Several weeks ago I wrote a blog titled, “Wrong Decisions” and I am motivated to continue in that vein in this week’s blogs due to calls I have received on this week concerning events that are taking place in the homes of many believers.
Most of us have heard adults talk about how their lives were affected due to the things they experienced at the hands of their parents while they were children and some of us have our own experiences that we could share. The outcome of some of these experiences has been good, while others have been disastrous. This occurrence is not new for if you read the scriptures, you will find many examples of both of these.
If you have not recognized these kinds of events in the bible let me share from the Word, some positive and negative examples of how the decisions of people affected their lineage:
- Adam and Eve failure to follow God’s instruction caused sin to enter into the world, and we the descendants of Adam and Eve are still experiencing the repercussions of their actions (Genesis 3).
- Abram heeded the voice of his wife Sarai and had sex with Hagar her handmaiden produced a son whose seed remains in contention to this day with the seed of their legal son (Genesis 16).
- Achan’s act of thievery caused him and his whole household to be stoned (Joshua 7:20-26).
- David act of adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah resulted in rebellion against him by his sons (2 Samuel 12:7-12).
- Solomon’s act of idolatry caused the kingdom of Israel to be divided when his son Rehoboam became king (1 Kings 11:1-13).
- Gehazi and his seed were cursed with leprosy because of his duplicitous actions with Naaman and Elisha.
- Queen Esther revealed her heritage and the plot of Haman to King Ahasuerus, which ultimately saved her family and the Jewish nation.
- Cornelius invited Peter to his house to share the gospel and in so doing Cornelius’s kinsmen and near friends received salvation (Acts 11).
As I read these stories, the phases, “It’s not about you,” and “Think generationally” came to my mind. I have often said to individuals who made some critical mistakes, “If your decision only affected you it would be o.k.; however, your decision has spilled over into the lives of other individuals, and now they are wounded and suffering. Also, in the midst of our personal crisis, pain, and storms, we make hasty irrational mistakes without taking into consideration the consequences of our decisions. On today I caution you to pray and get direction from God and don’t move quickly.
So, the main point of this blog is to encourage you to think beyond yourself, and to think about how you are affecting the lives of others. I’ll close with this question and advice. Will, your family, be happy about knowing you and having a relationship with you, or will they regret your involvement in their lives? Think generationally.
In Matthew 24 Jesus told His disciples about events that would take place before the rapture and before His return to the earth, and if you are listening to the news or reading news articles, you can attest to the fact that those events are presently being unfolded. I believe that the stage is set for the next big event in history, and that is the return of Jesus to catch away (rapture) His bride. According to the book of Revelation, the bride or body of believers will be with Jesus in heaven during the tribulation period, and then they will return to earth to reign with Jesus during His millennium reign.
Paul cautioned believers not to be deceived, and he informed us that believers would fall from the faith in the last days (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Thus, it is imperative that we also remember the words of Paul that we are children of light, and we are to watch and be sober. This is necessary lest we take life lightly and reject the truth that is in the Word. Therefore, all of us needs to pray and ask God to help us discern the times like the children of Issachar.
Issachar was the ninth son of Jacob and the fifth child born to his mother, Leah. The bible states this fact concerning his lineage, “And the children of Issachar which were men that had an understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (1 Chronicles 12:33) and according to the Targum the children of Issachar were astrologers and astronomers, that studied the heavenlies.
In the camp in the wilderness, the tribe of Issachar pitched their tents on the east side of the tabernacle next to the tribe of Judah and when the Israelis journeyed the tribe of Issachar was the second leading tribe for they followed the first tribe which was Judah. It is interesting to note that “Praise” went first followed by “Understanding and Insight.” Could this possibly be a key to a believer’s spiritual success? Praising God first and then receiving and doing what is instructed.
As I previously stated, I am expecting the rapture to happen soon. This present world is so tumultuous; I cannot imagine what this world will be like if Jesus should tarry another ten or twenty years. However, while I am living, I do have a responsibility to occupy this world and evangelize the lost for I understand the times.
Finally, I pray for those of you that are reading this blog that you also will seek to understand the times, that you will speak to the God of the heavenlies and that He will direct your path.
Moses was the designated, anointed leader of Israel and Exodus 12:37 reveals there were six hundred thousand men plus women and children given to his charge when they departed from Egypt. The Bible also states that at the beginning of their wilderness experience Moses would judge the people’s problems from morning till evening and this process went on until Jethro his wise father-in-law said these words to him, “The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou shalt 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” (Exodus 18:17-18). Moses had taken on a huge solo responsibility that needed to be delegated, and shared with others and he needed someone to point out the error of his sincere actions.
