WHAT ARE WE WORTH

They say if we add up the cost of all the minerals in the human body the grand tally would be around 98 cents. Now that may be for the physical remains of our body, but in God I would tell you we are worth much more. In reality we are worth the death of Jesus on the cross, but that is for another article for another day. But the operative value would depend on the person and not some standard from which to draw conclusions, oh no the value of a man depends not on money, but on the work God has been able to do in our lives. This too is why our worth is increased NOT by what we can gain, but what we can lose. The more we can lose of our self and the world the more valuable we will be to God. We would think the more knowledge and wisdom of the world we gain the more useful we will be to God, well no that is not right. One would think the better and more skillful we get in our abilities and gifting (even in God) the more God can use us, well no that also is not right. The truth here is the more of the worldly ways and desires we can lose, the more of our selfishness, our self-seeking nature, our self righteousness we can lose the more profitable we can become and be used in God's service for His glory. Funny how we always get this backwards, maybe that is why not many are useful in God's service. Watchman Nee said, "the broken alone are useful to God.' Did you get that "the broken alone are useful." Not too many Christians want to be broken by God. We even think we can break ourselves of habits and issues in our lives: we have 10 step, 12 step methods to quit addictions you name it, but they do not work. Only God and God alone (when He changes our heart and desires) can break the chains that hold our mind and bodies in the bondage of addictions. More police and better healthcare programs are not the answer to the opioid epidemic that is sweeping America. God and God alone (as He crushes our heart and desires) can crush this heinous scourge. So too in our spiritual bodies. The more we allow God to crush us and break us the more He can use us. Now this crushing can be what we think and what we do not think. One thing I am learning is the longer we go in God the harder God's tests become and the more subtle. One would think God is trying to set us up or trick us in some way, but no this is not the case. God expects us to learn the lessons He has taught us. God does not expect us to learn the lesson for the test and then forget it. When I was in college I would cram (because I was working in the US Navy and had a family) for a test and learn the material long enough so I could pass the test, then it was forgotten because I never really did learn the material. Well that is not how God operates. God expects us to learn and remember every test He brings our way. God expects us to have the spiritual wherewithal to discover the work that God desires to do in our lives and to retain the work He has deposited in our heart. And oh how sweet the deposits are after they have worked into our lives. This kind of reminds me of the words of Thomas Watson when he said, "till sin be bitter Christ will not be sweet." These testings from God can be bitter, but if we endure and learn from them they will be sweet as Christ, like honey in our mouth. Recently I experienced a test that caught me off guard, but when it was over all I could say was, this is the doings of the LORD and it was marvelous in my sight. For those who know me they also know I like football (not soccer) and I like coaching/teaching football. For the last four years I have taught football as a coach (last three as the head coach) at the Middle School level (grades 6-8) and this year I decided to try to move up to the high school level (grades 9-12), so I applied to be an assistant coach at the high school. To my surprise I was selected to be one of five coaching positions. I was happy God gave me a desire of my heart and the money, well as an assistant coach I would get (before taxes) $7,000. What could I do with $7,000? Sink some of the money into BHG. Buy some new things for the home. I think I had the money spent before I earned it. Happy yes, yet at the same time puzzled. I knew all of our games were played on Friday night and I also knew at the present time Freddy, Gerald, and I were going up to Craven Detention Center to talk to 275+ prisoners the second and fourth Friday of the month. I was confused to say the least. I knew God wanted me to apply for the assistant coaching job and when hired I knew God wanted me to coach which meant I could not go to prison on Friday night. So I went with what God was doing at the time even through it seemed strange to me. We need to stop asking so many questions and just go along for the ride with what God is doing. Well as the season opened I was excited (I like coaching football), but as summer work outs began I began to see the lack of leadership of the coaching staff. Worse I began to see the great lack of integrity of the coaching staff (from the head coach down) and of the program. I was asked to do some things that would require me to lie, turn my head to coaches using tobacco on the field and to turn a blind eye to coaches with alcohol on their breath. I was even more confused. We were only four games (got beat by over 40 points each game, God does not bless a mess) into the season when God sent Pastor S.J Peter and his lovely wife Helen from Hyderabad, India by for a visit. We planned to drive them down to Charleston, SC after about a week in town and hand them off to Pastor Ronnie Huneycutt. At our HGM Pastor Peter spoke from Psalms 26, "Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide." (Psalms 26:1) God was speaking to me. Here David (the one in the Bible) resorts to God confidence of his own integrity. God was speaking to me about my integrity. The next day (Wednesday) a few more things (God is good to pile on things) happened at practice and I was at the end of myself. Thursday things came to a head and I called the principle and told him I was going to resign. He asked for my resignation in writing (he wanted to investigate my comments) so I sent him a four page resignation letter detailing my time with the team. My heart was clear now. Friday when I went to Craven Detention Center with Freddy I had something personal to share with the prisoners. I told them my story and let them know my integrity was worth more than $7,000. I could have turned my head or winked at the lack of integrity, but I chose to walk away from $7,000. God's number is 7 was there a connection here? Yes! Within me there grew a strength that I never had before. I have never left $7,000 on the table. The next day (Saturday) as we drove down to Charleston, SC the LORD let me know He was testing me through all of this. God wanted me to do football and not go to Craven Detention Center so He could test me. I slid down in my seat and calmly told Karen, Pastor Peter, and Helen what the LORD told me. What was I worth? More than $7,000. As I said the longer we go in God the harder and the more subtle the tests become. I never expected God to test me with football, but He did. What we like God is good at going after in our lives. As a matter of fact He will do whatsoever He wants to do to test us. Now the test is not about seeing if we can pass or fail. The test is about qualifying or being approved for the next thing God has for us. If we fail the test make no mistake my friend we will see the same test in a different form on a different day. What are we worth? God's Son Jesus Christ gave His life for us. What is the value of Jesus' life? One cannot measure this, but one can measure the value and cost of loss we must experience to pay the price. Nothing is free in God. Even our salvation cost Jesus His life. Everything we get from God will cost us something make no mistake my friend we are worth what we pay for in God.

