January 2009

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January 2, 2009

Under The Big Top

I passed by a church parking lot the other day and there was a crew outside setting up a tent, and it made me think of times I've watched circus crews setting up the big top, although this tent was much smaller.

The thought of being under the big top, made me think of many other churches. The church leadership seems more concerned about providing a good show than making and teaching the disciples. The entertainment draws big crowds of people, but they are there to "take in the show" and “to be entertained" rather than to meet God.

The crowds are fickle. If the show grows stale and doesn't keep getting better, they will leave. That leaves the church in a quandary, because they need the big crowd to pay for the programming. Therefore, they stretch more and more, adding bigger, better, flashier entertainment in the hope of keeping the crowd. In the meantime, God grows smaller on the program as the whims of the fickle crowd are catered to.

Now don't think I'm saying that it's wrong to have some entertaining elements to a worship service. It's just that church isn't all about being entertained. Entertainment alone develops a passive audience. Instead, Christ wants to engage, equip, and mobilize the participants in a life and world transforming service.

Christians can laugh and have fun while still being engaged and equipped, but there is a line that is easily crossed. Church does not have to be stoic, painful, and boring. Enjoyable music, moments of great spontaneity, and the well preached Word of God can also engage people. The Word of God by itself has the power to transform lives.

Fellowship is great. Community is awesome. Music is important. All of those things however, should provide a platform leading up to the proclamation and exposition of God's Word not replace it. The form of the message may vary from place to place, audience to audience, or culture to culture, but the Word must be proclaimed.

Even Jesus preached God's Word.

From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Matthew 4:17 NIV

After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. Matthew 11:1 NIV

Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." Mark 1:38 NIV

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19 NIV

If Jesus, with all His signs and wonders felt it important to preach the truth then I think we miss the boat when we de-emphasize preaching in favor of entertaining.

There is no reason our preaching needs to be staid, stuffy and boring. It can be engaging and relevant.

Until next time let's work on staying out from under the big top and proclaiming God's truth first and foremost.

Darrel Mason

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January 5, 2009

Skillful Sailor

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

I passed by a sign the other day that said, “Smooth waters at sea do not make a skillful sailor.” This is so true. One does not know how skillful he is in any area until the trials come to test one’s abilities. As tests come our way, the pressure is on. Under pressure, are we able to apply all that we have been learning? This is true also of the Christian faith. It could be rewritten to say, “A life free from tests and trials does not make a faithful, victorious Christian.”

We would like to proclaim that our faith is strong and can withstand all trials. One can only truly know the strength of our faith as the storms blow through our lives. Remember Peter, who said he was ready to go with Jesus to prison and death.

And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." 

But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death."

Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me."  Luke 22:31-34

Isn’t comforting to know that Jesus is interceding for us that our faith should not fail! Recognize too that from this same passage, Jesus already knew Peter would deny Him. Jesus’ prayer that Peter’s faith would not fail was that Peter would return to Him once Peter realized his faith was not as strong as he had hoped. Tests often come to reveal where our faith still needs to increase. We are not to walk in condemnation over a lack of faith but to go to the word of God and meditate on the truth so that our faith may increase.  Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

If we allow trials and tests to teach us, they will help us grow and make us stronger and more useful to our Master. Using our first illustration, if a sailor refuses to sail in chopping waters, he will never learn how to maneuver his boat outside of perfect conditions. This would adversely affect his abilities as a sailor and could place him in danger. The lack of tests and trials would also limit our growth as Christians and prevent us from seeing the faithfulness of God.

God knows what we can handle. He never will allow us to be set up for failure. He will send seasons of learning, followed by seasons of testing. If we find we didn’t do so well, we simply return to more learning until a similar test returns again. Our spiritual growth is gradual and progressive. God knows what is best for us. The Israelites were not ready for the war they would face coming out of Egypt and headed straight for the promise land, so God led them on a longer route until they could face the giants with their faith in God.

Exodus 13:17-18 shows God’s reasoning for taking us step by step. “Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. God wants us to be successful. As God led the people through the wilderness, He proceeded to teach them how to live and obey Him. He continually showed them His love by providing and leading them supernaturally. This was their season of learning. Then in Exodus 23 before they faced the next test, God promised to go before them and give them success one step at time. In verses 29-30 He said, “I will not drive them [enemies] out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you.  Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land.” Again, God knows what we are able to handle. He promises to help us. As we become stronger in faith and are able to maintain the ground we take possession of, He will help us to take more.

