Many are duped into thinking if God has called them to something, they will feel confident or up to the task. This is not the case. In our service of God He always makes an allowance for faith in Him. If we felt confidence in ourselves to accomplish anything for God, we will ultimately fail because without Him we can do nothing. The truth is, feelings of inadequacy and helplessness facing what we believe God has called us to do puts us in great company. We are not sufficient, but we can do all things through Jesus who strengthens us.
This came to mind when reading Jeremiah 1:4-7: "Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
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"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
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Then said I: "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth."
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But the LORD said to me: "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak." God formed the prophet Jeremiah for a specific role and calling, yet Jeremiah did not feel up to the task. "I cannot speak," Jeremiah said. "I'm too young!" God gently rebuked Jeremiah, reminding him in God's power he was the man for the job. Jeremiah trusted in God and His Word, and faced unspeakable trials and difficulties in answering God's call. Bless the LORD, for He caused Jeremiah to endure faithfully.
How about Moses? When God called out to Moses from the burning bush in Exodus 3, he had many reservations. Exodus 4:1 says, "Then Moses answered and said, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you.' " Moses was around 80 years old, but he was concerned about what other people would think. He doubted anyone would listen to him. God provided three miraculous signs Moses could do to prove he indeed spoke on the authority of the Most High. One might think the ability to perform miracles would provide a level of confidence, but that was not enough. Exodus 4:10 reads, "Then Moses said to the LORD, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." Moses cited his perceived poor speaking ability as a reason why he was not the man to deliver Israel, why he should not answer God's call. Yet God persisted, and Moses ended up serving God in a unique and powerful way.
Gideon was a man called as a judge and deliverer of Israel who denied he was fit to lead. Judges 6:14-16 says, "Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?"
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So he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."
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And the LORD said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man." Gideon could not see how God would use him. He pointed to the weakness of his family and that he was not respected even in his own house. Yet God saw Gideon as a mighty man of valour because He had sent Him and would be with him. Step by step Gideon followed God's commands in faith, and God used Gideon to bring deliverance and salvation.
Have you asked God what He has formed and sanctified you to do? Has He put words in your mouth to tell others you fear will not listen? Do you see yourself as pathetic and unable to do what God has commanded you to do? Praise the LORD, for He has ordained and sanctified you for a role in the Body of Christ to bring Him glory and honour. Instead of waiting endlessly for feelings of self-confidence (that will not come, or if they do will be powerless to accomplish anything for God's glory), choose instead to trust and obey God's Word. Take one step of faith and trust He will be with you. He will lead and guide you every step of the way. We can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens us!
17 May 2015
15 May 2015
The Way God Speaks
The Bible is God's Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is a primary means God uses to speak to His people. Certainly God is not limited in His ability to communicate to those who have ears to hear, and He employs others means to speak as well. He can speak to us through dreams and visions. Circumstances of our lives can be open doors which beckon us to take another step of faith. God also uses others to confirm what we believe God has said to us.
Have you ever had an impression you were unsure of whether it was merely a thought in your mind or God was speaking to you with His small, still voice? I remember when God impressed upon me during prayer He had called me to be a pastor. Since I had no desire to be a pastor, nor was it a calling I ever imagined for myself, I knew this idea was not a product of my own thoughts. This idea from outside almost intruded upon my thinking, and it surprised me. I was not immediately convinced these thoughts were from God. God was gracious not to leave me wondering and seeking for long. A day or two later after prayer, a fellow believer came up to me and said with a grin, "God told me something about you recently." "Oh, yeah?" I asked. "And what would that be?" "He told me you are going to be a pastor." "That's funny," I answered, "because God recently told me the exact thing." This is what I call when God is "talking in stereo." God has ways of confirming an impression on your heart through the reading of His Word or by someone else speaking on that exact subject.
