2 Kings 5:1-3 tells us about a great commander of the armies named Naaman. He was a high ranking official, a general in the army. And then, there was his wife’s little maid. Read the rest of the chapter to get the whole story.
His wife’s maid was a “servant”. This was actually a promotion in God’s Kingdom, because God had an assignment for her to do. She didn’t get into this “position” by chance. She was good at her job, no matter how menial it may have seemed to those on the outside looking in. If she hadn’t been there to do her “assignment” by using her gifts and abilities, things may have turned out quite differently. God knew she was the one who would be obedient and fulfill this task for Him.
Psalm 37:23 states that “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way”. Her steps were ordered of the Lord. She had an assignment.
Sometimes we are in “positions” that we resist. You tell yourself it’s too menial. I have more to offer…blah, blah, blah. I could actually be a promotion in the Kingdom of God. Does God have an assignment for you? Has He given you this position to accomplish a mission for the Kingdom? There are no mistakes when He has ordered your steps.
My favorite Scripture tells it like no other. Acts 17:26-27:
“And He made from one common origin, one source, one blood, all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined their allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation, their settlements, lands, and abodes, so that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us.”
It’s my favorite Scripture because it has been an encouragement to me for years. When I felt lost and out of place, I read that verse. When things didn’t fit in my life, I read that verse. When nothing fell in line, I read that verse. He was placing me in position to seek after Him. The circumstances of my life caused me to seek after Him.
We are in the “place” and “time” where He has placed us. God assigns you your residence. You don’t choose where to live. He knows where you will seek Him the most. One translation says that we would “grope” after Him as in desperately groping for something in the dark. He places us in time, place, and circumstances so that we will “grope” after Him, to seek after Him. He wants us dependent on Him. He wants to give us direction and assignments where we are, in the midst of sometimes overwhelming circumstances.
So, no matter where you are and what you are doing, God has an assignment. It may seem small, but may accomplish much. Naaman was used by God to win battles. He was a mighty warrior and was gifted of God as a leader. Had he not been healed, what good would he have been to God’s army? Had the little maid not obeyed God, Naaman would have lost position and ultimately died. Israel would have lost battles and suffered great loss. You tell me the little maid didn’t have a big assignment? Her obedience saved the nation. How important are you to God’s Kingdom? You never know………just be obedient where you are.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Who Guards the Shepherd?
1 Samuel 26:1-16 shows us a principle that applies to our lives today, but many feel free to ignore or don’t have spiritual understanding in the matter. It is very important to understand that honoring authority is high on God’s priority list.
The statement that is the center of this whole passage is in verse 16: “What you have done is not good. As surely as the Lord lives, you and your men deserve to die, because you did not guard your master, the Lord’s anointed”. Wow! You deserve to die!!?!! Sounds like serious business to me. Sounds like serious business to God.
We are held accountable to God to guard those in authority over us. Romans chapter 13 is clear on the matter of authority:
“1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment…give honor to whom honor is due”.
Honor: high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor
Resisting authority here in Romans 13 doesn’t mean that you do everything no matter what. Our examples are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. You honor God number one. All others authorities fall into place after honoring God and His Word. You can “respectfully” honor them without agreeing with them. That is the same as with our parents. The Word tells us to “honor” our parents in Deuteronomy 5:16 and Ephesians 6:2. That’s the only verse with such a great promise. The Word tells us that “our days will be long and things will go well with us”. We don’t have to agree with everything, but honor their position as God has chosen them to give you a place in this earth and His Kingdom.
Leadership and authority are flesh as we are. We all “sin and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The onslaught of the enemy is many times harder on those in leadership. They need us in their corner.
Have we dishonored God’s appointed and anointed? Have we disrespected the one God put in authority over us? What have we done to protect them spiritually even when we haven’t agreed with them? Have we encouraged them in the Lord? Have we prayed for them? I Timothy 2:1-4 even tells us why we need to pray for those in authority. Have we loved them and treated them also as a brother or sister in Christ? Have we borne their burdens? (Galatians 6:2). Have we been Aaron and Hur to them? Have we lifted their arms up in battle? (Ephesians 6:10-18). Have we stood in their corner through their failures? (James 5:16) or have we deserted them? Have we helped to restore?
