"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me." - John 10:27
An Englishman tells a true story of his encounter with a Muslim man
while walking in the country. The Englishman wanted to share the gospel
with this man but knew little of Muslim beliefs. The two men talked as
they walked and agreed they would each share their beliefs with one
another. The Muslim went first and dominated the time of sharing. The
Englishman asked the Holy Spirit how to share his faith with the Muslim
man. "Do you consider your god your father who speaks?" asked the
Englishman.
"Certainly not," replied the Muslim man.
"That is one of the big differences between your god and my God.
I consider my God as my Father who speaks to me personally."
"You cannot prove that," stated the Muslim man.
The Englishman again prayed to himself, "Lord, how do I prove this to
this man?" A few moments later the two men began walking toward two
young ladies on the other side of the road coming toward them. As they
approached, the Englishman spoke to the ladies and made small
conversation. He then said to one woman, "I believe you are a nurse, is
that correct?"
The woman was startled that a man whom she had never met had just
informed her of her occupation. "How would you know that? I have never
met you before," she questioned.
He replied, "I asked my Father and He told me." The Muslim had his
proof.
Many of us do not hear God's voice because we do not believe He speaks
or desires to speak to us. In order to hear, we must listen. In order
to
listen, we must believe that He speaks. Ask the Lord today for a
listening ear so that others might know that you have a heavenly Father
who speaks.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
HEALING BEFORE MINISTRY
"And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where
they were in camp until they were healed." - Joshua 5:8
Before the nation of Israel could go into the Promised Land they had to
be circumcised. Circumcision is painful, bloody, and personal. God
requires each of us to be circumcised in heart before we are allowed to
enter and receive the blessings that await each believer in the
Promised
Land.
This circumcision can often be very painful. Circumcision requires
losing our old way of life. The process of spiritual circumcision may
mean a loss in areas that have been a part of our lives in order to
draw
us to the Savior. God understands this. Consequently, like the people
of
Israel, we must wait until we are healed before we begin to be
effective
in our calling. If we launch out too early, we will be ineffective and
may risk infection and disease and will not be at our full capacity.
God
wants each of us to walk in His healing grace.
The people of Israel fought only two battles when they were coming out
of Egypt. In the Promised Land they fought 39 battles. Each of us must
be prepared to enjoy the benefits of living in the Promised Land.
However, we must also be prepared to wage war against the enemy of our
souls. Make sure the Lord has provided the needed healing to your
circumcision experience before you enter the Promised Land.
they were in camp until they were healed." - Joshua 5:8
Before the nation of Israel could go into the Promised Land they had to
be circumcised. Circumcision is painful, bloody, and personal. God
requires each of us to be circumcised in heart before we are allowed to
enter and receive the blessings that await each believer in the
Promised
Land.
This circumcision can often be very painful. Circumcision requires
losing our old way of life. The process of spiritual circumcision may
mean a loss in areas that have been a part of our lives in order to
draw
us to the Savior. God understands this. Consequently, like the people
of
Israel, we must wait until we are healed before we begin to be
effective
in our calling. If we launch out too early, we will be ineffective and
may risk infection and disease and will not be at our full capacity.
God
wants each of us to walk in His healing grace.
The people of Israel fought only two battles when they were coming out
of Egypt. In the Promised Land they fought 39 battles. Each of us must
be prepared to enjoy the benefits of living in the Promised Land.
However, we must also be prepared to wage war against the enemy of our
souls. Make sure the Lord has provided the needed healing to your
circumcision experience before you enter the Promised Land.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
GREAT PRAYER WARRIORS
"' I will not let you go unless you bless me." (Gen v.26)
-- For reading & meditation: Genesis 32:22-31
We look now at the second characteristic of "revival praying" -
tenacity and persistence. Read the record of revivals and you will
find that this quality is also present. In the days prior to revival
people not only pray zealously but they pray persistently. For over a
period of thirteen years Evan Roberts prayed for revival to come to
Wales. "There was never a day," he says, "when I didn't fling myself
before God and cry out for Him to send the Holy Spirit to my native
land." Dafydd Owen also prayed every day for over ten years for a
great outpouring to come to the Principality. And concerning David
Morgan it was recorded "that for ten years before 1858 a petition for
the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was never absent from his prayers".
