Year: 2016

“God is my judge”

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Daniel – “God is my Judge”

I love that in the book of Daniel,  we see that “Daniel was determined not to defile himself”. He risked being judged and even killed because of his strong conviction to remain faithful to God,  even when his beliefs didn’t agree with the ways of the world around him. Daniel didn’t take the easy road of “man’s way”, he didn’t choose the broad easy way that leads to destruction but instead chose a life surrendered to faithfully following his master’s will and purpose for his life. 
The book of Daniel (whose name literally means “God is my judge”) shows us a beautiful example of his faithful obedience even when facing extreme circumstances. Daniel wouldn’t even take credit or honor from others for interpreting the dream,  but he gave God all the honor and credit for it. Yes, Daniel is a wonderful example of how a life dead to self and surrendered to God’s will has little to fear from God as judge when God is leading His servant’s steps. As the king said to Daniel, “May your God whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you. ” But it also demonstrates clearly that those in opposition to God’s will, when facing the same Lion’s den will find that “it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”(Hebrews 10:31) – as we see those men who were his accusers went into the same Lion’s den,  “along with their wives and children to be devoured by the lions”. 
So this cry,  “God is my judge” should bring comfort to the true believer who has not deceived themselves. As James 1 tells us “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” And as Philippians 2 reminds us “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” Such a cry should both convict us to confession and repentance that draws us closer to the Lord,  and should remind us as Ecclesiastes 7 tells us that “It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.” So we don’t find ourselves in pride. 
Yes, this cry of “God is my judge” should remind us that we have little to worry about from the judgement of men compared to that of God, as in Matthew 10 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” And we can be assured that the full truth of our hearts and deeds will one day be revealed, as in Luke 8 “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”
Lord, don’t let us use the cry “God is my judge!” to excuse ourselves from understanding your Word, remembering your sacrifice, laying down our lives,  and following you. Lord,  don’t let us use the disguise of religious words and practices as an attempt to hide from receiving you into our lives to abide and live and influence our thoughts, words,  and actions. Lord,  don’t let us forget that you are a holy and righteous God and that only a true, abiding faith can offer us that blessed assurance of being washed by the blood of the Lamb as a new creation,  born again as a child of God. Lord,  remind us of your purpose and will for our lives today,  now, and the importance of our stepping into these good works that you have set before us rather than being a stumbling block to others. Lord, train us, equip us,  and send us out as your vessels for your work,  walking in the Spirit not in the flesh, bearing the fruit of your very character and nature in our lives – spreading Hope, Faith, and Love in a dark and fallen world that would love to steal our joy and minimize the impact of your Kingdom come, your will being done on earth as it is in heaven. Teach us to endure sound doctane and to be doers of your Word and not just hearers. Amen.

Leadership 101 – aka “How did I end up here? “

We are called to go out and make disciples of the nations. And disciples are just fellow students of the Word of God that we come alongside to encourage, uplift, correct, instruct, and equip. And even though we are best served by maintaining an attitude of the humble servant, we will be leaders – not leaders like those in the world who control people through money, power, manipulation, and trickery – but leaders by the example that we set in our lives.

So as we grow in this walk – if we truly dive into living God with our heart, soul, strength, and mind – if we share the compelling testimony of Christ alive in our lives to the lost – we will eventually find ourselves with people who are a combination of confused, somewhat interested, seeking, zealous, humble, etc that want more of what they can see we’ve been touched with. And whether you wanted it, or sought it, or feared it – you are going to be a source of light for others. It’s scary, humbling, and encouraging all wrapped up in one – and most of us learn by “on the job training”.

These are some helpful things that can guide you that day when you look up from just being a servant faithfully following Christ – to realize that you’ve accumulated a small group of followers who trust and look to you for encouragement, accountability, and wise counsel. We want to be a help and not a hindrance, so this is some helpful guidance that I’ve used.

