Category: Fruitfulness

Do You Have Good Soil?

4/23/2019

I nervously walked up to the door. I knocked several times. A lady opened the door. Her facial expression communicated, “What do you want?” I asked, “How could I pray for you and your family on this beautiful day?” I transitioned into my story of faith and shared the “Three Circles.” She trusted Christ as Savior.

During my next visit, I gave her a Bible. In a return visit, I saw her Bible sitting on a shelf. She said, “I haven’t read it yet.” I encouraged her that her house could be a place to share Christ with her friends. The next week, I called and asked when we could meet again. “I don’t want to meet with you. You lied!” Before I could explain, she hung up.

A different outcome came with someone else. He experienced one trial after another, but persevered and grew in Christ. Why do we see these different levels of receptivity?

Jesus’ parable of the soils, also known as the parable of the sower, is found in three places (Matthew 13:1-9; Mark 4:1-9; Luke 8:4-8). A farmer sows seed along a path, rocky places, thorns, and good soil.

On the path, birds came and ate up the seed. On the rocky places, plants sprang up quickly but withered without roots in shallow soil. The thorns in the third soil choked the plants so they didn’t bear grain. The fourth soil bore abundant fruit.

Jesus introduced his interpretation of this parable by quoting Isaiah 6:9-10. People’s hardened hearts prevented them from embracing spiritual truth for healing (Matthew 13:14-15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10).

Let’s combine Jesus’ interpretation in these three accounts
(Matthew 13:18-23; Mark 4:13-20; Luke 8:11-15). For seed sown on the path, the evil one snatched it away so they couldn’t believe and be saved. For the rocky soil, the man heard the word and received it with joy for a short time until trouble or persecution came. Worries of this life, deceitfulness of wealth, desires for other things, and pleasures choked the word, which made the thorny soil unfruitful (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:18-19; Luke 8:14).

What about the good soil?

Let’s first look at the preceding context of Matthew 13:

We are in a spiritual battle. A heart filled by the Holy Spirit can drive out demons. “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:22-37; see vs. 34)
Even though we aren’t perfect, a spiritual life filled with Jesus equips us to share His word. Even though he sought worldly comfort, Jonah repented of his sin and preached the word in Nineveh (Matthew 12:38-41a; book of Jonah). Jesus is greater than Jonah (Matthew 12:41b-42).
Jesus relates with those who do God’s will (Matthew 12:46-50).

Description of good soil

The good soil yields both quantity and character.

Quantity: Matthew 13:18 said the good soil bore 100, 60, 30 times what was sown. Mark 4:8 said the crop multiplied 30, 60, 100 times. Luke 8:8 said the crop yielded 100 times more than was sown.
Character: Hear, understand, accept, and retain the word by persevering with a noble and good heart (Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:20; Luke 8:15

To share God’s word with everyone, the quality of our spiritual life is key.

Grow spiritually in God’s word to share it with others.

To read past blogs, go to https://www.markpomeroy.com/

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Christ is Enough

4/4/2019

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My wife and I met a lady at the funeral of a co-worker. She observed the fall of Communism in Romania. As people waited in long lines for food, 1000s of Gospel tracks were distributed. People wanted them more than food. Not one track was left on the ground. A newspaper reporter introduced their group to governmental authorities. They desired to replace Communism with Christian values in their public schools. Soon, it happened all over the former Soviet Union.

The gospel of John has seven “I Am” statements.

For spiritually thirsty people--Christ spiritually sustains us as the Bread of Life: Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)
For discouraged and worried people--We gain spiritual wisdom and understanding through Christ as the Light of the World: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
For burdened and self-righteous people--We have unlimited access and freedom through Christ as the Gate: I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. (John 10:9)
For guilty and unforgiven people--Christ’s death on the cross provides forgiveness of sin as our Good Shepherd: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
For purposeless people--Christ’s resurrection provides eternal life beginning now as the Resurrection and the Life: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)
For deceived people--Christ is the only one who can provide the Way, the Truth, and the Life: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
For exhausted and achievement-oriented people--Christ as the Vine provides the power to serve Him: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

In my last blog, I mentioned the Three Circles gospel presentation. The bold text above represents one aspect of brokenness.

