July 20, 2007

In the Wrong Order

Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

We read this verse a few weeks ago in our family Bible reading. My dad pointed out the importance of the order of progression here.

In thinking about that, it crossed my mind how the devil likes to get that turned around backwards. He seems to get a great deal of mileage out of turning things upside down and backwards. He also gets a lot of power in the lives the people who turn things around from the order that God ordained. Think about women taking charge of their husbands and/or churches, children becoming the main focal point of the home, sex before marriage, exalting the pastor instead of Christ, etc. Much joy and peace that God intends us to have by following His order are lost when we turn things around backwards.

In looking at the above verse I started from the end and considered how you can see right from this verse why so many churches are far from the order and peace that God wants for them.

In most Bible believing churches "multiplying" is the emphasis. Pastors, deacons, Sunday School teachers, pastor's wives, youth pastors, etc. all push for more numbers. "Bring more people. Invite your friends." "Let's see if we can all invite one person to church next week." "We need to have a 'friend Sunday' and everyone bring at least one guest to church." And so it goes.

But, according to the verse above, what is lost when the order is reversed and the multiplication is put in first place by man or the devil?

People who are constantly being nagged to increase numbers and attend "visitation" usually don't have much comfort of the Holy Ghost. They are more likely to be living under guilt or a compulsion to push the people around them to perform better. They also tend to live with frustration toward the ones who won't "perform" according the requirements.

Next they usually are walking in the fear of man rather than the fear of the Lord, and the man they fear is usually a pastor or "great man of God."

The saints stop being edified because the emphasis is on increasing the membership role, not feeding the sheep and lambs.

The church most certainly does not have rest. They are usually exhausting themselves and each other with the large selection of "ministries", "outreaches", "visitation", programs, etc. which they feel driven to perform so they will "grow" (in numbers only).

All this because the multiplying is not put in God's order - last - but in man's and the devil's order which is first.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Romans 14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

CA

June 27, 2007

As you can see getting back into the swing of blogging is still taking some time here. :-)

Immediate Results

The following passage is the explanation from the parable of the sower. Note how often the word "immediately" appears:

Mark 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. (Emphasis added.)

We live in a time when so much happens so quickly that patience in the Lord's work has become "outdated". People want immediate results. They want to "see souls saved" and "the altar filled" but they chafe constantly that it doesn't happen sooner. They have no desire to "get their hands dirty" in the work of cultivation or tending young plants. Many in the Lord's church today are "outcome based." They are "result oriented." Some have rightly referred to this as "microwave Christianity." They want what they want when they want it, to paraphrase an old song.

Notice first in the passage that Satan immediately taketh away the word that is sown in the hearts of the people by the wayside. There is someone who works immediately in this parable, and it isn't the sower, nor the seed. Remember that!

Next, notice that it is the ones in stony ground who immediately receive the word with gladness. There are those who will seem extremely glad to hear the truth, and yet they have no root. They are not connected to anything that will support growth and fruit - they are not true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Too often these people are grabbed hold of by the "soul winners" to set forth as proof that God is "using them" (meaning the soul winner). They may be rushed into baptism and church membership, but sadly they only endure for a time. As soon as affliction or persecution comes in relation to the word of God, these people are immediately offended. Then the poor preacher or "soul winner" blames the person, frets and stews and acts frustrated; OR they ignore the fact and go charging on in their number game of "who can win the most." (You can't stop counting the ones who "don't stick", you know, or you'll start falling behind.)

Now notice how the ones that are sown among thorns go. They become unfruitful through the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things. They are choked by the thorns. This is a slower process. The unfruitfulness is not noticeable for a while, so the "quick fruit" seekers would be even more deceived in this matter, and possibly more disappointed later.

But, last of all, notice those in good ground. These hear the word, receive it and bring forth fruit. This does not happen at microwave speed, friends. Grain grows slowly. The crop is not ready two days after planting. It takes time for the seed to sprout, to grow good roots to support the plant, to shoot forth and finally to bear fruit.

Notice also that the amount of fruit is not the issue. It comes in varying amounts - some thrityfold, some sixty and some an hundred. Those who bring forth thrityfold are not condemned and those who bring forth an hundredfold are not exalted above the others. They all bore fruit! This is the point.

Finally, we must remember Who is in charge of "results" in the first place.

1 Corinthians 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (Emphasis added.)

It is not our responsibility to "get results." It is especially not our responsibility to get them immediately. It is not our place to even be claiming "results." God giveth the increase. We don't need to be, and should not be, fretting over the results or how soon they come.

The East Africans have a saying that comes to mind, "Hurry, hurry has no blessing." In this case that applies. You can't see results quickly where growth is required to produce fruit. James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

Let's not be carried away with the "hurry up" attitude that is so preeminent today. Plant where you can. Water where you can. Be faithful and patient and let God bring forth fruit to His glory in His time.

CA

May 28, 2007

By Way of Explanation

Some of you may have wondered what the reason was for my long silence starting last November. I was sick for most of the winter - really sick in bed kind of sickness for a few weeks. I never got a diagnosis from the medical people, but there are one or two things that we are convinced were wrong or out of balance. Praise the Lord that in March and April I started to make some definite progress in recovery - a trend which has continued, thank God. Though I still have struggles, I am feeling and doing much better.

Life has also had some distractions for me - some of them good and helpful distractions - which have kept me busy elsewhere as well. So.......I'm finally making an effort at getting back to this.

Thank you so much for those who pray for us, even when you don't know our exact needs. It was the Lord who directed my recovery very much, as the medical people were at a loss to know what was going on. Please continue to pray for us, and know that your prayers are a help to us.

Psalms 57:2 I will cry unto God most high;
unto God that performeth all things for me.
Psalms 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God;
for my expectation is from him.