Are you in a season of preparation? Here are some words of wisdom from Pastor Jon Courson about ministry that have been encouraging me greatly lately.
"To you, who, like me, want to be used by God, I would say as did Zechariah, 'Don't despise the days of small things" (4:10). You may be on the backside of the desert, going through boring times or difficult situations, but know this: It's part of God's preparation."
"In this offering of consecration [Lev 8:25-27a], Aaron's and his sons's hands were initially empty. The Hebrew word translated 'consecration' means 'to fill the hands.' We usually think of consecration in terms of what we can bring to the Lord, what we can give Him, what we can do for Him -when in reality consecration means we come before the Lord with empty hands and let Him fill them as He chooses."
"Ministry is like the measles. You can't give it unless you've got it. You can't give blessing unless you're blessed. And you won't be blessed until you're locked in, tucked away, set aside -for how long? Until God's preparatory work in you is complete. Aaron and his sons were no doubt eager to begin, but they were to wait in order that they die not. Many ministries die because people don't know the meaning of a personal devotional life, of spending chunks of time locked away in the presence of God."
-taken from Jon Courson's Application Commentary
-Get into God's presence. Learn how to spend time with Him and receive fresh words from Him. Ministry will be an overflow of that. Stay connected to the vine and bear fruit that lasts.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
How to Wait
This is today's Streams in the Desert devotional. May it be of encouragement to you!
How To Wait
"Blessed is he that waiteth" (Dan. 12:12).
It may seem an easy thing to wait, but it is one of the postures which a Christian soldier learns not without years of teaching. Marching and quick-marching are much easier to God's warriors than standing still.
There are hours of perplexity when the most willing spirit, anxiously desirous to serve the Lord, knows not what part to take. Then what shall it do? Vex itself by despair? Fly back in cowardice, turn to the right hand in fear, or rush forward in presumption?
No, but simply wait. Wait in prayer, however. Call upon God and spread the case before Him; tell Him your difficulty, and plead His promise of aid.
Wait in faith. Express your unstaggering confidence in Him. Believe that if He keep you tarrying even till midnight, yet He will come at the right time; the vision shall come, and shall not tarry.
Wait in quiet patience. Never murmur against the second cause, as the children of Israel did against Moses. Accept the case as it is, and put it as it stands, simply and with your whole heart, without any self-will, into the hand of your covenant God, saying, "Now, Lord, not my will, but Thine be done. I know not what to do; I am brought to extremities; but I will wait until Thou shalt cleave the floods, or drive back my foes. I will wait, if Thou keep me many a day, for my heart is fixed upon Thee alone, O God, and my spirit waiteth for Thee in full conviction that Thou wilt yet be my joy and my salvation, my refuge and my strong tower." --Morning by Morning
Wait patiently wait,
God never is late;
Thy budding plans are in Thy Father's holding,
And only wait His grand divine unfolding.
Then wait, wait,
Patiently wait.
Trust, hopefully trust,
That God will adjust
Thy tangled life; and from its dark concealings,
Will bring His will, in all its bright revealings.
Then trust, trust,
Hopefully trust.
Rest, peacefully rest
On thy Saviour's breast;
Breathe in His ear thy sacred high ambition,
And He will bring it forth in blest fruition.
Then rest, rest,
Peacefully rest! --Mercy A. Gladwin
-Streams in the Desert
How To Wait
"Blessed is he that waiteth" (Dan. 12:12).
It may seem an easy thing to wait, but it is one of the postures which a Christian soldier learns not without years of teaching. Marching and quick-marching are much easier to God's warriors than standing still.
There are hours of perplexity when the most willing spirit, anxiously desirous to serve the Lord, knows not what part to take. Then what shall it do? Vex itself by despair? Fly back in cowardice, turn to the right hand in fear, or rush forward in presumption?
No, but simply wait. Wait in prayer, however. Call upon God and spread the case before Him; tell Him your difficulty, and plead His promise of aid.
Wait in faith. Express your unstaggering confidence in Him. Believe that if He keep you tarrying even till midnight, yet He will come at the right time; the vision shall come, and shall not tarry.
