Woe
Job (19:1–29)
Job longed for his words of "woe" to be etched into granite so that people through time could enter into all the things he was enduring. He thought his words would be forgotten. He had no idea that his words would survive him. Yet, think of it, God chose to include them in His eternal Word! Along with Scriptures like Genesis 1, Psalm 23, Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 13, and Revelation 22, we call to mind Job (19:25–27) to this day!
As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God; whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me!
Little did Job realize in his dreadful anguish that his Lord would honor his name by preserving his words for all the world to hear and sing!
I need to pause right here and speak to you whose God is distant and silent. And, perhaps (like Job), your friends have begun to turn against you. There is a future that is brighter than your wildest dreams! As Job will one day experience, justice will win out, God will replace evil, and right will eclipse wrong. In the end, God wins. And so will we. Job will be vindicated and remembered and respected. And all the Zophars, Bildads, and Eliphazes will be judged, silenced, and forgotten. "Then be afraid of the sword for yourselves, for wrath brings the punishment of the sword, so that you may know there is judgment"
In all his misery, Job had not lost sight of who was right and who was wrong. He reminded all three men that "judgment and punishment are not coming my way; they're coming yours."
Focus on the future!
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
Spirit Of Wisdom
Our enemy is demonic and deceitful. Though identified 'he is a coward to the core. He tries his best to intimidate us through repeated and savage acts of aggression and thereby paralyze us in fear. The limitless depths to which he will go to bring us down.
Our enemy is demonic and deceitful. Though identified 'he is a coward to the core. He tries his best to intimidate us through repeated and savage acts of aggression and thereby paralyze us in fear. The limitless depths to which he will go to bring us down.
But those of us who believe in Jesus Christ will neither fear nor fail. We will not consider any sacrifice too great or any cost too high. Because we know that in the end God always wins, we know we will win. As a brave brother of the faith, Martin Luther, wrote over five hundred years ago, "His rage we can endure, for lo his doom is sure."
And so, let us follow our earthly commander in chief with fidelity and loyalty. Let us walk directly into the sneer of the enemy with relentless resolve. Let us kneel before the Lord our Sovereign God with fresh faith. Let us trust Him through Jesus Christ our Savior with repentant hearts, with quiet confidence, and absolute dependence. By doing these things we can be certain of this final outcome, as the Psalmist once declared: "Through God we shall do valiantly" Psalm (60:12).
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom. Isaiah (11:2).
During His earthly ministry Jesus needed 'the Spirit of wisdom' when it came to making decisions and dealing with the enemy. As believers, that same Spirit lives in us. James (3:15), says there are three kinds of wisdom: Earthly wisdom, which isn't always dependable because 'Sometimes what seems right is really a road to death' Proverbs (16:25).
Sensual wisdom, which is based on emotions that can lead to confusion, hurt, and jealousy. Demonic wisdom, which is selfish, lustful, and ungodly. Godly wisdom, which 'comes from above is pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy' James (3:17). The Bible says, 'When you need wisdom, ask God, and he will give it to you, James (1:5).
And when you're praying, ask yourself these questions:
1) Are my motives pure or will I be ashamed of them later on?
2) Will my decision result in mercy and compassion or strife and stress?
3) Have I considered all the people who'll be affected by the outcome?
4) Am I willing to submit to what God wants or am I determined to plough on regardless?
5) Will the end result cause me to have a harsh attitude or will it produce an environment where love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control can grow? Galatians (5:22-23).
6) Is it fair and impartial or does it favor a particular person or group?
7) Can I in good conscience pursue this particular course of action or does it involve some level of deceit and selfishness?
God's Holy Spirit
Zechariah (4:6)
This verse is often quoted when speaking of doing the work of God, and doing so follows a correct spiritual principle. When God does something, it is not done through physical strength. It is interesting that might literally means "arms," and power refers to physical activity. The work of God is not going to be done through feats of arms, military victories, or anything that requires physical fighting or contention. Nor can it be accomplished by any amount of physical activity.
As much work and effort as men put into it, they are not what will get God's work done properly. They will be helpful, certainly, because God works through men, and men must exert themselves in order to do God's will. Nevertheless, He says clearly here that all the credit goes to His Spirit. God Himself is at work! Our job is to submit, to do the things that must be done. We must do what the Spirit directs us to do, but God will receive the credit, not us. We could do none of these works by our own means.