The underlined text represents one attribute of Christ to meet a particular need of the person you are sharing with.

Will you be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel? To learn how, read Colossians 4:2-6.

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Fruitfulness Requires Spiritual Disciplines Founded Upon God's Word (Insights in Prophets)

4/10/2013

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Fruitfulness requires spiritual disciplines founded upon God's word for His watchmen or ambassadors:
1. Sow righteousness and seek the Lord
2. Repent, remove the yoke and feed on His word for complete healing
3. Stop trusting in wealth but listen to His word through His designated spokesmen
4. Acknowledge God who cares, feeds and redeems you from death
5. Walk in God's ways with discernment to bear spiritual fruit

Lay Foundation in God's Word
Israel was unfaithful and loved the wages of a prostitute that failed to feed the people or please God. The days of reckoning were coming because of many sins and great hostility. The prophet was considered a fool and inspired man a maniac. The prophet and God were watchmen over Ephraim with snares awaiting them. Israel consecrated themselves to the shameful idol of Baal Peor and became vile like the thing they loved. God killed Ephraim's children because of their sinful deeds and rebellious leaders. The root withered and did not yield fruit (Hosea 9:1-17). Lay foundation in God's word to yield spiritual fruit as His watchman or ambassador.

Sow Righteousness and Seek the Lord
Israel was a spreading vine bringing fruit for themselves. God destroyed their altars and sacred stones. Their heart was deceitful saying they had no king because of not revering the Lord. Many promises caused lawsuits to spring up. They rejoiced over wickedness, but God destroyed the high places and put them in bonds. By sowing righteousness, they reaped the fruit of unfailing love. When they broke up their unplowed ground by seeking the Lord, God showered righteousness on them. By planting wickedness, they reaped evil and ate the fruit of deception. By depending on their own strength of many warriors, their fortresses and Israel's king were completely destroyed (Hosea 10:1-15). Sow righteousness and seek the Lord to reap unfailing love and righteousness.

Repent and Remove the Yoke for Complete Healing Through His Word
God called Israel, His son, out of Egypt. However, they sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to images. Israel did not realize that God healed by leading them with cords of love, lifting the yoke from their neck and bending down to feed them. By not repenting, they would return to Egypt with Assyria ruling them and war ending their plans. God, the Holy One, did not come in wrath. His people would follow the Lord when He roared like a lion. They would come trembling like birds from Egypt and doves from Assyria to settle in their homes (Hosea 11:1-11). Repent of sin and remove the yoke so you can be fed His word for complete healing.

Stop Trusting in Wealth But Listen to Word-Oriented Spokesmen
Ephraim surrounded God with lies, Israel with deceit and Judah was unruly against Him. Ephraim multiplied lies and violence, made a treaty with Assyria and sent olive oil to Egypt. Jacob struggled with the angel and overcame him. He talked with the Lord God Almighty. Judah must return to God, maintain love and justice, and wait for God always. Ephraim boasted of his riches and wealth thinking no one would find sin in him. God spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and told parables through them. The Lord used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt and to care for them (Hosea 12:1-14). Stop trusting in wealth but listen to His word through designated spokesmen.

Acknowledge God Who Cares, Feeds and Redeems You
Ephraim made cleverly fashioned silver idols or images that were the work of craftsmen. They were to acknowledge no God or Savior except the Lord. He brought them out of Egypt, cared and fed them in the desert. They became satisfied, proud and forgot God. He gave them a king in His anger and took him away in His wrath. God redeemed them from death without destruction (Hosea 13:1-16). Acknowledge God who cares, feeds and redeems you from death.

