Go to the Well

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) - but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

It is easy to become discouraged when we look at the things of this world. It seems that the wicked prosper while the righteous struggle. Evil appears to be winning the battle for hearts and souls while God’s Word is ridiculed and watered down by those seeking the acclaim... of this world. Churches are no longer separate from this world but embrace this world and seek for the approval of man rather than God. It is no wonder that we hear more and more of ministers “burning out”. It is natural to burn out when the oil runs out. We are just the wick in the lantern. Without the Holy Spirit to fuel us we will burn out and darkness will overwhelm us.

But those who “wait upon the Lord”, those who are flowing with the oil from Heaven will renew their strength. When this world gets you down it is important to return to source of our salvation. Jesus told the woman at the well in John 4:14

“Whoever drinks of this water shall thirst again: But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

To fully understand Isaiah’s declaration we have to review verse 28 where Isaiah gives this description of the nature of God:

God does not faints, even though he upholds all things by the word of his power (Heb. 1:3);

God does not grow weary, we do not have to worry about our Lord ever reaching the end of His strength. "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keeps thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand,” (Psalm 121:3-5);

He possesses all knowledge – God Knows! His knowledge is beyond our human comprehension.

The prophet Isaiah concludes this word with a bold statement declaring that those that put their hope in the Lord will do extraordinary things. Knowing the unfailing nature of God Isaiah reminds us that God shares His power and strength with everyone that depends on Him. He gives power to the faint and strength to those that have no might. (vs. 29) If you are struggling and you don’t know what to do Jesus stands with arms open wide and beckons all who are heavy laden to come unto him and He will give you rest.

Jesus is the source of our life, our joy, our strength, and our help. When the world is pressing in and your strength is gone go to the well. Jesus is waiting for you.

The Least of These

Ephesians 4:11-13 (KJV)
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; ¹²  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: ¹³  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Recently in one of our Gatherings there was a call for anyone that needed prayer to come forward.   This meeting was a time of worship and waiting on the Lord, no agenda or schedule.  A little girl came up to one of our worship leaders, Misti, and said her Mom needed prayer for peace.  The mother was asked to come forward by Misti.  Gently Misti knelt and asked the little girl if she believed God wanted to give her mom peace and heal her.  The little girl was sure that God wanted to and could touch her mother.  Misti then told her that if she believed then she should pray for her mom.  The little girl turned and put her arms around her mom and begin to pray.  Misti joined her, quietly praying.  When Misti looked up the mother was laughing and said,

 “I can hear you!”

This mother had been nearly deaf with only 12% hearing in one ear and 24% in the other.  Everything was fuzzy and she couldn’t understand people.  God had healed her right where she stood.  She could hear a whisper from twenty feet away.  Glory to God!

It was not a “professional” that laid hands on this woman it was a little girl that believed God could do anything.   This is confirmation of something that God has been impressing on me for some time.

Many of you have read my posts concerning the "professionalism" that has taken over the church and the "programs" that have squeezed out the Holy Spirit.  I believe that God is calling His church back to its earliest model, the body, with every member being used and functioning in the five-fold ministry.

I do not believe that the five-fold ministry is for a select few but is intended to be a part of the body with every member being used in one of these categories as the Spirit leads.  We have created a nightmare in the church by separating into the “professionals” and the “laity”.  The laity comes and watches the professionals minister and only those that are part of this professional class are considered to be part of the five-fold ministry. 

In Ephesians 4:11 Paul says, “some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, some Pastors, some Teachers.”  There are those that would have us believe this is exclusive and not inclusive.  That God only picks certain people out of the body to fill these “offices” and the rest are somehow left out.  Consider instead that Paul was looking at the local congregation and realized that the Holy Spirit would use them all!  Some as Apostles and others as Prophets, some as Evangelists and others as Pastors and still others as Teachers but everyone ministering to each other as the Spirit lead.  Not running off to make their own mark or start their own church but being used right there in the body.

I recently had someone ask me if another person in our church was a Prophet.  Yes, at times.  Sometimes he is a Teacher and other times he is an Evangelist.  I told my class that day we should resist the desire to label each other but instead know that each of us is used as the Spirit wills, moving in and out of these positions and doing the work we are given to the edification of the Body as a whole.  It is not about you!  It is not about titles!  It is not about honor or position but we serve a far more noble cause – The Body of Christ, and God can use the least of us as He sees fit. 

Paul stated that the purpose for these works in the Church was the edification of the Body of Christ and that we might all

“come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”

We watched last Sunday as the Holy Spirit used the least among us to heal a woman of deafness.  We were truly led by a child who at that moment was the hand of God in our midst.  Imagine the possibilities if the entire body of Christ were to embrace the work of the Holy Spirit and be used in the ministerial offices that God has intended for the edification of His people rejecting the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, the doctrine of men being lords over God’s people, and instead allowing the Holy Spirit to use even “the least of these.”        

