Repentance

I would like to share a recent devotional, and get your thoughts on it.

Heb. 6:1 (KJV) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works,

The literal definition of the word repent is “to perceive afterwards.” I may have developed a sinful habit before I came to Christ. The opportunity to repent came once I understood that the habit was sinful. If, however, I commit that act again, now knowing that it is wrong, there is no further opportunity for repentance, for I knew that it was wrong before I committed the act. At that point, I must ask for forgiveness. Consider Paul’s statement: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” The process of renewing is not repetitive. The need is not for the Lord to have to renew us again and again; the need is for us to live a renewed life once He has touched us. Each time I knowingly transgress, I make His crucifixion of no effect. So, then, I must ask a question each time I must choose between satisfying God or satisfying myself: Which is more important – to satisfy myself, or to prevent Christ from being put to an open shame? The key to living a Spirit-filled life lies in the answer to this question.

Let me know your thoughts on this!

Robertson's Rant

I am troubled right now. Pat Robertson's rantings have done nothing for the sake of the Gospel. His call to kill someone is a perfect example of why it is so distressing that so many people use religion as a political soap box. But I believe I am the one that needs some help here today, so I am going to ask this question: In Matthew 5:39, Jesus makes a difficult statement - "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil." What does Jesus mean when He says this? I am quick to admit that I do not know everything, so whatever insight you have will be deeply appreciated.

Self Examination

1 Cor. 4:4 (KJV) For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

One of the most difficult examinations to make is a self examination. It is difficult to bring to light the flaws that I see in myself, when compared to the truth and the light of God. This is one reason why a person may look to criticism of others, for it is far easier to examine the flaws in others than it is to examine one’s own flaws. If, however, I discipline myself to depend upon the Holy Spirit, and allow Him to dwell in me, those flaws then become covered, so much so that even I will not be able to see them. Jesus did not come to condemn, but to acquit. The longer I discipline myself to walk in the Light, the less I see of myself, and the more I see of Him. Paul’s statement, “For I know nothing of myself,” was not boasting about the fact that he was without sin. It was a bold statement confirming that after examining himself, and being immersed in the Light of God, Paul could find no flaws he was aware of. It takes time, however, to develop this discipline of self examination. The objective is not to find more flaws; it is to see myself as He sees me. Each self examination should reveal an increase of His Light, and less of me. Spend time examining yourself before the Lord. Write down the flaws He reveals to you, then immediately submit those areas to God. You will find relief from the frustration of trying to conquer these areas on your own, and you will experience the joy of a closer relationship with your Heavenly Father. It is through this disciplined life that you will achieve the righteousness, peace, and joy. It is hard to self examine; yet, by doing the hard things, you will live. What are your thoughts?

What do you spend time with?

Matt. 26:38 (KJV) tarry ye here, and watch with me.

Jesus desired that the disciples stay awake with Him and watch while He was praying. His desire was to spend these last hours with the men He loved, even as His soul ached for what He must endure. Yet, even in this most intense, precious hour, not one of them remained awakened. How many times has this happened to you? Has God desired that you tarry with Him, only for you to succumb to the noxious fumes of distraction? The Lord says “tarry with me,” and your response is “but Lord, I must do this or that.” “What, could ye not watch with me one hour?” Remember this: anything you love, you will spend time with. What is it that you tarry with? Your family? Friends? Self pity? Anger? You may say “But I pray daily.” Are you praying that you can say you prayed, or are you listening and heeding His call? Are you staying in His bosom, or are you on the outside trying to discover what everyone is so fascinated with? Is He fresh and new every morning, or is He simply a part of your daily routine? Begin today to utterly destroy the distractions that prevent you from tarrying with Him when He calls. Begin to spend time with Him as a top priority. Seek Him as if He were the air you needed after being submerged in water. Seek Him as if He were the water your body desperately needed in the sweltering heat. Do not allow your vessel to reek with the stench of ritualism. Tarry with Him, and delight in how your disposition changes. Tarry with Him, and find the cracks in your vessel as He shines His glorious light on you, that you may prepare yourself to carry the weight of His calling in your life. Spend time with Him.

What have you spent your time with lately?

Criticism

Here is a short piece that I wrote about criticism:

Prov 11:12 (KJV) He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

There are only two things that people criticize: 1) that which they do not understand, and 2) that which they would not do themselves. A person lacking skill, then, will be critical of others because of that which they lack. How much easier it seems to be to despise, rather than understand! What is the root of this despising or criticism? It is laziness. People too lazy to seek understanding will immediately criticize others that are doing something. Those who are too lazy to put their own hands to the plow will unbridle their tongue to spew venomous words about their neighbor. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” From the depths of the heart come the words of criticism. It is only through submission to Christ that one will be diligent in seeking understanding. Developing the skill of discernment and understanding does not come without effort. Our human nature desires to speak out, to want to be heard, to let others know how we feel. The spiritual man, however, desires wisdom and understanding. The spiritual man must train his tongue to be silent and listen. The spiritual man must incline his ear to hear, and then discern what is being heard. The spiritual man will not react to what he perceives with his natural senses; rather, he will discern in spirit the depth of the situation. Commit today to guard your heart, and not speak on a matter until you have understanding. Begin to imagine the difference that even one person can make, and be that person today.

What are your thoughts about this?

What is a Servant?

This is a devotional that I wrote almost two years ago, but since the name of this blog is True Servants, what better place to post an explanation of servanthood?