Walk in God's Ways with Discernment
Hosea told Israel to return to the Lord since sin was their downfall. They were to say to Him, "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips." Assyria could not save them, but the fatherless found compassion in God. He healed their waywardness and loved them freely. God was like the dew to Israel so they could blossom like a lily. They sent down roots like a cedar of Lebanon and flourished like a vine. Their fruitfulness came from God. The wise and discerning understood these things. The righteous walked in God's ways that were right, but the rebellious stumbled in them (Hosea 14:1-9). Walk in God's ways with discernment to bear spiritual fruit.

Answer the following questions to determine if you are experiencing fruitfulness in your life:
1. Is God's word the foundation of your life?
2. Are you sowing righteousness and seeking the Lord?
3. Are you repenting of sin so you can remove the yoke from your life?
4. Are you feeding on God's word for complete healing?
5. Have you stopped trusting in wealth?
6. Are you listening to His word through designated spokesmen?
7. Do you acknowledge God in all circumstances of life knowing He cares, feeds and redeems you from futility?
8. Do you walk in God's ways with wisdom and discernment?

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Choose Spiritual Leaders Who Practice and Teach God's Word (Insights in Prophets)

4/4/2013

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The following describe how to choose spiritual leaders who practice and teach God's word:
1. Follow God's Word to form an intimate relationship with Him as you surrender and confess your sins daily to God
2. Experience God's glory as you pray together to bear fruit-bearing disciples that heal people in all nations through the Holy Spirit
3. Follow God's word in organizing how the body of Christ prays together to let Christ have first place in the church and city

Follow God's Word in Organizing How the Body of Christ Prays Together
Ezekiel saw a wall surrounding the temple area. A man measured from the east gate to the outer court including the wall; threshold of the gate; alcoves for the guard; portico, width of the entrance and projecting walls inside the gateway. He measured the outer court from the inside of the lower gateway to the outside of the inner court. He measured the north gate, south gate and gates to the inner court. In the portico of the gateway contained two tables where burnt, sin, and guilt offerings were slaughtered. Outside the inner gate within the inner court were two rooms for Levites, sons of Zadok, in charge of the temple and altar (Ezek. 40:1-47). Follow God's word in organizing how the body of Christ prays together.

Experience God's Glory as You Pray Together
The man measured the temple including the portico, entrance, projecting walls, and outer and inner sanctuary, considered the Most Holy Place. On the doors of the outer sanctuary were carved cherubim and palm trees like those carved on the walls. The north and south rooms facing the temple courtyard were the priests' rooms where they ate the grain, sin and guilt offerings. They did not go into the outer court until they left behind their ministry garments. He measured inside the temple area along with the east, north, south and west side. A wall separated the holy from the common. Ezekiel saw the glory of the God of Israel enter the temple through the gate facing east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters and the land was radiant with His glory. The Spirit lifted and brought him into the inner court and God's glory filled the temple (Ezek. 40:48-43:5). Experience God's glory as you pray together in the body of Christ.

Follow God's Word to Form an Intimate Relationship with Him
A man inside the temple said this was the place of his throne and for the soles of his feet to live among the Israelites forever. They never again defiled His holy name by spiritual adultery and idols so that God could live among them forever. The man described the temple so Ezekiel could share it with Israel in order for them to be ashamed of their sins. Ezekiel wrote down the design of the temple and measurements of the altar, its arrangements, exits, entrances, regulations and laws so they could follow the plan. God told him the regulations for sacrificing burnt offerings and sprinkling blood on the altar. A young bull would be burned in the designated part of the temple area as a sin offering by the Levites, of the family of Zadok. Ezekiel put blood on the four horns of the altar, four corners of the upper ledge and around the rim to purify and make atonement for it. On the second day, he offered a male goat without defect for a sin offering with the altar purified. For seven days he offered a male goat daily for a sin offering to be accepted by God. From the eighth day on, the priests presented the burnt and fellowship offerings on the altar (Ezek. 43:6-27). Follow God's word to form a pure, surrendered and intimate relationship with Him among His people.

