Warning signals Week 26, 2014

How did Paul and Barnabas handle the success of their missionary trip? Acts14:27. Much the same way as the 12 apostles (Lk9:10) and 72 evangelists (Lk10:17) handled their own: giving a thorough report to the master and sending ones. This led to the caution Jesus gave “…the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God's authority over you and presence with you” Lk 10:20(message). Judas may not have heeded that. Jesus himself regularly reported back to the father in prayers. Jn6:15; 17:1-26. Don’t glory in results; focus on making it to Jesus’ presence to receive a reward.

At times the suggestions of the well meaning and the grateful at the point of success are misleading. Then the men of Israel asked Gideon, "Rule over us—you, your son, and your grandsons—because you have delivered us from Midian's domination." But Gideon told them, "I won't rule over you and my son won't rule over you. The LORD will rule you." Jg 8:22-23(ISV).  However Gideon succumbed to an inordinate request after. He went as far as insisting God should rule them, but not far enough. Like him we address the first statement, "Rule over us—you, your son, and your grandsons” but do we handle the next: “you have delivered us”?

People recognized and kept saying “Truly this is the Prophet who was to come into the world!” of Jesus. But he withdrew from them when they wanted to make him king by force (Jn6:14-15). Withdraw from sycophants who want only earthly things. Feeding the ego of ministers is a well worn route by Satan to ambush them. Go through the profiles of the ministers within and abroad who crashed; the ministries were largely built around them. Subtle, legal, but dangerous and often times lethal.

Such talk as “Thank God for you; where would this church be without you?” should not be met with a smile but a rebuttal. It is a warning signal if we prefer to keep silent and smile. Well meant usually, but a seed to self importance. Simply to respond “I didn’t ask them to say it” is not sufficient. That's the way it is with you. When you have done everything you were ordered to do, say, 'We are worthless servants. We have done only what we ought to have done.' Lk 17:10(ISV).  Let them know you are aspiring to be at the level of these worthless servants. Ask yourself, “Did I really do everything God wanted me to do, in the way the Holy Spirit directed?” Where in all honesty you think so confess with Paul I am the least of the apostles and not even fit to be called an apostle because I persecuted God's church. But by God's grace I am what I am, and his grace shown to me was not wasted. Instead, I worked harder than all the others—not I, of course, but God's grace that was with me1Cor 15:9-10(ISV). No human is designed to handle such glory; the danger of it is in nudging men towards pride not only in arousing God’s jealousy.

Presents and your presence Week 25, 2014

“She just stalked off and said “He doesn’t even know what goes on in this house” I never knew I reared such rude children. Of course I thrashed her. So upsetting.”

You need to do more than beat a rebellious child; you need to listen. When the handwriting on the wall is written in crayon will you be able to interpret it? Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them angry. Instead, raise them with Christian discipline and instruction Eph 6:4(GNB).

“Is there anything else to interpret other than that she is growing wings that must be clipped? As the chief disciplinarian in the house I shall not be disrespected.”

Have you considered her antics may be a cry for attention, your attention? How much time have you been spending with her lately? Remember this, my dear friends! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. Human anger does not achieve God's righteous purpose Jas 1:19(GNB).

“I hardly have time these days. It is so difficult not to spill work into the home. I am too tired out when I return for children’s antics. Clearing my desk takes more these days... don’t look so triumphant; the extra cash comes in handy for the home: We have 2 nannies and recently employed private tutors for them.”

So where do you come in in her life? How do you monitor her progress? Keep well informed of the condition of your flocks and pay attention to your herds Prov 27:23(ISV) 

“Of course the teacher and nannies give regular reports. Why are you downcast?”

It seems the office gets the best of you and the home less of you.

“I only spend more time away that I make the money to give them greater comfort and security. Is something wrong with that? I can’t have my household substandard you know. Good people will have wealth to leave to their grandchildren, but the wealth of sinners will go to the righteous Prov 13:22(GNB). I need to leave a legacy.”

Is yours measured merely in silver and gold? Should not your extra money free you to be more available to the family? Gadgets can never make a home, love and care do. It's better to obey the LORD and have only a little, than to be very rich and terribly confused. A simple meal with love is better than a feast where there is hatred Prov 15:16, 17(CEV).  Your priority is reversed.

“So where have I missed it? I should bring presents home you must agree.”

The home needs your presence much more than the presents. You dump an exhausted irritable man for them to repair; and only for the office as far as they can see. Spend more time deliberately with them so as to mould them yourself even if it means delegating more of your office work to another. They deserve the best of you. For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church? 1Tm 3:5(ISV) 

Ambush in success Week 24, 2014

I think it’s time to pray brother; we need to really pray now.