But God

"But God"

Romans 5:8 (KJV) - But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Through the years I have heard many people say "Where was God." Let me tell you where God was. While you were living a life of complete disregard for God, He was dying to pay for the vilest of sins you committed. If God was there in your sinful life He most certainly will be there in your storm.

This passage reminds me of one of my favorite Scriptures, Ephesians 2:4 it starts out with the same two words "But God". No matter what the Devil brings against us! No matter what the accusation! No matter how bleak the circumstance! God is on the throne and He is rich in mercy, His love endures forever, and He has called us, anointed us, and raised us to sit in heavenly places with Jesus!

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" Ephesians 2:4-6 (KJV)

Think about the main point of this Scripture "God demonstrates His love toward us". Through out the ages God has demonstrated His love to a world bent on denying Him, abandoning Him, cursing Him, and ignoring Him. His love kept on longing, desiring, reaching, holding, He never let go and He will never let go. As the song says,

 "Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky."

Man was created in the image of God and made to fellowship with Him. It was our sin that separated us from God. “The wages of sin is death!” If we got what we deserved all hope would be lost, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus. It not about how sinful you have been it is about God’s love and grace. The amazing thing about grace Is that God "looks beyond our faults and sees our need".

Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.' I like that. Greater love! I want to be like Jesus. I want to be like Him. So my prayer is Lord give me a greater love. A love that brings me to my cross. A love that empties me. A love that makes me just like Jesus.

Jesus said in John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Loving like Christ loves cannot be accomplished without sacrifice. Laying down our lives for others is as much part of the Christian life as kneeling at the altar or picking up a Bible. It really is the essence of following Christ.

Do You Believe?

Matthew 9:28-29     And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

 

“Following Jesus”  These two blind men had been following Jesus crying out for mercy.  Jesus had performed several miracles in the previous verses and it goes without saying that people were talking.  These blind men had heard what was happening and decided that today was their day to receive a miracle, so, they began to follow Jesus.  If you want to receive your miracle today that is exactly where it begins – Seeking Jesus.

 

“Do You Believe”  God is not up in Heaven worried about what His next step will be or how He is going to help you.  He is able!  The question that must be addressed is what do you believe?  Is God able to open blind eyes?  Is He able to heal cancer?  Is He able to restore your marriage?  When you look at your situation and you cry out to God in desperation have you fully settled the matter in your heart?  A double minded man will receive nothing from God.  We cannot say God is able and then act like God has abandoned us.  Yes, Lord!  I know you love me.  Yes, Lord! I know you died for me.  Yes, Lord!  I know you are able.  God is waiting for us to settle this in our hearts.  What will our answer be today?

 

“Yes Lord”  When Jesus asked if they believed He was able to do this, heal them, the blind men did not hesitate.  They didn’t have to work through a lengthy mental exercise or weigh all of the facts.  They said two of the most important words we can speak in response to God.  Yes, Lord!  Not, “I think so.” or “if it is your will.”  Their response was, Yes, Lord!  I know that you can do this.  All power is in you.  You created the heavens and the earth.  You created every nerve ending in my body.  You are the breath that I breathe and the bread that I eat.  You are in control and at your Word mountains tremble.  Do I believe?  How could I not believe in you?  You are Lord!  You spoke and the world was created.  If you get the right perspective on who Jesus is you cannot help but believe.  He is not dependent on any mortal man.  He is God!  Lord of all creation and He is able.

 

“He Touched Me”  The song goes, “I was shackled by a heavy burden.  Neath a load of guilt and shame.  Then the hand of Jesus touched me, and now I am no longer the same.  He touched me…”  Have you been struggling with the weight of this world pressing on your shoulders?  Has worry and fear tried to steal the joy of your Christian walk?  Does every step you take feel like you can’t go on?  Cry out to Jesus right now.  Don’t wait for a better time.  There is no better time than right now to feel His touch and know His love.  Burdens are lifted and hearts are restored in the presence of the King.

 

“That’s Why He Came”  When we cry out to Jesus He will surely rescue us.  He is not far away and He is not deaf that He cannot hear.  He doesn’t have to “give it thought” or determine our worth.  So often we picture God like a celestial banker with a big ledger keeping track of the good and bad each of us has done and paying us back in kind.  But that is not why Jesus came.  He came while we were yet sinners.  He came when we were morally bankrupt.  He owed us nothing and we deserved death “But God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever…”  The truth of the matter is that He came looking for us.  He wants to touch us and when we call on His name there is nothing that can separate us from His love.   Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.  He wants to touch you, to heal you, to save you, to restore you, after all, that’s why He came

 

 “According To Your Faith”  It is God that creates and sustains.  It is by His hand that we are made whole and it is by His Word that we are saved.  He is our all in all and there is nothing too hard for him but let no man think that he will receive anything from God without faith.  God has ordained that without faith it is impossible to please Him.  We are commanded to believe and to not waiver in James 1:6-8 and that principle still holds true today.  Jesus did not make this statement only once but Scripture is replete with this truth.  In Matthew 8:13 he told the centurion, “Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.”  In Mark 11:24 Jesus said, “What things so ever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.”    

