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| So, it's been about three weeks since I last posted...yeah. Well, I definately hit a dry patch. Or more like an extremely busy and loss of true priority patch. So yeah, it's amazing how easily we can slip away from our commitments back into mindless behaviour and how difficult it is to get back up afterward. God's grace is amazing.
So here I am trying to allow the Lord to work through this medium once again.
1 Thess 4-5
Wow...for two small chapters there is a lot of good instruction here. I'm thinking of writing up an expository sermon on the first chapter entitled "Sex, Sloth and Slumber: Pitfalls of Thessalonica"
This chapter is known mostly for it's final verses that have caused so much debate over the Rapture and the return of Christ. However, I'm inclined to put that debate in a nice big jar of Whiskey Charlie along with dispensationalism, predestination, and existential wonderings.
The rest of the chapter holds a lot more truth
* If you are sexually impure, you are shaming yourself, your spouse (whether future or current), the Lord, and his gifts given to you.
* Just because Jesus is coming back doesn't mean you can be a slacker. Get to work.
* Don't be overly concerned for those who have died and their fate. God is faithful and in control.
Chapter 5 is as inspiring to me.
The first half reinforces the end of Chapter 4 with the inquiries of the dead in Christ. Paul urges the people not to worry about such things, but to serve God and remain encouraging to one another. He also reassures them that living or dead, we shall all be with Christ.
THe end of the chapter simply explains how we are to remain in Christ.
Paul seems to reiterate a lot from his earlier writings here.
* He mentions the Armor of God and praying without ceasing as in Ephesians
* He mentions rejoicing as he did to the Philippians
* He mentions not repaying evil as he did to the Romans
* He mentions seeking the good for others like in Galatians and Romans
* He mentions not quenching the spiritual gifts as in I Corinthians
I would postulate that the reason for this is that he is sure he will not be living much longer and wanted these concepts shared with EVERYONE. He even says at the close of the book, "I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren" That statement is one that is so strong as to be bound by oath. So perhaps he wanted to make sure that all Christians understood what was said in this letter. Fascinating.
Please pray for me that I would follow these words and live them out. It has been very difficult recently. I'm so busy and I lose sight of my study. Lord, guide me and keep me strong. | | |
| Jer. 18-20
How interesting it is that a clay pot can go from being very weak, yet moldable to being so solid, yet brittle. It makes one wonder whether being seen as strong is such a good thing. It was the clay that was spoiled and remade that was used to refer to foreign nations whom God pleaded to repent and the hardened, brittle pot that was smashed on the ground that Jeremiah was told to relate to the nation of Judah, God's own people.
Perhaps the first part was an example of how gracious God could be, not just with his own, but for all. Perhaps the second example was a foreshadowing not only of Judah's fate but the fate of all those who get in the way of Yahweh. Compare Jer. 19 to the statue in Daniel 2. All those nations after the fall of Judah who followed their own ways were crushed for the sake of Yahweh. What right have we to ask anything of God, except that He reveal His Will? How can we ignore His Voice after reading this? Do we honestly believe that God no longer expresses His Wrath? Can we honestly look at the wars, diseases, conflicts, natural decay, and attribute them to scientific and political ends? How arrogant are we?
Reading chapter 20 of Jeremiah shows me that I have nothing to complain about. God has given me tons of slack in His call on my life. Jeremiah was tormented and persecuted endlessly for the words that the Lord revealed to Him. He wanted so badly jsut to hold his tongue, but to do so brought him even more pain. I desire that same "fire shut up in my bones!" It must be that the Lord realizes that I am completely incapable at this point of handling that burden. I cannot at this tiem in my life be a Jeremiah. To be in GOd's minsitry for forty odd years and have nothing but rejection to show for it would end me. Jeremiah had a resolve that few can endure. He NEVER saw any fruition in his ministry. His was a calling of failure. He was to ensure the judgment of Judah and seal their fate by speaking that which would harden them. Knowing that you are accomplishing God's Will doesn't lessen the pain of that type of calling. On the contrary, I would think that it would make it worse. How would you feel if God had called you to be the one to prevent your loved ones from coming to Christ? How would you feel if as a pastor, God used you to destroy an unfaithful church? How many could helm that responisbility? I know I couldn't. I only wish if such a ministry came upon me, that I would have the strength to endure.
