaks about the Law:
" Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the pharisees and the teachers of the Law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5: 17-20.NIV
Gods moral and ceremonial laws were given to help people love God with all their hearts and minds. Throughout Israels history, however, these laws had been often misquoted and misapplied. By Jesus time religious leaders had turned the laws into a confusing mass of rules. The pharisees had added hundreds of their own rules and regulations to Gods holy laws and then tried to force people to follow these rules. They claimed to know Gods will in every detail of life. There are still religious leaders today who add rules and regulations to Gods word, causing much confusion among believers. It is wrong to claim that your interpretation of Gods word is as important as Gods word itself.
When Jesus talked about a new way to understand Gods law, he was actually trying to bring people back to its original purpose. Jesus did not speak against the law itself, but against the abuse and excesses to which it had been subjected. (see John 1:17) - "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ....."
If Jesus did not come to abolish the law, does that mean all the Old testament laws still apply to us today? To answer this we'll look at the types of laws given to Moses,
In the old testament, there are 3 categories of law:
- Ceremonial
- Civil
- and Moral
1. The Ceremonial Law:- related specifically to Israels worship. its primary purpose was to point forward to Jesus Christ; these laws therefore, were no longer necessary after Jesus' death and resurrection. While we are no longer bound by ceremonial laws, the principles behind them - to worship and love God - still apply. Jesus was often accused by the Pharisees of violating ceremonial law.
2. The Civil Law:- applied to daily living in Israel (see Deuteronomy 24:10,1for e.g.). Because modern society and culture are so radically different from that time and setting, all of these guidelines cannot be followed specifically. But the principles behind the commands are timeless and should guide our conduct. Jesus demonstrated these principles by example.
3. The Moral law e.g. the 10 commandments is the direct command of God, and it requires strict obedience (see exodus 20:13 for e.g). The moral law reveals the nature and will of God, and it still applies today. Jesus obeyed the moral law completely.
In Luke 11:46 Jesus speaks to the pharisees saying " And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift a finger to help them...." Luke 11:52...." Woe to you experts of the Law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge....."
Jesus criticized the pharisees and the experts in the law harshly. The burdens were the details the Pharisees had added to Gods law. To the commandment " Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it Holy (Exodus 20:8) for example they had added instructions regarding how far a person could walk on the sabbath, which kinds of knots could be tied, and how much weight could be carried. Healing a person was considered unlawful but rescuing a trapped animal was permitted. Jesus condemned all these additions.
How did the law experts take away the key to "knowledge? ........through their erroneous interpretations of scripture and their added man-made rules, they made Gods truth hard to understand and practice. Caught up in a religion of their own making they could no longer lead the people to God. They had closed the door of Gods love to the people and thrown away the key. Which is why the Pharisees were enraged by Jesus' teaching and wanted him arrested for blasphemy, heresy, and lawbreaking.
Its important to understand that Law and grace are both aspects of Gods nature that he uses to deal with us. Moses emphasized Gods law and justice, while Jesus Christ came to highlight Gods mercy, love and forgiveness.
No more excuses for not tithing guys .........it is Gods Law and not just an old testament thing, how else can we grow Gods kingdom and take care of those in full time ministry.
Don't commit adultery or look lustfully at your neighbours wife ---- don't do it thinking ohhhhh I'm saved by grace therefore my sin has been wiped away, true, God has wiped it away but as Christians we have moral guidelines to live by so that we can be examples to others and bring honour to the God we serve.
Honour your parents, Gods law says so.
Do not steal - even those notepads and pens from the office
Keep the Sabbath holy, don't get bogged down by whether its Saturday or Sunday on that day go to Church and worship your God and fellowship with other Christians.
The word of God says so.....
Most important guys...........read the word for yourself. Like I've said before we are all interpreters of Gods word.........no one says it better than God himself and the Holy Spirit will reveal to you personally the truth that lies within.
I have often been asked about whether Gods Laws as handed down to Moses still apply to us today. Most people believe and often argue that Jesus came to do away with the law and that the laws in the old testament don't apply to us anymore because Jesus set us free from them. Is that truly so? I strongly believe in going back to the word of God in answering such questions and looking at it in context of the word and this what the word says:
Jesus speaks about the Law:
" Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the pharisees and the teachers of the Law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5: 17-20.NIV
Gods moral and ceremonial laws were given to help people love God with all their hearts and minds. Throughout Israels history, however, these laws had been often misquoted and misapplied. By Jesus time religious leaders had turned the laws into a confusing mass of rules. The pharisees had added hundreds of their own rules and regulations to Gods holy laws and then tried to force people to follow these rules. They claimed to know Gods will in every detail of life. There are still religious leaders today who add rules and regulations to Gods word, causing much confusion among believers. It is wrong to claim that your interpretation of Gods word is as important as Gods word itself.