Eight habits of effective small-group leaders

1. Dream of leading a healthy, growing, multiplying group.

2. Pray for group members daily.

3. Invite new people to visit the group weekly.

4. Contact group members regularly.

5. Prepare for the group meeting.

6. Mentor an apprentice leader.

7. Plan group fellowship activities.

8. Be committed to personal growth.

Qualities of a Good Leader

1) Works Hard – Proverbs 12:24

2) Doesn’t penalize people for honesty – Proverbs 17:26

3) Listens before answering – Proverbs 18:13

4) Open to new ideas – Proverbs 18:135

5) Listens to both sides of the story – Proverbs 18:17

6) Stands up under pressure – Proverbs 24:10

7) Stands up under praise – Proverbs 27:21

Dangers when there is a lack of good leadership

1) Fools are honored – Proverbs 26:8

2) A wicked ruler is dangerous – Proverbs 28:15

3) People groan – Proverbs 29:2

4) A wicked ruler has wicked advisors – Proverbs 29:152

Other verses to study

1) Preparation – Proverbs 27:24

2) Revive/Refresh – Proverbs 25:13

3) Recognition – Proverbs 27:138

The Facebook Invite, the Flirtation… What to do?

Man of God:

On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” – Romans 12:20

Our natural reaction is to see a threat as an enemy. The man who is trying to be faithful and to turn away from lustful temptations may think of that pretty girl on Facebook or at work as either “a delicious morsel to be devoured if given the opportunity” or as “a pawn of the enemy coming to attack me”.

And the Bible tells us about our real enemy:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. – Ephesians 6:12

Make no mistake. That enemy will use people to get to you, to tempt you, to distract you.

There are times when I receive invites on Facebook, or flirtations in real life, and it would be easy for many of us to fall into a pit of poison with these temptations, ignoring advice like we find in Proverbs 5:

My son, be attentive to my wisdom;

    incline your ear to my understanding,
  that you may keep discretion,
    and your lips may guard knowledge.
  For the lips of a forbidden^[a] woman drip honey,
    and her speech^[b] is smoother than oil,
  but in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
    sharp as a two-edged sword.
  Her feet go down to death;
    her steps follow the path to^[c] Sheol;
  she does not ponder the path of life;
    her ways wander, and she does not know it.

  And now, O sons, listen to me,
    and do not depart from the words of my mouth.
  Keep your way far from her,
    and do not go near the door of her house,
  lest you give your honor to others
    and your years to the merciless,
   lest strangers take their fill of your strength,
    and your labors go to the house of a foreigner,
   and at the end of your life you groan,
    when your flesh and body are consumed,
   and you say, “How I hated discipline,
    and my heart despised reproof!
   I did not listen to the voice of my teachers
    or incline my ear to my instructors.
   I am at the brink of utter ruin
    in the assembled congregation.

   Drink water from your own cistern,

    flowing water from your own well.

I used to fall prey to that enemy without even putting up a fight. In all honesty, there was a time in my life when I taught myself how to identify, track down, and wrap myself up in the chains of those Jezebel spirits and let them devour and destroy all kinds of things in my life.

But times they are a changing…

The other common approach is to forget that they are lost just like we once were and are in need of the very help that we have received. Our other alternative is to demonize the women/ladies themselves – as if we haven’t ourselves been the very fuel that has flamed their promiscuous natures with our following eyes, with our flattering words, with our fumbling hands…

But these girls are someone’s wife or future wife. They are someone’s daughter. They are someone’s sister.

Will you look God in the eye and tell Him what you are thinking about this daughter that He has created? Are we so foolish to think that we can hide your thoughts from Him? Or do we not even believe enough to care?

Do we care that this is a lost female in need of help, actually, a SISTER that is not in need of our incestuous celebration of her captivity, but in need of our leading her to the freedom that can only be found in Christ!

I think of Paul’s heart for those around him who were lost:

With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters.I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them. – Romans 9:1-3

And I remember that He does not wish that even one should perish and that faith comes by hearing the Word of God:

As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. – Romans 10:11-17

So when faced with these situations, it is time for discernment. Is this a lost soul who will hear the Word of God and in whom a seed will be planted by my sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with them? Is this a Jezebel spirit just wanting to get close to me through this female vessel that needs to be freed from her current master? Am I in a situation where my own integrity and virtue might be compromised by allowing any interaction with this person? Or am I in a situation where my wife and I and our strong, faithful, dedicated and loving relationship might demonstrate something new and better to this person?

Dangerous ground if I’m standing upon sand.

