Prayer is the foundational strategy for missions. We do not need what we can do for God, but what God is doing for His Kingdom. God is always at work and we are invited by Him to take part in the work He is doing to grow His Kingdom. Yesterday I was reading in Psalm 24 and was not able to shake a drawing sensation to verse 1. This is how it reads in the NKJV. "The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein." We are not recruiting people for God's Kingdom. They already belong to God. Our task is to help them see the light that He alone is God and that they belong to Him. He created every one of us. We are His by creation. We became separated from God with our sin. Then He bought us back through the blood of His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. There are millions in the world who do not know this basic truth. Therefore, they cannot worship Him.
We need to discover where God is working and join Him. (That sounds familiar.) God is constantly at work in His world. We too often jump into the work before we know where He is working. Jesus said that the Father was working, so he was working. Jesus even said in his high priestly prayer in John 17:4 that he had brought the Father glory on earth by completing all the work the Father gave Him to do.
I wonder what the work is God has given you to do? For Calvary of Neosho, one aspect of that work was taking His good news to the Mandyak people of Senegal, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Little did I know when we began the work how involved God had already been. When we as a church voted to pursue reaching the Mandyak for Christ, a long time member of the church came up to me with tears streaming down his face and said that he and his wife had been praying for 11 years that God would give Calvary a vision for reaching His world that would require Him to accomplish it. He said this was that vision.
When I arrived in Senegal and met who would become one of our main interpreters, I learned that he had been praying for 11 years that God would send someone like the missionaries to reach his people for Jesus. God was at work and He was the one who invited us to take the good news of His Kingdom and His love for them to the Mandyak. Calvary continues to do just that as God continues to guide them.
Jesus once said that the harvest was plentiful, but the workers were few. He went on to tell his disciples that they were to pray to the Lord of the Harvest, that He would send out laborers into His harvest fields.
1) Am I obeying by praying that God will send out laborers into His harvest fields?
2) Am I praying for the peoples of the world to hear and come to God?
3) Am I getting ready to go when He speaks to my heart to go?
Just some thoughts! Have a great day!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Never Forget
I was reading in Deuteronomy 8 today. It is a very interesting chapter. This chapter informs the reader of all the things God has done for them and all the things He wants them to do. The chapter begins with a reminder to be careful to observe the commandments He has given us. There seems to be a reason for remembering to observe the commandments. It is so we may live in the land of which He promised us. It is so we may multiply in the land of which He promised us. It is so we may possess the land of which the Lord promised.
These are 3 very good reasons for observing the commandments He gave to us. Let me quickly say that the Great Commission given to the church and all followers of the Lord Jesus tells us to teach disciples to observe all He has commanded. There is no difference in the Nation of Israel in the book of Deuteronomy and the Church in the book of Matthew. God is still God. He still demands that we live by His commands. It is for our blessing and His Kingdom's Growth in the world.
Read the chapter slowly and carefully. In verse 11 we are told to "beware" after we have become full from life's blessings God has given to us. The danger is that we will forget Him and focus on us. Did you really hear what it says? We forget Him and focus on us. Here is how it reads in the NKJV for verse 17, "then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.'"
We are always one step away from perishing from the land to which He has sent us. All we need to do is "by any means forget the Lord our God" (verse 19). It has happened before.
Remain humble! Never Forget!
These are 3 very good reasons for observing the commandments He gave to us. Let me quickly say that the Great Commission given to the church and all followers of the Lord Jesus tells us to teach disciples to observe all He has commanded. There is no difference in the Nation of Israel in the book of Deuteronomy and the Church in the book of Matthew. God is still God. He still demands that we live by His commands. It is for our blessing and His Kingdom's Growth in the world.
Read the chapter slowly and carefully. In verse 11 we are told to "beware" after we have become full from life's blessings God has given to us. The danger is that we will forget Him and focus on us. Did you really hear what it says? We forget Him and focus on us. Here is how it reads in the NKJV for verse 17, "then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.'"
We are always one step away from perishing from the land to which He has sent us. All we need to do is "by any means forget the Lord our God" (verse 19). It has happened before.
Remain humble! Never Forget!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
When did God set you apart?