David is our example. He did his best to honor God’s authority over him. He didn’t cross that line of disrespect. AND, in the natural or flesh, we would agree he deserved to take revenge. Saul was evil to him on so many levels. Yet, David fought battles for Saul. He killed Saul’s enemies. He sang and played music for Saul to calm his spirit. David used all his gifts and talents to honor the King. He also knew when he had to leave. That is the reality in many of our lives. There is a time to leave…without dishonoring the other person’s authority.
There were many times after “leaving” that David had to stay in a stronghold for protection. But there was a time that he left the stronghold to go into the land of Judah (1 Samuel 22:5). The Prophet Gad came to him to tell him to go. God’s timing is everything. He knows that sometimes we need protection. Sometimes we need to be out of the way for a while. But, He sends those along side of us to give direction. The best thing the Prophet Gad did was tell him to leave the bondage and go into PRAISE…from the stronghold to Judah. That’s the place we need to be in the midst of it all as well.
God holds us accountable to “guard the shepherd”. We may have to do it from a distance, but let us honor God by doing so.
1 Samuel 26
9David said to Abishai, Do not destroy him; for who can raise his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?
The statement that is the center of this whole passage is in verse 16: “What you have done is not good. As surely as the Lord lives, you and your men deserve to die, because you did not guard your master, the Lord’s anointed”. Wow! You deserve to die!!?!! Sounds like serious business to me. Sounds like serious business to God.
We are held accountable to God to guard those in authority over us. Romans chapter 13 is clear on the matter of authority:
“1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment…give honor to whom honor is due”.
Honor: high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor
Resisting authority here in Romans 13 doesn’t mean that you do everything no matter what. Our examples are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. You honor God number one. All others authorities fall into place after honoring God and His Word. You can “respectfully” honor them without agreeing with them. That is the same as with our parents. The Word tells us to “honor” our parents in Deuteronomy 5:16 and Ephesians 6:2. That’s the only verse with such a great promise. The Word tells us that “our days will be long and things will go well with us”. We don’t have to agree with everything, but honor their position as God has chosen them to give you a place in this earth and His Kingdom.
Leadership and authority are flesh as we are. We all “sin and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The onslaught of the enemy is many times harder on those in leadership. They need us in their corner.
Have we dishonored God’s appointed and anointed? Have we disrespected the one God put in authority over us? What have we done to protect them spiritually even when we haven’t agreed with them? Have we encouraged them in the Lord? Have we prayed for them? I Timothy 2:1-4 even tells us why we need to pray for those in authority. Have we loved them and treated them also as a brother or sister in Christ? Have we borne their burdens? (Galatians 6:2). Have we been Aaron and Hur to them? Have we lifted their arms up in battle? (Ephesians 6:10-18). Have we stood in their corner through their failures? (James 5:16) or have we deserted them? Have we helped to restore?
David is our example. He did his best to honor God’s authority over him. He didn’t cross that line of disrespect. AND, in the natural or flesh, we would agree he deserved to take revenge. Saul was evil to him on so many levels. Yet, David fought battles for Saul. He killed Saul’s enemies. He sang and played music for Saul to calm his spirit. David used all his gifts and talents to honor the King. He also knew when he had to leave. That is the reality in many of our lives. There is a time to leave…without dishonoring the other person’s authority.
There were many times after “leaving” that David had to stay in a stronghold for protection. But there was a time that he left the stronghold to go into the land of Judah (1 Samuel 22:5). The Prophet Gad came to him to tell him to go. God’s timing is everything. He knows that sometimes we need protection. Sometimes we need to be out of the way for a while. But, He sends those along side of us to give direction. The best thing the Prophet Gad did was tell him to leave the bondage and go into PRAISE…from the stronghold to Judah. That’s the place we need to be in the midst of it all as well.
God holds us accountable to “guard the shepherd”. We may have to do it from a distance, but let us honor God by doing so.
1 Samuel 26
9David said to Abishai, Do not destroy him; for who can raise his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Difficult Relationships
1 Samuel 24 tells the story of David confronting Saul about their relationship. He practiced the New Testament Scriptures in Matthew 5 and 18 before they were in ink. He knew his brother had ought against him, so he went to him. He finally had the safe opportunity to confront Saul. It is about “timing” in these situations.