We must recognise that often this persistence was not something that
was natural but was given by the Holy Spirit. It was said of Evan
Roberts that when he was a boy, "he hardly ever saw anything through
and would give up a task most easily". Listen to what Jonathan
Edwards, another great revivalist, had to say about the importance of
persistence and perseverance: "It is very apparent from the Word of
God that the Lord is wont often to try the faith and patience of His
people, when crying to Him for some great and important mercy, by
withholding the mercy sought for a season; and not only so but at
first to cause an increase of dark appearances. And yet He, without
fail, at last succeeds those who continue instant in prayer with all
perseverance and will 'not let Him go except He blesses'."
PRAYER:
O Father, search my heart today and see if there is any hidden thing
in me that holds me back from persistent and perservering prayer.
Bring it to the light so that I can deal with it. I ask this in
Jesus' Name. Amen.
-- For reading & meditation: Genesis 32:22-31
We look now at the second characteristic of "revival praying" -
tenacity and persistence. Read the record of revivals and you will
find that this quality is also present. In the days prior to revival
people not only pray zealously but they pray persistently. For over a
period of thirteen years Evan Roberts prayed for revival to come to
Wales. "There was never a day," he says, "when I didn't fling myself
before God and cry out for Him to send the Holy Spirit to my native
land." Dafydd Owen also prayed every day for over ten years for a
great outpouring to come to the Principality. And concerning David
Morgan it was recorded "that for ten years before 1858 a petition for
the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was never absent from his prayers".
We must recognise that often this persistence was not something that
was natural but was given by the Holy Spirit. It was said of Evan
Roberts that when he was a boy, "he hardly ever saw anything through
and would give up a task most easily". Listen to what Jonathan
Edwards, another great revivalist, had to say about the importance of
persistence and perseverance: "It is very apparent from the Word of
God that the Lord is wont often to try the faith and patience of His
people, when crying to Him for some great and important mercy, by
withholding the mercy sought for a season; and not only so but at
first to cause an increase of dark appearances. And yet He, without
fail, at last succeeds those who continue instant in prayer with all
perseverance and will 'not let Him go except He blesses'."
PRAYER:
O Father, search my heart today and see if there is any hidden thing
in me that holds me back from persistent and perservering prayer.
Bring it to the light so that I can deal with it. I ask this in
Jesus' Name. Amen.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
GRACE
..."Peace be with you!" - John 20:19
How would you respond to a group of fellow workers if you were their
leader and you poured your life into them, teaching them all you know
for three years, only to have them disband and go their own way when
troubles came? What would you say to them after you were reunited for
the first time? Perhaps you might scold them. Perhaps you might cite
each one's offense. At the least, you might shame them for their lack of
faithfulness and courage.
After Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead, He appeared to the
disciples. His first words to them were, "Peace be with you!" The word
grace means "unmerited favor." When someone loves you unconditionally,
without regard to your behavior in return, it becomes a powerful force
in your life. Such was the case for the disciples when Jesus appeared to
them. They could have expected reprimand. Instead, they received
unconditional love and acceptance. He was overjoyed to see them. They
were equally overjoyed to see Him.
Jesus understood that the disciples needed to fail Him as part of their
training. It would be this failure that became their greatest motivation
for service. Failure allowed them to experience incredible grace for the
very first time. Grace would transform them as human beings.
Have you experienced this grace in your life? Have you extended grace to
those who have hurt you? Can you let go of any wrongs that have come
through friends or associates? The grace you extend may change their
lives—and yours.
How would you respond to a group of fellow workers if you were their
leader and you poured your life into them, teaching them all you know
for three years, only to have them disband and go their own way when
troubles came? What would you say to them after you were reunited for
the first time? Perhaps you might scold them. Perhaps you might cite
each one's offense. At the least, you might shame them for their lack of
faithfulness and courage.
After Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead, He appeared to the
disciples. His first words to them were, "Peace be with you!" The word
grace means "unmerited favor." When someone loves you unconditionally,
without regard to your behavior in return, it becomes a powerful force
in your life. Such was the case for the disciples when Jesus appeared to
them. They could have expected reprimand. Instead, they received
unconditional love and acceptance. He was overjoyed to see them. They
were equally overjoyed to see Him.