I began reading in Jeremiah again this morning. I was reminded of the process God used in the life of Jeremiah. In chapter 1:5 we find out that it was before he was even conceived in his mother's womb. God told Jeremiah that before He formed Jeremiah in his mother's womb, God knew him and set him apart to be a prophet to the nations. This choice had absolutely nothing to do with a choice by Jeremiah. In fact, as we read further, we find Jeremiah giving excuses why he is not the one God should use.
Surely we have never been in those shoes. I am convinced the call of God on our lives to be involved missionally came at the same time it came for Jeremiah. It was before we were formed in our mother's womb. Perhaps we have wrestled with the official calling as well. But take note, the setting apart by God was done before we ever made a choice of anything in life. Wow!
The Apostle Paul said it this way in Eph. 2:10, "We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which He before ordained that we should walk in them." That is a verse I cannot get away from. God had things for me to do before I ever made my first choice in life. The same is true for you. Your calling may not be the same as mine, but you have a calling just the same.
Don't waste your life. Find out what God's choice is for you and run after it with all your heart. The adventure will be wonderful. You will not regret it.
Having said that, I remind us that Jeremiah did not have a pleasant 40+ years as a prophet to the nations. Still, it was his calling. The thing that brings joy to our hearts is knowing that we were in the place God wanted us to be, doing the things God wanted us to do. Then one day we will hear Him say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant..."
Have a great day!
Surely we have never been in those shoes. I am convinced the call of God on our lives to be involved missionally came at the same time it came for Jeremiah. It was before we were formed in our mother's womb. Perhaps we have wrestled with the official calling as well. But take note, the setting apart by God was done before we ever made a choice of anything in life. Wow!
The Apostle Paul said it this way in Eph. 2:10, "We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which He before ordained that we should walk in them." That is a verse I cannot get away from. God had things for me to do before I ever made my first choice in life. The same is true for you. Your calling may not be the same as mine, but you have a calling just the same.
Don't waste your life. Find out what God's choice is for you and run after it with all your heart. The adventure will be wonderful. You will not regret it.
Having said that, I remind us that Jeremiah did not have a pleasant 40+ years as a prophet to the nations. Still, it was his calling. The thing that brings joy to our hearts is knowing that we were in the place God wanted us to be, doing the things God wanted us to do. Then one day we will hear Him say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant..."
Have a great day!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Missions is no respector of persons
Wow! I can't believe it has been over a month since I last came to this site. I never dreamed how busy life would be as I began "Calling out the Called" for missional living. I am amazed at how many churches and individuals are so hungry for authentic missional living. I have heard some of the greatest stories and met some of the most awesome individuals.
One such person (which shall remain nameless) approached retirement at age 65 by asking God if He had anyone anywhere in the world that He wanted her to tell them about Him. She said He told her yes. So she said she told Him that if He would provide for her to go, she would continue to go and tell.
She is now 85 years active in service for Jesus. She took her first international mission trip at age 65. Now at 85 she looks back on her experiences of a dozen (that is right) international mission trips and around 8 state side mission trips. Her last international trip was in December to Guinea West Africa where she road in a dug out canoe on the ocean and up a river to an unengaged people. When she arrived on the island she was greeted very warmly. The first morning there, she arose to find the men of the village sitting around her porch waiting to hear why she was there. They wanted to hear the story of Jesus. They could listen to her, because she was old. They respect age. So she took out her evangecube and told them the story.
Missions is for everyone! Age is not a factor. Missions is for you as well. Keep living for Him.
One such person (which shall remain nameless) approached retirement at age 65 by asking God if He had anyone anywhere in the world that He wanted her to tell them about Him. She said He told her yes. So she said she told Him that if He would provide for her to go, she would continue to go and tell.
She is now 85 years active in service for Jesus. She took her first international mission trip at age 65. Now at 85 she looks back on her experiences of a dozen (that is right) international mission trips and around 8 state side mission trips. Her last international trip was in December to Guinea West Africa where she road in a dug out canoe on the ocean and up a river to an unengaged people. When she arrived on the island she was greeted very warmly. The first morning there, she arose to find the men of the village sitting around her porch waiting to hear why she was there. They wanted to hear the story of Jesus. They could listen to her, because she was old. They respect age. So she took out her evangecube and told them the story.
