The Today Series: July 2008 Archives
God has not relinquished the right to do as He chooses. One should not try to box Him in; limiting what He can and can't do. That would not be wise.
Miracles are not well thought of in some circles today. In fact they are usually viewed with varying degrees of suspicion or, by some, with outright rejection. To some it is an insult to the rational mind to propose that God in this day of enlightenment would interrupt the flow of cause and effect and change the course of natural events. Would He dare to defy our natural minds?
"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).
The chronicles of history are filled with the accounts of successful people. Time, space and/or the lack of knowledge prohibit a listing and description of such people. Hebrews 11 is the roll call of the faithful with a listing of Godly people dating back to Adam. A man whom I consider to be one of the greatest men of all time (with the exception of the Lord Jesus Christ) is not listed in that chapter, quite possibly because he may have been the person who wrote it: the Apostle Paul.
"We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14a).
One might sometimes despair at the instability of people who should know better. The writer of Hebrews speaks of such people in the following terms: "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food" (Hebrews 5:12 NKJ).
Today's world conditions demand leadership that is strong, discerning, and focused. With such leaders, those being led can safely rely on that leadership, trust it, and will rise up to support it thus propelling forward Kingdom work. Paul voiced a question that embodies the very issues we are speaking to: "For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle" (1Corinthians 14:8 NKJ)?
"But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land where into he went; and his seed shall possess it" (Numbers 14:24).
There are times, needs and situations that require the raising up of people who are beyond ordinary - ordinary people who do super-ordinary things. Caleb was one of those people.
It is always my intent in the messages I send out to build up the body of Christ. My method in doing so is to stimulate its thinking rather than to stroke its complacency.
There is an aura of warm fuzziness that tends to surround the body of Christ that is due to its tendency to see itself in the role of martyr-ism rather than to be the overcomers that Christ intends.
On one occasion I heard someone say that the job of the preacher is to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. I think that statement is right up to a point. It is my opinion that many people would rather see themselves as victims than as overcomers and, therefore, seek out those that offer solace rather than those that prod them toward personal responsibility.
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand" (Psalms 37:23-24).
Many wonder if they are in the will of God, often going through great inward struggles in the process. All of us have been there at one time or the other. Today's text gives hope for those who are caught up in that quandary and helps to dispel their fears. The Psalmist declares that the Father determines the steps that we take in life: "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" (Psalms 37:23).
Contentment is a predominant characteristic of Christian maturity. When one is restless and unsettled, it is an indication of a lack of genuine contentment and thus, immaturity of faith.
Ambition is the antithesis of contentment and is a great unsettler, causing one to struggle against situations he is in, to be dissatisfied with the possessions he has and/or to question the nature of his relationships with others. All of this manifests itself in discontentment.
In addressing this subject I feel that I have to walk a very narrow line, one with a precipice on either side. One can be gripped in the throes of complacency that stifles any development or advances in his personal life, professional life, or spiritual life. On the other hand he can be consumed with ungodly ambition which can ultimately cost him everything. According to Paul, "Godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6).
In the early years of my life I heard countless sermons on "soul winning" which was usually presented in the sense of an on-the-spot-instantaneous-cold turkey kind of event. I, along with others, was shamed and embarrassed by my soul-winning record, threatened with dire eternal consequences and cajoled to improve my record. I lived in perpetual defeat by my inability to be a powerful "soul-winner."
Finally, after many years of defeat in this very vital area of my Christian walk, I noticed that in only one scriptural location was I encouraged to win souls: "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30). I discovered that in multiple locations both by example and admonition the scripture taught that I should be a "discipler" which seemed to be a much broader and "slower paced" kind of approach.
"For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" ( 2 Corinthians 11:2-3).
The Christian life can become so complicated and mundane that we lose sight of the simplicity that is in Christ. In the early years of my ministry He was all I knew. It was never my desire to be philosophical, psychological or even theological. I just wanted to know Him. I could relax in Him and draw from His wonderful love and benevolent care as I heard His voice saying: "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy ladened and I will give you rest."
"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my king, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up" (Psalms 5:1-3).
It would seem that a relatively few people grasp the potential of an effective prayer life. Many extol its benefits who fail to actively engage in its practices.