Isaiah 49:3 (KJV) And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

God made a declaration that Jesus was his servant. What is a servant? Many people say a servant is someone who does something for someone else. Look closely at this scripture, and you will see the true definition of a servant. God said that Jesus was his servant, in whom he would be glorified. In other words, the glory was going to come through Jesus. Jesus allowed God to accomplish something through Him. This is the true definition of a servant. A servant is one that allows something to be accomplished through that person. A servant does not do something for someone else. Doing something for someone else is nice, is kind, is thoughtful, but it is not servanthood, because the focus is on the doer. A servant has no agenda, no focus on self. The only agenda a servant has in mind is the one of the person being served. Jesus had no agenda but to glorify God. This is why Jesus made the declaration that if any saw Him, they saw the Father.

The only question a servant needs to ask is “What do you want to accomplish through me?” Ask this of the Lord on a daily basis, and watch how your life changes. Many people want pay raises on their jobs. Ask your employer instead, “What do you want to accomplish through me?” A servant does not seek reward or remuneration. A servant's joy comes from the fact that the one being served was able to accomplish something. Jesus told us that He did not come to be ministered unto, but to minister. A true servant is someone who can be ministered through.

I look forward to your thoughts and discussion!

Are you seeing Jesus, or touching Him?

Mark 5:27-28 (KJV) When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

There is a tremendous difference between seeing Jesus and touching Him. I can see Him from afar, but if I desire to touch Him, I need to be close to Him. There are many in the world that are satisfied with simply seeing Him, or hearing about Him. The saints of God, however, need to touch Him on a daily basis. Seeing Him does not make me whole, touching Him does. Each day I must examine myself. Has my desire to touch Him diminished in any way? Have I become so accustomed to being called a Christian that now I am satisfied with only seeing Him? Has my prayer life turned into a one-way conversation? “Come unto me.” He cannot come into me until I come unto Him. Each time I come unto Him, I must strip myself of all prejudices, preconceptions, and religious doctrines. I must press my way in, until I have touched his garment. I must be willing to admit that I have a spiritual infirmity that only Jesus can heal, and I have to persevere until I am able to touch Him. Do you have the desperation that you once had for Jesus? If not, you are suffering from a spiritual infirmity. “For in him we live, and move, and have our being.” My very existence on this earth is dependent upon Jesus Christ. I cannot truly live without Him. I can exist, but I cannot live. I must press through the challenges and temptations of the day, and reach out and touch Him in order to live in the fullness of Christ. If I sense the smallest iota of pride, I must utterly destroy it, that I may come to Him. I cannot be satisfied with simply seeing Him or hearing Him; I must be obsessed with touching Him. Evaluate yourself – where are you today?

Jethro, A Man of Wisdom

Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, was truly a wise man. And if we look at a conversation he had with Moses, we can obtain some tremendous insight into how the church arrived at its present condition. Let’s start by looking at Exodus 18:13-14:

And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?

Look more closely at that last question. “Why do you alone sit,” Jethro said. Is this not what we have today in most of our fellowships today, one man sitting over a congregation of people? Now, some may stop right there and say “yes, but what is wrong with that?” Let’s read on and see. In verses 15 and 16, Moses gives Jethro and answer and justifies his position.

And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God: When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

So, we see that Moses was proud to be able to explain his reasoning to his father-in-law. But what was Jethro’s response to Moses’ justification?

And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

WOW! That must have been a lot for one man to take! Imagine, you have just told your father-in-law how great you are, and why all the people must come to you, only to be told that this is not good! But it is what Jethro says that follows that bears another look:

Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee.

Jethro has made a sobering statement, one which explains why the church is in the condition it is today. He said the not only would the one man wear away, but the people that are with that man will wear away as well. Think about it – how many times have you seen people leave a fellowship, disgruntled at the pastor or something associated with the pastor? Not only is it hurtful to those who have relationships with the departing people, but it undermines the mission that Christ has given for that particular fellowship. Many people have left where God has set them because they have simply been worn out. Why do pastors seem to just drop whatever it is that they are doing and walk away from fellowships? Because they have been worn out. This is the price the Body of Christ has paid for centuries, because of the perversion of a one-man rule. So, how can we begin to establish the true church throughout this country, this continent, and the world? Thoughts, anyone?

Same question, different day

I am still seeking responses to the question of how many times the word "pastor" appears in the King James Version of the New Testament! In the meantime, I saw an interesting article here. What I find interesting about this article is that the author urges us to return to Biblical moral standards, but according to Christ's terms, not ours.

I am learning more and more how difficult it is to be a True Servant in the Kingdom of God. It certainly is not easy! We have become so accustomed to paying attention to the loudest, or the most flashy, or where we see a lot of people, that we pay little attention to the truth of the Word of God. We want Christianity the American way - having our cake and eating it, too. The truth is, we cannot have it all. Whatever it is that we desire, will cost us something. If we truly want to experience the Kingdom of God, it will cost us something here on this earth.

Post your response to the question of how many times the word "pastor" appears in the New Testament!

Welcome to this blog!

Hello all,

I created this blog as a way for all to discuss Biblical truth. Not the easy stuff, either! All of it, as it pertains to the Kingdom of God. This is for encouragement and understanding, that we may together bring the Kingdom of God to the earth, wherever we are. Feel free to comment on issues, but with the greatest respect for one another. We should be a reflection of the Christ we serve. But be prepared, some truth may turn your world upside down, and change the way you think about religion!

I would like to get started by asking a simple question. How many times does the word "pastor" appear in the New Testament of the King James Version of the Bible?