“By faith…when he was tested, offered up…He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead…” Hebrews 11:17-18
Hudson Taylor, the famous missionary, understood that God acts in response to our faith. On his first voyage to China, his ship neared cannibal-inhabited islands as it helplessly drifted on a windless sea. The savages eagerly anticipated feasting on the hapless occupants. The captain came to young Taylor and pleaded with him to pray for God’s help. “I will,” Taylor said, “provided you set your sails to catch the breeze.” The captain declined making himself the butt of ridicule by unfurling the sails in a calm sea. Taylor responded, “I will not undertake to pray for the vessel unless you will prepare the sails.” The captain complied. Immediately, Taylor retired to his cabin and began to implore God’s help. While he was still praying, the captain knocked on the door and asked, “Are you still praying for wind?” “Yes.” “Well,” the captain said, “you’d better stop praying, for we have more wind than we can manage.” Hudson Taylor knew that God worked only through faith and had rewarded him. By Faith, p 20.
Hebrews 11 is a chapter in the Bible dedicated solely to honor some of the past heroes of faith. It is a ‘Who’s Who’ in the arena of demonstrated faith through action – not words. Although 16 names of great saints are listed, there has been a multitude of amazing ‘faith-bearers’ throughout time. The importance of faith is essential in our relationship with God. Hebrews 11:6 tells us in no uncertain terms that a life without faith is an ineffective life in God’s economy. ‘Without faith it is impossible to please God.’ This brings me to an important question. Why pray if we are not going to prepare our sails to receive the wind?
What if God chooses to answer our prayer by sending something that requires our action up front? We will not be postured to receive that answer. We must believe by faith that the prayers for which we lift are being heard and He will respond according to the condition of our faith coupled with His will.
No matter how great the request, set your sails, bend your knees and believe so they may say of you‘…she/he considered God to be able…’ Hebrews 11:18.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Let It Be Done!
“Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Mark 1:17, NKJV
I never realized the omission of the word ‘become’ in my Bible. It wasn’t until this morning, as I cracked open a new Bible Study, I learned this word was omitted in many translations. My Bible states, ‘…I will make you fishers of men.’ As I put the word ‘become’ back into the text it fills me with good news this morning! It confirms that we are in a constant state of training and transformation in our ministry walk. We are in essence ‘becoming effective in God’s ministries.’
When Jesus called the disciples it was an immediate invitation to go with Him and be taught for future ministries. To become was the process of transformation required to be effective in the Kingdom – the same is for us today in our ‘faith in training.’ Throughout the New Testament Jesus rewarded faith with His action over and over again. One example was giving sight to the blind men in Matthew. ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David…and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” Then He touched their eyes, saying ‘Let it be done for you according to your faith!’ And their eyes were opened.’” Matthew 9:27-30. This was faith in training for the disciples – the training was not for the blind men for their faith was immovable.
We must realize in our walk with Christ that we must always be on the lookout for His lessons and revelations regarding the faith of others. Faith speaks loud in action where fear acts out in chaos. God will move in our lives according to our own faith. Where doubt resides peace will not. God will work in our lives and in our Christian ministries according to our faith. He needs bold and courageous people to carry His message to the hurting and lost world.
In the case of the blind men ‘He linked His activity in their lives with their faith, not with their need, their fervency, their sincerity, or their righteousness. Throughout the Gospels Jesus repeatedly emphasized faith as the one requirement for God’s work in people’s lives. The exclusivity of this requirement thunders in no uncertain terms that anyone wanting to see God act must walk by faith.’ By Faith, Living in the Certainty of God’s Reality, p. 14.
As I ‘sit in wait’ for my next advancement into God’s work I will posture my own faith in a position of training and waiting. I must believe by faith that God will move me in His area of ministry designed for me and in His perfect timing. I do not want to place myself in a ministry ahead of my faith – I will fall short. Knowing that Father always knows best I tell Him this morning ‘Let it be done according to my faith!’