Jesus understood that the disciples needed to fail Him as part of their
training. It would be this failure that became their greatest motivation
for service. Failure allowed them to experience incredible grace for the
very first time. Grace would transform them as human beings.
Have you experienced this grace in your life? Have you extended grace to
those who have hurt you? Can you let go of any wrongs that have come
through friends or associates? The grace you extend may change their
lives—and yours.
Monday, November 22, 2010
GOOD THINGS VERSUS GOD-THINGS
"Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." - Romans 8:14
The greatest sign that you and I are maturing in our walk with God is
when we can discern the difference between "good things" and
"God-things." When the people of Israel journeyed out of Egypt through
the desert, the cloud led them by day. They could move only as fast as
the cloud. If they went ahead, they went without God's presence. If they
lagged behind, they also lost God's presence.
Each of us must have the discernment to know when God is leading in a
matter, or if it is simply a good idea. There are so many things in
which you and I can be involved, and the more successful you become, the
greater the temptations to enter into things where God has not called
you. Entrepreneurs are especially prone to see all the opportunities.
I recall one time when I entered into a project that I thought was a
great idea. It would help many people. After two years, the project had
to be discontinued. It was a great lesson on understanding what projects
have God's blessing on them. There are some projects you and I might get
involved in that result in little fruit compared to the investment put
into them. That is because they may never have been birthed by the Holy
Spirit.
As sons of God, we are called to be led by the Spirit. This requires a
level of dependence on God in which many of us really do not want to
invest. It requires listening, waiting, and moving only when God's
Spirit tells us to move. Workplace believers are "action" people. We
know how to get things done, but our greatest strength can be our
greatest weakness.
Today, ask God to make you a Romans 8:14 man or woman who is led by the
Spirit of God. Pray against lagging behind or moving ahead. Ask God to
reveal whether the next project you consider is a "good thing" or a
"God-thing."
The greatest sign that you and I are maturing in our walk with God is
when we can discern the difference between "good things" and
"God-things." When the people of Israel journeyed out of Egypt through
the desert, the cloud led them by day. They could move only as fast as
the cloud. If they went ahead, they went without God's presence. If they
lagged behind, they also lost God's presence.
Each of us must have the discernment to know when God is leading in a
matter, or if it is simply a good idea. There are so many things in
which you and I can be involved, and the more successful you become, the
greater the temptations to enter into things where God has not called
you. Entrepreneurs are especially prone to see all the opportunities.
I recall one time when I entered into a project that I thought was a
great idea. It would help many people. After two years, the project had
to be discontinued. It was a great lesson on understanding what projects
have God's blessing on them. There are some projects you and I might get
involved in that result in little fruit compared to the investment put
into them. That is because they may never have been birthed by the Holy
Spirit.
As sons of God, we are called to be led by the Spirit. This requires a
level of dependence on God in which many of us really do not want to
invest. It requires listening, waiting, and moving only when God's
Spirit tells us to move. Workplace believers are "action" people. We
know how to get things done, but our greatest strength can be our
greatest weakness.
Today, ask God to make you a Romans 8:14 man or woman who is led by the
Spirit of God. Pray against lagging behind or moving ahead. Ask God to
reveal whether the next project you consider is a "good thing" or a
"God-thing."
Friday, November 19, 2010
FAITHFULNESS IN OUR CALLING
"He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all
Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with Him. If you
seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will
forsake you." - 2 Chronicles 15:2
Asa was the king of Judah from 912-872 B.C. He reigned for 41 years and
was known as a good king who served the Lord with great zeal. He
reformed many things. He broke down idol worship to foreign gods; he
put
away male prostitutes and even removed his own mother from being queen
because she worshiped an idol. The Scriptures say that as long as he
sought the Lord, the Lord prospered his reign.
However, Asa was not totally faithful in his calling. There came a time
in his life when he made a decision to no longer trust in the God of
Israel. He lost his confidence in God as his deliverer. The prophet
Hanani came to Asa to inform him that God's blessing was no longer on
his life because of an ungodly alliance he had made.
Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of
chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the Lord, He delivered
them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the
earth
to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. You have
done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war (2 Chronicles
16:8-9).