If you are in a season of learning, draw close to God and meditate on His word, so your faith may increase and you will be prepared when the next test or trial rolls around.

If you are in a time of trial and testing, draw on the promises of God that you have been learning. Does your faith believe He will do what He promises? Does your faith believe He will do it for you? He is faithful! Trust Him. Examine yourself. Is your faith greater than it was in the last trial you faced? Are you moving from faith to faith or circling the same mountain?

Ask the Lord to show you where your faith needs to increase, but be prepared for the test!

Many are the afflictions of the righteous; But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Psalms 34:19

Janet Fairbrother

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January 6, 2009

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January 7, 2009

The Lord’s Voice

The voice of the LORD is over the waters;

The God of glory thunders;

The LORD is over many waters.

 The voice of the LORD is powerful;

The voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars,

Yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon.

 He makes them also skip like a calf,

Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.

 The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire.

 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;

The LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.

 The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth,

And strips the forests bare;

And in His temple everyone says, "Glory!"

Psalms 29:3-10

The Lord’s voice is awesome and powerful. Christians long to hear Him speak! His words bring us peace, comfort, joy, direction, encouragement, deliverance, correction, and fulfillment. One word from God can change your life. God is Spirit, so we must tune into the Spirit and walk in the Spirit to hear Him speak. He is always speaking. If we are having trouble hearing Him then we must learn to change the channel on our spiritual radio.

First we must understand that there are three voices we hear. We can hear the enemy’s voice, our voice, and God’s voice. The enemy is constantly talking to us trying to discourage, condemn, and persuade us to believe his lies.

We can hear our own voice in our thoughts and these thoughts can be positive or negative often depending on our mood. Many people who can’t sleep or worry incessantly are allowing their thoughts to speak without taking them captive.

Finally, we can hear God’s voice. He speaks according to His Word and always for our good or the good of others.  Our goal should be to learn to shut down and silence the enemy’s voice and our own, so that all we hear is God’s.

Often times, all of the voices sound like one’s own thoughts. The first step is to learn to recognize the enemy’s voice. Many people feel guilty when the enemy speaks, because they think his voice is their own thoughts. When thoughts come that are negative and contrary to the Word of God, simply cut them off. You might say, “You are a liar. That is not true. I will not listen to you. The truth is…” James 4:7-8 says, “Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” When you’re speaking this, you are submitting to the truth of God and resisting the devil. Therefore, he must flee. He may try to persist, but you’re your stand and he has to leave. Praise God!

Once you get good at this, the real challenge is quieting your own thoughts. 2 Corinthians 10:4 says we must take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. Don’t allow your thoughts to run wild. Read the Word, meditate on scripture, listen to praise and worship music, or begin praising the Lord out loud to help you get into the Spirit. John 4:24 tells us, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."  We also hear Him is Spirit.

When God speaks, He uses many ways so don’t discount how you may be hearing.

·         He may speak through the Word. As you read, something may stand out or all of the sudden you have understanding like you’ve never had before.

·         He may speak through circumstances. Doors may open or close as you seek opportunities. Sometimes similar events begin to happen close together. For example, one day I was downtown and a man was walking toward me, but he was looking backwards. He almost ran into me. Within five minutes, a boy on a bicycle was riding forward, but he had his head turned looking behind him. I was afraid he was going to hit a parked car. Then another similar event occurred, and I began asking the Lord what He was saying. Almost like a puzzle, I realized He was telling me, “Don’t go back. It is hard to move forward while looking back.”

·         God may speak through people. They may not even realize what they are saying, but your Spirit knows that what they said was for you.

·         God will also speak to you through your thoughts. Sometimes we respond by asking ourselves, “Was that me?” or “Did I just make that up?” Don’t worry about making a mistake, the Holy Spirit will teach you. He is kind. He may begin by giving you a chance to respond to His voice when the consequences are small if you miss it. There was a season that the Lord was trying to teach me to hear His voice in a more subtle way. I was going to get out of my car to get some tea that I bought almost every day. I knew exactly how much it was, so I began to collect the exact amount. A thought came to me to take in more money. I thought that was a silly thought, so I ignored it and went in. It just so happened that the tea had gone up in price that morning and I was short. How sweet the Lord was to care about such a little thing and try to tell me. Even though I missed it, the consequences were small. Matter of fact, they let me have it for the old price anyway, but I learned to pay attention to that still small voice that sounds like me sometimes!