Choose Spiritual Leaders Who Practice and Teach God's Word
The outer gate of the sanctuary remained shut because the God of Israel entered through it. The prince entered and left by the portico of the gateway. Ezekiel saw God's glory filling the temple. He told Ezekiel to listen closely concerning the temple's regulations regarding its entrance and sanctuary exits. Rebellious Israel brought uncircumcised foreigners in heart and flesh into God's sanctuary. They put others in charge of it. Levites who worshiped idols bore sin's consequences by not coming near to serve as priests or with the holy offerings. Descendants of Zadok who faithfully carried out their duties could enter the inner court and minister before God wearing linen clothes, turbans and undergarments. They taught His people the difference between the holy and the common and distinguish between the unclean and clean. The priests judge disputes according to God's ordinances (Ezek. 44:1-31). Choose spiritual leaders who practice and teach God's word to others.

Surrender and Confess Your Sins Daily to God
They assigned the Most Holy Place to part of the land as the sacred portion for the priests and an adjoining portion for Israel. God told them to use accurate scales. One sheep was taken from every flock of 200 for grain, burnt and fellowship offerings to make atonement for Israel. The prince provided sin, burnt, grain, drink and fellowship offerings. The priest used blood of the sin offering on the temple doorposts, four corners of upper ledge of the altar and gateposts of the inner court. A sin offering was done on the seventh day of the month for anyone who sinned unintentionally or through ignorance. On the Sabbath, the inner court gate was opened for the priest to sacrifice the burnt (six male lambs and a ram without defect) and fellowship offerings while the people worshiped in God's presence at the entrance. Every day a year-old lamb without defect and a grain offering (sixth of an ephah with a third of a hin of oil to moisten the flour) was sacrificed as a regular burnt offering. Ezekiel saw the sacred rooms where the priests cooked the guilt and sin offerings and baked the grain offerings. He saw the kitchens in the outer court where they cooked the sacrifices of the people (Ezek. 45:1-46:24). Surrender and confess your sins daily to God so you can prepare spiritual people.

Bear Fruit-Bearing Disciples that Heal People in All Nations
Ezekiel saw water coming from under the threshold of the temple. While measuring the temple, the water went from ankle-deep to deep enough for swimming so no one could cross. Water became fresh when it emptied into the Dead Sea revealing large numbers of living fish with fishermen standing from En Gedi to En Eglaim spreading nets. The leaves on fruit trees did not wither or fruit that grew on both banks of the river remained because water flowed from the sanctuary. Their fruit was served for food and the leaves for healing. God revealed the boundaries of the land divided as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel. It ran from the Mediterranean Sea, Damascus, along Jordan and Wadi of Egypt. Aliens with children were considered as native-born Israelites (Ez. 47:1-23). Bear fruit-bearing disciples that heal people in all nations through the Holy Spirit.

Let Christ Have First Place in Church and City
The twelve tribes and their boundaries were listed. Bordering Judah from east to west was a sacred portion with the sanctuary in the center for the consecrated priests, the Zadokites who were faithful in serving God. The priests had territory in the best of the land holy to the Lord. The remaining area was for common use of the city including houses and pastureland to supply food for the workers. What remained on both sides of the area formed by the sacred portion and city property belonged to the prince between the border of Judah and Benjamin. The exits of the city had gates named after the tribes of Israel. The name of the city was the Lord is there (Ez. 48:1-35). Let Christ have first place in the life of the church and city.

Rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 with one being the lowest and ten the highest for the following statements:
1. I surrender daily to God through unceasing prayer
2. I confess my sins daily to God
3. I pray with others
4. I am committed to applying God's word to my life
5. I rely on the power of the Holy Spirit
6. I teach God's word to others
7. I am committed to making disciples
8. I work with a team to see the church pray together across racial and denominational lines so Christ can have first place in the city

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How to Wait Upon God for Eternal Reward (Insights in Prophets)

10/29/2012

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"Waiting for God means power to do nothing save under command. This is not lack of power to do anything. Waiting for God needs strength rather than weakness. It is power to do nothing. It is the strength that holds strength in check. It is the strength that prevents the blundering activity which is entirely false and will make true activity impossible when the definite command comes" (G. Campbell Morgan).