God gives the ability. He gives the inspiration, the strength, and the endurance. He opens the doors. He supplies the manpower, the money, and the other resources to go through those doors. He supplies favor so that the doors can be opened. We merely walk through them.
We could say that God's work is an act of grace. It is a kind of oxymoron to say that work is done by grace, since we think of work and grace as two extremes, but they are not! What comes first? The grace comes first: God grants favor and gives gifts, then the work is done. So where is the glory? It appears in the grace. The effort comes afterward and accomplishes God's will.
Zechariah (4:6)
This verse is often quoted when speaking of doing the work of God, and doing so follows a correct spiritual principle. When God does something, it is not done through physical strength. It is interesting that might literally means "arms," and power refers to physical activity. The work of God is not going to be done through feats of arms, military victories, or anything that requires physical fighting or contention. Nor can it be accomplished by any amount of physical activity.
As much work and effort as men put into it, they are not what will get God's work done properly. They will be helpful, certainly, because God works through men, and men must exert themselves in order to do God's will. Nevertheless, He says clearly here that all the credit goes to His Spirit. God Himself is at work! Our job is to submit, to do the things that must be done. We must do what the Spirit directs us to do, but God will receive the credit, not us. We could do none of these works by our own means.
God gives the ability. He gives the inspiration, the strength, and the endurance. He opens the doors. He supplies the manpower, the money, and the other resources to go through those doors. He supplies favor so that the doors can be opened. We merely walk through them.
We could say that God's work is an act of grace. It is a kind of oxymoron to say that work is done by grace, since we think of work and grace as two extremes, but they are not! What comes first? The grace comes first: God grants favor and gives gifts, then the work is done. So where is the glory? It appears in the grace. The effort comes afterward and accomplishes God's will.
Monday, 10 February 2014
Walls
Do we have a wall to keep the enemies of God's way out of our lives and homes? Have we set boundaries against the world, or have we torn down the wall? If we have a wall, are we leaving the gates open and unguarded? Are we willing to fight to defend our families and our church? Or do we just let the enemy stream in unchallenged? Are we willing to stand up to the world?
This particular wall is not one of brick and stone, but a spiritual wall anchored by God, designed to keep spiritual problems out. I Timothy (5:8) says that if we fail to provide for the needs of our loved ones-both physically and spiritually-we are worse than an unbeliever! Have we done anything to protect our families-or has worldliness hurdled our puny walls, totally pervading every aspect of our lives?
Satan hates walls. "Let's all be one happy family," he whispers in our ears. "Walls are for the immature. You're spiritually mature now, so you can handle immorality without a problem." Do not fall for this line.
God supplies this spiritual wall to those who seek His Way, His providence, and His will. The work of rebuilding our personal wall is the effort we put into seeking a strong relationship with Him, and He then provides the defenses for us. God becomes our wall.
God puts a wall around His people to keep Satan at bay, as in the example of Job. Satan complains, "Have You not made a hedge [wall] around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side?" Job (1:10). Only after God removed the wall could Satan attack Job-and he wasted no time doing so! Surely, we see the lesson in this.
If we reject God, break down the wall or neglect our relationship with Him, what happens? "Whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent" Ecclesiastes (10:8). The Bible depicts Satan as a serpent. Many of our brethren have allowed their walls to crumble, and Satan has struck.
Do we have a wall to keep the enemies of God's way out of our lives and homes? Have we set boundaries against the world, or have we torn down the wall? If we have a wall, are we leaving the gates open and unguarded? Are we willing to fight to defend our families and our church? Or do we just let the enemy stream in unchallenged? Are we willing to stand up to the world?
This particular wall is not one of brick and stone, but a spiritual wall anchored by God, designed to keep spiritual problems out. I Timothy (5:8) says that if we fail to provide for the needs of our loved ones-both physically and spiritually-we are worse than an unbeliever! Have we done anything to protect our families-or has worldliness hurdled our puny walls, totally pervading every aspect of our lives?
Satan hates walls. "Let's all be one happy family," he whispers in our ears. "Walls are for the immature. You're spiritually mature now, so you can handle immorality without a problem." Do not fall for this line.