 

So the question becomes, “How can I increase my faith?  How do I believe in the midst of this storm?  Paul tells us in Romans 10:17 that faith comes by hearing the word of God.  But have you ever read the rest of that chapter?  He goes on to rebuke Israel because they heard and remained disobedient.  In fact the very next verse says “But I say, have they not heard”.  Just hearing God’s Word is not going to magically give you faith.  You must believe that God is and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.  You must hide His Word in your heart so that you will not sin against Him.  Again, just memorizing the Scriptures isn’t enough.  You must do it SO that you might not sin against God.  This implies that you are living to please Him, desiring to not offend God in even the smallest thing.  Faith is like the nucleus of an atomic particle.  A particle so small, yet within that tiny structure is power so great that when it is released the power takes on a self sustaining life of its own.  Faith in God is just like that.  Deep within the core of your being is something as small as a mustard seed that can lay dormant and inactive for a lifetime.  But when you come face to face with the Creator, its Creator, that faith can be activated and things will never be the same.  It truly is a gift from God and as Jesus said, “All things are possible”, only believe.

Spiritual Wisdom

And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. 31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
Numbers 13:30-31 (KJV)

The men and women who came to the border of Canaan had seen the mighty hand of God move on their behalf. His providence was evident every morning of their lives. Manna from God fed them and water flowed from rocks to quench their thirst. They had crossed the Red Sea when God parted the waters. They had heard the voice of God and watched the mountain tremble at His presence. Imagine their excitement as they waited for the twelve spies to return and share what they had seen in the land that God had promised them. When the first cry was heard and they ran to greet them, imagine the astonishment at seeing grape clusters so big it took two men to carry them. What joy! Spontaneous celebration must have broken out in the camp.

The first words spoken by the twelve spies were such that a roar must have swept through the multitude.

“We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.” Numbers 13:27 (KJV)

If only they had stopped there! But we know the rest of the story. Ten of the spies began to speak of the problems that they would face.

“The people that live there are strong.”

“They live in walled cities.”

“There are giants in the land.”

Caleb rose up and tried to still the people with positive words by saying they were more than able to overcome but his ten companions weren’t finished.

“We aren’t able!”

“They are stronger than us!”

“We are like grasshoppers in their sight.”

“This land will eat us up!”

The people of God who had been eating at God’s table, telling stories of His great deliverance from the Egyptians, and remembering how God had spoken to them at Mount Sinai were soon infected with these negative words. Like a virus it spread through the camp until everyone was infected and their rejoicing turned to complaining, their hope turned to despair, their victory turned to defeat.

This is perhaps one of the best examples in the Bible of the transference of spirits and it didn’t stop there. We are susceptible to this attack of the enemy today. Listening to the negative reports and rubbing shoulders with those that are overwhelmed by the sight of the enemy will destroy our faith.

These men must have been friends and brothers of the Israelites. When they were picked to go and spy out the land these men were akin to the deacons in our church, trusted, faithful leaders who were well liked and respected. What went wrong? These men began to look through natural eyes at the problems they faced. They spent too much time “spying” on the enemy and not enough time humbling themselves before God. Too often we are guilty of trying to understand this world and its problems when we should be standing on the promises of God.

In the natural these men might have been perfect for the job of facing the enemy and spying out the land but spiritually they were poorly trained and ill equipped. This is why the Scripture warns us not to put a novice in charge. Worldly wisdom is not Spiritual wisdom, human strength is not divine strength, and our intellect is a poor substitute for the Word of God. Instead of choosing the best warrior the Israelites would have been wise to choose men full of God that had learned to rely on Him.

It might have started with just one of the spies who noticed the stature of the inhabitants of the land. They were huge! Comparisons were made and then the walled cities were found and the strength of the enemy was magnified. Soon more of the spies were overwhelmed by the task at hand and begin to complain. By the time they returned to give their report ten out of twelve were convinced they couldn’t do what God had told them to do. Then those ten transferred their doubts and fears upon the multitude until they were ready to give it all up and go back to Egypt.

The promise of God was not enough! God’s people were overcome and ended up dying in the wilderness because of their unbelief until a new generation came forth to take God at His Word. When we allow people to speak into our lives who are filled with this world’s wisdom and knowledge we are opening ourselves to the faulty reasoning that breeds doubt and fear. Like a virus these things can spread through the body and bring sickness and death.

The teachers we listen to and the friends we choose will make a difference in our lives. What if the Israelites had chosen to sit at the feet of Joshua and Caleb, men of God, men of wisdom, men of honor and integrity, who trusted God.

“The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.” Numbers 14:7-9 (KJV)

All twelve men had entered the land and saw the same exact thing but these two men were full of faith and trusted God for the victory. It really is important that we open our hearts and lives to the right people. In this world that we live there are multitudes of words being spoken all around us. Radio, Television, The Internet, Social Media, Home Groups, even at the water cooler there is someone who is going to speak into your life today. Choose wisely.