"What you believe about God will determine what you do next.
When God tells you what He wants to do through you, you will face a crisis of belief.
What you do next reveals what you believe..."
Crisis of Belief is a turning point
where one decides what they truly believe about God.
The statements above are taken from a study in Experiencing God with Henry Blackaby.
Opening my Bible...
I diligently study the given examples of Faith assigned in each lesson, I found a pattern of anointing.
Anointed Men: (2 examples)
1. Joshua 6:1-5 Joshua SEEKS God.
God said: "I have given..."
Leader SPEAKS God's message to the people.
Organization happens according to God's instructions.
7 Trumpets BEFORE the ark...walked on and blew continuously.
Rear Guard follow AFTER the ark...walked within God's guidelines.
The people silent (waiting on God)
The people shouted (worship of God)
2. Judges 6:33; 7:1-8 Leader SEEKS God
God said "I have given..."
Leader SPEAKS God's message to the people.
Organization of the men according to God's instruction
- a test of sanctification... "set apart"- ones chosen by works
The leader silent (waiting on God's message)
The leader strengthened (worshiped God).
The people conquered
The people concluded:
"God did it!"
Anointed Man:
1 Chronicles 14:8-16 .David SEEKS the Lord.
God SPEAKS "GO...I will give..."
David follows God's instruction:
David STRUCK.
God BROKE through.
David inquired again (different circumstances)
God SPEAKS "I go before you..."
David follows God's instruction...COME from behind...
God STRIKES.
Nations fear David's God.
****Transition*****
The Christ of Promise is the Fulfillment of the Covenant
John 1:12 "But as many as receive Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name."
Hebrews 7:22 "This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant"...
Hebrews 10:14 "For as by one sacrifice, he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."
Anointed Messiah Acts 10:38
Matthew 17:24-27 World demands.
Peter (one of 12 followers) inquires of Jesus (God's Word)
Jesus SPEAKS and teaches Kingdom perspective.
"Sons are free..."
"Sons do not offend..."
"Son receives a shekel"
"Son pays requirement."
***Transition******
The Church is the Fullness of Christ
Ephesians 1:22 "And he put all things under his feet and gave Him as HEAD over all things to the church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."
Anointed Members
Romans 12:3 God assigned
(4) not all have same function
(5) individually members
(6) gifts that differ
1 Cor 12:11 God apportioned (to each individually)
1 Cor 12: 18 God arranged (each of them, as He chose)
1 Cor 12:28 God appointed "in the church"
1. Col 1:28 "Him we proclaim (evangelists, apostles).,, warning (prophets) everyone and teaching (shepherds & teachers) everyone with all wisdom, that we (those appointed) may present everyone mature in Christ." (also, Eph 4:11-13)
2. Gifts of service (maintaining unity) - miracles, healing, (healers of broken pieces), helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
3. A more excellent way...faith, hope, love...in ALL.
All Members - each/individually:
1 Cor 10:17 Partake - eat ONE Bread, all partake of the ONE Bread (individually fed, provided for)
I Cor 12:11 Power - empowered by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:3)
1 Cor 12:12 - Purpose - each strive to excel in building up the church
1 Cor 12:31 - Prophesy - earnestly desire to prophesy (39) so that all may learn and all be encouraged
Considered pattern to work through group's crisis of belief:
The local church, as part of the Body of Christ, acts out the purpose of the BODY with the same care for one another (1 Cor 12:25, 27) considering "individual members"...
Each Seeking God
Each Speaking Good
Each Sharing Gospel
Each Serving Gratefully
Each Seeking Glory of the Head
Eph 4:13 "Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Ascertained Message (for each member)
Often confusion occurs when a local church is organized like Israel, raising a pedestal for one person, rather than disciple-makers teaching EACH member's vital ministry to the whole. God dealing with a nation required a leader's MOUTH to SPEAK to the people.
In the unity of the Body, each member has the WORD of God, each is empowered by the Holy Spirit and each is gifted to accomplish God's will. And the Blood flows through each.
No one "rules over", or is "lifted up" on a pedestal. but grasping the love of Christ, each considers one another's needs, each cares for one another.
While God has appointed several stronger members to prepare and equip all for ministry, each member's need is considered. All work together to accomplish God's will so "that no one should perish".