In our churches today, we see the same scenario; either the pastor is doing all of the work, or a small percentage of the congregation is assisting in maintaining the ministry. Statistics have shown that many pastors are burned-out because they are doing too much when they really need to be giving themselves over to prayer and to the ministry of the Word (Act 6:1- 4). We need to pray for pastors that they will realize God has not called them to do everything, that they must share the load, that they should not be intimidated by the congregants who expect them to do everything and that they learn to say, “No.”
Also, unfortunately, I have found congregants often think the church belongs to the pastor, they do not think, “this is our church” and even better, “this is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Many congregants do not realize how we serve in our church reflects how we view our standing in that church. They do not realize the success or failure of their church depends on them.
Paul in his writings to the church of Ephesus states, “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted (framed and knit together) by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying (building up) of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:16) God has equipped each member with the skills and gifts that are to be dispersed. Each individual is needed, and when we lovingly come together, supporting one another and getting the work of the ministry done, no individual will feel stressed, overworked, and abused.
So, today as I concluded this blog, I pray you will join me in praying that each one of us will measure up to the standard that God has purposed for our lives, that we will be doing the work in the ministry where we are assigned and that no one will be able to view or church and say, “It’s not good.”
Unfortunately as I read through the Bible, I see a reoccurring theme that truly saddens me. What is that theme you may ask if you have not also noticed it? It is making the wrong decisions in your senior years. Some of those individuals that have done this are Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Asa, and Jehoshaphat, and sadly, these individuals all paid for their wrong decision.
Let me share the story of one of these men who happen to be a king in Judah. King Asa, the son of Abijah’s story, is found in 2 Chronicles 14 -16. King Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of God. He brought religious reformation to Judah by ridding the land of idols, destroying the high places and commanding the people to seek after God and obey His commandments.
For ten years the land was peaceful and prosperous, but then King Zerah of Ethiopia and his army came to war against Judah. When King Asa saw this tremendous army that was arrayed against them he prayed this humble prayer, “Lord, it is nothing with (there is none beside) thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power (between the mighty and him that have no strength): help us, O Lord our God; for we rest in thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee” (2 Chronicles 14:11), and God showed Himself strong and allowed Judah to smote the Ethiopians and to spoil their cities. At the completion of the fighting, Judah returned home with an abundance of spoil (gold, silver, camels, cattle, sheep, and garments).
After this war, the prophet Azariah gave a word of admonishment to the king to which he positively responded by once again going through the land destroying the idols he found and calling the people to renew their covenant with God. For the next twenty-five years, Judah once again experienced peace.
In the thirty-sixth year, King Baasha of Israel assaulted the city of Ramah which was in Judah and a short distance from Jerusalem. This time rather than rely on God’s divine intervention, King Asa sought an alliance and help from the Syrians who interposed and routed the Israelis.
After this battle Hanani, the seer came to King Asa and said, “Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars” (2 Chronicles 16:7-9). King Asa was displeased with the rebuke, and he placed Hanani in prison, and he became an oppressor of the people who were not in agreement with his actions.
Three years later in his thirty-ninth year of reigning King Asa’s feet became infected and over time became progressively worse; however, rather than seek God for healing he sought the physicians and eventually he died of this sickness in his forty-first year of reign.
Here is the story of a man that experienced the favor, goodness, and blessings of God. Not only did He bless him, but He also blessed the nation over which King Asa presided. God desired to be their “I AM continually.” All God wanted was their allegiance and obedience. When King Asa failed to ask God’s help when He rejected God, God granted him his independence.
What have I learned from the life of King Asa? To never think I am so self-sufficient that I don’t need God’s assistance. To never think I can go a moment without Him. To never think I can live a healthy life without His merciful hands being upon me and not to be like so many of the seniors in the bible and make a fatal wrong decision.
When we listen to the news or read the newspaper, we can clearly see we are living in a world of turmoil, and the truth of the matter we are only exposed to a minute amount of tragedies that are happening around the world. People are overwhelmed with their situation, and they don’t have a remedy; so many of them are committing suicide. They are looking for answers, but unfortunately, they are looking in the wrong places.
The Bible states, “Man that is born of a women is a few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). It does not matter what your age might be; there is no escaping trouble; it will find you. The Bible also states, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Psalms 34:19). There is not one problem that you may be experiencing that God cannot solve. He is the answer, and He has all the answers.
