"The purpose of this decree is that the whole world may understand that the
Most High rules over the kingdoms of the World and gives them to anyone he chooses - even to the lowliest of humans." Daniel 4:17b God had given King Nebuchadnezzar victory over all the kings of the world at that time. His was the biggest, richest, and most powerful kingdom on earth. The Lord had caused every other kingdom to crumple under the power of Babylon and her might. The Lord spoke prophetically that this was to be the case. He even prophesied that the longest reigning superpower, Egypt, would become a servant to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar got caught up in the glory of his success and refused to acknowledge that it was the Lord who had made him successful and had given him all the wealth and power that he now enjoyed. Because of his pride, God caused Nebuchadnezzar to go insane until he learned that, "Heaven rules" (Vs. 26). Finally at the end of seven years of insanity, wandering the fields like an animal, Nebuchadnezzar's sanity and kingdom were restored to him and he, "Praised, glorified and honored the King of Heaven" (Vs. 37). What does this mean for us in our situation and circumstance? This is how I see it. Heaven rules whether or not I feel it, see it or believe it. That means God's plan and purpose will prevail - no matter what. If I am obedient to His plan, His will shall be done. If I am disobedient to His plan, His will shall be done. If I hear His voice clearly and accurately, His will shall be done. If I don't hear his voice clearly and accurately, His will shall be done. Why? How? Because heaven rules regardless of my obedience, willingness or participation. If I am unwilling or disobedient, I get to sit on the bench while the game goes on and another gets to carry the ball into the end zone instead of me. And I, like Nebuchadnezzar, learn that the Most High rules in the affairs of men. I also see that God can move the hearts of kings and influential people in order to accomplish His plan and purpose. John Maxwell points out that people in general have either an abundance mindset or a scarcity mindset. A scarcity mindset believes that there is only a limited amount of resources available and once it's gone, it's gone. It is a "Rob Peter to pay Paul" mentality. These people never rise much above the status quo in their lives because they subsist on only what they themselves can produce. On the other hand, an abundance mindset believes that there is an unlimited supply available for those bold enough to go after it. When they see blessing being distributed, they get in line. They believe that as the resource runs out in one pool, there is always another that is just waiting to be opened up. They believe: "If someone is going to be blessed, it might as well be me." Isn't that what Daniel is telling us here, that God will give His blessing and resources to whomever he chooses whether they are influential or lowly, important or common? I want to believe what Paul spoke about our God, "Now to him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ask or think..." (Ephesians 3:29). Since God is wanting to reveal Himself, glorify Jesus and bring more people into His family in our city, let's get in line for His blessing and limitless supply so that we can accomplish His will through His grace and power not our own strength and resource. Dream big because Heaven rules, God has a limitless supply and He is looking for someone committed to His will with enough faith to go for the impossible!
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Stay the Course
Scripture But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 Observation There was war, problems and trouble going on all over the nation and the world at this time. Everyone was fighting everyone else. In the middle of the chaos, the Lord gives a promise to Asa and the kingdom of Judah. He wanted to reassure him of his favor and protection as long as he remained faithful to the Lord. Application We all have times in our lives when it seems as if the world is caving in around us. There is conflict and battle everywhere. We can begin to get edgy, critical and suspicious. We wonder if we have any friends and allies. Our natural inclination is to draw back into mistrust and protection mode. For me, I get irritable and sometimes fearful. I may even doubt the calling and blessing of God upon my life. The word of the Lord to Asa was to be courageous because his work would be regarded if he just remained trusting and faithful. That is the same word for me. Stay the course. I can't allow fear, failure or weakness pull me off mission, God will come through for me, He will fight for me if I am wholeheartedly engaged in His mission. Stay the course, my efforts will pay off eventually. Prayer Father, I can tend towards faint-heartedness at times. Help me to see what you see. Help me to be a courageous man who is both dependent on and confident in you and your faithfulness and goodness. I love you Father Spiritual Gift Mandates
1 Peter 4:10-11 "God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen." There are six declarations that Peter gives us here in this passage. When it comes to spiritual gifts, we look at them like we would a birthday present or any other gift given to us. We are honored and grateful to receive them but we feel that they are given to us for our enjoyment and betterment we believe that we can use them at our leisure; when we choose, how we choose and IF we choose. Unfortunately, God doesn't see it that way. He sees them more as an investment and a responsibility. More like a stewardship. God is a wise investor and He expects a good return on His investment read Matthew chapter 25 for more about that. When He deposits spiritual gifts in us, He expects us to use them and grow them. Peter's declarations on spiritual gifts in this passage are: 1. Be accepting! God HAS given you gifts whether you realize it or not. 2. Be responsible! He expects us to use them and manage them well. 3. Be intentional! When we use our gifts appropriately, God is pouring His love, favor and generosity out upon all whom we minister to while using those gifts. It is Him working His will and power through us. His strength and power become ours. 4. Be bold! When we speak about Jesus, realize that God Himself is speaking through us. 5. Be assured! When we bless, help and encourage others; the Holy Spirit supplies the grace, energy, strength and provision needed to do the job. You won't burn out or go bust because He supplies everything needed 6. Be joyful! When we bless and serve others for Jesus' sake, He is glorified and made great in the eyes of the world and those who don't yet know Him are drawn to Him. Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness. (Isaiah 51:11 NLT) What a great promise the Lord lays out for those who put their trust in Him. I know we go back and forth with what we should expect the effects of the Gospel message to be. I have even preached it that God died to make us holy not necessarily happy. This is true but the bottom line is that Jesus wants to bring joy and gladness into a believers life. Ps. 34:8 says to "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh the joys of those who trust in Him." Jesus promises a joy that comes from forgiveness and a gladness that comes from freedom. We need to remember this as we tell His story to others. Jesus wants people to experience real joy now and in eternity. The Gospel is really really good news. “Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the LORD rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the LORD rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance. (Isaiah 60:1-3 NLT) The darker the night, the brighter the light. God's plan has always been to love and bless His people so that everyone around them will see it and give Him glory and yearn for that same relationship. Psalm 31:19 says He lavishes us with His favor and blesses us before the watching world. God desires to bless us because 1. He loves us and takes good care of us 2. It displayed his power and goodness 3. It causes those who don't know Him to desire Him 4. Through us, He is able to bless a fallen, hurting world. His goodness and glory reflect on us and causes us to reflect that glory to a dark and dying world. Jesus loves people and desires for us to be filled with the joy of His presence. As we spend time with Him, we are transformed and we then reflect who He is and how He loves to those around us. His desire is that His church would shine so brightly that the world would be drawn to us not repelled from us. We need a paradigm shift, God wants to love the world through us so that they might come to know Him. The church should not be the voice of criticism and judgement in the world but the voice of hope and salvation for all that are drawn to our light. |
AuthorPastors Phil Harris of Epikos Church in Bend, Oregon. Archives
May 2016
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