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October
2003
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10/10/03 So, this morning I was thinking and praying about what it meant to be involved in "the good warfare." I realized that anytime anyone is involved in a war, there are usually two main parties. Which even side you are on is your cause. You hold to a certain party. The other party is your enemy, the one opposed to your party for whatever reason. So, if I have aligned myself with Jesus Christ, which I have, then I have set myself against the enemies of Christ. Certain Satan is THE Enemy of Christ, so I war against Him. Now I first remember that "the battle is the LORD'S" (1Sa 17:47). Still, we are involved in this battle. So we are to stand opposed to any of Satan's attacks, advances, opposition. Anyone that aligns themselves with Satan, whether outright or subtly, is to be opposed. While we seek the salvation of all men in Christ Jesus, we must understand that some will no accept Him, and their attacks against the cause of Christ must be opposed. My second thought was that there are many different types of soldiers and officers in an army. There are different divisions. Some are skills strategists, some are leaders, some and fierce fighters, some are skilled with artillery, some are skilled at anticipating the attacks of the enemy, some are skilled in spying out and understand the movements of the enemy, some are skilled at mending those wounded in battle. There are many different giftings, but they are all critical for a healthy force and successful war. I'm not going to speculate about whether a pastor is a general or skilled fighter or whatever. This isn't supposed to be a detailed picture that contains the sole truth of the matter, but it makes me realize that I have an important part to play because it was God's good pleasure to call me to it. I wondered in 1Timothy 1:18 what the prophetic words were that were given to Timothy. What part did they place in helping him fight "the good battle?" What did God skill him with? What does God call me to? I ask God this now and think back to what I have understood of God's word in the past and ask Him to remind me of what He has already told me. To be of greatest use, I think it is quite important to fight according to the equipping that God has given me. We are all to battle by studying Scripture, interceding, encouraging each other, etc., but some are called to do certain of these things in bigger ways. Teachers must be more involved in studying of the Scriptures to go along with their gifts (given by God) of understanding and communicating that understanding to others. Some are especially gifted at encouragement, especially to those struggling in or wounded in the battle. They must devote much more energy to this than a teacher would, not their either would exclude himself from the other if God so chose them to at a given moment. Anyway, I hope that makes sense. 10/2/03 It's Thursday morning about 11:30am. Shoot, it's almost afternoon. Last night, before the church service, Jason Havertape (a new missionary here) gave me a couple pages of a newsletter called "The Berean Call" to read. Last night I read the newsletter before I went to bed. It talked about a man's reflections after a recent visit to Europe and seeing historical sites of The Reformation. He also talked much about the current situation of the church today and how Christianity has been corrupted by false teachings and, at times, occultist practices. I was taken back a bit. One comment he made was that, in many cases, the authority of the Bible is questioned and that experience, even when contradicting Scripture, is seen as truth with the justification that practices are from leaders under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Honestly, I just gave the article a simple read through. But, I was deeply affected by it. Once again, I hear in my heart that God wishes me to study His word seriously; to guard myself against false doctrines, which can be very subtle twisting of the truth. I was convicted by my lack of study time in the Word. I was encouraged, once again, to be a Berean; a man who does not simply receive instruction from men as a baby being spoon-fed, but who searches "the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things" are so. How foolish are we who call ourselves Christians yet rarely spend time in the Word and spend just as little time in prayer with our Lord. Yeah, it takes a lot of time, but our health, in every sense (spiritual, mental, etc.) depends on it. How many of us (I am certainly one of them) have caused great damage to our souls, our minds, and our bodies as well as those of others by never getting serious about our fellowship with Jesus. We would rather do our own thing, say prayers before meals (and maybe bedtime), sing a few songs on Sundays and Wednesdays, hear a pastor give us the Word, and maybe read lots of devotional and theological books than to simply sit down and commune with our Lord Jesus by studying (not a simple glancing over in five minutes) and spending time alone with Him in prayer. And how many of us actually have discussions about Scripture more than we do about the latest mainstream Christian bestseller. I sit here quite ashamed. However, I feel no condemnation. I feel a great joy that my Father loves me and has been faithful through my lack of devotion to Him. Yet I also feel Him beckoning me to spend time with Him. I don't feel motivated for the sake of looking good for others, myself, or even God, but because I am missing out on a special fellowship with my Lord and Savior. I sit here a little weary though. I know that any attempt in my own strength to pull myself up by "my bootstraps", will end up in great disappointment. God has spoken to my heart and I want to respond. However, I pray that He will keep me in His strength and bless this new course in my life. It is a new course. I don't want to end up studying because I feel that God doesn't love me anymore. That is garbage. His word tells me that He loved me and gave Himself up for me before I believe in Him. I don't want to keep studying because I am trying to be a super Christian who will be admired and looked to by others. I would rather be one who always points others to Christ. I don't want to keep studying because I feel that it will make me more loved by God. As I mentioned before, God loved me before I called upon His name. With God "there is no variation or shadow of turning." (James 1:17) Whatever the alternate motivations might be, I pray that the Almighty God would keep me from them; that the Holy Spirit would guide me in truth. Lord Jesus help me. I'm going to need it. Thank you that there will always be grace in this journey. Thank you that you will keep picking me up and strengthening me to move on. You Lord Jesus, You my Heavenly Father, You Holy Spirit, You be my teacher. Show me how to be your student. Make me a student that can learn well from You. Grow me closer to You. One other thought. The article talked about Christianity being watered down today to a health and wealth, feel good gospel that is not producing disciples ready to die for their faith. It is producing weak creatures who turn away to the world as soon as their false expectations of the Lord don't hold true. My Father, keep me from this lifeless "Christianity." I want to be a true disciple. I want my wife to be a true disciple. I want my brothers and sisters in the church here to be true disciples. I want my family and friends to be true disciples. Challenge us. Bring us to Your truth. Amen. |