It is much easier to act than wait on God. Isaiah 37-40 explains how to wait upon God for strength and eternal reward to accomplish His purpose.

Ask for Counsel
King Hezekiah put on sackcloth and his aides told Isaiah that this day of distress and disgrace was like children coming to the point of birth with no strength to deliver them. They asked Isaiah to pray for the surviving remnant with the Lord possibly rebuking Assyria's ridicule of the living God. Isaiah told Hezekiah's aides not to fear their blasphemies since the Lord would put a spirit in Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, causing him to return and die by the sword in his own country. Sennacherib said that Hezekiah's god deceived him about Jerusalem not being handed over to Assyria since they destroyed many countries without their gods delivering them (Is. 37:1-13). Ask godly people for counsel and prayer when the world, flesh and devil oppose God's will.

Pray Fervently
Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers and begged the Almighty and Creator Lord to hear, open His eyes and listen to Sennacherib's insults of the living God. Hezekiah reminded Him that the Assyrian kings destroyed many nations whose gods were fashioned by humans hands. He asked for deliverance so everyone would know that God alone was Lord. Isaiah said that because Hezekiah prayed, God spoke against Sennacherib's insults and his pride over many chariots and drying up all of Egypt's streams. God planned for him to turn fortified cities into piles of stone, shame His people and rage against Him. Hezekiah received the sign of fruit from vineyards in the third year to represent the remnant of the house of Judah, which took root below and bore fruit above because of God's power. The Lord said Sennacherib would not enter Jerusalem because God defended and saved it for His sake. When the angel of the Lord killed 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp, Sennacherib returned to Nineveh. While worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons killed him (Is. 37:14-38). Pray fervently for deliverance from evil forces that bears abundant fruit so everyone knows that God is Lord.

Journal Answered Prayer
After God listened to Hezekiah's prayer derived from his wholehearted devotion to Him, He added 15 years to his life, delivered him and defended Jerusalem from the king of Assyria. As a sign of God's promise to Hezekiah, God made the shadow go back ten steps on the stairway of Ahaz. After his illness and recovery, he asked if he must go through the gates of death and not see the Lord in the land of the living. Hezekiah waited patiently till dawn as God broke all his bones. In anguish of soul, he asked God to come to his aid as He restored him to health. His love kept Hezekiah from the pit of destruction and put his sins behind God's back. He praised Him and told his children about God's faithfulness. Isaiah said to prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil so Hezekiah would recover (Is. 38:1-22). Journal when God answers prayer in unmistakable ways to remind your children and others about God's love, power and faithfulness.

Do Not Store Earthly Treasures
Envoys from Babylon visited Hezekiah when they heard about his illness and recovery. He showed them silver, gold, spices, fine oil and everything among his treasures. Isaiah told Hezekiah that everything would be carried off to Babylon. Some of his descendants would be taken away as eunuchs in the palace of the Babylon king. Hezekiah said God's word was good since he would have peace and security during his lifetime (Is. 39:1-8). Do not store up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal.

Store Heavenly Treasures
Comfort and speak tenderly to God's people about the completion of her hard service with her sin paid for. Prepare the way as a highway for God in the wilderness so the rugged places became a plain and His glory revealed to all mankind. A voiced said all men were like grass and their glory like the flowers of the field. Only the word of God stands forever (Is. 40:1-8). Store up treasures in heaven like people and the word of God.

Glorify God's Power and Greatness
Isaiah told Judah that the Sovereign Lord came with power, His arm ruled and His reward was with Him. He tended His flock like a shepherd, carried them close to His heart and gently led those with young. God measured the waters and marked off the heavens in the hollow of His hand. He held the earth's dust in a basket and weighed the mountains on a scale. No one understood the Spirit of the Lord or instructed Him as His counselor. No one taught God knowledge, understanding or the right way. Nations were like a drop in a bucket and regarded as dust on the scales, worthless and nothing. One cannot compare God to a hand-made idol since He sat enthroned above people who were like grasshoppers. He stretched out the heavens like a canopy, reduced rulers to nothing and made judges meaningless so they withered away like chaff. God created the heavens and called each star by name because of His great power so none was missing (Is. 40:9-26). Glorify God's power, greatness and ability to shepherd so you don't trust in people.