I never realized the omission of the word ‘become’ in my Bible. It wasn’t until this morning, as I cracked open a new Bible Study, I learned this word was omitted in many translations. My Bible states, ‘…I will make you fishers of men.’ As I put the word ‘become’ back into the text it fills me with good news this morning! It confirms that we are in a constant state of training and transformation in our ministry walk. We are in essence ‘becoming effective in God’s ministries.’
When Jesus called the disciples it was an immediate invitation to go with Him and be taught for future ministries. To become was the process of transformation required to be effective in the Kingdom – the same is for us today in our ‘faith in training.’ Throughout the New Testament Jesus rewarded faith with His action over and over again. One example was giving sight to the blind men in Matthew. ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David…and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” Then He touched their eyes, saying ‘Let it be done for you according to your faith!’ And their eyes were opened.’” Matthew 9:27-30. This was faith in training for the disciples – the training was not for the blind men for their faith was immovable.
We must realize in our walk with Christ that we must always be on the lookout for His lessons and revelations regarding the faith of others. Faith speaks loud in action where fear acts out in chaos. God will move in our lives according to our own faith. Where doubt resides peace will not. God will work in our lives and in our Christian ministries according to our faith. He needs bold and courageous people to carry His message to the hurting and lost world.
In the case of the blind men ‘He linked His activity in their lives with their faith, not with their need, their fervency, their sincerity, or their righteousness. Throughout the Gospels Jesus repeatedly emphasized faith as the one requirement for God’s work in people’s lives. The exclusivity of this requirement thunders in no uncertain terms that anyone wanting to see God act must walk by faith.’ By Faith, Living in the Certainty of God’s Reality, p. 14.
As I ‘sit in wait’ for my next advancement into God’s work I will posture my own faith in a position of training and waiting. I must believe by faith that God will move me in His area of ministry designed for me and in His perfect timing. I do not want to place myself in a ministry ahead of my faith – I will fall short. Knowing that Father always knows best I tell Him this morning ‘Let it be done according to my faith!’
Friday, May 6, 2011
IF...
“…if you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land.” Isaiah 1:19.
‘Seeking to hear God’s voice shows your willingness. Following through in faith and action displays obedience. The Bible says that if you do these things, God will bless you with good things.’ Seven Keys, p. 282
The passage to willingness and obedience is through fellowship with God. The passage to fellowship is through seeking Him first and growing in knowledge of who He is in our lives. God’s primary passion and priority is the Great Commission – bringing new people into the Family of Christ. The vessels in which He accomplishes this are His children who intimately know Him. This is why it is imperative to deepen our fellowship with God so we may be used to accomplish our part in the Great Commission. Our individual fellowship with God is His second priority which allows His first priority to be realized.
It is through our intimacy with God which allows Him to use us in bringing the lost and hurting into the fold. The saving of souls will always be at the base of God’s heart. ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’ Mark 2:17.
Just as Jesus used the disciples to minister to the lost He still wishes to use us as His disciples to minister to the needy, the hurting and the sinners. The Great Commission has not changed over the millenniums – just the faces of the people who served alongside of God. Through our fellowship with Christ, we become the hands and the feet of Jesus Christ as He accomplishes His work through our intimacy with Him.
When we are being used in accomplishing His work we will experience the best of Christ in our lives. We will be blessed through this willingness and obedience in ways we could never imagine!
‘Seeking to hear God’s voice shows your willingness. Following through in faith and action displays obedience. The Bible says that if you do these things, God will bless you with good things.’ Seven Keys, p. 282
The passage to willingness and obedience is through fellowship with God. The passage to fellowship is through seeking Him first and growing in knowledge of who He is in our lives. God’s primary passion and priority is the Great Commission – bringing new people into the Family of Christ. The vessels in which He accomplishes this are His children who intimately know Him. This is why it is imperative to deepen our fellowship with God so we may be used to accomplish our part in the Great Commission. Our individual fellowship with God is His second priority which allows His first priority to be realized.