There are no guarantees that if we began well we will finish well. The
life of Asa tells us this. It is only through God's grace that we can
be
faithful to our calling. Each of us is capable of falling away from
God.
Pray that God will keep you faithful to the purposes He has for your
life. He strengthens those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with Him. If you
seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will
forsake you." - 2 Chronicles 15:2
Asa was the king of Judah from 912-872 B.C. He reigned for 41 years and
was known as a good king who served the Lord with great zeal. He
reformed many things. He broke down idol worship to foreign gods; he
put
away male prostitutes and even removed his own mother from being queen
because she worshiped an idol. The Scriptures say that as long as he
sought the Lord, the Lord prospered his reign.
However, Asa was not totally faithful in his calling. There came a time
in his life when he made a decision to no longer trust in the God of
Israel. He lost his confidence in God as his deliverer. The prophet
Hanani came to Asa to inform him that God's blessing was no longer on
his life because of an ungodly alliance he had made.
Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of
chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the Lord, He delivered
them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the
earth
to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. You have
done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war (2 Chronicles
16:8-9).
There are no guarantees that if we began well we will finish well. The
life of Asa tells us this. It is only through God's grace that we can
be
faithful to our calling. Each of us is capable of falling away from
God.
Pray that God will keep you faithful to the purposes He has for your
life. He strengthens those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
GOING AGAINST THE FLOW
"But the whole assembly talked about stoning them." - (Numbers 14:10)
Have you ever had to stand up against the majority for a cause
that wasn't popular? God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and
promised He would lead them into a land of milk and honey. The
process of moving out of Egypt was difficult. They could no
longer do things the old way, for the old ways didn't work in the
desert. God provided for them during this journey. But there came
a point in which the people forgot what God had said. Their
discomfort changed their belief about God.
Whenever God is slow to answer our prayers, what we believe about
God is revealed. Do we change our plans and move in a different
direction when pressure mounts? Or do we continue on the path God
has directed for us? Four men believed what God said and were
willing to stand; however, the crowd wanted to stone them.
Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole
Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb
son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land,
tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly,
"The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If
the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a
land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do
not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of
the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is
gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." But the
whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the
Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites
(Numbers 14:5-10).
Notice Joshua and Caleb's response to the situation. They had
spied the land. They believed God. They challenged the crowd.
They seemed to know that if the Lord was not pleased with them
they would not enter into the Promised Land. Those who grumbled
did not enter the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb and a new
generation saw the fulfillment of God's promise.
Has God called you to stand for a cause bigger than yourself? You
will have opposition to His call; sometimes it even comes from
those in your own camp. But if God has called you, then you can
be sure He will make a way. He has already opened the way before
you. But you must walk in faith, joined with Him to take the
land.
...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be
discouraged, ffor the Lord your God will be with you wherever you
go (Joshua 1:9).
Have you ever had to stand up against the majority for a cause
that wasn't popular? God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and
promised He would lead them into a land of milk and honey. The
process of moving out of Egypt was difficult. They could no
longer do things the old way, for the old ways didn't work in the
desert. God provided for them during this journey. But there came
a point in which the people forgot what God had said. Their
discomfort changed their belief about God.
Whenever God is slow to answer our prayers, what we believe about
God is revealed. Do we change our plans and move in a different
direction when pressure mounts? Or do we continue on the path God
has directed for us? Four men believed what God said and were
willing to stand; however, the crowd wanted to stone them.
Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole
Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb
son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land,
tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly,
"The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If
the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a
land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do
not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of
the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is
gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." But the
whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the
Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites
(Numbers 14:5-10).
Notice Joshua and Caleb's response to the situation. They had
spied the land. They believed God. They challenged the crowd.
They seemed to know that if the Lord was not pleased with them
they would not enter into the Promised Land. Those who grumbled
did not enter the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb and a new
generation saw the fulfillment of God's promise.
Has God called you to stand for a cause bigger than yourself? You
will have opposition to His call; sometimes it even comes from
those in your own camp. But if God has called you, then you can
be sure He will make a way. He has already opened the way before
you. But you must walk in faith, joined with Him to take the
land.
...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be
discouraged, ffor the Lord your God will be with you wherever you
go (Joshua 1:9).
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