“What’s the hurry Sam? We have won, our prayers are answered. Success is here.”

Perhaps the most vulnerable period of a pilgrim’s journey is the crest of success. "When you have eaten and are satisfied, bless the LORD your God for the good land that he has given you. Be careful! Otherwise, you will forget the LORD your God by failing to keep his commands, ordinances, and statutes that I'm commanding you this day.  Dt 8:10-11(ISV).

“I don’t understand you. The victory song is on our lips, the mood is high, and our enemies are now our footstool; who or what threatens?”

It seems to me it is easier to pluck off a wealthy believer than an impoverished one (not that I believe in poverty). When David was persecuted and pursued by Saul he drew closer to God, composed many a psalm, and wrought many victories. When the entire kingdom was squarely under him and God had sworn on oath to him to establish his throne forever (2Sam7) he thereafter falls into sin with Bathsheba and murders her husband (2Sam11).

“That was David; he just succumbed to the family fault of immorality collected from his ancestor Judah.”

It’s not only David this happened to. What of Jephthah who waged a civil war in Israel when he was offended right after his great victory over the Ammonites? Did not 42,000 Israelites perish in that avoidable conflict (Jg12:1-6)? Can we forget Gideon the man of God who after defeating the Midianites entered a trap even though he avoided the error of Jephthah and the invitation to rule Israel? Gideon used the gold to make an ephod, which he put in his hometown, the town called Ophrah. All the Israelites worshiped the ephod. In this way the Israelites were not faithful to God--they worshiped the ephod. The ephod became a trap that caused Gideon and his family to sin Jdg 8:27(ERV). Consider King Uzziah: his reputation spread far and wide, and he was marvelously assisted until he grew very strong.  But after he had become strong, in his arrogance he acted corruptly and became unfaithful to the LORD his God 2Ch 26:15, 16(ISV).   Thus showing the danger success poses, or rather the backlash of Satan and the flesh when God has graciously helped us.

“Should we not have succeeded then? Is victory now a defeat?”

Victory must be in the spiritual as well as the physical. Any victory that results in a sense of “I have arrived” and man being exalted has turned to spiritual defeat. Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go Phil 3:13(ERV). When the talk is how this man did this but the need for greater holiness, greater purity, greater submission to others are missing we are missing it.

“How then can we manage success? Lord help me...”

The Pentecostal effect Week 23, 2014

“What a great outpouring of power there is from Pentecost. Imagine the signs and wonders; men and women speaking in different kinds of tongues...”

Is that what you see of the Pentecostal experience? I see more than that.

“Of course there is more! The church got 3, 000 more members overnight.”

Members? No; the Pentecostal experience does not produce mere members. If yours does then all you have said can be duplicated and faked by another spirit; the tongues, the miracles, the members. Can’t you see more?

“I read this Bible too. Tell me what you see. We so need the Pentecostal effect.”

Miracles plus a crowd does not necessarily add up to Pentecost. First I see a changed man who in the same circumstances he had fallen, had betrayed the Lord, now overcoming and triumphing. Peter who before a crowd denied Jesus thrice (Jn18:18, 25) now before the crowd openly declares Jesus is both Lord and Christ. This Pentecostal experience must first change you who seeks to manifest it, you who desire (and rightly so) to see signs wonders and miracles in your life. If that doesn’t happen but the miracles happen you have received a strange and deadly spirit. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name, drove out demons in your name, and performed many miracles in your name, didn't we?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who practice evil!'" Mat 7:22-23(ISV) 

“Well the point is taken. But what do you have against membership?”

They were not just members. They were formerly blind people, unable to perceive spiritual things. These formerly were mockers. Amazed and confused, they kept asking each other, "What does this mean?" But others made fun of the believers, saying, "These people are drunk!" Act 2:12-13(GNB). Under the effect of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost they sought God to follow Him. When the crowd that had gathered heard this, they were pierced to the heart. They asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Act 2:37(ISV).  What happened on the day of Pentecost was conviction and conversion driven recruitment, not jobbers eager for instant wealth whilst unchanged from bondage to sin. That is the second thing I see here. There is a religious spirit that pulls crowd which is not of God 2Pt2:1-2. Do not mistake that for the Spirit of Pentecost. The Spirit of the LORD will rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and power, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. Is 11:2(ISV) 

“But you believe in the tongues and the miracles?”

Of course I do. That is the number three item. Whenever the Holy Spirit shows up He does so with manifestations of power, and all that is for us today. For the promise is unto you, and to… as many as the Lord our God shall call Act 2:39(KJV). We must understand what He comes to do so Satan does not slip in fakes under our noses. Are these three effects manifest in you?