It is through our intimacy with God which allows Him to use us in bringing the lost and hurting into the fold. The saving of souls will always be at the base of God’s heart. ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’ Mark 2:17.
Just as Jesus used the disciples to minister to the lost He still wishes to use us as His disciples to minister to the needy, the hurting and the sinners. The Great Commission has not changed over the millenniums – just the faces of the people who served alongside of God. Through our fellowship with Christ, we become the hands and the feet of Jesus Christ as He accomplishes His work through our intimacy with Him.
When we are being used in accomplishing His work we will experience the best of Christ in our lives. We will be blessed through this willingness and obedience in ways we could never imagine!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Please Set Aside
“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30
These were the words spoken by John the Baptist as he prepared to step aside when Jesus came on the scene. John was sent by God as a forerunner for Christ prophesying His coming for the redemption of mankind. John had developed quite a following for Christ and thankfully for our sake faded into the landscape of his time. Well aware of his preordained role, his job was to point to Christ.
Yesterday as I was preparing for Griefshare there was a sense of dread in my spirit. Our session the week before had been brutal as everyone’s emotions were so raw and feeding upon each other. I had been thrown off kilter the entire week by this, and felt extremely ineffective and insecure about any help I could offer. Bruce prayed for me prior to our session and during our session. I came to the session depleted of wisdom and empty of myself. Unintentinally and unknowingly this gave way to a clear highway for the Holy Spirit to accomplish His best work – when we step aside and let God be God.
The amazing flow of the Holy Spirit was in that room last night and everyone could feel the flow and channel of love, healing and hope. I am convinced that because I was in a decreased state (empty of my own ideas, thoughts and agenda) the Holy Spirit was in His increased state. I believe this is the experience in which John was speaking.
We must decrease ourselves in order for the Spirit to increase in showing us the mind and character of Christ. We must come empty of ourselves so we may be filled with the Spirit of God to do the work of the kingdom. We must live, move and walk within the Spirit and allow God to use our mouths, hands and feet to accomplish His will to a lost and dying world.
These were the words spoken by John the Baptist as he prepared to step aside when Jesus came on the scene. John was sent by God as a forerunner for Christ prophesying His coming for the redemption of mankind. John had developed quite a following for Christ and thankfully for our sake faded into the landscape of his time. Well aware of his preordained role, his job was to point to Christ.
Yesterday as I was preparing for Griefshare there was a sense of dread in my spirit. Our session the week before had been brutal as everyone’s emotions were so raw and feeding upon each other. I had been thrown off kilter the entire week by this, and felt extremely ineffective and insecure about any help I could offer. Bruce prayed for me prior to our session and during our session. I came to the session depleted of wisdom and empty of myself. Unintentinally and unknowingly this gave way to a clear highway for the Holy Spirit to accomplish His best work – when we step aside and let God be God.
The amazing flow of the Holy Spirit was in that room last night and everyone could feel the flow and channel of love, healing and hope. I am convinced that because I was in a decreased state (empty of my own ideas, thoughts and agenda) the Holy Spirit was in His increased state. I believe this is the experience in which John was speaking.
We must decrease ourselves in order for the Spirit to increase in showing us the mind and character of Christ. We must come empty of ourselves so we may be filled with the Spirit of God to do the work of the kingdom. We must live, move and walk within the Spirit and allow God to use our mouths, hands and feet to accomplish His will to a lost and dying world.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Go With God
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1.
As my Bible Study comes to a close I would suggest this one for everyone. A challenging element in our Christian walk is to know when we are hearing the voice of God. Even when we have peace that we are being led by God it is easy to lose that peace. God knows that every one of us will require encouragement, reassurance and multiple confirmations. The Seven Keys to Hearing God’s Voice by Craig Von Buseck has methodically and intentionally set out effective principles in hearing the voice of God. In an effort to include important points I am going to quote the manner in which he sums up the power of walking in faith.