Missions is for everyone! Age is not a factor. Missions is for you as well. Keep living for Him.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Beginning of the Story
God is teaching me so many things as I read the stories of the kings in 2 Chronicles. Each king has multiple levels of lessons I need to learn for life. For instance, the story of Asa covers three chapters. He ruled as king in Judah for nearly 42 years. I figure he must have done some things right. And he did. But he also did some things very wrong. Isn't that like most of our lives. We really try to do the right things. But occasionally we find ourselves doing something pertaining to God that is a wrong thing.
As the stroy begins in chapter 14, Asa takes over as king after his father had died. God says the land was quiet for the first 10 years of the reign of Asa. Then the story begins to tell us some of the reasons behind this quietness from wars. Verse 2 tells us that he did what was right and good in the eyes of the Lord his God. I remember reading in the Psalms or Proverbs, that if a man's ways are found pleasing to the Lord, He will make even his enemies be at peace with him. And that is exactly what we see happening here.
Asa began well. Verse 2 explains that he had a personal relationship with God. God was his God. Secondly, this indicates that he had a practical religion. He did the good thing. He did the right thing. His personal relationship led to his practical religion. It was not ivory tower theology. He did not know about God, he knew God! That knowledge always produces an individual who does that which is right and good while the individual is walking in fellowship with God. 1 John 1 reminds us of these truths. We have fellowship with God as we walk in the light as He is in the light. Still, there is a third aspect of verse 2 which stands out in my mind. The verse says that he did what was good and right "in the eyes of the Lord". He had a primary recognition. That recognition was from God.
It does not matter if we do what is good and right in the eyes of other individuals. It does not matter if we do what is good and right in our own eyes. It does matter whether we do what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord. The apostle Paul wrote about that to the Corinthian believers. He said it did not matter to him what others thought about his him. And further more, he said it did not matter what he thought about his own ministry. What mattered was what God thought about it.
One day we will all stand before almighty God and give an account for every idol word we have spoken as well as each action. At that moment, it will not matter what I thought about what I did or what excuses I may give. All that matters is what God has seen and knows. He sees all and knows all. He knows my thoughts from afar. He knows my every word when they are still on my tongue. He knows everything there is to know about me.
The story of Asa begins with God saying he did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. How does the story begin for my life? Better yet, how does the story begin for your life? Have a great and godly day!
As the stroy begins in chapter 14, Asa takes over as king after his father had died. God says the land was quiet for the first 10 years of the reign of Asa. Then the story begins to tell us some of the reasons behind this quietness from wars. Verse 2 tells us that he did what was right and good in the eyes of the Lord his God. I remember reading in the Psalms or Proverbs, that if a man's ways are found pleasing to the Lord, He will make even his enemies be at peace with him. And that is exactly what we see happening here.
Asa began well. Verse 2 explains that he had a personal relationship with God. God was his God. Secondly, this indicates that he had a practical religion. He did the good thing. He did the right thing. His personal relationship led to his practical religion. It was not ivory tower theology. He did not know about God, he knew God! That knowledge always produces an individual who does that which is right and good while the individual is walking in fellowship with God. 1 John 1 reminds us of these truths. We have fellowship with God as we walk in the light as He is in the light. Still, there is a third aspect of verse 2 which stands out in my mind. The verse says that he did what was good and right "in the eyes of the Lord". He had a primary recognition. That recognition was from God.
It does not matter if we do what is good and right in the eyes of other individuals. It does not matter if we do what is good and right in our own eyes. It does matter whether we do what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord. The apostle Paul wrote about that to the Corinthian believers. He said it did not matter to him what others thought about his him. And further more, he said it did not matter what he thought about his own ministry. What mattered was what God thought about it.
One day we will all stand before almighty God and give an account for every idol word we have spoken as well as each action. At that moment, it will not matter what I thought about what I did or what excuses I may give. All that matters is what God has seen and knows. He sees all and knows all. He knows my thoughts from afar. He knows my every word when they are still on my tongue. He knows everything there is to know about me.
The story of Asa begins with God saying he did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. How does the story begin for my life? Better yet, how does the story begin for your life? Have a great and godly day!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Doing All He Says
I turned back to 1 Kings to read more inthe story about Jeroboam. I read about a prophet of God. He was simply called, "the man of God". I had to ask myself if I was a man of God getting the message from God and giving it to whom ever He told me to give it to.