Wait in quiet patience. Never murmur against the second cause, as the children of Israel did against Moses. Accept the case as it is, and put it as it stands, simply and with your whole heart, without any self-will, into the hand of your covenant God, saying, "Now, Lord, not my will, but Thine be done. I know not what to do; I am brought to extremities; but I will wait until Thou shalt cleave the floods, or drive back my foes. I will wait, if Thou keep me many a day, for my heart is fixed upon Thee alone, O God, and my spirit waiteth for Thee in full conviction that Thou wilt yet be my joy and my salvation, my refuge and my strong tower." --Morning by Morning
Wait patiently wait,
God never is late;
Thy budding plans are in Thy Father's holding,
And only wait His grand divine unfolding.
Then wait, wait,
Patiently wait.
Trust, hopefully trust,
That God will adjust
Thy tangled life; and from its dark concealings,
Will bring His will, in all its bright revealings.
Then trust, trust,
Hopefully trust.
Rest, peacefully rest
On thy Saviour's breast;
Breathe in His ear thy sacred high ambition,
And He will bring it forth in blest fruition.
Then rest, rest,
Peacefully rest! --Mercy A. Gladwin
-Streams in the Desert
Monday, November 16, 2009
A Divine Defining Moment
Be encouraged today to know that we all go through trials. It is a part of life on earth. And it's okay. Trials in your life do not mean that there's a problem that needs to be fixed. Okay, maybe there's a problem that needs to be fixed, but we can only be so proactive in preventing difficult circumstances and hardship. I'm not talking about consequences to sin and the discipline of the Lord. I am talking about having hard days, dealing with hard emotions and feeling pain. We cannot see how everything is going to work out in life and prevent hard times.
Do you know that you have barely scratched the surface of intimacy with the Lord? Do you realize how little you know God? I'm not saying that to discourage you...but wow...there is so much to know! Is there a special way God touches your heart...and you know it's Him loving on you? Have you learned how to hear His voice as you meditate on His word? Does He make you smile during the day?
Hardships are all about knowing Jesus. They woo us to Him. They help us see Him because we're pretty blind. Difficult circumstances can either bring us toward the Lord or away from Him. Don't be swallowed by them. When you are overwhelmed in your difficulties you are in position to experience a supernatural God. And that is NOT a bad thing. We look at hard times and seek to get out. It is our natural response. Look at a hard day, a hard year or even just a hard moment as your opportunity to having a Divine Defining Moment.
At times I may want my spouse or friend to be perfect. But if they were perfect and I did not know them in an intimate way...it sure would not mean much. God perfects you through the trials...but I assure you, He is more interested in you knowing Him more intimately through them. As you know Him more intimately and personally through the trials, the work of holiness in your life will be genuine and authentic. You will be real. Life will be an adventure and a thrill. God does not just want to make you a "better person." He wants you to be alive. To live life to the fullest (John 10:10). And God does not love you more if you are more holy. That's love. Loving people just as they are...that's what Jesus is all about. Don't get me wrong...God is totally into holiness and perfecting you. It's a glorious purpose of His. It is how the world sees God in our lives.
When Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned, what did they do? They prayed and sang praises to the Lord. In that moment, do you think they were doing that because they were happy they were becoming more perfect people? Maybe. But I think it was a supernatural moment. They allowed the suffering to be a Divine Defining Moment. They let God have His way. The result? An earthquake, all the prison doors open and chains broken, the gospel shared and salvation occurred. Now that is an exciting story to tell! God is no bore. He is an exciting God. Trials invite you to experience that.
Let those trials come...and get to know your God.
Do you know that you have barely scratched the surface of intimacy with the Lord? Do you realize how little you know God? I'm not saying that to discourage you...but wow...there is so much to know! Is there a special way God touches your heart...and you know it's Him loving on you? Have you learned how to hear His voice as you meditate on His word? Does He make you smile during the day?