“Once you are confident that you know God’s will, and you have His peace to move forward, take that step of faith and watch what God will do. Just like He did with Peter, when you lift your foot over the edge of the boat and step onto the water into obedience to His call, grace will come on the scene and God will do what it takes to see His will accomplished in your life. As you make your decision, remember that second thoughts are normal. Everyone experiences doubts, fears, and uneasiness during a major transition in life. Trust the Lord every step of the way. Go back and remember how the Lord made His will known to you, and rejoice that you have the Word of the Lord to sustain you through the challenges in any transition.
A person can bear almost any hardship if they know they are in God’s will. When you know the will of God, you can truly be thankful in every circumstance – having a grateful heart in all things and for all things. God is sovereign in our lives. He rules the circumstances we face. We can trust that our Father will only allow those things into our lives that will promote His ultimate purpose for us – and God is a good God!” Seven Keys.
Experiencing the peace of Christ in our decisions is not necessarily a complete and total freedom from concern but an assurance that the Lord will guide our new path.
Faith is not an absence of fear but a decision to walk forward in spite of our fear.
As my Bible Study comes to a close I would suggest this one for everyone. A challenging element in our Christian walk is to know when we are hearing the voice of God. Even when we have peace that we are being led by God it is easy to lose that peace. God knows that every one of us will require encouragement, reassurance and multiple confirmations. The Seven Keys to Hearing God’s Voice by Craig Von Buseck has methodically and intentionally set out effective principles in hearing the voice of God. In an effort to include important points I am going to quote the manner in which he sums up the power of walking in faith.
“Once you are confident that you know God’s will, and you have His peace to move forward, take that step of faith and watch what God will do. Just like He did with Peter, when you lift your foot over the edge of the boat and step onto the water into obedience to His call, grace will come on the scene and God will do what it takes to see His will accomplished in your life. As you make your decision, remember that second thoughts are normal. Everyone experiences doubts, fears, and uneasiness during a major transition in life. Trust the Lord every step of the way. Go back and remember how the Lord made His will known to you, and rejoice that you have the Word of the Lord to sustain you through the challenges in any transition.
A person can bear almost any hardship if they know they are in God’s will. When you know the will of God, you can truly be thankful in every circumstance – having a grateful heart in all things and for all things. God is sovereign in our lives. He rules the circumstances we face. We can trust that our Father will only allow those things into our lives that will promote His ultimate purpose for us – and God is a good God!” Seven Keys.
Experiencing the peace of Christ in our decisions is not necessarily a complete and total freedom from concern but an assurance that the Lord will guide our new path.
Faith is not an absence of fear but a decision to walk forward in spite of our fear.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Throwing Out Seed
“The farmer sows the word…As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them…on rocky places…Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life…choke the word making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop…even a hundred times what was sown.” Mark 4:14-20.
In this story told by Jesus we see several instances of the farmer sowing the seed. The seed is all the same with the difference being the ground in which it is planted.
When God speaks to our hearts we have many ways in which to respond much like the responses of those above. We can recognize God’s voice and receive His instructions but turn away from them when Satan threatens our comfort. He cannot steal our salvation so he has to steal the next best thing – our fellowship with God and the peace it brings. He disorients and distracts hoping we will begin to question what God had definitively told us.
We can lose the confidence in what God has told us based upon our fears and past failures. We can allow the worries of life to invade the message from God and distort what we originally knew He communicated to us. Our fears and adverse circumstances can choke out His original word making us question our ability to really hear God.
We must be like the third scenario which is the good soil. The soil of our hearts must be rich, constantly tilled and loosely packed so God can allow the word to take root. If we truly and faithfully accept His word, no amount of adversity can rob us of our fruit of the Spirit. If we see the adversity as the rains for growth upon the soil we can wait in thankful anticipation for the beautiful crop that will be ours when it comes in season.
‘The destiny of the seed in this parable was connected with the condition of the soil…Mature Christians will not merely react to what they see or sense in the natural world, but they will consistently seek the Lord for discernment on how to interpret the circumstances that they are facing.’ Seven Keys, p. 253.