WTFMT 47 (FROM HGM ON 24 OCT 17)

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-47 TEXT: "Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him." (Isaiah 43:7)

 

I. THE WORKSHOP

 

A. The wilderness is God's workshop. He has designed it for us. He brings us to it. We are His workmanship. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) The workman (God) works on and in the piece of work He has created formed and made, in His workshop, where ever He wants it to be.

B. We are brought there to see His glory, to relate to it, to learn from it, and above all, to be conformed to His image. We would prefer God to work on us in His workshop of green grass and still water. Although these have their places in our Christian experience, certain changes in us are not accomplished in these lovely and pleasant places.

C. We do not seem to linger long in the pleasant places. So when there, breath in the enjoy and strength, fore soon He will move us on to yet another place of growth and development.

D. The children of Israel followed the cloud to green grass. The name of the place we "Hazeroth." The stem of this Hebrew word "Hazeroth" (2698) means "green," "grass," "leeks," "enclosures, " and others. "And the people journeyed from Kibrothhattaavah unto Hazeroth; and abode at Hazeroth." (Numbers 11:35)

E. To those camping there this would have been most pleasing. WE don't like to camp in the desert or in the wilderness, but rather in an oasis where there is a carpet of green grass and a fish-filled stream. How long do we camp in the green grass besides the still waters? Not very long! We must follow the cloud. "And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran." (Numbers 12:16)

F. The cloud did not tarry long over the green grass, but moved to the Wilderness of Paran. The lush grass must be left behind. Leaving green grass and entering a wilderness like Paran is most discouraging.

G. Everything seemed to be to Israel's advantages in pleasant Hazeroth. However, not everything was fine and correct in the hearts of the people. This is where the murmuring against Moses was so strong that Miriam became leprous because of it.

H. Wildernesses, not utopias, are the workshops of God. In a utopia God cannot work into His people the dedication needed to fulfill His purposes. Adam and Eve more than anyone else, except the angels in Heaven who fell, prove this truth. They did not respond correctly in their paradise.

I. The green grass of Hazeroth is desired by all, but does not fully and totally meet man's spiritual needs. The leadership directly under Moses failed in the green grass. "And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; [Aaron and Miriam] and he departed." (Numbers 12:9)

J. The workshops of God are not in places of pleasantries where everything always goes well. The potter's wheel is not always an abundance of money. The anvil of God is not necessarily a state of unfailing good health.

II. PARTING THOUGHTS

 

A. What kind of Christians would emerge from a utopia where there is never a threat, never the valley of the shadow of death? Where there is no battle, there can be no victory. If there is no victory, there is no overcomer. We can't live in a utopia as long as the angles who fell did and not be any better for it.

B. Aaron and Miriam loved the green grass of Hazeroth as much as anyone. It did not cause them to respond to God properly. His glory and His beauty [Paran] were not manifested through them there.

C. Green grass fades and the flower withers, but whoever does the will of God abides forever! Our physical well-being, all the things of this present life with which God could possibly bless us, these material blessing, ALL fade away. If we wait long enough, we will see the car God gave us be placed in the junkyard. He gives us another if we are doing His will.