Saul made an oath to David and David made an oath to Saul not to forget his lineage………yet David went back to the stronghold. Hmmmmm…….David knew he still wasn’t to have relationship with Saul even though Saul still was anointed of God and was David’s father-in-law. He knew Saul’s character. He knew God’s voice. He knew that we have to be careful to fellowship with those who don’t practice the works of the flesh.
You are responsible to obey God’s Word. You are not responsible for the other person’s reactions, actions, thoughts, deeds. They are accountable to God. No matter what you “do”, you cannot make some things right. You can only obey God’s Word and pray. It doesn’t seem like enough sometimes, but it is. The other person has to be left in God’s hands for recovery, restoration, and discipline. Hear the Holy Spirit’s voice and walk on. It may mean shaking the dust from your feet in some situations. It may mean sitting quietly in the background of the other person’s life…..being there to help if needed, but not giving of the secrets of your heart. We can’t have a “special” relationship with everyone. We are to love no matter what happens. It’s not easy to have broken relationships, but if you’ve done what you’ve known to do according to God’s Word, love, and pray, “YOU” can’t do any more. Leave it in God’s hands. David was our example for difficult relationships.
Saul made an oath to David and David made an oath to Saul not to forget his lineage………yet David went back to the stronghold. Hmmmmm…….David knew he still wasn’t to have relationship with Saul even though Saul still was anointed of God and was David’s father-in-law. He knew Saul’s character. He knew God’s voice. He knew that we have to be careful to fellowship with those who don’t practice the works of the flesh.
You are responsible to obey God’s Word. You are not responsible for the other person’s reactions, actions, thoughts, deeds. They are accountable to God. No matter what you “do”, you cannot make some things right. You can only obey God’s Word and pray. It doesn’t seem like enough sometimes, but it is. The other person has to be left in God’s hands for recovery, restoration, and discipline. Hear the Holy Spirit’s voice and walk on. It may mean shaking the dust from your feet in some situations. It may mean sitting quietly in the background of the other person’s life…..being there to help if needed, but not giving of the secrets of your heart. We can’t have a “special” relationship with everyone. We are to love no matter what happens. It’s not easy to have broken relationships, but if you’ve done what you’ve known to do according to God’s Word, love, and pray, “YOU” can’t do any more. Leave it in God’s hands. David was our example for difficult relationships.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Leadership
1 Samuel 18:1-2, 5
“1 WHEN DAVID had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own life. 2 Saul took David that day and would not let him return to his father's house… 5 And David went out wherever Saul sent him, and he prospered and behaved himself wisely; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was satisfactory both to the people and to Saul's servants.”
David had just killed Goliath and presented himself to King Saul. Verse 2 tells us that his acts of faith and obedience “brought him before great men” and that “his gift made room for him” (Proverbs 18:16). He was entering a level of training to become the man he needed to be to fulfill his destiny…..King.
David was under Saul’s leadership – even though Saul was a bad leader: That’s where God placed him for a time of training and internship. In Matthew, Jesus told the people to listen and learn from the Scribes and Pharisees. What they were teaching was right and they should do what the Scribes and Pharisees SAY...BUT, don’t DO what they DO. Wouldn’t it be nice to be under the leadership of a good king, a man of great character, a man with a heart after God? Well it doesn’t always happen that way. Because of this, we should look at this example in God’s Word carefully.
David learned a great deal of what he needed for future kingship, even under poor leadership – a rebellious, self-centered King Saul. David followed the Lord’s leading on a daily basis in obedience to the king, even though he knew he was anointed to be king. He “behaved himself wisely” and waited on the Lord by “actively serving” until his place in history would be settled. He honored the Kingship, even though he knew that King Saul wasn’t a man of honor. God placed him in that role, and we are blessed when we give honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7). David knew that principle and practiced it at every level of his journey and at every opportunity.
So, no matter what is happening in the “head”, we still can learn so many valuable lessons and get valuable training for the days ahead. Bless God for where you are. Be full of thanksgiving and praise Him for your situation. Only God knows what the blessings and outflow from your life will be for enduring these situations.
Saul treated David badly…..yet he trusted him to do things he didn’t trust anybody else to do. He knew David’s character was good and stable. 1 Samuel 18:12-16 tells us that:
"12 Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul. 13 So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. 14 And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him. 15 And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them."