When Jesus talked about a new way to understand Gods law, he was actually trying to bring people back to its original purpose. Jesus did not speak against the law itself, but against the abuse and excesses to which it had been subjected. (see John 1:17) - "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ....."
If Jesus did not come to abolish the law, does that mean all the Old testament laws still apply to us today? To answer this we'll look at the types of laws given to Moses,
In the old testament, there are 3 categories of law:
- Ceremonial
- Civil
- and Moral
1. The Ceremonial Law:- related specifically to Israels worship. its primary purpose was to point forward to Jesus Christ; these laws therefore, were no longer necessary after Jesus' death and resurrection. While we are no longer bound by ceremonial laws, the principles behind them - to worship and love God - still apply. Jesus was often accused by the Pharisees of violating ceremonial law.
2. The Civil Law:- applied to daily living in Israel (see Deuteronomy 24:10,1for e.g.). Because modern society and culture are so radically different from that time and setting, all of these guidelines cannot be followed specifically. But the principles behind the commands are timeless and should guide our conduct. Jesus demonstrated these principles by example.
3. The Moral law e.g. the 10 commandments is the direct command of God, and it requires strict obedience (see exodus 20:13 for e.g). The moral law reveals the nature and will of God, and it still applies today. Jesus obeyed the moral law completely.
In Luke 11:46 Jesus speaks to the pharisees saying " And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift a finger to help them...." Luke 11:52...." Woe to you experts of the Law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge....."
Jesus criticized the pharisees and the experts in the law harshly. The burdens were the details the Pharisees had added to Gods law. To the commandment " Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it Holy (Exodus 20:8) for example they had added instructions regarding how far a person could walk on the sabbath, which kinds of knots could be tied, and how much weight could be carried. Healing a person was considered unlawful but rescuing a trapped animal was permitted. Jesus condemned all these additions.
How did the law experts take away the key to "knowledge? ........through their erroneous interpretations of scripture and their added man-made rules, they made Gods truth hard to understand and practice. Caught up in a religion of their own making they could no longer lead the people to God. They had closed the door of Gods love to the people and thrown away the key. Which is why the Pharisees were enraged by Jesus' teaching and wanted him arrested for blasphemy, heresy, and lawbreaking.
Its important to understand that Law and grace are both aspects of Gods nature that he uses to deal with us. Moses emphasized Gods law and justice, while Jesus Christ came to highlight Gods mercy, love and forgiveness.
No more excuses for not tithing guys .........it is Gods Law and not just an old testament thing, how else can we grow Gods kingdom and take care of those in full time ministry.
Don't commit adultery or look lustfully at your neighbours wife ---- don't do it thinking ohhhhh I'm saved by grace therefore my sin has been wiped away, true, God has wiped it away but as Christians we have moral guidelines to live by so that we can be examples to others and bring honour to the God we serve.
Honour your parents, Gods law says so.
Do not steal - even those notepads and pens from the office
Keep the Sabbath holy, don't get bogged down by whether its Saturday or Sunday on that day go to Church and worship your God and fellowship with other Christians.
The word of God says so.....
Most important guys...........read the word for yourself. Like I've said before we are all interpreters of Gods word.........no one says it better than God himself and the Holy Spirit will reveal to you personally the truth that lies within.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Conclusion to - How to recognize when God Speaks
The Holy Spirit works in our hearts, in the hearts of others and in the events of our lives to point us in the right direction. He uses all these to cause us to hear and heed his voice.
As we seek God and acknowledge him, he promises to direct our paths (Prov 3:5-6)and often does so by bombarding us with a thought that will not cease to permeate our thoughts and hearts.
Each believer must determine what God would have them do personally. Th Holy spirit knows your stage of spiritual development and will direct you accordingly. As God leads us in our journey toward him, we each follow different paths. The Holy Spirit draws us individual maps to follow. Others may not choose our road and they shouldn't if it is not part of their map. We should not challenge them regarding their chosen route unless its an issue of spiritual principle. Remember Gods leading will never lead you to sin.
I know the Lord is speaking to me when what I think he saying is driven home by scripture. Anything Gods Spirit reveals to you will always match up with what is in the bible because all scripture was given by the Holy Spirit. He will never contradict himself - no exceptions.
We need to change our thoughts about the Bible. It is not just an old book of theology for us to digest; it is the living word of God. When we read it, the Holy Spirit applies it to our particular situation regardless of how specific and personal it is. The Holy Spirit orchestrates this. He speaks.
I know God is speaking to me when in spite of my initial struggle, an undeniable release and peace follows when I have obeyed his voice.