Knowing the creator of the world and its inhabitants are interested in our wellbeing should bring us great comfort and assurance. Also, understanding the role of our King who cares for His citizens, allows us to say in our heart and mind when an issue presents itself, “The king has the answer and solution, there is no need for me to stress over it.”
Finally, many times, God wants to alert us to the trouble that is headed our way; however, we are so busy doing our thing that we do not connect with Him. It is up to us to invite God into our situations, it is up to us to earnestly ask Him for help, and most of all when He gives us the answer it is up to us to follow it whether we understand it or not. So, as you go thru your daily activities, sing this song and tell those with whom you come in contact. “God is the answer for the world today; besides Him, there is no other, He alone knows the way.”
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:12-13).
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Though I know at some level, believers are in continual warfare; I keep forgetting the above two scriptures. Now, I have come to understand David’s words that are recorded in Psalm 119:71, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” Eventually, after much testing and failures, I am going to learn to do what will bring me success.
Unlike us, demons assigned to our lives do not become weary in their task. They are trying to steal, kill, and destroy. They are trying to oppress, repress, suppress, and depress us. They do whatever it takes to accomplish their assignment, and I am finding out that I must be as vigilant as they are in doing what the scriptures have stated.
At the beginning when God created man in His image and likeness, God told man these words, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1: 28). It was the plan of God that man was to establish the influence of heaven on earth. God gave only men the legal authority to rule the earth. Anything or one that does not possess a body has no legal right of rulership on this earth. As believers, we are to exercise our authority and put the devil and his forces out. We are to use the power that God placed in us because He is not going to do the work that He has assigned to our hands. Failure or success depends on our determination.
Ephesians 6:13 tells us, “to stand.” The dictionary gives one of the meanings of the word “stand” as “a defensive effort.” So, believers must guard against and stand firmly amid of the enemy’s attack. Don’t cringe, be depressed, or be afraid of your enemies.
We have the legal right to cast out all illegals. If you doubt my words remember the words of Jesus in Mark 16:17, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils.” You have the power and authority, now do the work.
Once again I thought I might be skipping blogging for this week because I did not have a topic to share with you, but I am learning even in blogging to wait on the Lord for direction, and as usual, He came through. I was watching a convention service on the internet last evening, and the presider took time in the middle of the service to pray for those that were ill. His actions ministered to me physically and spiritually, and the topic for today’s blogs was revealed to me, “The God that Healeth.”
Many of the Israelis that were in the wilderness did not have a relationship with God; however, He had chosen them as a nation of people on whom He would bestow His love, protection, blessings, and concern. He desired to be their one and only King and as their King, God told them three days into their wilderness experience these words, “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26) and later when He gave Moses the laws and statutes by which the people should live He reminded them of this promise with these words “And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee”(Exodus 23:25). In His kingly role He provided for His people with the understanding that for them to receive the benefits of citizenship, they were expected to show allegiance, loyalty, and obedience to their king.
For the New Testament church of which we are a member, we have the same promise provided for us by God when He sent His son Jesus to earth and allowed Him to die by crucifixion for our sins. Jesus, our earthly king, has the same characteristics as His Father. God provided Israel with healing and Jesus; God manifested in the flesh does the same for us (Isaiah 9:6-7; 53:4-5).
Why does God do this? He does this because He is a wealthy King and owns everything and has every resource (including healing) at His disposal. Also, God and His Son change not, they remain the same yesterday, today and forever (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8) and praise God, our healings are not limited for they are spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental (Psalms 103:3).
In closing, let me reminded you all healing comes from our King. Some healings come quickly while others may occur over a period of time. Please don’t be deceived, when you go to the doctor, when you take medication it is still God that is healing you. So, if you are sick on today, I declare you can be healed and receive your citizen benefits from the God that healeth.
As I stated in a previous blog (Kingdom Citizenship) because we are kingdom believers, there are rights and privileges granted to us by our King, who takes care of His citizens. Jesus in His earthly ministry emphasized this fact to His disciples telling them in Matthew 6:25, “Take no thought for their life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.” These things are considered basic necessities and are often the things for which we worry.
For most of us, it is easy to complain rather than practice faith and positive confessions. I read this statement of Charles Capps over twenty years ago, and it remains in my spirit, “Satan has deceived the body of Christ into confessing their fears rather than their faith.” When problems arise in my life, I have to continually remind myself that God is in control and not to complain and worry. Also studying the story of Israel in the books of Exodus and Numbers has been beneficial in showing me what not to do.