D. Everything passes away. Back and forth, back and forth the fashions of this world are always passing away. Nothing is permanent; nothing here is established. Except for! "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (I John 2:17)

E. We must release all things that shall pass away, and follow the Master. We must not cling to the things of this life. Jesus said these things do not hold the essence of life. " . . . . for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." (Luke 12:15) Life does not consist of these things of this present world, although most people suppose it does. God in opposition to this philosophy is always attempting to draw us away from that which is temporal toward which is eternal.

PRESS THE MOMENT

As odd as this may sound sometimes I like to just sit at my home computer and watch the screen saver scroll. I catch dinner guests doing the same out of the corner of their eye. The pictures come in waves of family events like birthdays, weddings, funerals, trips we have been on overseas, and other odds and ends. As I look at each picture (knowing there in a few seconds of time before the scroll will move on) I look hard and try to remember the time this picture was captured for history. With each picture my mind goes back to the time and the occasion the picture was taken. You know there is NO such thing as the past or the future. We often project things (we call it planning for the future) that will happen in what we call the future, but in reality the present is all we really have and what we call the future is a hope and a dream. Same as the future there is no past. All we have is the now. The past is no more. Memories, failures, victories, and the like all ring in our thoughts, but in reality they are finished in our lives. I hear people (even Christians) say, "I remember the good ole days (for some they were not so good)," but in reality we are in the place in God we find our self based on the actions and decisions we made in the past. Our future (or what we call the future) is based not on the future, but on the things we do for God (or not do for God) in the now. The now is all we really have. Paul told the Body of Christ at Corinth, "We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:1-2) Now the salvation Paul was talking about was much more than salvation from their sins. They were already saved of their sins, but needed saved from themselves. Strife, hatred, ambition, offense, greed, and so much more (maybe sounds like us today) filled their hearts and the Body of Christ. And Paul says, "now is the day of salvation" for all of these things (and yes even our besetting sins) to be removed so that the LORD could have His place on the throne of our hearts. God can never take His place on the throne of our heart if we do not give Him leave. I wonder why we always go toward removing sin in our lives and leave our character flaws to fester? Paul also tells us, "We all have sinned and come short (our character flaws) of the glory of God.' (Romans 3:23) I would think it is those character flaws (and not so much sin) in our lives that prevents God from moving as He desires in us. After all sin was gloriously dealt with on the cross. In Ephesians Paul tells, "Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself. 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times (which is always now) he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: " (Ephesians 1:8-10) This "dispensation of fulness of times" can stretch out across the span of years, but at the same time it can be defined in a moment, in an event, in smile, and in one act of kindness. We can see this truth play out knowing God is the same yesterday, today, and forever , yet He is the same in a moment of time. The "fulness" here really captured my thoughts. How long, how big, how small, how full is "fulness" with God? To be honest I am not sure if God can be measured in such terms. In Solomon's prayer of thanksgiving to God for the Temple he said, "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?" (1 Kings 8:27) I do not believe God can be measured with earthly instruments, oh no God must be measured in what is "gathered together in one all things in Christ" and that brings me back to my pictures on the scroll on my desk top computer. As I look at them the events and actions have been captured, "gathered together in one all things in Christ." The people, the meals, the preaching and teaching, everything that has been recorded in picture format for me to remember and think about. Now we have covered much ground so far, but here is my point has God's "fulness" been accomplished in the picture? Have you ever had a conversation with someone and later said to yourself, "I wished I would have said this or that?" I am sure we all have well my pictures are kind of like that. I look at the pictures now on the scroll and remember the event, location, setting all of the details, and wonder if I have done all that I could do to maximize the moment for the glory of God? I look and imagine what could I have done different or was what I did all that could be done? The memories are great, but the relationship in the pictures are greater. In the end I seem to always come back to the same conclusion what was done is done. In most cases it is too late to take back words or deeds. What we did is gain and what we did not do really does not matter. At the end of the day we must give what we do to God's good graces and capable hands. I was traveling with Jake Luffy overseas and I asked him, "how about the people who do not respond, those who do not hear and heed our words?" He said, "there must come a time in our walk with the LORD where we give the people over to God." Our job is to speak the word and the people's job is to respond. All we can do is what we feel what the LORD is saying. I believe Paul had this or a simpler thought. In Ephesians 3 Paul tells us, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 3:13-14) In verse 13 Paul says he forgets those things he has done, "which are behind" so he can "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus." You know unless we forget what happened in the past we will never be able to "press toward the mark." It is a casting or taking off things in our lives (our job here) so we can put on things. Paul helps here again, "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." (Romans 13:12) We will never walk in the light of Christ Jesus unless we allow God to work in our lives (through His dealings and judgments) so we can learn to cast off the darkness that causes us to stumble and fall out of the way God has for us to go. My brothers and sisters Paul was saying we must press the moment while in the moment. We must achieve the greatest good for God in the time He has made available for us to be His arms and hands on earth. The prize is not some crown, a wreath, some reward we may get "when we all get to heaven," or even Christ Jesus Himself, but just the opportunity to be of service to our brothers and sisters. What else could we want? What better prize in God than to be a word of strong encouragement, a shoulder to cry on, a word of rebuke, etc? I could go on all night, you fill in the blank. When in the moment of need we press forward and are there to hit the mark for our brothers and sisters, the mark that eases the pain and anguish of loss, confusion, and despair. Moments are fleeting in the lives and affairs of men, but in these moments we must press the moment for God's best. Written by David Stahl 