Saul’s fear of David’s anointing didn’t stop Saul from trying to destroy this good man. You may run into the same situation in your own life or may have already seen it in the lives or your friends.
The works of the flesh were very evident in Saul’s life. He was very jealous of David. The Bible tells us that when envy and jealousy are present, so are all the other works of the flesh (James 3:16). It’s not a pretty picture. It must have seemed like his problems were never going to end, but David remained steadfast in following God’s ways. He went through physical and personal attacks. He had to go into hiding. It wasn’t easy for David. It was it was a very hard seven years before he became King and then he wasn’t fully king at that point. More had to transpire to get him into full position. But, God had someone in his corner….Jonathon.
Through this difficult time in David’s life, he had an armor-bearer and friend. God sends those along side of us in life to help us. We in turn help them. We are to be by each others’ side to help each other along, especially in difficult times. We are to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2) and to “encourage each other daily in the Lord” (Hebrews 3:13)…..that’s the only way we will make it to the fulfillment of God’s purpose for us on this planet. Are you holding up the progress of someone else by not being the armor-bearer God called you to be? Is someone going through unnecessary battles alone because you are failing to lift them up?
Just like David, there may not be very many at our side at times, but numbers don’t matter. Here is where the “quality” vs. “quantity” factor really applies. It’s the quality of the relationships, not the quantity that help us stand and not fall. Every one needs an “Aaron and a Hur” to hold us up in battle.
Just as in David’s situation, the time comes when the ministry relationship has to end. The grace for the time under that leadership lifts, and we must take our destiny position and/or sometimes move on to instruction under another leader, prophet, pastor, teacher, etc. Sometimes it’s a situation where we have to “shake the dust” from our feet. Listen to God carefully. He will bring you out into that purpose as you walk with integrity and “behave yourself wisely”.
“1 WHEN DAVID had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own life. 2 Saul took David that day and would not let him return to his father's house… 5 And David went out wherever Saul sent him, and he prospered and behaved himself wisely; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was satisfactory both to the people and to Saul's servants.”
David had just killed Goliath and presented himself to King Saul. Verse 2 tells us that his acts of faith and obedience “brought him before great men” and that “his gift made room for him” (Proverbs 18:16). He was entering a level of training to become the man he needed to be to fulfill his destiny…..King.
David was under Saul’s leadership – even though Saul was a bad leader: That’s where God placed him for a time of training and internship. In Matthew, Jesus told the people to listen and learn from the Scribes and Pharisees. What they were teaching was right and they should do what the Scribes and Pharisees SAY...BUT, don’t DO what they DO. Wouldn’t it be nice to be under the leadership of a good king, a man of great character, a man with a heart after God? Well it doesn’t always happen that way. Because of this, we should look at this example in God’s Word carefully.
David learned a great deal of what he needed for future kingship, even under poor leadership – a rebellious, self-centered King Saul. David followed the Lord’s leading on a daily basis in obedience to the king, even though he knew he was anointed to be king. He “behaved himself wisely” and waited on the Lord by “actively serving” until his place in history would be settled. He honored the Kingship, even though he knew that King Saul wasn’t a man of honor. God placed him in that role, and we are blessed when we give honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7). David knew that principle and practiced it at every level of his journey and at every opportunity.
So, no matter what is happening in the “head”, we still can learn so many valuable lessons and get valuable training for the days ahead. Bless God for where you are. Be full of thanksgiving and praise Him for your situation. Only God knows what the blessings and outflow from your life will be for enduring these situations.
Saul treated David badly…..yet he trusted him to do things he didn’t trust anybody else to do. He knew David’s character was good and stable. 1 Samuel 18:12-16 tells us that:
"12 Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul. 13 So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. 14 And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him. 15 And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them."
Saul’s fear of David’s anointing didn’t stop Saul from trying to destroy this good man. You may run into the same situation in your own life or may have already seen it in the lives or your friends.