Hardships are all about knowing Jesus. They woo us to Him. They help us see Him because we're pretty blind. Difficult circumstances can either bring us toward the Lord or away from Him. Don't be swallowed by them. When you are overwhelmed in your difficulties you are in position to experience a supernatural God. And that is NOT a bad thing. We look at hard times and seek to get out. It is our natural response. Look at a hard day, a hard year or even just a hard moment as your opportunity to having a Divine Defining Moment.
At times I may want my spouse or friend to be perfect. But if they were perfect and I did not know them in an intimate way...it sure would not mean much. God perfects you through the trials...but I assure you, He is more interested in you knowing Him more intimately through them. As you know Him more intimately and personally through the trials, the work of holiness in your life will be genuine and authentic. You will be real. Life will be an adventure and a thrill. God does not just want to make you a "better person." He wants you to be alive. To live life to the fullest (John 10:10). And God does not love you more if you are more holy. That's love. Loving people just as they are...that's what Jesus is all about. Don't get me wrong...God is totally into holiness and perfecting you. It's a glorious purpose of His. It is how the world sees God in our lives.
When Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned, what did they do? They prayed and sang praises to the Lord. In that moment, do you think they were doing that because they were happy they were becoming more perfect people? Maybe. But I think it was a supernatural moment. They allowed the suffering to be a Divine Defining Moment. They let God have His way. The result? An earthquake, all the prison doors open and chains broken, the gospel shared and salvation occurred. Now that is an exciting story to tell! God is no bore. He is an exciting God. Trials invite you to experience that.
Let those trials come...and get to know your God.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Party On
I'm not quite sure how to put into words all that God is showing me but I'll give it a shot.
When it comes to spending time with God, we don't need a "prescription" in order to get into God's presence. We have the freedom to come to Him as we are and Christ paid the price for our sin that separated us from God so that we could be near. However, I think that God does show us all throughout scripture how to approach Him. Not because we "have to" in order to be intimate with Him or anything but...well, God knows us! He knows how we work and how we function. He designed and created us and He knows how we are rigged. So, He gives us instruction when it comes to approaching Him so we can "get the most" out of our time seeking Him. I'll just highlight a few verses based on what I'm talking about and comment on them.
Psalm 95:2 says, "Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving."
Thanksgiving? Haha...I just realized that's right around the corner. And no that has nothing to do with what I'm talking about. This is not holiday related! God just did it that way :o)
Anyway, the word for thanksgiving in the original Hebrew can also mean "a song of thanksgiving." Pretty cool. God is so into music. Music is VERY spiritual. If you listen to the top secular songs today you would be floored at the bold and blunt messages of Satan, whom the Bible describes is the god of this age. So, when it comes to entering into God's presence...be thankful. Sing a song of thanks. It's a secret. A secret that God has let us in on. When we approach God with a thankful heart, it's like bringing a huge torch into a dark cave. It is the start of a very special journey into God's presence. Let's just say, you will see Him better, you will have insight faster and you will just plain be happy!
Psalm 95:6 says, "Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker."
Have you done that? You've got to try it. It's awesome! Go on, get down on your knees in your bedroom. Bow down. Press your face into the carpet. Worship God. It's a thrill. You are missing out otherwise. Trust me, God knows how we're wired. We deeply want to bow down to someone.
Psalm 100:2 "Serve the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing."
We are such a mopey people. We are so gloomy. I bet you many more people would be saved if we were actually happy. Put on that worship music that makes you smile. Actually, turn it up really loud. Who cares if it's corny or whatever. You don't have to worry about that stuff. And God doesn't care if you can't sing in tune. Whatever. Just sing...LOUD. Have fun...smile a little with God. It's okay. God's into partying. There's actually a big party to come but we can get our party on now.
When it comes to spending time with God, we don't need a "prescription" in order to get into God's presence. We have the freedom to come to Him as we are and Christ paid the price for our sin that separated us from God so that we could be near. However, I think that God does show us all throughout scripture how to approach Him. Not because we "have to" in order to be intimate with Him or anything but...well, God knows us! He knows how we work and how we function. He designed and created us and He knows how we are rigged. So, He gives us instruction when it comes to approaching Him so we can "get the most" out of our time seeking Him. I'll just highlight a few verses based on what I'm talking about and comment on them.