CONVINCED BUT NOT CONVERTED

I often hear Christians talk about our faith and our belief. Now it is true we can exchange these two words in a sentence and not much of the meaning will be lost because they are close in understanding, concept, and context, but when you look at the spiritual application of these words we find there is a huge difference. The word believe is really soft and mushy. We humans can believe anything all day long and it be wrong. I can believe (also works for those Christians who like claiming the things of God) I am a car, sit in my garage all day, and even go beep beep, but that will never make me a car. In God you cannot translate or substitute faith for belief they are separate spiritual concepts in application. You know I marvel when I think of faith . To be honest no person alive today and only one in the past has really known how faith works its seemingly magic in our lives. God took me all the way to India to help me with understanding faith and to be honest again I marvel at the outcomes (signs and wonders), but I do not know and understand how it works. Oh I know we can read, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1), but what does that all mean? No really. I have heard sermon after sermon on Hebrews 11:1 and to this day, honestly to be able to grasp the concept is far beyond my ability and yours if you are honest. You know I do not need to know how it works, oh no all I need is to know is the one who is working it all through our faith. Paul tell us in Ephesians even our salvation is through faith. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10) Grace (what God has done and given us) is God's part before the foundations of the world was laid and faith (our response to God's grace) is our part. If we get grace wrong (can do what we want and still be saved) we get over into lascivious or fleshly sins. And if we get faith wrong we get over into legalism and emotionalism. Sadly way too many churches are here. There is a balance we must walk for us to be saved. When I think of "real' faith I think of Ester saying , 'if I perish I perish" or Job saying, "though God slay me yet I will trust Him." Oddly enough Jesus never made this faith or belief mistake. He was very clear when it came to issues requiring our faith and our belief. As a matter of fact like grace and faith there is a relationship between faith and unbelief. In Matthew Jesus said, "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." (Matthew 17:20) Not because of their lack of faith, but because of their unbelief mountains (or problems in their lives) were not removed. Unbelief was the reason (Hebrews 3:18-19) the Children of Israel entered not into the promsied land. I think one reason why we get off track here with faith and belief is today we get the things of God from other people so we can believe, yet still not be converted because if we get the things of God though revelation (for ourselves) from the Holy Spirit how could we not have faith and believe? We see this truth in Peter's life. Jesus was asking the disciples who do they say I am? "And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 16:14-17) Peter had to have gotten this revelation from the Holy Spirit (and not from the other disciples) who had not come yet. It was not all of Jesus' good works, miracles, and sermons that convinced Peter to say of Jesus, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Oh no it was the good work of the Holy Spirit in his life that brought Peter to this revelation. At this time Peter was convinced, but sadly he was not converted. Okay let us go a little bit deeper here. We can be convinced about the things of God to a point. We see it every week on Sunday morning when countless millions of Christians trudge off to church, sing three fast ones and slow one, hear some announcements, take up the tithes and offering, maybe hear a special number, and then hear 15 to 20 (no more than 30 minutes) minutes of inspiring words. What I call the denominational lullaby. Shhh do not wake them up. They are convinced Jesus loves them and they are on their way to heaven (and may not be), but they are not converted to the truths of the word of God that will enable them to stand and withstand life's circumstances and difficulties making it to heaven. Having an opportunity to learn, but never