The works of the flesh were very evident in Saul’s life. He was very jealous of David. The Bible tells us that when envy and jealousy are present, so are all the other works of the flesh (James 3:16). It’s not a pretty picture. It must have seemed like his problems were never going to end, but David remained steadfast in following God’s ways. He went through physical and personal attacks. He had to go into hiding. It wasn’t easy for David. It was it was a very hard seven years before he became King and then he wasn’t fully king at that point. More had to transpire to get him into full position. But, God had someone in his corner….Jonathon.
Through this difficult time in David’s life, he had an armor-bearer and friend. God sends those along side of us in life to help us. We in turn help them. We are to be by each others’ side to help each other along, especially in difficult times. We are to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2) and to “encourage each other daily in the Lord” (Hebrews 3:13)…..that’s the only way we will make it to the fulfillment of God’s purpose for us on this planet. Are you holding up the progress of someone else by not being the armor-bearer God called you to be? Is someone going through unnecessary battles alone because you are failing to lift them up?
Just like David, there may not be very many at our side at times, but numbers don’t matter. Here is where the “quality” vs. “quantity” factor really applies. It’s the quality of the relationships, not the quantity that help us stand and not fall. Every one needs an “Aaron and a Hur” to hold us up in battle.
Just as in David’s situation, the time comes when the ministry relationship has to end. The grace for the time under that leadership lifts, and we must take our destiny position and/or sometimes move on to instruction under another leader, prophet, pastor, teacher, etc. Sometimes it’s a situation where we have to “shake the dust” from our feet. Listen to God carefully. He will bring you out into that purpose as you walk with integrity and “behave yourself wisely”.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Trust
I’m sure, since the beginning of time, we have had certain Scriptures backwards in our practice of living a Christian life. There is one practice on which I would like to place my focus. It’s the matter of TRUST.
How many times in our lives have we trusted a friend, only to be hurt because they didn’t “come through for us”. What we are really saying is that they didn’t fulfill our need or want. They didn’t fulfill our expectation. They didn’t “prefer” us above themselves or somebody else. They didn’t do what we assumed they should do for us or somebody else. Sounds a little self-absorbed and self-centered.
Because we “trusted” them or had “expectations” of them, we were let down, it affected our relationship. We had to go through all sorts of emotional ups and downs, hurt feelings, separations, healing of emotions, etc. The worst part is that we “judged” them and became critical of them and their walk with God.
The Scripture tells us “not to judge, lest we be judged” (Matthew 7:1) (Also check out Luke 6). When we see a brother “overtaken in a fault (or sin)……restore such a one in the spirit of meekness” ( have the authority and power to rip them up, but not doing it) (Galatians 6:1).
Now the above two Scriptures are very different. If you see someone in a dangerous place, you’re not judging. You try to restore. Judging is being critical because they didn’t fulfill your expectations of them. I don’t see in the Word of God where I’m supposed to expect YOU to fulfill my desires, needs, wants.
Proverbs 11:13 implies we are to be "trustworthy": "He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy and faithful in spirit keeps the matter hidden." BUT,
NO where in the Bible does it say to TRUST man. In fact, there are Scriptures that tell us NOT to trust in man or things made by man (i.e. “don’t trust in horses or chariots”).
Jeremiah 9:4
Take ye heed every one of his neighbor, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanders.
Micah 7:5
Trust not in a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Keep the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your bosom.
Jeremiah 17:9 tells us:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
Now we can’t even trust in our own heart?! None of us can say our heart has never tricked us. None of us can say we never had a fleshy desire or an expectation of another. God made us with emotions, but emotions can be handled in the right way or wrong way. He knows we are flesh. He knows the flesh is hard to overcome, but He has made a way of escape. He tells us to crucify the flesh, take our thoughts captive, get wise godly counsel, confess our faults one to another, pray without ceasing, etc. All of these practices keep that deceitful, wicked heart in check. When we don’t keep it in check, things get out of order in our lives.
Psalm 37:3
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”
There are many Scriptures that tell us to TRUST God:
Hebrews 2:13; Psalm 18:2; Psalm 18:30; Psalm 31:14;
Psalm 4:5; Psalm 37:3-5; Psalm 71:1; Psalm 91:2;
Psalm 5:11; Psalm 118:8; Proverbs 3:5; Proverbs 22:19;
Isaiah 36:7; Isaiah 50:10
(Not an exhaustive list.)