This is Christ's command "Go, and make disciples...teaching them to observe all ..."
Procedure [of working together] is power [to EACH member] performing for one purpose
1. A Question Posed....
Has EACH practiced observance of the need before them?
2. A Quest Prayed..
Has EACH prayed for the Lord's instruction and leading?
3. A Question Proposed
Has EACH prepared through study of the Word the use of individual gifts needed?
4. A Query Purposed....
Has EACH purposed building up in accordance to the instruction in God's Word?
5. Acquired Plan...
Has EACH plainly understood the plan so that disciples are made in the process?
(Can each say to another (disciple making) IMITATE ME as I imitate Christ?)
6. Acquiesced Procedure...
Has EACH planned to use individual gifts as God apportioned in working together?
7. Acclaimed Praise...
Has EACH purposed to celebrate because "God did this!"
Acquired Members stay healthy when no hindrances block the flowing Blood.
God's Word declares: "I have given you Power... (Mt 28:19)
God's Command: "Make disciples". (Mt 28:20)
God's Instruction (Bible) teaches how...
1. With those BEFORE the cross...."Walk and Proclaim Me"
2. With those AFTER the cross....Walk with Purposed Mind (instructions given in NT letters)
Set apart....a test of sanctification
Those I walk with will be known as the blood flows from one to another in unity of purpose and each receives an harvest of fruit.
PRAY continually because each circumstance is different and attacks are dangerous.
Do not lean on your own understanding.
Walk in the Spirit...
Put on the new man...
While walking in the dust...
His sons perform Kingdom protocol with Kingdom perspectives, working together as many members of one Body and shining as stars in this dark world.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Psalm 111 "Thankful Whole Hearts"
"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart...
Just asking 5 questions gives us such rich teaching about WHOLE hearts able to give thanks...
1. WHERE is whole heart thanks given?
...in the Company of the Upright
...in the Congregation
It's amazing how specific God's Word is about the assembly that gathers to give thanks to the Creator. It is a special group. A people that has received from God changed hearts by their reception of His Son's blood atonement for the forgiveness of sin. They are whole hearts now recognizing God's gifts. They humbly grasp their reliance on His hand for every good thing.
Just this thought shows how vital the instruction in Hebrews 10:25 given to whole-heart people. It is these gatherings where whole hearts consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. We're instructed not to "neglect to meet together", where whole hearts find encouragement in uncertain times. In togetherness times, this community hears God-focused praise with thanksgiving which causes unity in Christ, and builds confidence in hearts.
So, the congregation is a gathering of God's people, redeemed with His Son's blood, forgiven, and made complete in Him. Each has been made whole. When Christ makes a person whole, the power of God enables thanksgiving. (Jn 13:10; 2 Cor 7:1; 2 Tim 3:17; Heb 10:14; Jas 1;4)
We see a distinct contrast in Romans 1 describing the degenerate heart. Those who are perishing have calloused, divided, unbelieving hearts. They do not honor God as God, nor do they give thanks to Him. Their foolish hearts are darkened.
Darkened hearts are only made whole through the "LIGHT", Jesus Christ who came into the world to bring those in darkness to his gracious and merciful God. His redemption cleanses them of all unrighteousness, creating a new heart in them. This wholeness enables them to turn and give thanks. (Lk 17, Jn 13:10; 2 Cor 7:1; 2 Tim 3:17; Heb 10:14; and Jas 1;4) Cleansed hearts who have been made whole unite with others to proclaim with thanksgiving the goodness of their faithful and just God!
2. WHO should receive whole heart thanks?
The Lord receives thanks.
Prayer (communication with the LORD or vertical speech) is made in the company of the upright, the congregation. This gives each one in the congregation opportunity to HEAR and agree with other whole hearts, thanking and praising God. This creates spiritual unity where Christ also promised to be in the "midst of them".
Precise vertical speech is directed to the LORD in the presence of the congregation for the building up of the body of Christ.
Proclaiming vertical speech "attains the unity of the faith"
Prepared vertical speaking shares "the knowledge of the Son of God and gives the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, maturing all to manhood".
Just think...little ears hear the wisdom of God and will learn praise through imitating the prayers they hear! They will learn through prayer to proclaim the Word of God. They will experience the unity of the faith, encouraging them to mature to manhood. (Ephesians 4:11-13)
Whole hearts give thanks to God, benefiting the hearers.