learning. Not converted to the point where there will be spiritual growth and development in knowing God in their lives. Brother Peter (I really like Peter he is so much like us) experienced this too in spite of his deep revelation who Jesus is. In Luke we read, "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." (Luke 22:31-32) You know I hope Jesus really did not pray (as we think prayer is) for Peter because his faith did fail just a few hours later, but in the end he was a rock. However, in the garden and in the court yard of the high priest he was a scared man who failed just like you and I may have been. Notice Jesus' words, "when thou are converted strengthen thy brethren." Not when you are convinced, but when you are converted. I wonder what made the difference in his life? That moved him from being convinced to being converted? Maybe it was the whole garden and court yard experience? In this maybe he saw his weakness and loud mouth boasting of what he would do for Christ, but in the end he discovered he was nothing more than an arrogant liar. Or maybe it was when Jesus asked him (in John 20) Peter do you love me and all he could say was I am only fond of you. What is even more amazing Peter walked with Jesus for three years: he saw the miracles, the deaf ears and blind eyes opened, he tasted of the loaves and fishes, he saw the dead come back to life, and yet he was not converted, but only convinced. How easy it is to be convinced God loves us, but oh so hard to be converted. After Peter was converted he was never the same man or leader. Today many say a leader is a reader, well I would say a leader knows the difference between book sense and the good sense of the Holy Spirit. Peter's sword was put aside and he listened before he opened his mouth. A real conversion in God will lead us to a quietness and silent spirit. Jesus took it much deeper in the fruit manifested from our conversion, "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3-4) Notice the word "Except" which means there is no other way, it is the only way to be converted to become as a little child. Not too many Christians want to become little children, oh no they want to be bishops, pastors, deacons, prophets, evangelists, apostles, teachers well becoming all of these are NOT the requirements to go to heaven. They want to be great, but becoming these (bishops, pastors, deacons, prophets, evangelist, apostles, teachers) will not make you great. Jesus said to be great we must humble ourselves as little child. I guess greatness in our eyes is different than in God's eyes. And notice Jesus did not said say shall not enter the kingdom of God oh no, He said the kingdom of heaven which is much different than the kingdom of God. Maybe many are not converted because we do not want to be as a little child? Just a thought for us to ponder. You know what ever is planted grows. If we plant a cherry seed a cherry tree will grow. So too in the spiritual realm. When God had us start Christliche Gemeinde Stuttgart back in 1997, Bill Pepper a wonderful brother and mentor to me would come by Germany for a visit. After a few days of getting the lay of the land he would sit me down for a few hours of counseling me. How I loved it. How I loved getting the boom lowered. Well one of the first times he said I will be able to see what we have planned in the people. I will be honest at first I did not understand what he was saying, but as time went on and I saw the fruit springing up in lives I knew crystal clear what he was saying. If outcomes in the lives of the people were unpleasant, well I had some fault in that. Whatsoever is planted grows. If I sow seeds of strife, confusion, or division from the pulpit or more important in relationships in the church then these will grow and bear the fruit and more seeds of the fruit which will only be spread to other lives. So too when it comes to our conversion. If we are only convinced then the seed we spread will not be strong enough to handle the cares of the world or thorny and dry ground. Real conversion is seen in the lives of mature men and women of God who are able to learn and teach, endure whatsoever comes their way. Are you convinced or are you converted? The answer is always seen in our lives by others, but sometimes the truth is hidden from our heart. Written by David Stahl 