Psalm 95:2 says, "Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving."
Thanksgiving? Haha...I just realized that's right around the corner. And no that has nothing to do with what I'm talking about. This is not holiday related! God just did it that way :o)
Anyway, the word for thanksgiving in the original Hebrew can also mean "a song of thanksgiving." Pretty cool. God is so into music. Music is VERY spiritual. If you listen to the top secular songs today you would be floored at the bold and blunt messages of Satan, whom the Bible describes is the god of this age. So, when it comes to entering into God's presence...be thankful. Sing a song of thanks. It's a secret. A secret that God has let us in on. When we approach God with a thankful heart, it's like bringing a huge torch into a dark cave. It is the start of a very special journey into God's presence. Let's just say, you will see Him better, you will have insight faster and you will just plain be happy!
Psalm 95:6 says, "Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker."
Have you done that? You've got to try it. It's awesome! Go on, get down on your knees in your bedroom. Bow down. Press your face into the carpet. Worship God. It's a thrill. You are missing out otherwise. Trust me, God knows how we're wired. We deeply want to bow down to someone.
Psalm 100:2 "Serve the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing."
We are such a mopey people. We are so gloomy. I bet you many more people would be saved if we were actually happy. Put on that worship music that makes you smile. Actually, turn it up really loud. Who cares if it's corny or whatever. You don't have to worry about that stuff. And God doesn't care if you can't sing in tune. Whatever. Just sing...LOUD. Have fun...smile a little with God. It's okay. God's into partying. There's actually a big party to come but we can get our party on now.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Don't Forget to Pray
Are you feeling burdened? Don't forget to pray.
Do you feel overwhelmed? Don't forget to pray.
Is your vision clouded? Don't forget to pray.
Is your heart broken? Don't forget to pray.
Are you just making it by? Don't forget to pray.
Do you feel depressed?Don't forget to pray.
The enemy tempts us away from our time of prayer. Think back to those times God has shown up strong in your time of prayer with Him. Remember how He lifted a burden, gave you peace, filled you with joy and changed your perspective. Remember how He is the only one who can do those things! Enter into a time of prayer with your Creator (even if you are busy doing things...learn to pray wherever you are) and run to Him. Remember Matthew 11:28-30 NIV "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." So often we carry around huge burdens and pain because we have not yet learned how to "go to Jesus." He wants to carry those heavy loads. He wants to heal you. He wants to relieve you of the burdens and pressures of this life. But we need to learn how to "go to Him." We need to remember to "go to Him." When you feel these things...stop and "go to Jesus."
Do you feel overwhelmed? Don't forget to pray.
Is your vision clouded? Don't forget to pray.
Is your heart broken? Don't forget to pray.
Are you just making it by? Don't forget to pray.
Do you feel depressed?Don't forget to pray.
The enemy tempts us away from our time of prayer. Think back to those times God has shown up strong in your time of prayer with Him. Remember how He lifted a burden, gave you peace, filled you with joy and changed your perspective. Remember how He is the only one who can do those things! Enter into a time of prayer with your Creator (even if you are busy doing things...learn to pray wherever you are) and run to Him. Remember Matthew 11:28-30 NIV "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." So often we carry around huge burdens and pain because we have not yet learned how to "go to Jesus." He wants to carry those heavy loads. He wants to heal you. He wants to relieve you of the burdens and pressures of this life. But we need to learn how to "go to Him." We need to remember to "go to Him." When you feel these things...stop and "go to Jesus."
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Number 5
Practically, how do you "yield fruit" in a difficult season?
Number 5,
5. Continue to complete the work He is currently calling you to
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
We shine in this world as we do our good works in such a way to glorify God (Matthew 5:16). When you press on in completing a work He is calling you to in a difficult season, it will bring glory to God and others will look on and see the beautiful work the Lord is doing in your life!
Proverbs 16:3 "Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established."