Wait on God
An eternal and Creator God would not grow tired. No one could understand Him. He gave strength to the weary and increased the power of the weak. Even as youths grew tired and young men stumbled badly, those who hoped in God renewed their strength as they soared like eagles. They ran and walked without becoming weary and faint (Is. 40:27-31). Wait on God for renewed strength to accomplish His purpose.

How to wait upon God for strength and eternal reward to accomplish His purpose:
1. Ask godly people for counsel and prayer when the world, flesh and devil oppose God's will
2. Pray fervently for deliverance from evil forces that bears abundant fruit so everyone knows that God is Lord
3. Journal when God answers prayer in unmistakable ways to remind your children and others about God's love, power and faithfulness
4. Do not store up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal
5. Store up treasures in heaven like people and the word of God
6. Glorify God's power, greatness and ability to shepherd so you don't trust in people

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Effective Leadership Combines Prayer With Wisdom (Insights in Law)

6/21/2012

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"Perhaps if there were more of that intense distress for souls that leads to tears, we should more frequently see the results we desire. Sometimes it may be that while we are complaining of the hardness of the hearts of those we are seeking to benefit, the hardness of our own hearts and our feeble apprehension of the solemn reality of eternal things may be the true cause of our want of success." (Hudson Taylor). Instead of complaining, pray! Effective leadership involves fervent prayer combined with practical wisdom as modeled in Num. 11-13.

Stop Complaining
When people complained of adversity in the hearing of the Lord, He kindled His anger and fire burned to consume some. People cried out to Moses who prayed and the fire died out. Foreigners had greedy desires and Israel wept, “Who will give us meat to eat?” They remembered the fish eatened free in Egypt along with cucumbers, melons, leeks, etc. They lost their appetite because they only looked at manna. People gathered, grind and beat the manna into mortar before boiling and making cakes with it. When dew fell on the camp at night, manna would fall with it. (Num. 11:1-9). God becomes angry when you complain about His provisions.

Ask God
The burden of the people was laid on Moses. He asked God to carry them in His bosom like a nurse carries a nursing infant. He did not know where to find meat for all the people. Moses asked God not to show his wretchedness if he found favor in His sight (Num. 11:10-15). Ask God to carry the burden so He can provide for those you are responsible.

Shared Leadership
The Lord said to gather 70 men from the elders of Israel who Moses knew so they could be brought to the tent of meeting with him. The Spirit would be placed on them to share the burden of the people with Moses. Even though they were well-off in Egypt, they rejected the Lord, limited His power and unsure if His word would come true. Moses stationed elders around the tent and the Spirit was placed upon 70 of them, including Eldad and Medad who had not gone out to tent but prophesied also (Num. 11:16-30). God helps you carry the burden of responsibility through shared leadership who shepherd His people together.

Divine Provision
Wind from the Lord brought quail three feet deep. The Lord struck the people with a severe plague because they were greedy (Num. 11:31-35). God meets your needs supernaturally.

Humble Leadership
Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses questioning whether the Lord only spoke through him. Moses was more humble than any man on earth and faithful in God's household. Aaron acknowledged his sin and Miriam was shut up outside the camp for seven days (Num. 12:1-16). Top leaders must be very humble to face jealousy concerning their leadership.

Create Ownership
The Lord told Moses to send out leaders from each tribe to spy out Canaan. Moses sent spies from the wilderness of Paran at the Lord's command to Negev. The saw what the land was like, whether the people were strong or weak, few or many, good or bad land, open camps or fortifications in the cities, fat or lean land and whether trees grew in the land. They made an effort to get fruit of the land. (Num. 13:1-22). Involving key leaders in understanding the mission field create ownership to build God’s kingdom.