I didn’t find a Scripture to tell me to TRUST man. BUT, I did find plenty of Scriptures to tell me to LOVE man:
I John 3:14-17; I John 4:7-21; Colossians 2:2; I Timothy 1:5;
Hebrews 13:1; Leviticus 19:18; Proverbs 10:12; Matthew 5:44;
John 13:35; John 15:12; Romans 12:9; Romans 13:10;
I Peter 4:8; I Peter 2:17
(Not an exhaustive list.)
We, as the Body of Christ, have gotten this backwards. We have tended to TRUST in man, and LOVE God, when God told us to TRUST GOD, and LOVE PEOPLE. Of course, we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength also, but God has made a very strong point in His Word to LOVE people. If we can get that in the right order, there will be a lot less of the works of the flesh operating in the Church.
Let’s use the Scripture as a measuring stick, not each other. I Corinthians 13 tells us exactly what we need to expect from ourselves as we surrender to Him and let God’s love flow through us. If we can’t see it, we need more surrender. It’s not about “feeling” it. It’s about “doing” it. He tells us that “apart from Me, you can do nothing”. We can’t “do” this on our own. It flows out of relationship with Him.
"4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. 6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. 7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 8 Love never fails."
God wants us to love unconditionally as He does. If our emotions get in the way of doing that, then we have put our trust in flesh.
Remember to TRUST GOD and LOVE MAN.
How many times in our lives have we trusted a friend, only to be hurt because they didn’t “come through for us”. What we are really saying is that they didn’t fulfill our need or want. They didn’t fulfill our expectation. They didn’t “prefer” us above themselves or somebody else. They didn’t do what we assumed they should do for us or somebody else. Sounds a little self-absorbed and self-centered.
Because we “trusted” them or had “expectations” of them, we were let down, it affected our relationship. We had to go through all sorts of emotional ups and downs, hurt feelings, separations, healing of emotions, etc. The worst part is that we “judged” them and became critical of them and their walk with God.
The Scripture tells us “not to judge, lest we be judged” (Matthew 7:1) (Also check out Luke 6). When we see a brother “overtaken in a fault (or sin)……restore such a one in the spirit of meekness” ( have the authority and power to rip them up, but not doing it) (Galatians 6:1).
Now the above two Scriptures are very different. If you see someone in a dangerous place, you’re not judging. You try to restore. Judging is being critical because they didn’t fulfill your expectations of them. I don’t see in the Word of God where I’m supposed to expect YOU to fulfill my desires, needs, wants.
Proverbs 11:13 implies we are to be "trustworthy": "He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy and faithful in spirit keeps the matter hidden." BUT,
NO where in the Bible does it say to TRUST man. In fact, there are Scriptures that tell us NOT to trust in man or things made by man (i.e. “don’t trust in horses or chariots”).
Jeremiah 9:4
Take ye heed every one of his neighbor, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanders.
Micah 7:5
Trust not in a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Keep the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your bosom.
Jeremiah 17:9 tells us:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
Now we can’t even trust in our own heart?! None of us can say our heart has never tricked us. None of us can say we never had a fleshy desire or an expectation of another. God made us with emotions, but emotions can be handled in the right way or wrong way. He knows we are flesh. He knows the flesh is hard to overcome, but He has made a way of escape. He tells us to crucify the flesh, take our thoughts captive, get wise godly counsel, confess our faults one to another, pray without ceasing, etc. All of these practices keep that deceitful, wicked heart in check. When we don’t keep it in check, things get out of order in our lives.
Psalm 37:3
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”
There are many Scriptures that tell us to TRUST God:
Hebrews 2:13; Psalm 18:2; Psalm 18:30; Psalm 31:14;
Psalm 4:5; Psalm 37:3-5; Psalm 71:1; Psalm 91:2;
Psalm 5:11; Psalm 118:8; Proverbs 3:5; Proverbs 22:19;
Isaiah 36:7; Isaiah 50:10
(Not an exhaustive list.)
I didn’t find a Scripture to tell me to TRUST man. BUT, I did find plenty of Scriptures to tell me to LOVE man:
I John 3:14-17; I John 4:7-21; Colossians 2:2; I Timothy 1:5;
Hebrews 13:1; Leviticus 19:18; Proverbs 10:12; Matthew 5:44;
John 13:35; John 15:12; Romans 12:9; Romans 13:10;
I Peter 4:8; I Peter 2:17
(Not an exhaustive list.)
