Posted on 01/22/2009 6:16:11 PM PST by WhatNot
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us -- yes, establish the work of our hands (Ps 90:17).
Martin Luther brought the word of God back to the people. Today, God is bringing the work of God back to the people. God never intended the clergy to be the primary distribution channel of His Gospel. You and I are the distribution channel to those of us in the workplace.
The local church is simply the franchise to equip and release His army into the world to effect every aspect of society. Today, God is establishing mini-franchises in the form of prayer groups and Bible studies in the workplace. He is igniting the silent remnant of workplace believers who have never realized, until now, that their work really is their ministry. It is a holy calling on par with vocational ministry.
Our local franchises (churches) should be viewed as mini battle ships designed to raise an army of qualified warriors who can pray, create, and influence their workplaces and industries with a biblical worldview. We must be reminded of God's perfect plan found in Ephesians 4:11-13.
"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
The next time you are tempted to pass ministry responsibility to your pastor, remember what Ephesians 4 says. After all, there are no part-time Christians in His Kingdom. We may get our checks in secular fields, but our ministry is full-time.
I believe such Christians have a sad, twisted concept of the heavenly Father. I recall Jesus’ parable about the servant who hid his talent because he had a twisted image of his master. That servant said, “I knew thee that thou art an hard man” (Matthew 25:24). Likewise, many believers today think, “There’s no way God could ever be glad over me, rejoicing and singing in love. I’ve failed him so miserably at times, bringing reproach on his name. How could he possibly love me, especially in the struggle I’m facing now?”
I believe this is one powerful reason why so many Christians don’t want to get close to their heavenly Father. They dread drawing near to him because they sense they’ve failed him somehow. All they can conceive of him is that he’s full of consuming fire, ready to judge and condemn them.
You may be thinking, “Surely the Lord doesn’t rejoice over someone who’s still in sin. I can’t expect him to love me if I continue my sinning ways. That sort of thinking borders on blasphemy.” Yes, God does love his people but he doesn’t love their sin. The Bible says he reproves every child who continues in iniquity, but he always does it with longsuffering. And after he reproves us, his Spirit fills us with a sense of his indignation over sin. Through all of this, God’s love for us remains unchanged. The Word says, “I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). “The Father…with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). “I am God, and not man” (Hosea 11:9).
Thank you... It’s true that I tend to fall into that trap of thinking that God isn’t/won’t-be/can’t-be pleased by my actions; of course, it’s a lot easier when you tend to have the same [typed] thoughts regarding your own earthly father.
I’m not sure I’m effective in the workplace though when someone has a biblical question or wants prayer they come straight to me. It’s hard work to try to reach them, make them understand, they have such guards up around them and an arsenal of politically correct assaults in place to defend themselves against being redeemed. I hope they see in me something they want. They know where I stand, no question and they’re not hostile to me about it, but they’re very defensive of their right to remain lost. At this point I’m watching, praying & holding fast that which I have until He comes. The word tells us that “because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold, but he who endures until the end shall be saved”. Let’s not let our love die.
Even with the controversies surrounding the different Bible translations, when it comes right down to it, the very best translation of the Bible, (IMHO) is us. By simply living our lives in accordance with His Holy Word, people will see that, and I believe it translates over to them.
That’s the thing isn’t it, to be a living epistle. May we learn to let our lights shine so others may see our good works and glorify God. I’ve been guilty of trying to hide mine under a bushel, a sort of false humility I think. I’m repenting of that though. I thought if those without saw my shortcomings it would bring shame to the kingdom. I’m learning though that they can see I’m clearly human, with faults & problems, but there’s something I’ve got that they need, the love of God dwelling in my heart and goodwill towards them. I’m a slow learner but God never gives up on me.
May the Lord richly bless you.
A trap that's easy for all of us to get suckered into...Keep prayed and confessed up and remember each day is a New Day...
> I’m a slow learner but God never gives up on me.
Ditto, and thank God that He DOESN’T give up on us!
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