This man of God was commanded by the word of the Lord to go to the King and pronounce judgment on the norhtern Kingdom from God and that there would be a sign of the false altar spliting in two. The king did not like the message and became outraged. As he pointed his finger to the man of God, God struck the arm and it withered. All Jereboam was concerned about was his arm. He asked the man of God to pray that it would be restored. God answered the prayer.
This man of God had great access to God and power from God. Jereboam wanted to reward him and he would not take the reward. The reason was that God had told him not to eat or drink in the land, nor was he to go back the same way he came. The account is found in 1 Kings 13.
As this man of God went home he stopped to rest. Another "man of God" came to him and tried to get him to come to his home to eat. The first man of God would not do it at first. Then the second man of God lied (the scriptures says so) about God telling him to go get this first man and bring him back. It was God's will was the plea. So the second man went. As soon as he drank in the home, the word of the Lord pronounced judgment on him (the first man of God). I know. The story begins to get confusing.
As the first man of God leaves to go home, a lion meets him and kills him, but leaves the donkey alone. The lion does not maul or eat the man. It simply kills him as the Lord had declared.
Here is what I believe the Lord was telling me. He spoke in my heart that I am not to listen to others who try to tell me what God's will is for my life. Because I am in a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, He will speak directly to me about His will for my life. I am to listen to it and follow it regardless of what some other man of God may say is God's will for my life. Does that make sense? God will lead each of us in our specific assignments for His kingdom. Follow him. Do not follow what someone else tells you God told them you are to do. Life your life before God who has sought you out for relationship with himself.
Have a great day! Listen to Him.
This man of God was commanded by the word of the Lord to go to the King and pronounce judgment on the norhtern Kingdom from God and that there would be a sign of the false altar spliting in two. The king did not like the message and became outraged. As he pointed his finger to the man of God, God struck the arm and it withered. All Jereboam was concerned about was his arm. He asked the man of God to pray that it would be restored. God answered the prayer.
This man of God had great access to God and power from God. Jereboam wanted to reward him and he would not take the reward. The reason was that God had told him not to eat or drink in the land, nor was he to go back the same way he came. The account is found in 1 Kings 13.
As this man of God went home he stopped to rest. Another "man of God" came to him and tried to get him to come to his home to eat. The first man of God would not do it at first. Then the second man of God lied (the scriptures says so) about God telling him to go get this first man and bring him back. It was God's will was the plea. So the second man went. As soon as he drank in the home, the word of the Lord pronounced judgment on him (the first man of God). I know. The story begins to get confusing.
As the first man of God leaves to go home, a lion meets him and kills him, but leaves the donkey alone. The lion does not maul or eat the man. It simply kills him as the Lord had declared.
Here is what I believe the Lord was telling me. He spoke in my heart that I am not to listen to others who try to tell me what God's will is for my life. Because I am in a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, He will speak directly to me about His will for my life. I am to listen to it and follow it regardless of what some other man of God may say is God's will for my life. Does that make sense? God will lead each of us in our specific assignments for His kingdom. Follow him. Do not follow what someone else tells you God told them you are to do. Life your life before God who has sought you out for relationship with himself.
Have a great day! Listen to Him.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Spiritual Shells
I am so intrigued by this story about Rehoboam. As it progresses we find that he established the kingdom and strengthened himself. After this we read that he forsook the law of the Lord and that all Israel went the way of this leader of Judah. I think how interresting that is. When a leader is strongly walking with God, those following will often do the same. When that same leader walks away from God, so do those who are following the leader.
As a result of this action of Rehoboam in his 4th year as king, God brought an enemy to asault the kingdom in his 5th year of reigning as king. We read that he humbled himself before God, so God did not have the enemy destroy them. But He did let the enemy invade Jerusalem and carry away all the articles of gold, like the awesome sheilds that constantly were displayed. When the enemy was gone, we read that Rehoboam had brass sheilds made. He would keep them stored until time for him to go to the house of worship. At that time he would have them brought out, polished up and carried by the guards along with Rehoboam to the temple of the Lord. When he was finished at the temple, he would take them back and stored again until the next time.
As I read this, I wondered how often we do the same thing. Do we turn away from the Lord after we have established our lives and strengthened our life? Do we simply humble ourselves before the Lord when we see trouble coming? When life begins to fall apart, does our pride cause us to build brass shields in place of the gold shields in order to keep up the front that things are ok when inwardly they are not? What will God's epitaph be for my life? Will it be like that of Rehoboam? Will God record that "he did evil because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord"? I have many questions. I have few answers. I do know that I want to set my heart to seek the Lord. How about you?