AT THE END OF THE DAY

Okay here is the good news right up front. At the end of the day (when our life is over and we stand before a holy God) it does not matter what our ministry was while on earth, how much money we gave the church, or what we did for the pastor and God's people. No all of this is over. All of our good works and well intentions are over. At the end of the day (when our life is over and we stand before a holy God) what matters is what we did with Jesus Christ. God will say to us, "who do you say Jesus is?" A couple of days after Michael Jackson died I was sitting in a sauna with some friends (one being my dear friend Pastor Foster) and my friends (many call themselves Christian) were recounting Michael Jackson's life, his dancing and singing ability. Well, I chimed in and said, "yes he was a great singer and dancer, but when he stood before God He did not ask him to sing a song or dance a lick." Well the sauna got deathly quiet. You would have thought I let the air in the room out. I said, "oh no when Michael Jackson (like us all will) stood before God He only asked him one question, what did you do with my Son Jesus?" I cannot speak for Michael Jackson (maybe for him it is too late), but I can only speak for myself. In my heart I want to be able to say, "thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" as Brother Peter had this revelation. In Matthew Jesus was talking to the disciples and asked " . . . . whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 16:13-17) The disciples were quick to reply with earthly responses, except for Peter. Jesus asked and they told the truth, "they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets." Jesus then brought it home to the disciples as He always did, "But whom say ye that I am?" And of course Peter speaks up first not because he is a loose cannon, but because he has the right answer, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus was quick to commend Peter while giving him a back handed love tap. Here Jesus called him "Simon Barjona" (not his name) or blessed art thou old man of the flesh. I have also heard Jesus here was referring to Peter's nature and comparing it (his nature) to the wild golden doves from the Isle of Barjona that could not be tamed. Saying Peter was like a wild golden dove beautiful in flight, but had a wild streak in him that could not be tamed. Now this had great significance for the other disciples because Jesus was teaching them to understand who Christ is, to be able to understand the kingdom, to understand anything of God it must not be by flesh or blood (man's wisdom and ways), but must be "revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." We must allow God through the Holy Spirit to reveal the secrets of the kingdom, the mysteries of the Gospel, wisdom, the mystery of God, of Godliness, all of these and more must be revealed to us we cannot learn them with head knowledge or book learning. I do believe this is what Paul was teaching the Church at Corinth when he said, "Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more." (2 Corinthians 5:16) or if we have known Christ in salvation and then try to know Him after the flesh (book learning and through carnal ways) then we know Him no more. God must reveal Himself personally to us by the Spirit. Remember "carnal" just means not of the Spirit, worldly. We Christians like to make this word something more than what it is. Too many Christians try to know God after the flesh, carnally: through books, education, music, dance, flag waving, even service to our brothers and sisters, but that is not the way God wants us to know Him. God wants us to come to know Him through the Spirit, through revelation as the Holy Spirit reveals the truth of God's nature and character to us. What benefit is it to us if we come to know about Him and even use some of His power yet never come to know His person? Oh how we go after the truth in the word of God, but when God begins to reveal the truth about our nature and character (oh me) quickly we shut down. At the end of the day (when our life is over and we stand before a holy God) it does not matter what we have done or said for God, all of our good works will be over. I remember when Charles Haun was gathered to his elders (and I believe he is with the LORD) in July 1996 his wonderful wife Violet was left with his Bible, his ministry, all of his office (how I use to enjoy him and his office) equipment, all of his outstanding writings, his luggage that he used to travel countless 1,000s of miles, his watch, his personal clothing, his tooth brush all of this and more now was in Violets care. I look around and wonder what will happen to all of those things I hold near and dear to my heart. I have laid out in my last will and testament who gets my swords and weapons, and some other things, but in the end all of this stuff does not matter. What matters is what did we do with Jesus and did we keep the faith till the end. In Ecclesiastes the Preacher gives us "the conclusion of the whole matter." He writes, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) The "whole matter" is to "Fear God and keep his commandments." There is a day coming when we all will stand before a holy God, great and small, sinner and saint alike. Not because I say it, but because the Bible says it. In Revelations John says, "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." (Revelation 20:12) So we shall be judged as the Preacher says in Ecclesiastes and John says here in verse 20:12. What will be judged according to John will be our works. Maybe that is why so many Christians want to do good works for God thinking the more good works they do the greater chance they have making it into heaven. Well not so fast my friend. Our works will be judged, but it will not be how many or what kind of works we did for God, oh no. What will be judged will be how we did those works for God. Did we do them with the right heart conditions, motives, and intentions. These will be the standard our works will be judged. You see in God, it does not matter what we do for God, but it matters how we do it. Do we do things with the right heart condition and for the right reasons. One of the first times I went to Nairobi, Kenya I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Faith Mutua. Faith is the wife of Pastor Joseph Mutua. So many wonderful memories with the Mutuas and their girls. Well one day I was talking with Faith and we got on this subject and I made the statement , "it does not matter what we do for God, but it matters how we do it" and Faith (a tiny lady) looked at me and jumped up on the chair and said, "I see now. I see how I can compete with someone like you and Jake (a mutual friend). I am just a house wife and you all travel the world in ministry, holding huge meeting, sharing deep truths. I thought I was in some type of completion, but now I see it matters not what we do for God, but it does matter to God how we do things for Him.  At the end of the day (when our life is over and we stand before a holy God) our works will be judged and rewarded (maybe for another article) accordingly. It will not matter what we do for God then, but it will matter then how we do things for God, have we kept the faith to the end, and what we have done with Jesus Christ.

WTFMT 46 ON 22 AUIG 2017

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-46

TEXT: "And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp." (Numbers 10:34)

 

I. FOLLOW THE CLOUD

A. The first lesson to be learned is to follow the cloud. We must learn to follow what we know to be the direction of God.

B. Many of us spend so much time and effort in worrying about what we do not know, that there is little strength and opportunity left to follow God in what we do know. As we learn to walk in the known will of God, we will spare ourselves much trouble and anguish.

C. The second lesson to be learned is not to complain and question God as you follow. The children of Israel were always complaining about these wilderness stops. "Well, why did the cloud stop here? Doesn't God know that there is no water here, and that this is the wilderness?"

D. Why does God lead us into the wilderness? To kill us because there are no graves in Egypt? As they followed the cloud, they did not recognize the wisdom of God in leading them to these specific places. Therefore they did not recognize God's purposes in each stop.