3. WHY do whole heart give thanks?
In order for thankfulness to spill out of mouths, there must be a study of His Works, His Word and spoken in His Wisdom. Simply from this one Psalm, we learn that those delighting in the LORD'S works speak to the LORD in prayer (1 Timothy 2:8-9) in the presence of the congregation, proclaiming His goodness and greatness.
Each one speaking one attribute or action of the LORD mentioned here would cause agreeing hearts to be wholly participating in His Praise directly from His Word...
1. The LORD is gracious and merciful.
2. The LORD provides food to those who fear Him.
3. The LORD remembers His Covenant
4. The LORD has shown His Power
5. The LORD sent Redemption.
6. The LORD commanded His Covenant.
7. The LORD'S name is holy and awesome.
4. HOW does a whole heart give thanks?
1.True thanksgiving only flows through the whole heart given in Christ by salvation. Then God places this new whole heart in "the company of the upright" for the opportunity to join the chorus of thankfulness.
2. Gathering together in the congregation, whole hearts delight to hear the works of the Lord. Thanksgiving erupts as God causes His wondrous works to be remembered and those who bear His Name recall how gracious and merciful is their LORD.
3. Praise verbally communicated by his people proclaims His Provision and Power shown to them in very personal ways.
4. Whole hearts agree as they hear His attributes spoken directly to Him in prayer.
5. Whole hearts consider the works of his hands.
Just pondering creation emphasizes afresh His grace in creating their whole hearts to see His works.
6. Whole hearts hear His Word read in company time. They are taught - equipped to perform His Word.
7. As they perform His Words, whole hearts are empowered with His Wisdom.
When the congregation comes together to hear the studies of those who delight in the LORD'S works, the LORD graciously opens the eyes of whole hearts to see His greatness and goodness.
In Scriptures, (1 Corinthians 14:24-25), the congregation will even see the response of any outsider or unbelieving heart who wanders into this company. Unbelieving hearts become convicted and called into account by all because the secrets of his heart will be disclosed. He will fall on his face and worship God, declaring the Presence of God among this congregation. Even the promise of opening the outsider's eyes reveal this thanksgiving only comes from God's people. He will see his degenerate heart and his own personal need to be made whole. This exposure will lead him to receive the gift only God can give.
Through thanksgiving in the congregation, whole hearts learn more how to please God. By faith, they gain confidence to go back into the world because the Church, the congregation, has accomplished its responsibility. (Ephesians 4:12)
Each member has been equipped to do the works of ministry in the marketplace. They will have been reminded...
1. His WORKS.....are to be PRAISED.
2. His WORDS....are to be PREFORMED.
3. His WISDOM...is to be PRACTICED
5. WHAT should result from Whole Heart thanks?
His Praise endures forever...on the lips of his "whole heart" people!
Taking the time to delight in His Word, I pause to thank God for all I have IN JESUS. I am especially filled with gratefulness for the whole heart HE gave me to see "His wonderful works to the children of men."
Just asking 5 questions gives us such rich teaching about WHOLE hearts able to give thanks...
1. WHERE is whole heart thanks given?...in the Company of the Upright
...in the Congregation
It's amazing how specific God's Word is about the assembly that gathers to give thanks to the Creator. It is a special group. A people that has received from God changed hearts by their reception of His Son's blood atonement for the forgiveness of sin. They are whole hearts now recognizing God's gifts. They humbly grasp their reliance on His hand for every good thing.
Just this thought shows how vital the instruction in Hebrews 10:25 given to whole-heart people. It is these gatherings where whole hearts consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. We're instructed not to "neglect to meet together", where whole hearts find encouragement in uncertain times. In togetherness times, this community hears God-focused praise with thanksgiving which causes unity in Christ, and builds confidence in hearts.
So, the congregation is a gathering of God's people, redeemed with His Son's blood, forgiven, and made complete in Him. Each has been made whole. When Christ makes a person whole, the power of God enables thanksgiving. (Jn 13:10; 2 Cor 7:1; 2 Tim 3:17; Heb 10:14; Jas 1;4)
We see a distinct contrast in Romans 1 describing the degenerate heart. Those who are perishing have calloused, divided, unbelieving hearts. They do not honor God as God, nor do they give thanks to Him. Their foolish hearts are darkened.