Sometimes we wonder if the works we do are God's will or not. Simply bring them before the Lord in prayer and He will show you. He will open and close doors. He will establish everything you do. Do not do a work for God apart from prayer. You may find yourself doing things for God apart from prayer. Redirect the works you do for Him by daily committing them in prayer before Him and stay connected to Him in all of your tasks. Are you doing a specific ministry without time spent in prayer for that particular work? If so, you will find it to be burdensome to you rather than a natural overflow of God's Spirit inside.
Number 5,
5. Continue to complete the work He is currently calling you to
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
We shine in this world as we do our good works in such a way to glorify God (Matthew 5:16). When you press on in completing a work He is calling you to in a difficult season, it will bring glory to God and others will look on and see the beautiful work the Lord is doing in your life!
Proverbs 16:3 "Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established."
Sometimes we wonder if the works we do are God's will or not. Simply bring them before the Lord in prayer and He will show you. He will open and close doors. He will establish everything you do. Do not do a work for God apart from prayer. You may find yourself doing things for God apart from prayer. Redirect the works you do for Him by daily committing them in prayer before Him and stay connected to Him in all of your tasks. Are you doing a specific ministry without time spent in prayer for that particular work? If so, you will find it to be burdensome to you rather than a natural overflow of God's Spirit inside.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Number 4
Practically, how do you "yield fruit" in a difficult season?
Number 4,
4. Continue to be in fellowship
Hebrews 10:25 "not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near."
You will be in a pit of discouragement and depression if you are not meeting regularly for fellowship with your brothers and sisters!
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 "Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,"
There is more love to excel in! We need to love each other more and more. This happens when we get together!
1 Corinthians 12:7 "Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it."
We need each other. This is how God made it. We were created to function all together as one. If you are separated from this...you will not be very fruitful!
Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Proverbs 11:25 NIV "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."
We are dependant upon one another to be sharpened in the Lord. Don't be deceived by thinking you don't need to be sharpened by anyone!
When you put yourself out there to seek to refresh others...God will refresh you!
Number 4,
4. Continue to be in fellowship
Hebrews 10:25 "not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near."
You will be in a pit of discouragement and depression if you are not meeting regularly for fellowship with your brothers and sisters!
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 "Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,"
There is more love to excel in! We need to love each other more and more. This happens when we get together!
1 Corinthians 12:7 "Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it."
We need each other. This is how God made it. We were created to function all together as one. If you are separated from this...you will not be very fruitful!
Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Proverbs 11:25 NIV "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."
We are dependant upon one another to be sharpened in the Lord. Don't be deceived by thinking you don't need to be sharpened by anyone!
When you put yourself out there to seek to refresh others...God will refresh you!
Number 3
Practically, how do you still "yield fruit" in a difficult season of life?
Number 3
3. Continue to be sowing God's Word by watering and planting
1 Corinthians 3:6-9 "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building."
Press on in the Word. Be in the Word and share the Word. God's Word is supernatural. It's as simple as that! By simply meditating on it and sharing with others what God is showing you, a work of God will take place in people's hearts and minds. God's Word is a healing agent. Psalm 107:20 says, "He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."
Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
"Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you." We are not to stop teaching or sharing God's Word because things get hard! There are different seasons of life but that does not change what we are called by God to do. 2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction."
Press on in the Word! If you have found yourself without a hunger for God's Word lately set aside some serious time to get drenched in it again. A hunger for God's Word is something to be maintained. When you stop getting into it, you will stop being hungry for it...and you will stop being fruitful!
Number 3
3. Continue to be sowing God's Word by watering and planting
1 Corinthians 3:6-9 "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building."
Press on in the Word. Be in the Word and share the Word. God's Word is supernatural. It's as simple as that! By simply meditating on it and sharing with others what God is showing you, a work of God will take place in people's hearts and minds. God's Word is a healing agent. Psalm 107:20 says, "He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."
Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
"Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you." We are not to stop teaching or sharing God's Word because things get hard! There are different seasons of life but that does not change what we are called by God to do. 2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction."
Press on in the Word! If you have found yourself without a hunger for God's Word lately set aside some serious time to get drenched in it again. A hunger for God's Word is something to be maintained. When you stop getting into it, you will stop being hungry for it...and you will stop being fruitful!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