Don't think this is something I came up with myself. The principle comes straight out of the Bible. Check out Jeremiah 32:6-8: "And Jeremiah said, "The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 7 'Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you, saying, "Buy my field which is in Anathoth, for the right of redemption is yours to buy it." ' 8 Then Hanamel my uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said to me, 'Please buy my field that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin; for the right of inheritance is yours, and the redemption yours; buy it for yourself.' Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD." Jeremiah was a prophet of God who was experiencing great hardship. The land was in turmoil facing defeat at the hands of the Babylonians. Let's just say it was not a great time to be buying land which would soon be enemy territory. Yet Jeremiah believed God told him to buy a field from Hanamel who would come to him. We aren't told how long he had to wait, but Hanamel came to Jermiah and asked him to buy his field. Look at the last part of verse 8: "Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD."
How cool is that? God spoke to Jeremiah, and then confirmed His word. Jeremiah knew for certain it was the LORD's will he buy the field, and stepped out in faith according to God's command - though it was a dumb business decision according to man's wisdom. What God says, He will certainly bring to pass. That's another way you can know if God was speaking to you or just a thought in your own mind: the passage of time will make it clear. In the scriptures, repetition is used to strongly emphasise truth. When you start hearing God in stereo, listen and believe God. Even if it doesn't make "cents," the only sensible thing is to trust God and obey. Whatever Jesus says to you, do it!
Have you ever had an impression you were unsure of whether it was merely a thought in your mind or God was speaking to you with His small, still voice? I remember when God impressed upon me during prayer He had called me to be a pastor. Since I had no desire to be a pastor, nor was it a calling I ever imagined for myself, I knew this idea was not a product of my own thoughts. This idea from outside almost intruded upon my thinking, and it surprised me. I was not immediately convinced these thoughts were from God. God was gracious not to leave me wondering and seeking for long. A day or two later after prayer, a fellow believer came up to me and said with a grin, "God told me something about you recently." "Oh, yeah?" I asked. "And what would that be?" "He told me you are going to be a pastor." "That's funny," I answered, "because God recently told me the exact thing." This is what I call when God is "talking in stereo." God has ways of confirming an impression on your heart through the reading of His Word or by someone else speaking on that exact subject.
Don't think this is something I came up with myself. The principle comes straight out of the Bible. Check out Jeremiah 32:6-8: "And Jeremiah said, "The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 7 'Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you, saying, "Buy my field which is in Anathoth, for the right of redemption is yours to buy it." ' 8 Then Hanamel my uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said to me, 'Please buy my field that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin; for the right of inheritance is yours, and the redemption yours; buy it for yourself.' Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD." Jeremiah was a prophet of God who was experiencing great hardship. The land was in turmoil facing defeat at the hands of the Babylonians. Let's just say it was not a great time to be buying land which would soon be enemy territory. Yet Jeremiah believed God told him to buy a field from Hanamel who would come to him. We aren't told how long he had to wait, but Hanamel came to Jermiah and asked him to buy his field. Look at the last part of verse 8: "Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD."
How cool is that? God spoke to Jeremiah, and then confirmed His word. Jeremiah knew for certain it was the LORD's will he buy the field, and stepped out in faith according to God's command - though it was a dumb business decision according to man's wisdom. What God says, He will certainly bring to pass. That's another way you can know if God was speaking to you or just a thought in your own mind: the passage of time will make it clear. In the scriptures, repetition is used to strongly emphasise truth. When you start hearing God in stereo, listen and believe God. Even if it doesn't make "cents," the only sensible thing is to trust God and obey. Whatever Jesus says to you, do it!
14 May 2015
Lies and the Bible
I am so grateful for the wisdom of God in His Word. It exposes the incorrect and foolish views we have been convinced of. God speaks the truth, though it may hurt. Receiving God's truth and aligning our hearts with it is a key step in spiritual maturity. If you are wondering what truths I possibly could be speaking of, here are three examples of lies we tell ourselves exposed by God's Word.
"When I sin, it is out of character." I recently read a news article about a man who was caught after he installed cameras in public toilets. He claimed he wasn't a bad man, but he just did a bad thing. Quoting the man convicted in the article, "While he understood nothing would make up for what he did to up to 90 women and children recorded by his devices, he hoped it helped that he had never done anything similar and never would again. "It was out of character," he said. "I am a human and have made many mistakes." The Bibles says no one is good before God. Our character apart from God is completely sinful. Psalm 14:2-3 says, "The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 they have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, No, not one." Man does not sin in a "moment of weakness." The reality is, when we are at our worst we witness the real you and me bubbling to the surface. That ugly monster is not an anomaly: it is the wretch who hides within us only Jesus can redeem.