Darkened hearts are only made whole through the "LIGHT", Jesus Christ who came into the world to bring those in darkness to his gracious and merciful God. His redemption cleanses them of all unrighteousness, creating a new heart in them. This wholeness enables them to turn and give thanks. (Lk 17, Jn 13:10; 2 Cor 7:1; 2 Tim 3:17; Heb 10:14; and Jas 1;4) Cleansed hearts who have been made whole unite with others to proclaim with thanksgiving the goodness of their faithful and just God!
2. WHO should receive whole heart thanks?
The Lord receives thanks.
Prayer (communication with the LORD or vertical speech) is made in the company of the upright, the congregation. This gives each one in the congregation opportunity to HEAR and agree with other whole hearts, thanking and praising God. This creates spiritual unity where Christ also promised to be in the "midst of them".
Precise vertical speech is directed to the LORD in the presence of the congregation for the building up of the body of Christ.
Proclaiming vertical speech "attains the unity of the faith"
Prepared vertical speaking shares "the knowledge of the Son of God and gives the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, maturing all to manhood".
Just think...little ears hear the wisdom of God and will learn praise through imitating the prayers they hear! They will learn through prayer to proclaim the Word of God. They will experience the unity of the faith, encouraging them to mature to manhood. (Ephesians 4:11-13)
Whole hearts give thanks to God, benefiting the hearers.
3. WHY do whole heart give thanks?
In order for thankfulness to spill out of mouths, there must be a study of His Works, His Word and spoken in His Wisdom. Simply from this one Psalm, we learn that those delighting in the LORD'S works speak to the LORD in prayer (1 Timothy 2:8-9) in the presence of the congregation, proclaiming His goodness and greatness.
Each one speaking one attribute or action of the LORD mentioned here would cause agreeing hearts to be wholly participating in His Praise directly from His Word...
1. The LORD is gracious and merciful.2. The LORD provides food to those who fear Him.
3. The LORD remembers His Covenant
4. The LORD has shown His Power
5. The LORD sent Redemption.
6. The LORD commanded His Covenant.
7. The LORD'S name is holy and awesome.
4. HOW does a whole heart give thanks?
1.True thanksgiving only flows through the whole heart given in Christ by salvation. Then God places this new whole heart in "the company of the upright" for the opportunity to join the chorus of thankfulness.
2. Gathering together in the congregation, whole hearts delight to hear the works of the Lord. Thanksgiving erupts as God causes His wondrous works to be remembered and those who bear His Name recall how gracious and merciful is their LORD.
3. Praise verbally communicated by his people proclaims His Provision and Power shown to them in very personal ways.
4. Whole hearts agree as they hear His attributes spoken directly to Him in prayer.
5. Whole hearts consider the works of his hands.
Just pondering creation emphasizes afresh His grace in creating their whole hearts to see His works.
6. Whole hearts hear His Word read in company time. They are taught - equipped to perform His Word.
7. As they perform His Words, whole hearts are empowered with His Wisdom.
When the congregation comes together to hear the studies of those who delight in the LORD'S works, the LORD graciously opens the eyes of whole hearts to see His greatness and goodness.
In Scriptures, (1 Corinthians 14:24-25), the congregation will even see the response of any outsider or unbelieving heart who wanders into this company. Unbelieving hearts become convicted and called into account by all because the secrets of his heart will be disclosed. He will fall on his face and worship God, declaring the Presence of God among this congregation. Even the promise of opening the outsider's eyes reveal this thanksgiving only comes from God's people. He will see his degenerate heart and his own personal need to be made whole. This exposure will lead him to receive the gift only God can give. |
| by "Sharing the power of Jesus" |
Each member has been equipped to do the works of ministry in the marketplace. They will have been reminded...
1. His WORKS.....are to be PRAISED.
2. His WORDS....are to be PREFORMED.
3. His WISDOM...is to be PRACTICED
5. WHAT should result from Whole Heart thanks?
His Praise endures forever...on the lips of his "whole heart" people!
Taking the time to delight in His Word, I pause to thank God for all I have IN JESUS. I am especially filled with gratefulness for the whole heart HE gave me to see "His wonderful works to the children of men."
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