Daily Archives: April 13, 2012

Is it Soup Yet?

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I watched the movie about the Apostle John last night.  And as I suck down on my first cup of coffee I ponder what I take away from the encounter.  Among the things taken from that movie, one item stands out clearly.  There is a people of God who will suffer greatly under the hands which belong to those who worship the beast.  This is why I write.  This is why I pray.  This is why we support and spread the Gospel with vigor.

When I first began to speak for the Lord, it was to simply tell the story in the hopes that others would grasp its meaning to themselves.  But now I see two additional elements.  Now I see the Gospel itself as a defence toward the ungodly; they attack our beliefs and we return with the message of Christ Jesus.  And I see the telling of the story of Christ as a way of encouraging those who struggle to gain a foot hold as they encounter the things which are sure to come because of The Way.

I wonder, am I able to endure what is coming upon the Lord’s people?  I guess the answer is yes.  For He proves to us that He is sufficient for the moment’s cause.  But I am reminded that it is never a bad thing to be prepared for all eventualities.  The lord of flies is after our destruction.  And it is only a matter of time before killing us becomes legal again.  It doesn’t take a prophet to see that society is headed in that way.

The Pastorate is not Gained by Man

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Church of Body of Christ in Kaunas. Lietuvių: ...

Church of Body of Christ in Kaunas. Lietuvių: Dievo kūno bažnyčia, Kaunas. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

How shall a man determine that he should stand in the body of Christ in a certain place?  Is he to render himself to the Lord and speak like this:  “Lord, Most High God, I will stand here and do these things for I am worthy.”  Is it not the Lord who places each of His people among the body?  We have heard of gifts given to man by the Lord, and that for the building up of the body of Christ.  Yet some suppose, in their vain imagination, that they possess certain gifts.  And so they provoke, prod, push, and tender their way to a position.  Some have even had the gall to become teachers in the Church with this pompous attitude.  These are those who consider that the Word of God is all that is necessary to achieve position.  Yet they miss the mark.  And the Church today suffers under the oppression of their folly.

It is the Lord Jesus who gives position to man.  If there were but one teacher appointed by the Lord he would do great things beyond ten thousand presumptuous men.  There is nothing accomplished, which will last eternally, if it is not accomplished by the power of the Lord Himself.  A man should become promoted to position because he has shown the power of God within him to accomplish that post.  The ability to read and speak are no sign of the power of God among us.

May the Lord Himself give insight into these things.  May all His people search for His Holy will with all their might.  May wisdom from God be first, and the will of man be last.  Unless the Lord builds the house the builder builds in vain!

There are those who will take your money to give you a position in the Church.  And there are people who will take you in to lead them and call you pastor, priest, even “father”.  But I urge you to consider this:  You are a man.  They are but men.  Shall the blind lead the blind down, what the Lord Himself has called, “the narrow way”?  Decide for yourself what is right.  Who shall know the mind of God but the Spirit of God within us.

In ALL things it is first and last Jesus, the Lord and King of all righteousness.  Seek Him aside from man.  Search out His will.  Why would you pay money for what you cannot eat?

Lord I ask that you give insight into these things for all who seek to serve You.

By His Grace.