Gods peace serves as a mechanism by which we can discern his voice.
Gods personal word to you will be accompanied by a sense of assurance and peace. When you sense Gods leading ask yourself " Do I feel confident and peaceful about moving forward or am I restless and unsure about the directions I have received."
You may feel ill equipped to handle many things God calls you to do, but when you sense his peace, he is encouraging you to step out in obedience. When you obey, you will experience his supernatural power operating through you to do it.
When God speaks he does so with power and authority. When he speaks things change. Gods voice has the power to accomplish what we need. One way to distinguish Gods voice from others is the effect it has on our circumstances. When Jesus calmed the waters the response was immediate.
Nothing pleases God more than when we ask for what he wants to give. Think about it, when you seek to hear God, do you really desire to hear what his purposes are or do you desire to pursue your own and hope for his blessing. God wants us to recognise and trust that his plans are best.
To conclude I shall quote from Jim Cymbala:
"Two important prerequisites to hearing God clearly are to have an open vertical relationship with him and to be submitted to his plan for our lives. If there is unconfessed sin or continual disobedience in our lives, there will be a closed heaven above us and a disruption in hearing from the Lord. God cannot draw near to us while we are walking away from him through disobedience at the same time"
and from the Prophet Isiah:
"The sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I do not rebel or turn away.....Therefore i have set my face like a stone determined to do his will. And I know that I will triumph" Isiah 50: 5,7)
Other related scripture to note:
James 1:7-8
Isaiah 50:4
Jeremiah 7:23
Psalm 119:60
Psalm 95: 7-8
Proverbs 19:21
Genesis 22:16-18
Job 33:15-22
Revelation 3:20
Hebrews 4:12
John 16:14John 16:33
John 14:27
Psalm 29:11
John 11:13
Psalm 29:3-4
As we seek God and acknowledge him, he promises to direct our paths (Prov 3:5-6)and often does so by bombarding us with a thought that will not cease to permeate our thoughts and hearts.
Each believer must determine what God would have them do personally. Th Holy spirit knows your stage of spiritual development and will direct you accordingly. As God leads us in our journey toward him, we each follow different paths. The Holy Spirit draws us individual maps to follow. Others may not choose our road and they shouldn't if it is not part of their map. We should not challenge them regarding their chosen route unless its an issue of spiritual principle. Remember Gods leading will never lead you to sin.
I know the Lord is speaking to me when what I think he saying is driven home by scripture. Anything Gods Spirit reveals to you will always match up with what is in the bible because all scripture was given by the Holy Spirit. He will never contradict himself - no exceptions.
We need to change our thoughts about the Bible. It is not just an old book of theology for us to digest; it is the living word of God. When we read it, the Holy Spirit applies it to our particular situation regardless of how specific and personal it is. The Holy Spirit orchestrates this. He speaks.
I know God is speaking to me when in spite of my initial struggle, an undeniable release and peace follows when I have obeyed his voice.
Gods peace serves as a mechanism by which we can discern his voice.
Gods personal word to you will be accompanied by a sense of assurance and peace. When you sense Gods leading ask yourself " Do I feel confident and peaceful about moving forward or am I restless and unsure about the directions I have received."
You may feel ill equipped to handle many things God calls you to do, but when you sense his peace, he is encouraging you to step out in obedience. When you obey, you will experience his supernatural power operating through you to do it.
When God speaks he does so with power and authority. When he speaks things change. Gods voice has the power to accomplish what we need. One way to distinguish Gods voice from others is the effect it has on our circumstances. When Jesus calmed the waters the response was immediate.
Nothing pleases God more than when we ask for what he wants to give. Think about it, when you seek to hear God, do you really desire to hear what his purposes are or do you desire to pursue your own and hope for his blessing. God wants us to recognise and trust that his plans are best.
To conclude I shall quote from Jim Cymbala:
"Two important prerequisites to hearing God clearly are to have an open vertical relationship with him and to be submitted to his plan for our lives. If there is unconfessed sin or continual disobedience in our lives, there will be a closed heaven above us and a disruption in hearing from the Lord. God cannot draw near to us while we are walking away from him through disobedience at the same time"
and from the Prophet Isiah:
"The sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I do not rebel or turn away.....Therefore i have set my face like a stone determined to do his will. And I know that I will triumph" Isiah 50: 5,7)
Other related scripture to note:
James 1:7-8
Isaiah 50:4
Jeremiah 7:23
Psalm 119:60
Psalm 95: 7-8
Proverbs 19:21
Genesis 22:16-18
Job 33:15-22
Revelation 3:20
Hebrews 4:12
John 16:14John 16:33
John 14:27
Psalm 29:11
John 11:13
Psalm 29:3-4
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