"Ah, it's just a little thing. I can step it up when it counts most." What people see as little things are as big things in God's estimation. Man doesn't see a problem with "white lies" or occasionally arriving late to work without reporting it, but such deeds do not escape God's notice. God reveals the way we handle the little things is the exact same way we handle big things. Jesus said in Luke 16:10, "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much." Notice the objective words Jesus chose to use. The man who is dishonest over a dollar cannot be trusted with thousands. Argue all you want, but God says it like it is. If we lie to children over a trivial matters to save face, we will lie in court after placing our hand on the Bible to save our skin.
"I am strong, not weak." Weakness is a characteristic present in all people. Measuring ourselves against others we perceive as weaker gives us the illusion of strength. But what strength can man claim which has not first been given Him by God? All are born helpless babies, completely dependent upon others for survival. Proverbs 24:10 says, "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small." We make the mistake of gauging our strength when we are at our best, not when we fail. If a disobedient child or physical pain is enough to make us lose our temper, how strong are we really? Being relatively strong in one area does not dispel the reality of our weakness in another. Compared to the God who spoke the universe into existence, we are small and feeble indeed. God is strong, and it only through Him man can discover true strength.
These are just a few of the countless truths held forth in scripture which correct man's faulty views. Can you think of others? What scriptures has God used to reveal lies you once believed? The world believes and perpetuates all manner of lies, but the Bible is the source of all truth. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reads, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." And that, my friends, is the truth!
"When I sin, it is out of character." I recently read a news article about a man who was caught after he installed cameras in public toilets. He claimed he wasn't a bad man, but he just did a bad thing. Quoting the man convicted in the article, "While he understood nothing would make up for what he did to up to 90 women and children recorded by his devices, he hoped it helped that he had never done anything similar and never would again. "It was out of character," he said. "I am a human and have made many mistakes." The Bibles says no one is good before God. Our character apart from God is completely sinful. Psalm 14:2-3 says, "The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 they have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, No, not one." Man does not sin in a "moment of weakness." The reality is, when we are at our worst we witness the real you and me bubbling to the surface. That ugly monster is not an anomaly: it is the wretch who hides within us only Jesus can redeem.
"Ah, it's just a little thing. I can step it up when it counts most." What people see as little things are as big things in God's estimation. Man doesn't see a problem with "white lies" or occasionally arriving late to work without reporting it, but such deeds do not escape God's notice. God reveals the way we handle the little things is the exact same way we handle big things. Jesus said in Luke 16:10, "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much." Notice the objective words Jesus chose to use. The man who is dishonest over a dollar cannot be trusted with thousands. Argue all you want, but God says it like it is. If we lie to children over a trivial matters to save face, we will lie in court after placing our hand on the Bible to save our skin.
"I am strong, not weak." Weakness is a characteristic present in all people. Measuring ourselves against others we perceive as weaker gives us the illusion of strength. But what strength can man claim which has not first been given Him by God? All are born helpless babies, completely dependent upon others for survival. Proverbs 24:10 says, "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small." We make the mistake of gauging our strength when we are at our best, not when we fail. If a disobedient child or physical pain is enough to make us lose our temper, how strong are we really? Being relatively strong in one area does not dispel the reality of our weakness in another. Compared to the God who spoke the universe into existence, we are small and feeble indeed. God is strong, and it only through Him man can discover true strength.
These are just a few of the countless truths held forth in scripture which correct man's faulty views. Can you think of others? What scriptures has God used to reveal lies you once believed? The world believes and perpetuates all manner of lies, but the Bible is the source of all truth. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reads, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." And that, my friends, is the truth!