Lord, make me willing and soft like the molded clay. Smash the hardened places of my heart. Hear my cries of desperation when I am in anguish in ministry and place your fire inside me. | | |
| I Thess. 3
It is an awfully hard thing to sit by and wait in ministry.
Often, you want to see rusults right away. Also, when there is a
conflict, you want to be the one to resolve it. But sometines God
says to wait and sends someone else instead. Paul shared this
apprehensiveness in regards to the Thessalonians. He worried
about them and wanted so badly to be with them. He was unable to,
so he sent Timothy. Yet he was still concerned. So often,
we allow worry and concerns of this world rob us of the blessings that
God wants to pour out on our ministry. We want results NOW
instead of waiting for God's timing. But if we sit back and trust
God, the results will come. As long as the one that God has sent
is obedient, the results will come.
I have been in ministry at Lincoln Christian Life Center for about a
year now. I'm starting to see the seeds sprout now. It took
a lot of groundwork and often inthe last year, I wanted to give up
thinking that I was doing it all wrong and being told so by many
people. In reality, I just needed to continue to fine-tune what I
was doing and be patient. Now all that waiting and frustration is
beginning to pay off. My increased desire to draw closer to God
may play a "tiny" part in that as well...
Lord, help me stay focused. Let me be patient for your timing. Let me rejoice when you bring about your will!
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| Matt. 5:27-32
Lust is a never ending problem in our society. Everywhere I turn,
I'm confronted by half-naked women, ads for dating and promiscuous
stories of the celebrities I loathe. It take a conscious effort
to shut all this out. I can't even update my Myspace page without
seeing five ads featuring scantily clad women on banners for dating
sites.
There is seemingly little or no morality left in our culture. I
mean, even in light of the outrage of the accidental exposure of Janet
Jackson's breast on national TV, it is pervasive. And that's what
I think is so strange. When it is accidental or blatent, people
raise a stink, but when it is subtle and intentional, no one says a
word. It's as if when confronted face to face with it, we want to
pretend it doesn't exist and act like it is something we find so
offensive when we truly find it very seductive.
Why this sudden emphasis? Well, I've been dealing with this issue
very strongly recently. It's a very difficult thing to
ignore. In no other area of my life do I have to take captive as
much as this one. And I know I'm not alone. I think the
human psyche is just hard wired to desire what we cannot have.
Something new in this respect is the disgust at which I find in myself
when I am weak inthis area. Before, I could ignore it,
rationalize it, and stow it away as "no big deal" or "well, no one's
perfect." In the last two weeks, however, any time I begin to
wander, I feel sick. I cannot imagine why I would fall back into
it. And like an alcoholic, I only need one taste to find myself
captive once again.
Seriously, I can live a life that is blameless with very little effort,
but keeping my eyes and thoughts where they need to be is a major
struggle. I need to be in the Word more and be guarding my
heart. As Mad-Eye Moody would say, "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"
Yeah, I referenced Harry Potter. So what, it's the truth.
Lord, help me stay pure in mind, in deed, and in speech. Forgive me for my weakness and help me to be willing to grow.
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| Okay so I got a bit lazy with this. God forgive me.
I Thess 2
This chapter shows very clearly the nature that we should approach ministry and also shows to me what can be expected as the outcome. We need to prepare ourselves when our ministry begins to fluorish. Often, this is a prime opportunity for spiritual attack. I know from my recent deliverance that this is VERY true.
I'm seeing more and more results of my ministry unfolding and I am growing so much stronger in my faith, yet there are still doubts and difficulties along the way. Paul states how he wanted so badly to come to Thessalonica, yet he was hindered more than once by Satan in doing so. But despite his inability to be there personally, he encouraged them, calling them "our hope and our crown."
I want to be able to say such things of the kids and adults that are in my care. I have several children who I see as my hope and my crown. Kids that others would never think of. Young people who many would pass over as being difficult, mischievious, and up to no good. Yet, they are my hope for the future and I see a lot of growth potential. The trick is to focus their attentions and curiosities upon the service of God. There are kids who love to worship God that make me so joyful each Sunday as they sing and do motions and smile. There are kids who go out of their way to help me out in service. In fact, I can't think of one child who I feel is beyond hope in my care. God has truly given me a place where growth is present and I can feel that my efforts are paying off.
Lord, I pray that you would continue to use me for your glory as you build these children through my efforts. Show them what it is to love you and serve you through my devotion to them and to You. | | |
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