·         God will also speak to us with His eyes. I will guide you with My eye. (Psalms 32:8) This is extremely subtle, but very intimate. One must know the Father well to know at a glance what He is saying. Everyone knows the look of a mother without her saying one word! It comes with spending a lot of time with her and knowing what she approves of and what is suddenly crossing the line.

The more we acknowledge God’s voice, the more He will speak. Have you ever heard a parent say, “Don’t make me tell you again!” God will give us confirmation, but He desires for His children to know His voice and respond the first time He speaks.

Shut all other voices down and listen. What is He saying to you today?

Janet Fairbrother

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January 8, 2009

Be Expectant

Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain." So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees,  and said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea."

So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing."

And seven times he said, "Go again."

Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.'" 1 Kings 18:41-44

God had already told Elijah that after he had gone to see Ahab that He would send rain. Elijah knew God’s word and promises were true. After all the gods of Baal had been proven false and the prophets killed, Elijah told Ahab to go eat and drink; the drought was about to come to an end. Just as the rain ceased at Elijah’s word, the rain would begin again at his word.

Elijah didn’t doubt God’s promise of rain. He did however, appropriate the promise. He went to the top of Carmel and humbled himself in prayer. He persisted in prayer without any distraction of even looking for a sign. Instead, he sent his servant seven times until he returned with a good report. A negative report was rejected and ignored, for he knew God would follow through on His promise and was waiting expectantly. Upon the seventh time, the servant reported a very small cloud rising. At the slightest glimpse, Elijah expected a great downpour to be coming quickly. Since it had not rained for three years, the ground would have been very dusty. A great downpour would cause a lot of mud and keep the chariot’s wheels from turning, hence his reason for telling Ahab to prepare his chariot.

Elijah was a man of great faith which produced great expectancy from his God! He took God at His word and trusted God to do what He promised. Even at the great showdown on Mount Carmel, he obeyed God at His every word and soaked the sacrifice and alter with water knowing that His God was a consuming fire and was able to show Himself true.

How quickly we allow circumstances and bad reports to cause us to doubt the promises of God. We need to get to know God so well that our trust in Him and His promises are brought to new levels. We must be an expectant people. It begins with seeing the fulfillment of God’s promises in the Spirit as Elijah heard the sound of abundant rain. Then we must wait for the slightest glimpse of fulfillment not distracted by negative reports followed by preparations on our part to receive.

Christ died for your salvation, but don’t forget He is also the God “Who daily loads us with benefits!” (Psalms 68:19) It tells us in 2 Corinthians 1:20, “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen.” Expect and appropriate them!

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits :

Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Ps 103:2-5

Janet Fairbrother

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January 9, 2009

Anger and Bitterness

He told me that he had been angry for years. When he was very much younger, a pastor friend had betrayed him.

He had worked for months on an idea for the congregation, sought consultation frequently with the pastor, and researched every resource he could find. The time came to share his thoughts with the elders of the congregation and he was ready.

As he made his presentation, the pastor, whom he had thought of as a friend, made a comment that cut the proposed idea off at the knees. How could he do that? He was supposed to be a friend.

After years of mistrust and bitterness, he decided to make things right. He was going to tell this pastor a thing or two. He worked up the nerve and made an appointment to see his old "friend".

When they met and began to talk about it, he realized that the pastor recalled nothing of the incident. The remark he had been so hurt by had been an innocent passing comment. Even if the pastor had malice in his heart when he made the comment, it had long been forgotten, and he had moved on.

The bitterness the man carried all this time had done nothing but tear away at his own soul. His lack of forgiveness had eaten at him and festered away but had no impact on the person he chose not to forgive.

That’s the way unforgiveness works. It destroys us from the inside and usually has no impact on the person we haven’t forgiven.

I believe that’s the real meaning behind a hard saying from the Bible:

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 NIV

If we carry unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment in our hearts we can’t truly understand the forgiveness God has given to us. Until we let it go, we will never truly understand what it means to be forgiven; it will feel like He has not forgiven us.

Until next time, may you be freed from the bondage of a bitter and unforgiving heart. May you come to truly understand the freedom of forgiving and being forgiven.

Darrel Mason

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