Dangerous ground if I’m using grace as an excuse to abound in sin.

Dangerous ground if I’m powerless and lost in religion with no active and abiding relationship with my Lord and Savior.

Dangerous ground if I think that I’m stronger and safer than I actually am.

So, the playbook for such a situation? A firm and sound footing in the Word of God and a willingness to share the Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ with them first and foremost. That Jezebel spirit will run from the name of Jesus if the Holy Spirit is present and active and moving and at work in my life. But if I were working under my own power and authority and not that of Jesus Christ, I’m reminded of the warning in Acts 19:

A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.

The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices.

But I’m no son of Sceva. I am a Son of God. I am in Christ. I am called and sent. In fact, it is my faith in His power and authority that is the source of my confidence – not in myself – but in Him to not let His Word fall void.

So, if I respond, it is to share the Word of God with these by the wayside, so that some might recognize His voice and His message and they might turn from their wicked ways and repent and believe.

And yes, some will read this an say, “Buy you’re JUDGING them!”

I can judge fruit, I can recognize sin, I can hate even the stain on the garment, while still extending forgivness, mercy, and salvation to the sinner who will come to confess their sins, repent and turn to a new life in Christ.

Yes, I hope that my sharing the gospel – even if it drives these flirtatious women away – might show her that I love Jesus Christ and that my seeing the promise of her living as my sister in Christ is more important than seeing the corruption of her dying as my whore in bondage.

If you aren’t willing to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with any woman that comes in contact with you, are you even a believer? Are you more concerned about scaring away the prey than saving her from the wolves? Are you more interested in what she can raise for you than seeing her raised to life?

Harsh words? Harsh language?

But loving, nonetheless.

If you cannot share the whole truth of the Good News of Jesus Christ with these women, stay away completely. Run home to your own house, your own home, your own wife/family and do not look back. If you will not, or you can not, do not be surprised when the fires are licking at your life, burning everything away, leaving nothing behind of value, and you find yourself, naked, battered, and alone in the darkness. If you’re there now, turn back before it is too late.

DO NOT FALL FOR IT.

DO NOT STUMBLE THEM.

REPENT.

God bless.

 

 

Stop Trusting. -> Cut Off. -> What??!?

​As the Scriptures say, 

“God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear.” 

Likewise, David said, 

“Let their bountiful table become a snare, a trap that makes them think all is well. Let their blessings cause them to stumble, and let them get what they deserve. Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs be bent forever.” 

“Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” 

Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either. 

Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. BUT IF YOU STOP TRUSTING, YOU ALSO WILL BE CUT OFF.

Romans 11:8‭-‬10‭, ‬19‭-‬22 NLT

BUT IF YOU STOP TRUSTING, YOU ALSO WILL BE CUT OFF.
What a statement that should cause a great pause to those whose only “blessed assurance” lies in a once upon a time prayer or dunking in some water but who is not alive and abiding in a faithful trust in the Lord!
What a shocking statement for those who are familiar with the routine of weekly or daily religious chores and schedules,  but whose heartfelt trust in the Lord is ac totally in question,  in doubt, in rebellion, in backslidden forgetfulness about this Jesus they call out to with their mouths and deny with their hearts! 
What a shocking statement that mirrors the wake up calls of chapters like Hebrews 6 and Hebrews 10 that remind us that finding Christ is the beginning of the journey,  not the completion of our race!
What an encouraging verse that places the victory firmly in His hands, with Him even responsibile for the faith and trust that we find in Him! 
Where does my help come from? 
My help comes from the Lord!
If you cannot say this yourself,  seek Him  diligently,  ask Him for His mercy to feed you even just the crumbs from the table that are meant for His true children, acknowledging that you realize you are coming as the dog that has chased time and time again the vomit of sin —

And in your returning as the prodigal hoping for just a servant’s portion, find that He calls you His own,  and that He is faithful and true,  and that your unwavering trust is the only sane response to the grace and mercy and love of your heavenly Father. 
Cling tight. Never let go. Through His strength,  and through His righteousness, know that blessed assurance of a life lived out in faith, in trust, in that grateful response to the victory won for you by the Lamb of God slain on the cross, so that by your belief,  by your abiding belief, you walk as a new creation confirmed in Spirit and Truth.