As a result of this action of Rehoboam in his 4th year as king, God brought an enemy to asault the kingdom in his 5th year of reigning as king. We read that he humbled himself before God, so God did not have the enemy destroy them. But He did let the enemy invade Jerusalem and carry away all the articles of gold, like the awesome sheilds that constantly were displayed. When the enemy was gone, we read that Rehoboam had brass sheilds made. He would keep them stored until time for him to go to the house of worship. At that time he would have them brought out, polished up and carried by the guards along with Rehoboam to the temple of the Lord. When he was finished at the temple, he would take them back and stored again until the next time.
As I read this, I wondered how often we do the same thing. Do we turn away from the Lord after we have established our lives and strengthened our life? Do we simply humble ourselves before the Lord when we see trouble coming? When life begins to fall apart, does our pride cause us to build brass shields in place of the gold shields in order to keep up the front that things are ok when inwardly they are not? What will God's epitaph be for my life? Will it be like that of Rehoboam? Will God record that "he did evil because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord"? I have many questions. I have few answers. I do know that I want to set my heart to seek the Lord. How about you?
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Set Your Heart
Wow! Life gets busy. I have been on the go a lot lately. It is easy to forget some things that you intend to do. It just happens. When I began this blog I intended to write something every day. That commitment lasted a whole two days. I am laughing at good intentions. It is so easy for the demands of life to push them out of the way.
Those demands are a lot like the current on a river. When a boat is tied to the shore, it will stay put against the current. If for some reason that tie is let loose, the current will natuarally carry the boat down stream away from where the owner inteded for it to remain.
Our spiritual walk is that way as well. We can have all the right intentions, but if we do not remain tied to the shore of devotion to God, the current of a busy life will carry us away from that devotion. The writer of Hebrews encouraged us to make sure we did not lose that tie. He said we needed to give more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. Has that happened to you?
There is a story in the Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles 11 and 12. It is about those troubled days when the nation was split in two. Jeroboam took the northern 10 tribes and sought to make them a nation of themselves. Rehoboam consolidated the southern two tribes of Judah and Benjamin. In Chapter 11 and vers 16 we read of the people of the north who had set their heart to seek the Lord God of Israel. They followed Rehoboam and strengthened his kingdom for three years. It is amazing what strength comes from setting our hearts to seek the Lord.
At the end of chapter 12 we read in verse 14 that Rehoboam did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord. Isn't it amazing that the simple thing of preparing or setting our hearts to seek the Lord can strengthen a people, or the lack of doing that one simple thing can bring about evil from our conduct.
There is a key verse to the change that took place. It is found in chapter 12 and verse 1. "Now it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kindgom and had strenthened himself, that he forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel along with him."
The many who set their hearts to seek the Lord can strengthen a people. The one who sets out to strengthen himself ends up weakening the people. Think about it. Where are you located in this story?
Those demands are a lot like the current on a river. When a boat is tied to the shore, it will stay put against the current. If for some reason that tie is let loose, the current will natuarally carry the boat down stream away from where the owner inteded for it to remain.
Our spiritual walk is that way as well. We can have all the right intentions, but if we do not remain tied to the shore of devotion to God, the current of a busy life will carry us away from that devotion. The writer of Hebrews encouraged us to make sure we did not lose that tie. He said we needed to give more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. Has that happened to you?
There is a story in the Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles 11 and 12. It is about those troubled days when the nation was split in two. Jeroboam took the northern 10 tribes and sought to make them a nation of themselves. Rehoboam consolidated the southern two tribes of Judah and Benjamin. In Chapter 11 and vers 16 we read of the people of the north who had set their heart to seek the Lord God of Israel. They followed Rehoboam and strengthened his kingdom for three years. It is amazing what strength comes from setting our hearts to seek the Lord.
At the end of chapter 12 we read in verse 14 that Rehoboam did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord. Isn't it amazing that the simple thing of preparing or setting our hearts to seek the Lord can strengthen a people, or the lack of doing that one simple thing can bring about evil from our conduct.