‘Lay hold of my words with all your heart…Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.’ Prov. 4:4-5.
In this story told by Jesus we see several instances of the farmer sowing the seed. The seed is all the same with the difference being the ground in which it is planted.
When God speaks to our hearts we have many ways in which to respond much like the responses of those above. We can recognize God’s voice and receive His instructions but turn away from them when Satan threatens our comfort. He cannot steal our salvation so he has to steal the next best thing – our fellowship with God and the peace it brings. He disorients and distracts hoping we will begin to question what God had definitively told us.
We can lose the confidence in what God has told us based upon our fears and past failures. We can allow the worries of life to invade the message from God and distort what we originally knew He communicated to us. Our fears and adverse circumstances can choke out His original word making us question our ability to really hear God.
We must be like the third scenario which is the good soil. The soil of our hearts must be rich, constantly tilled and loosely packed so God can allow the word to take root. If we truly and faithfully accept His word, no amount of adversity can rob us of our fruit of the Spirit. If we see the adversity as the rains for growth upon the soil we can wait in thankful anticipation for the beautiful crop that will be ours when it comes in season.
‘The destiny of the seed in this parable was connected with the condition of the soil…Mature Christians will not merely react to what they see or sense in the natural world, but they will consistently seek the Lord for discernment on how to interpret the circumstances that they are facing.’ Seven Keys, p. 253.
‘Lay hold of my words with all your heart…Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.’ Prov. 4:4-5.
Monday, May 2, 2011
What Is In Your Hand?
“Who am I that I should go?” (Exodus 3:11) Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?” Then the LORD said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’” (Exodus 4:1-2)
God commanded Moses to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites, God’s chosen people. The enormity of the command had to frighten Moses beyond comprehension given the circumstances. The Israelites were slaves to the leadership of Egypt and were treated with cruel and difficult working and living conditions. When God first approached Moses, his doubt was in himself. Moses questioned his own credibility and authority in accomplishing God’s will. Once God settled that question, Moses questioned whether they would believe him as if God wasn’t equipped to prove Himself to these people. The response from God to Moses is both priceless and applicable to us today. God was saying to Moses that He has given him the ability and the tools required to carry through with this command.
‘What is that in your hand?’ When God positions us to move forward in service and ministry He gives us the ability and provisions required to accomplish the ministry. He will not send us to do His work empty handed. We get so hung up on the how that many times we lose sight of the power of the Who. Fortunately, our God is a God of patience and revelation. He will remind us of our strengths that He has developed, and the wisdom that we have attained through Him.
When we lose our confidence in what He is calling us to accomplish, He will lovingly and faithfully remind and encourage us. He will touch us with His loving Spirit, wink at us with His encouraging eyes, smile and say, ‘What is that in your hand?’
These words will gently remind us that we are fully equipped and ready to soar.
God commanded Moses to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites, God’s chosen people. The enormity of the command had to frighten Moses beyond comprehension given the circumstances. The Israelites were slaves to the leadership of Egypt and were treated with cruel and difficult working and living conditions. When God first approached Moses, his doubt was in himself. Moses questioned his own credibility and authority in accomplishing God’s will. Once God settled that question, Moses questioned whether they would believe him as if God wasn’t equipped to prove Himself to these people. The response from God to Moses is both priceless and applicable to us today. God was saying to Moses that He has given him the ability and the tools required to carry through with this command.
‘What is that in your hand?’ When God positions us to move forward in service and ministry He gives us the ability and provisions required to accomplish the ministry. He will not send us to do His work empty handed. We get so hung up on the how that many times we lose sight of the power of the Who. Fortunately, our God is a God of patience and revelation. He will remind us of our strengths that He has developed, and the wisdom that we have attained through Him.
When we lose our confidence in what He is calling us to accomplish, He will lovingly and faithfully remind and encourage us. He will touch us with His loving Spirit, wink at us with His encouraging eyes, smile and say, ‘What is that in your hand?’
These words will gently remind us that we are fully equipped and ready to soar.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