12 May 2015
The Denial of Silence
Let's face it: the world has never been keen on Jesus or His followers. But Jesus never painted a rosy picture of what it would look like following Him. He spoke of denying oneself, taking up your cross, and being crucified! Jesus bluntly told His disciples in John 15:18-20: "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
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If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
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Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also." But this is not bad news, for God richly rewards those who walk in faith and obedience to Him. Jesus also said in Luke 6:22-23: "Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake.
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Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets." When persecuted for being hated, excluded, reviled, and being called evil for Christ's sake we can rejoice. This does not provide a license to be unkind, harsh, or hateful towards others. If people avoid or hate us because we are self-righteous jerks, that is nothing to rejoice over.
Many Christians experience social and political pressure to keep their beliefs silent, as if stating a belief based upon the Bible would unfairly "impose" on others. The truth is, speaking the truth can lead to all sorts of trouble and persecution for Christians, even when spoken from a compassionate heart of love. It can lead to being passed over for promotions, being ostracised by family or friends, being singled out, bullied or verbally or physically attacked, and yes - even being crucified. But this should not cause us to bottle up the love for God, other people, and belief in His Word from public view. Christianity can never thrive in a test-tube of isolation, but spread like a life-giving antidote for the virus of sin through personal contact in communities, in the shops, the workplace, family gatherings, and even when visitors come to church. Church gatherings should not be seen as the primary place ministry is accomplished, but more like a relaxing lunch break during a hectic day at work.
Jesus did not caution His people to confine their faith or beliefs within their little group: He sent them out. He told them to go into all the world and spread the Gospel and make disciples everywhere, teaching and helping others to follow Jesus faithfully. If Christians retreat from the public sphere, how will people know the truth of the Gospel? We play the hypocrite to bow to political correctness instead of remaining obedient to Christ. If we are silent when God commands us speak, how can we be certain Jesus will speak for us? Jesus said in Luke 12:8-9, "Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God." As followers of Christ, we are to acknowledge Jesus as LORD by our obedience to His word. Our silence and disobedience are ways we can deny Christ. Peter denied Christ three times, but his life later showed he truly loved and followed Christ to the death. If we only profess Christ before Christians because we fear crucifixion, we are not following Christ as we ought.
So you speak up in defense of scriptural truth and lose your job. So you are punished or persecuted for doing what is right. So you end up being crucified! Rejoice, for great is your reward. God's grace is yours today, and He will supply all your needs now and forever.
Many Christians experience social and political pressure to keep their beliefs silent, as if stating a belief based upon the Bible would unfairly "impose" on others. The truth is, speaking the truth can lead to all sorts of trouble and persecution for Christians, even when spoken from a compassionate heart of love. It can lead to being passed over for promotions, being ostracised by family or friends, being singled out, bullied or verbally or physically attacked, and yes - even being crucified. But this should not cause us to bottle up the love for God, other people, and belief in His Word from public view. Christianity can never thrive in a test-tube of isolation, but spread like a life-giving antidote for the virus of sin through personal contact in communities, in the shops, the workplace, family gatherings, and even when visitors come to church. Church gatherings should not be seen as the primary place ministry is accomplished, but more like a relaxing lunch break during a hectic day at work.
Jesus did not caution His people to confine their faith or beliefs within their little group: He sent them out. He told them to go into all the world and spread the Gospel and make disciples everywhere, teaching and helping others to follow Jesus faithfully. If Christians retreat from the public sphere, how will people know the truth of the Gospel? We play the hypocrite to bow to political correctness instead of remaining obedient to Christ. If we are silent when God commands us speak, how can we be certain Jesus will speak for us? Jesus said in Luke 12:8-9, "Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God." As followers of Christ, we are to acknowledge Jesus as LORD by our obedience to His word. Our silence and disobedience are ways we can deny Christ. Peter denied Christ three times, but his life later showed he truly loved and followed Christ to the death. If we only profess Christ before Christians because we fear crucifixion, we are not following Christ as we ought.
So you speak up in defense of scriptural truth and lose your job. So you are punished or persecuted for doing what is right. So you end up being crucified! Rejoice, for great is your reward. God's grace is yours today, and He will supply all your needs now and forever.
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