There is a key verse to the change that took place. It is found in chapter 12 and verse 1. "Now it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kindgom and had strenthened himself, that he forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel along with him."
The many who set their hearts to seek the Lord can strengthen a people. The one who sets out to strengthen himself ends up weakening the people. Think about it. Where are you located in this story?
Thursday, January 24, 2008
"This is my doing" - GOD
I was reading this morning from 2 Chronicles 10 and 11. There was an interesting phrase from the Lord that stood out in my mind and heart for many reasons that experience has born out. In chapter 11 and verse 2 we read, "this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God: 'Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon kind of Judah and to all the Israelites in Judah and Benjamin, "this is what the Lord says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing."'"
I know it looks like a lot of quotation marks, but notice the phrase, "this is my doing." The context of these two chapters is the death of Solomon, the beginning reign of Rehoboam, son of Solomon, and the defect of Israel from the rule of Rehoboam under the leadership of Jeroboam. Rehoboam was gathering all the fighting men of Judah and Benjamin to force a stop to this mass exodus. But God sent word that this exodus was of His doing and that they were not to fight against their brothers. They were to go home and go about their business. So they did just that.
Been there, done that, have the T-shirt. Well, minus the T-shirt. But I have been there. I have a feeling many of you have at some time or another in your life. There was something you wanted terribly to happen or remain, but it seemed to fall apart. The more you tried to make it work out, the more messy it became. Then the Lord spoke to your heart that what took place was of His doing. It was hard information to accept graciously. Oh, it was easy to accept if we wanted to use that information as justification for the situation falling apart. But the reality is that such news ought to break our hearts. We wish such a drastic step from the Lord's intervention would never have had to happen.
In the biblical account of Judah and Israel, neither kept their singular focus on God and both eventually felt the hand of discipline from the Lord.
But, we do not have to go there. We have the opportunity in our particular situations to honor God and stick very close to Him. As far as it depends upon us, we need to live peaceably with all men. We need to honor God and run hard after Him in His vision and Kingdom plan for us. It is a difficult task to accept a division as the hand of God graciously. But you can do it with the grace of God strong in your life. Honor Him today with your life in your situation.
I know it looks like a lot of quotation marks, but notice the phrase, "this is my doing." The context of these two chapters is the death of Solomon, the beginning reign of Rehoboam, son of Solomon, and the defect of Israel from the rule of Rehoboam under the leadership of Jeroboam. Rehoboam was gathering all the fighting men of Judah and Benjamin to force a stop to this mass exodus. But God sent word that this exodus was of His doing and that they were not to fight against their brothers. They were to go home and go about their business. So they did just that.
Been there, done that, have the T-shirt. Well, minus the T-shirt. But I have been there. I have a feeling many of you have at some time or another in your life. There was something you wanted terribly to happen or remain, but it seemed to fall apart. The more you tried to make it work out, the more messy it became. Then the Lord spoke to your heart that what took place was of His doing. It was hard information to accept graciously. Oh, it was easy to accept if we wanted to use that information as justification for the situation falling apart. But the reality is that such news ought to break our hearts. We wish such a drastic step from the Lord's intervention would never have had to happen.
In the biblical account of Judah and Israel, neither kept their singular focus on God and both eventually felt the hand of discipline from the Lord.
But, we do not have to go there. We have the opportunity in our particular situations to honor God and stick very close to Him. As far as it depends upon us, we need to live peaceably with all men. We need to honor God and run hard after Him in His vision and Kingdom plan for us. It is a difficult task to accept a division as the hand of God graciously. But you can do it with the grace of God strong in your life. Honor Him today with your life in your situation.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Getting Started
Here I sit in Illinois. There is question that comes to mind often after serving in the ministry as a pastor for staff position for nearly 30 years. What in the world am I doing here? God has taken us on an amazing adventure. We have wrestled long and hard with direction in what we sense God doing in our life. Psalm 32:8-9 in the NIV reads as follows. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you."
Where do I start? Should I begin with verse nine that tells us not to be like the horse or the mule? They are strong willed and stubborn creatures that only submit as that piece of metal is pulled against the tender portion of their mouth. I know they can be trained to turn as the reign lays against the side of their neck so that they do not have to feel the pain of the bit. But the point of the verse deals with control verses willing service. God does not want to have to control me to get me to do what He desires in His Kingdom. God operates according to verse 8.