God supplies this spiritual wall to those who seek His Way, His providence, and His will. The work of rebuilding our personal wall is the effort we put into seeking a strong relationship with Him, and He then provides the defenses for us. God becomes our wall.
God puts a wall around His people to keep Satan at bay, as in the example of Job. Satan complains, "Have You not made a hedge [wall] around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side?" Job (1:10). Only after God removed the wall could Satan attack Job-and he wasted no time doing so! Surely, we see the lesson in this.
If we reject God, break down the wall or neglect our relationship with Him, what happens? "Whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent" Ecclesiastes (10:8). The Bible depicts Satan as a serpent. Many of our brethren have allowed their walls to crumble, and Satan has struck.
Friday, 7 February 2014
Character
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles (16:9)
Our culture is overly impressed with the externals. You must look good on TV to win the political race. It’s the image you need to polish. Spin it just right. But we all know--and all have seen-that a leader without character is a tragedy getting ready to happen.
As pastors, we know about the importance of character, of course. But knowing it isn’t our assignment. Your congregation requires your character. Your role is filled because character is present, or it decreases if it is absent. The church where you serve as senior pastor may have a respect for you and appreciates your efforts (all your weaknesses not withstanding). But this respect hangs on the fact that you're committed to modeling character, and that you're not going to let it slip away in the stuff of leadership.
You don’t follow the crowd when they go against what you believe. If that means being unpopular, be unpopular. Who cares? It’s about character, not others’ approval and applause. Character is modeled not just mandated.
Our roles as pastors are invaluable roles. So, let’s never forget our roles begin with our character. Call it swimming upstream. Our flock learns this more from our lives than from our lips.
Reading Scripture verses won’t make our lives automatically change, but it sure will motivate us to cultivate character. God expects it, and rewards it, when He finds character: “
Character is not some ancient biblical term that gets lost in the dust of the Minor Prophets. It’s what makes you contagious. It’s what gives you the right to lead without ever having to remind anybody you’re the pastor.
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles (16:9)
Our culture is overly impressed with the externals. You must look good on TV to win the political race. It’s the image you need to polish. Spin it just right. But we all know--and all have seen-that a leader without character is a tragedy getting ready to happen.
As pastors, we know about the importance of character, of course. But knowing it isn’t our assignment. Your congregation requires your character. Your role is filled because character is present, or it decreases if it is absent. The church where you serve as senior pastor may have a respect for you and appreciates your efforts (all your weaknesses not withstanding). But this respect hangs on the fact that you're committed to modeling character, and that you're not going to let it slip away in the stuff of leadership.
You don’t follow the crowd when they go against what you believe. If that means being unpopular, be unpopular. Who cares? It’s about character, not others’ approval and applause. Character is modeled not just mandated.
Our roles as pastors are invaluable roles. So, let’s never forget our roles begin with our character. Call it swimming upstream. Our flock learns this more from our lives than from our lips.
Reading Scripture verses won’t make our lives automatically change, but it sure will motivate us to cultivate character. God expects it, and rewards it, when He finds character: “
Character is not some ancient biblical term that gets lost in the dust of the Minor Prophets. It’s what makes you contagious. It’s what gives you the right to lead without ever having to remind anybody you’re the pastor.
Thursday, 6 February 2014
A Man Of Ministry?
Genesis (12:3)
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
There was a man who would go into the church service, going directly to his seat, never look up, rarely shake anyone's hand, and sort of grunt a response when someone said good morning or greeted him. In time he left the church complaining to others that the church was not friendly!!
Most times people who digress into the state see themselves as right and will not concede they have any faults of their own. They act like they think they were put on earth to correct everyone else.
Yet, in reality, they are seeking their own interests and are not really interested in others. They think themselves something special because they can see the faults in others.
This man whispered to his pastor in private, “Hey, if you call on me in church I would be honored to pray publicly.” His pastor said, “Great, I’ll call on you sometime.”
A few moments later this man's spouse approached the pastor and said, “I really wish you wouldn’t call on him to pray in church. He can do it and has prayed very eloquent prayers before its just, well uh, I know he never has a quiet time and rarely prays to God alone. He believes in it; he just doesn't do it.
Also, I have begged and begged him to have family devotions and family prayer times with the children and myself but he never does. In fact, he usually calls on the kids to pray during meal time. It would bother me to hear him pray at church when I know he never prays alone or with his family.”