E. If we do not learn the second lesson (learn not to complain) we will never see the meaning in "Paran." We will miss the beauty and glory in the wilderness and die of spiritual hunger and thirst.

F. Many believers are starving for God's glory and beauty, but do not receive because they have not walked in obedience to what they know to do and are always complaining when God takes us to His workshop (the wilderness) and begins to work in us. If God cannot teach us obedience, He can do anything with us.

 

II. DON'T MISS IT!

 

A. The brightness of the glory of God, the cloud, the burning fire by night, rested in the Wilderness of Paran. The tribes of Israel under this cloud. But one can live under the glory of God and never see it. Consider how many people missed the glory of God as Jesus walked this earth to teach and perform God's wonderful miracles.

B. Today some believers will miss the glory of God, in the wilderness. There are many things we would never want to miss. Holiday! Would we want to forego our vacation time? Payday? Who would want to miss payday? Christmas! Few believers would want to miss Christmas.

C. We want money, convenience, comfort, health, happiness! We want a nice home and car! When a Christian gives these things greater priority than the glory of God, we have come short of the glory of God. We will miss the beauty and glory in the Wilderness of Paran.

D. We will miss seeing the glory of God in our vision is fixed on our fears. Fear of the work of the Lord (possible humiliation and embarrassment) in our lives, in the wilderness, will keep us from looking toward the wilderness and the glory He wants to work in our lives. Let us not be afraid of the wilderness.

E. Seasons in the wilderness will become the occasions when God imparts certain divine meanings and revelations and richness to us. The wilderness will be the place of our greatest progression in God. God can not do must work on us in a time of blessing, even during church.

F. But He can take us into His workshop and work His nature and character in us. "For we are his workmanship . . . " (Ephesians 2:10) The Lord takes us into the wilderness and reveals His thoughts and intents of His heart to us, which are thoughts of love and joy and intending for us to walk with Him in victory and prosperity.

 

III. PARTING THOUGHTS

 

A. There are certain things which God can bring to us only as we properly relate to His glory in the wilderness. There are certain aspects of the work of God in us which must be accomplished in the wilderness and nowhere else.

B. These cannot be done in the Promised Land. They cannot be done in Heaven. They cannot be done in prosperity, alone. They cannot be done in health. Wherever they must be done, we must follow God to the place and respond to Him there in that place where He leads you too do the work in you He desires.

C. Certain aspects of God's care and character are seen only in difficult places. How can we know Him as Healer unless we become sick? How can we see Him as Provider unless you are in need.

D. Most of us will not render to God complete surrender and cooperation when we are in good times. Wherever we must be to have God accomplish His work in us, we must follow God to that place and respond to Him there. This was true for Abraham, David, Job, and Joseph and for us as well.