In verse 8 God instructs, teaches, counsels and watches over us. Actually, He instructs us in the way we should go. Make it personal for yourself. God says He instructs you in the way you should go. The particular word chosen by God here means to grant discernment to the individual in the way he should go. We all know that there are many opportunities in front of us. What we need is the ability to discern which one God wants me to accept. God tells each of us He will grant that discernment so that we will know how to distinguish between the good, better and best opportunities presented to us.
Then God says He will teach us in the way we should go. Again we need to make it very personal. God will teach me in the way I should go. The word God chose here means to throw the spear in a specific and straight direction. That is, God will give us the direction as well as the discernment as to the way we should go. What a wonderful gift of grace from God that He does not leave us to figure out on our own the direction we are to take in life. When we come to Him, He will grant us discernment and point out the direction we are to go.
Then we are told He will counsel us. One thing I know about counseling is that most individuals who come for the counseling know their answer. They usually simply need to talk it through with someone who will guide them, who will discuss the options with them. That is what God is going to do for each of us. He waits for each of us to come before Him in prayer and discuss our options with Him. He will listen better than the best counselor you could ever think of going to see. He is the wonderful counselor.
Then, last, but certainly not least, God will watch over you in the journey you are to take. He watches the horizon for all the pot holes that lie ahead. He is aware of every obstacle that lies in the path. He sees the twists and turns before you get to them. He is decidedly involved in every step you and I are to take along the journey He has chosen for us.
Yes, it is a journey He has chosen. Psalm 25:12 reads, "Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him."
So, when I ask the question, "What in the world am I doing here?", the answer must always be that God has led me here. At least that needs to be the answer if I fear the Lord and only want to be in the center of His will for my life.
Maybe I still do not know all the whys of where I am. But I do know that God looks for someone to stand in the gap on behalf of the people. All too often He has found none. While I wait for the answers to the whys of my location, I want to be "putty" filling the gap where I find myself on the journey. How about you?
Where do I start? Should I begin with verse nine that tells us not to be like the horse or the mule? They are strong willed and stubborn creatures that only submit as that piece of metal is pulled against the tender portion of their mouth. I know they can be trained to turn as the reign lays against the side of their neck so that they do not have to feel the pain of the bit. But the point of the verse deals with control verses willing service. God does not want to have to control me to get me to do what He desires in His Kingdom. God operates according to verse 8.
In verse 8 God instructs, teaches, counsels and watches over us. Actually, He instructs us in the way we should go. Make it personal for yourself. God says He instructs you in the way you should go. The particular word chosen by God here means to grant discernment to the individual in the way he should go. We all know that there are many opportunities in front of us. What we need is the ability to discern which one God wants me to accept. God tells each of us He will grant that discernment so that we will know how to distinguish between the good, better and best opportunities presented to us.
Then God says He will teach us in the way we should go. Again we need to make it very personal. God will teach me in the way I should go. The word God chose here means to throw the spear in a specific and straight direction. That is, God will give us the direction as well as the discernment as to the way we should go. What a wonderful gift of grace from God that He does not leave us to figure out on our own the direction we are to take in life. When we come to Him, He will grant us discernment and point out the direction we are to go.
Then we are told He will counsel us. One thing I know about counseling is that most individuals who come for the counseling know their answer. They usually simply need to talk it through with someone who will guide them, who will discuss the options with them. That is what God is going to do for each of us. He waits for each of us to come before Him in prayer and discuss our options with Him. He will listen better than the best counselor you could ever think of going to see. He is the wonderful counselor.
Then, last, but certainly not least, God will watch over you in the journey you are to take. He watches the horizon for all the pot holes that lie ahead. He is aware of every obstacle that lies in the path. He sees the twists and turns before you get to them. He is decidedly involved in every step you and I are to take along the journey He has chosen for us.
Yes, it is a journey He has chosen. Psalm 25:12 reads, "Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him."
So, when I ask the question, "What in the world am I doing here?", the answer must always be that God has led me here. At least that needs to be the answer if I fear the Lord and only want to be in the center of His will for my life.
Maybe I still do not know all the whys of where I am. But I do know that God looks for someone to stand in the gap on behalf of the people. All too often He has found none. While I wait for the answers to the whys of my location, I want to be "putty" filling the gap where I find myself on the journey. How about you?
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