Let me share some of their story with you. The Israelites left Canaan and went to Egypt because of a famine in the land. When the famine was over, they remained there because they were treated royally. After 430 years, things changed, and the Egyptians viewed the Israelis as a threat; therefore, they placed them in bondage and made them their servants. God intervened on their behave, and after inflicting ten plagues on the Egyptians, He delivered them mightily out of Egypt and destroyed Pharaoh and His army in the Red Sea.
After Israel crossed the Red Sea, they entered into the wilderness (an uncultivated, uninhabited, barren region), where they quickly forgot all that God had done for them and because of their unbelief they wandered in the wilderness for forty years. During that time, they murmured about water, food, and leadership. God had chosen Israel to be the people upon whom He would bestow His love and blessings; however, they continually angered and disappointed Him with their actions. He wanted them to love and trust His Word in all situations. Instead, they complained when things were delayed, or they experienced hardship. Their murmurings and complaints resulted in consequences, and generations of them died in the wilderness, never reaching the promise land.
From my study of Israel, I have learned these two essential things. God, my King, is my Sustainer, and I may sometimes be in an uncomfortable place, but in time, I will receive what I need to maintain and overcome. So, fellow believers instead of complaining I am praising God and using my spiritual weapons. I pray you have also learned to do the same.
In the Kingdom of Heaven, there is an innumerable vast number of mighty, intelligent, powerful, immortal, noble, obedient angelic spirits which were created by God. In accordance with His orderly, systematic character God gave them different assignments: some were worshippers, some were messengers, some were agents of destruction, some were guides, some were protectors, some were ministering spirits, and a large portion were in God’s army. Throughout the Bible, you can read numerous accounts of angels fulfilling their assignment; however, on today, I would like to focus on the angelic ministering spirits.
Both in the Old and New Testaments, many events are shared concerning these angelic ministering spirits that assist individuals in their time of need. You can see one in the life of Elijah when he was running from Jezebel (1 Kings 19:5-7), in the life of Jesus in the Mount of Olive (Luke 22:43), in the life of Abraham’s servant as he traveled to Nahor to find a wife for Isaac (Genesis 24:40) and in the life of Peter when Herod put him in prison (Acts 12:7-11). On today I thank God these ministering angels are also assigned to kingdom believers.
When I looked up the Greek meaning of the word “ministering” as it is found in the scripture, it gave the definition, “to be a public servant, to perform charitable functions.” In the Old Testament times, David knew there were angels with him for he stated in Psalms 34:77 “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” In the New Testament Paul stated in Hebrews 1:13-14 “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Knowing there are angels assigned to minister on your behalf should bring comfort to every believer. We have the right to ask God to send our angels before us, to work out problems, to fight on our behalf, to protect us as we travel, and to assist us in areas that we feel are insurmountable.
Aren’t you glad that you have a King in your life that is so concerned about you that He goes beyond human assistance and assigns angelic help to you? Therefore, when problems arise, don’t become stressed but remember you have heavenly help from your King and your angel. Knowing this, I suggest you don’t delay, but use them today.
In 2 Timothy 3:1 Paul stated, “That in the last days perilous (grievous) times shall come” and from all the events that are happening in our world I believe we are living in the era in which Paul called, “last days.” When I turn on the news I hear of some tragic event taking place, I can see the Spirit of Lawlessness happening with the murders and robberies in our communities, and the hardness and evilness of men’s heart are visible in my interactions with people. I am often saddened by the plight of this world, for those who have died and whirled into eternity without receiving salvation, and for those who are presently living but don’t think they need a relationship with God. These are issues over which I must pray and rest in the hands of God who is in control of everything for He has a plan for humans that will eventually happen and unfortunately, it will not be pleasant.
Jesus enlightens us of this plan in Matthews 13:24 -30, 36-43 which states, “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
In this same chapter, verses 47 -50, Jesus reiterates the plan using a different example. He said “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
In both of these parables, Jesus expounds on end time events. Within the world are those individuals that received Him and have a relationship with God and within the world are individuals that have rejected salvation and are members of the kingdom of darkness of whom Satan is the leader. Both of these groups of people (good and bad) exist together. It is not the responsibility of the believer to judge and cause a divide for God has assigned that task to His angels. It is the believers who are joint heirs with Christ and members of the kingdom of God responsibility to preach and teach the Word to a dying world (Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:8). With the help and direction of God, will you join with me in doing our part of propagating the Word and leaving the judging to God?
The Teacher's Pick 