FATHER IN THE LORD

I recently had three emails shot gunned to me from an older fellow I recently met. Now I am not going to go into the fellow, but in one the fellow's emails he mentioned, "due to my maturity in God I am a father in the LORD." Now this fellow is a nice, stately, older man (really do not know him that well), very busy for God (maybe too busy), but older than I so I will respect him, but his statement really struck me odd. I thought how does one become a father in the LORD? What are the scriptural qualifications one must accomplish for God to be called a father? Do we have to be in service to the LORD for a certain amount of time, give a certain amount of money, or do mighty miracles, signs and wonders? I looked in the Bible and could NOT find any qualifications or requirements one must master to earn this title. Now I know where he and many in the church get this title. I cannot believe how title hungry some Christians can be. The push for knowledge, degrees, and such (in some circles) over revelation is very sad to me. After all the Holy Spirit said He will teach (see John 14:26) us all things. But back on thought. In 1 Corinthians Paul was chiding the Church at Corinth to pay attention, to "take heed" to themselves for they were not learning the lessons and teachings he brought them when he established the Church at Corinth and now he is coming back so he was scolding them for their wavering from the truth and their mixing of other religions with the Gospel message. Paul writes, "I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me." (1 Corinthians 4:14-16) Paul said of the Church at Corinth they gathered together for the worse than the better. Paul again writes, "Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse." (1 Corinthians 11:17) They had every gift of the Spirit in operation, yet they were filled with strife, division, self-serving ambition, ungodliness, and great perversion. Paul was NOT telling the people to call him a spiritual father oh no, Paul was using an analogy, drawing into contrast the requirements for a son to learn from his earthly father. From this one verse (and maybe others) countless Christians think of themselves as spiritual fathers to other Christians whose light may not be as bright as theirs. After all if we can find another Christian whose light is not as bright as ours, well that makes our light even brighter. Sadly we see things in the Bible that appeal to our flesh and project them into our walk with the LORD and with our brothers and sisters. Who would not want (not me) to have many spiritual children under their wing? Those babes in the LORD who lack initial guidance to get their feet on the ground. Heck you can even get money for this. The church (but we really know we are the church) of today is obsessed with titles such as being a Father in the LORD, positions, functions, and duties. Many Christians try to see how many letters they can get before and after their names. As if God is impressed with our degrees and accomplishments. I am sure when we stand before the LORD on judgment day (and we all will) He is not going to call us by our titles and degree. The only thing God is impressed with is our ability in Him to lower and humble ourselves before Him and our brothers and sisters in humility. In Romans Paul gives great advice to the Church at Rome and we should take heed to it also, "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." (Romans 12:3) The biggest title we can have in God is to be called a nobody. My friend the way up is down. The lower we can go in God the higher we can go in God. Jesus had a few titles while on earth, but never a father in the LORD or any title most Christians would like to identify with. Jesus had great titles like, "son of sorrows" or "son of man." In Luke we read, "And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. " (Luke 9:57-59) "No place to lay his head" who wants to follow someone with no place to live? Most Christians want a big home, nice car, good job, and all the distracters of life. At least this guy was honest he did not have the heart and stomach to follow Jesus. I wonder how many Christians would like to identify with these words here of Christ? I cannot believe how fast some Christians become Bishops. In the Catholic Church it takes many many years of dedicated service, but in Protestant churches just start one new church somewhere and BAM you are a Bishop. This is really big in Africa. Funny I looked in the Bible at the qualifications to be a Bishop and I found nothing about starting churches. Paul writes to Timothy (who was not a Bishop), "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (1 Timothy 3:1-7) If you look at the words: elder, deacon, bishop, and teacher are all basically the same word used in the same context. Pastor (in KJV) is only used one time (Jeremiah 17:16) Strong's # H7462 and means; companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman. And the word "pastors" (in KJV) is found 8 times (seven times in Jeremiah) and once in Ephesians Strong's #G4166 with the same meaning. I think we need to remember the warning, "not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; I am sure when we stand before God He will not call us elder, deacon, bishop, teacher, preacher, minister, first lady, or pastor, but He will be looking for the qualities of Himself in us, He will be looking to see if we have learned the lessons He has been trying to teach us, if not we may enter in, but we will suffer loss. Again I do not see how a Christian graduates from being just a plain Jane, lowly Christian to become an apostle or prophet. Again there is no qualifications in the Scripture for this, but I can tell you how the folks (not sure if I can call them all Christians) I know who call themselves an apostle or prophet became apostles and prophets, they were made an apostle or a prophet by another person who call themselves an apostle or a prophet. Something is not right here. Man cannot bestow God's spiritual authority. Man may be able to ordain someone into a denomination from a certain Bible School or organization, but man cannot ordain another man with God's spiritual authority. In Ephesians 4:11-12, Paul was pleading with the Church at Ephesus for unity (because they were not in unity) he was NOT defining the five-fold ministries of a church. Read the context of entire 32 verses of the chapter, feel Paul's heart for the dysfunction. Paul writes, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" (Ephesians 4:11-12) Paul was not talking about offices, but attributes that need to be found in the functions of a Spirit filled Body of Christ. He (being God) gave "some" who, "some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" for the Body of Christ. Paul is not talking about offices and duties (where you can get a job and make money), but qualities and attributes that must be operating in people for the Body of Christ to be in unity. We see the same message to the Church at Corinth, "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." (1 Corinthians 12:28-31) The "some" are people (not titles or offices religion does this) who have the attributes and qualities of God to edify the Body of Christ in these areas. After "teachers" (no evangelist or pastors here) are miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." They do not sound like titles or offices to me. If Paul was establishing offices and titles in the Body of Christ he forgot two major functions. Paul even corrects the Christians at the Church in Corinth, "Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?" Sounds like what is going on today in most churches. I guess it is true there is nothing new under the sun. Now do these happen in the Body of Christ? Yes absolutely 100% and they need too. God has provided to every child that comes unto Him the ability to do these things 24/7 and more if they desire to walk in obedience to God. The requirement and qualifications to be able to flow in these spiritual qualities and attributes will take us to the school of hard knocks (what I like to call the wilderness) so He can knock us down, break us so He can fix us, but when we stand up in God we will have something to give of eternal value. Am I a father in the LORD? I would say no. I have been walking with the LORD for over 58 years at differing degrees, but that does not make me a father in the LORD only "some" one who needs to be more humble and open to God. Anyhow Jesus told us not to go after such things. In Matthew he said, "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:9-12)