We, as the Body of Christ, have gotten this backwards. We have tended to TRUST in man, and LOVE God, when God told us to TRUST GOD, and LOVE PEOPLE. Of course, we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength also, but God has made a very strong point in His Word to LOVE people. If we can get that in the right order, there will be a lot less of the works of the flesh operating in the Church.
Let’s use the Scripture as a measuring stick, not each other. I Corinthians 13 tells us exactly what we need to expect from ourselves as we surrender to Him and let God’s love flow through us. If we can’t see it, we need more surrender. It’s not about “feeling” it. It’s about “doing” it. He tells us that “apart from Me, you can do nothing”. We can’t “do” this on our own. It flows out of relationship with Him.
"4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. 6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. 7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 8 Love never fails."
God wants us to love unconditionally as He does. If our emotions get in the way of doing that, then we have put our trust in flesh.
Remember to TRUST GOD and LOVE MAN.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Servanthood
Jesus said He came to be “servant of all”. We are to follow His example in all things. To serve one another in love……………that’s the missing part…… “love”.
So many times we “do” things out of obligation to others or out of guilt or to cover our tracks in some way. That’s not what God has called us to do. He said to serve one another in love………preferring the other person above ourselves.
Through observation you can obtain a lot of knowledge, but better yet, a lot of understanding. When you see people who really love each other and have “relationship”, they have joy in giving of their time and energy. It’s a pleasure for them to serve one another.
That’s the example for the Body of Christ. When you see others “serving” but with “attitude”, that shows the lack of the “intimacy” of love. It shows lack of “relationship”……not “relationship” with that person, but “relationship” with the Lover of our souls. It’s a sure-fire way to check your “love” tank level. If you don’t enjoy “doing” for others, or a particular “other”, then you have a “love” issue. You’re too self-absorbed, self-focused, and selfish. It’s not “what about me”, it’s about “what about others”. How can I bless God and bless others? That’s the servant’s heart. A heart we are all supposed to have.
So many times we “do” things out of obligation to others or out of guilt or to cover our tracks in some way. That’s not what God has called us to do. He said to serve one another in love………preferring the other person above ourselves.
Through observation you can obtain a lot of knowledge, but better yet, a lot of understanding. When you see people who really love each other and have “relationship”, they have joy in giving of their time and energy. It’s a pleasure for them to serve one another.
That’s the example for the Body of Christ. When you see others “serving” but with “attitude”, that shows the lack of the “intimacy” of love. It shows lack of “relationship”……not “relationship” with that person, but “relationship” with the Lover of our souls. It’s a sure-fire way to check your “love” tank level. If you don’t enjoy “doing” for others, or a particular “other”, then you have a “love” issue. You’re too self-absorbed, self-focused, and selfish. It’s not “what about me”, it’s about “what about others”. How can I bless God and bless others? That’s the servant’s heart. A heart we are all supposed to have.
Jonah
I heard a new twist to the story of Jonah that I’d like to share. It’s from the viewpoint of the mariners of the ship. It really struck a chord in my heart and gave me new revelation of what I was going through in my life.
The Story:
Jonah hopped on board a boat that was on a mission, they had a destination and the supplies they needed to reach that destination. They already had the plan of action and the cargo they needed to carry out their mission. They were not a passenger boat, but thought they would be kind to Jonah and let him ride along since they thought they were going the same direction.
When the storm came up, the mariners thought to go back to the shore from which they came to save everyone and everything. It wasn’t the direction they were supposed to be going. But, going back to the shore wasn’t an option. The storm was too rough no matter what direction they went.
Jonah told them to throw him overboard. He knew he was running from God. They still wanted to help him. So, they started throwing their supplies and other cargo overboard……things they needed to accomplish their mission. They thought they would help the situation. Jonah knew he was the cause of it all.
The Point:
They both were on a mission. They both were valuable to what they were called to do.
The Revelation:
Isn’t it interesting……the people we let “onboard” our lives? We think they are going the same direction. When, in fact, they have a complete different agenda and are supposed to be going the complete opposite direction. They know it, but they play along to get a ride to “somewhere”. Then the raging storms come up, things have to be confronted. Drastic measures have to take place at that point.
