|
|
|
|
A Word To The Wise (2 Chr. 1:11-12 KJV) “And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.” This year the Lord has led us to pray weekly using the scriptures in the book of Proverbs as our emphasis. There is much wisdom to be gained by reading the God-given writings of King Solomon, and even more wisdom that can be uncovered by praying according to them. Of course it is always wise to read the word of God and pray, and therefore also very unwise not to. Surprisingly, the latest church statistics collected by the Barna Research Group show that that church attendance, giving, and volunteering of time for service in the church has been progressively decreasing. These statistics are formulated according to the behavior of existing Christians, not just new converts. These findings prove that there is a lack of proper evangelism being done by the church body, but also a that there is a lack of proper discipleship overall. Bottom line: the word must be walked out, not just heard. (Pro. 1:7 KJV) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” The abuse of the grace message has reduced the potentially powerful body of Christ into a religious group that speaks mostly of what will be in the next life. The church is called to walk in the power of the grace of God which causes us to overcome. That is not just for the next life. It is for now! People who are abandoning the faith are actually abandoning the fear of God. Yes, it is the awesome respect for the Lord of Lords and what He says that causes us to serve Him and do the things that He would require of us. Granted, those things can only be done as He empowers us, but that is the greatest part, because that is the way He wants it. (Heb. 11:7 KJV) “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Everybody believes in something, but just believing is not faith. To do what ever it takes to hear and obey God, with every part of our being and strength, is what qualifies us as having real faith. Christian faith is not based upon the belief that everything has already been done for us, but rather that through Christ we can now do all things that He commands. If everything was done when we accepted Christ and if we no longer had the responsibility to listen to and follow Him, why did He even give us His Holy Spirit? The truth is we need God more today than we did yesterday, and more tomorrow than we do today. We need to know Him as Counselor, Comforter, Teacher, and Lord. Truly all of God has been given to us, but not every part of us has yet been given to God. (Matt. 7:22-25 KJV) “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” If believers are ebbing into mediocrity now, while there is a time of prosperity and ease, just think of what kind of falling away there will be when the floods of evil come against this impotent and naïve church. The Bible says that there is only one reason why believers perish; they have lost their vision. The church was and is purposed specifically for the now! Wake up and be wise! Christ did not instruct His church to be lazy. He instructed us to be laborers. The laborers who don’t faint are those who receive a reward. Now is the time to return to fearing the Lord, and seeking Him for wisdom. (Isa. 59:19-21 KJV) “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.” -Kurt Thurston April Newsletter 2001 | Hindrance To Peace | A Word To The Wise Pastor's Journal April 2000 | The Abortion Purpose | Warnings and Admonitions part 1
|
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
|
|
Copyright © 1995-2007 Living Word Christian
Fellowship, Inc.
|