The point is none of us can have an effective ministry unless we have established in our lives the altar of dedication and worship. If you seek to minister before building these types of altars then you will simply be performing. I know you will agree with me that we have had enough of this in church.
Abraham demonstrated faith by moving into an uncharted course with one guarantee--that God was with him. Christianity is not complicated. The neglect of your walk is complicated'. And the secret is to distill this walk through the filter of simplicity so that you come back to basics, which is faith.
Genesis (12:3)
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
There was a man who would go into the church service, going directly to his seat, never look up, rarely shake anyone's hand, and sort of grunt a response when someone said good morning or greeted him. In time he left the church complaining to others that the church was not friendly!!
Most times people who digress into the state see themselves as right and will not concede they have any faults of their own. They act like they think they were put on earth to correct everyone else.
Yet, in reality, they are seeking their own interests and are not really interested in others. They think themselves something special because they can see the faults in others.
This man whispered to his pastor in private, “Hey, if you call on me in church I would be honored to pray publicly.” His pastor said, “Great, I’ll call on you sometime.”
A few moments later this man's spouse approached the pastor and said, “I really wish you wouldn’t call on him to pray in church. He can do it and has prayed very eloquent prayers before its just, well uh, I know he never has a quiet time and rarely prays to God alone. He believes in it; he just doesn't do it.
Also, I have begged and begged him to have family devotions and family prayer times with the children and myself but he never does. In fact, he usually calls on the kids to pray during meal time. It would bother me to hear him pray at church when I know he never prays alone or with his family.”
The point is none of us can have an effective ministry unless we have established in our lives the altar of dedication and worship. If you seek to minister before building these types of altars then you will simply be performing. I know you will agree with me that we have had enough of this in church.
Abraham demonstrated faith by moving into an uncharted course with one guarantee--that God was with him. Christianity is not complicated. The neglect of your walk is complicated'. And the secret is to distill this walk through the filter of simplicity so that you come back to basics, which is faith.
Handling Criticism Constructively
A wise person stays calm when insulted.
Proverbs (12:16)
How can you tell constructive criticism from destructive criticism? By practicing these principles from God's Word:
1) Resolve that whatever it is, you'll handle it constructively. 'A wise person stays calm when insulted.' Angry responses only short-circuit rational thinking and trigger emotion-driven reactions. 'If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding', Proverbs (15:31-32). Always ask yourself, 'Can I learn something here?
2) Consider the character of your critic. 'An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies. Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing',Proverbs (12:17-18). Is your critic trustworthy? Are their words meant to help you? If so, appreciate them and grow wiser. 'Better to be criticised by a wise person than to be praised by a fool', Ecclesiastes (7:5). Are their words intended to demean you and damage your self-worth? Words that humble you have a godly purpose, but words that humiliate don't; so reject them.
3) Check your conscience. Paul wrote: 'My conscience is clear. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide', 1 Corinthians (4:4). If you're in the clear, leave the outcome with God. He alone sees the whole picture.
4) If you are criticised because of your faith, consider yourself blessed. 'If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you', 1 Peter (4:14). Rejoice, your life is pleasing to God.
A wise person stays calm when insulted.
Proverbs (12:16)
How can you tell constructive criticism from destructive criticism? By practicing these principles from God's Word:
1) Resolve that whatever it is, you'll handle it constructively. 'A wise person stays calm when insulted.' Angry responses only short-circuit rational thinking and trigger emotion-driven reactions. 'If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding', Proverbs (15:31-32). Always ask yourself, 'Can I learn something here?
2) Consider the character of your critic. 'An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies. Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing',Proverbs (12:17-18). Is your critic trustworthy? Are their words meant to help you? If so, appreciate them and grow wiser. 'Better to be criticised by a wise person than to be praised by a fool', Ecclesiastes (7:5). Are their words intended to demean you and damage your self-worth? Words that humble you have a godly purpose, but words that humiliate don't; so reject them.
3) Check your conscience. Paul wrote: 'My conscience is clear. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide', 1 Corinthians (4:4). If you're in the clear, leave the outcome with God. He alone sees the whole picture.
4) If you are criticised because of your faith, consider yourself blessed. 'If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you', 1 Peter (4:14). Rejoice, your life is pleasing to God.
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