Sometimes God allows the storms to keep us from going back the wrong direction. Sometimes we have to be held steady in the middle of things until we can go forward again. It’s painful to lose the supplies and cargo needed for your mission, but it’s more painful to have to throw your Jonah overboard. But, in the end, it’s best for all involved. Jonah is just as valuable in what he’s supposed to do, but causes storms in others’ lives because of disobedience.
Jonah finally obeyed God, but had an attitude problem even after God showed Himself as Saviour to him and the people of Ninevah. The mariners weren’t the problem. They had nothing to do with the issue of his running or his attitude. Those were problems he had to work out with God. He made his problems himself. He chose to run from God. He chose to deceive those around him. He stirred up the storms in the mariners lives.
The mariners were no doubt more careful the next time they decided to let someone onboard. They couldn’t afford to compromise their mission or risk their lives and the lives of others for the sake of a Jonah.
The Practical Side:
God wants us to be kind and loving, to show mercy and compassion to others. But, sometimes that compassion and mercy is best served by spurring them on to repentance and responsibility. Too many people have an idea of compassion and mercy as “Oh, you poor baby. Let’s not let anyone hurt you again” type attitude. That’s not God’s mercy and compassion. Mercy isn’t stopping pain from happening in someone’s life. Mercy is helping someone to get on with their mission, no matter how painful it may seem. Tell the Truth in love. Support one another in prayer. But for the sake of all those around and the Kingdom purposes, don’t “baby” the children of God forever. It’s time to grow up into Him and take a stand for His Kingdom.
The Story:
Jonah hopped on board a boat that was on a mission, they had a destination and the supplies they needed to reach that destination. They already had the plan of action and the cargo they needed to carry out their mission. They were not a passenger boat, but thought they would be kind to Jonah and let him ride along since they thought they were going the same direction.
When the storm came up, the mariners thought to go back to the shore from which they came to save everyone and everything. It wasn’t the direction they were supposed to be going. But, going back to the shore wasn’t an option. The storm was too rough no matter what direction they went.
Jonah told them to throw him overboard. He knew he was running from God. They still wanted to help him. So, they started throwing their supplies and other cargo overboard……things they needed to accomplish their mission. They thought they would help the situation. Jonah knew he was the cause of it all.
The Point:
They both were on a mission. They both were valuable to what they were called to do.
The Revelation:
Isn’t it interesting……the people we let “onboard” our lives? We think they are going the same direction. When, in fact, they have a complete different agenda and are supposed to be going the complete opposite direction. They know it, but they play along to get a ride to “somewhere”. Then the raging storms come up, things have to be confronted. Drastic measures have to take place at that point.
Sometimes God allows the storms to keep us from going back the wrong direction. Sometimes we have to be held steady in the middle of things until we can go forward again. It’s painful to lose the supplies and cargo needed for your mission, but it’s more painful to have to throw your Jonah overboard. But, in the end, it’s best for all involved. Jonah is just as valuable in what he’s supposed to do, but causes storms in others’ lives because of disobedience.
Jonah finally obeyed God, but had an attitude problem even after God showed Himself as Saviour to him and the people of Ninevah. The mariners weren’t the problem. They had nothing to do with the issue of his running or his attitude. Those were problems he had to work out with God. He made his problems himself. He chose to run from God. He chose to deceive those around him. He stirred up the storms in the mariners lives.
The mariners were no doubt more careful the next time they decided to let someone onboard. They couldn’t afford to compromise their mission or risk their lives and the lives of others for the sake of a Jonah.
The Practical Side:
God wants us to be kind and loving, to show mercy and compassion to others. But, sometimes that compassion and mercy is best served by spurring them on to repentance and responsibility. Too many people have an idea of compassion and mercy as “Oh, you poor baby. Let’s not let anyone hurt you again” type attitude. That’s not God’s mercy and compassion. Mercy isn’t stopping pain from happening in someone’s life. Mercy is helping someone to get on with their mission, no matter how painful it may seem. Tell the Truth in love. Support one another in prayer. But for the sake of all those around and the Kingdom purposes, don’t “baby” the children of God forever. It’s time to grow up into Him and take a stand for His Kingdom.
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