Show Fruit
In the valley of Eshcol, they cut down branch of grapes, pomegranates and figs. They reported that the land certainly flowed with milk and honey and showed the fruit. People living in the land were strong with very large fortified cities, including the descendants of Anak. Amalek, Hittities, Jebusites, Amorites and Canaanites lived by the sea and by the Jordan. (Num. 13: 23-29). Showing fruit encourages people to sacrifice in building God's kingdom.

Communicate Victory
Caleb said they should take possession of the land as overcomers. Men accompanying Caleb said they were not able to go up against people stronger than them. As a result, they gave out a bad report of the spied-out land, which devoured its inhabitants. Comparing the large Nephilim made them look like grasshoppers in comparison (Num. 13:30-33). Communicating God's promises in spite of the odds encourages people to believe in His victory.

Here is a checklist for effective leaders in building God's kingdom:
1. Are you complaining about the problems? Don't!
2. Are you asking God to carry the burden?
3. Are you asking God for other leaders to share the burden with you?
4. Do you believe that God will provide supernaturally in answer to prayer?
5. Are you a humble leader?
6. Are you involving other leaders to understand the mission field so they gain ownership in the kingdom enterprise?
7. Are you showing leaders initial fruit in the ministry so they are encouraged to continue?
8. Are you communicating God's promises of victory in spite of the odds?

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Confession of Sin Leads to Fruitfulness (Insights in Law)

5/15/2012

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"The best place any Christian can ever be in is to be totally destitute and totally dependant upon God, and know it" (Alan Redpath). The last two chapters in Leviticus show how disobeying God through pride and independent spirit results in both personal and city-wide tragedy, but obeying God through confession of sin and complete dependence upon Him leads to fruitfulness in all areas of life.

Do not make and bow down to an idol, image, sacred pillar or prefigured stone for He is the Lord your God. Keep His Sabbaths and reverence His sanctuary. Obeying His commandments caused rains in season so the land yielded produce and trees bore fruit to live securely in peace with no one making you tremble. He eliminated the harmful beasts and protected you from the sword. Five chased 100 with 100 chasing 10,000 so your enemies fell by the sword. God turned toward you, made you fruitful, multiplied you and confirmed His covenant with you. Make His dwelling and let Him walk among you to be His people. God brought you out of Egypt and broke the bars of yoke as slaves and made you walk erect (Lev. 26:1-13). Obeying God’s commandments results in provision, well-being and security.

By rejecting His statutes, He would appoint sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever to destroy your sight and sap your strength. Rejecting God caused you to sow seed in vain since your enemies would eat it and defeat you. Those who hated you would rule over you causing you to flee even when no one pursued you. He would punish you seven times for your sins and break down your stubborn pride by making the sky like iron and the earth like bronze. Your strength would be spent uselessly since the land would not yield produce or the trees yield fruit (Lev. 26:14-20). Disobeying God through pride causes drought, fear, sickness and weakness.

If you remained hostile and disobeyed God, He would multiply afflictions seven times according to your sins. He would set beasts against you to rob you of your children, destroy your cattle and reduce your number so the roads lie deserted. If you don’t turn to Him, then He would strike you seven times for your sins. He would bring a sword to execute vengeance and send pestilence so you would be delivered into enemy hands. Ten women would break bread in one oven that would be brought back in rationed amounts (Lev. 26:21-26). Disobeying God devours you financially, socially and in family relationships.

You would eat the flesh of your sons and daughters. He would destroy your high places, cut down incense altars and heap dead bodies on the lifeless forms of your idols. He would turn your cities into ruins and waste, make your sanctuaries desolate and not smell your soothing aromas. He made your land desolate and scattered you among nations to appall your enemies. The land enjoyed Sabbath years during the days of desolation in enemies’ land that it did not have during the Sabbaths you lived in it. Those left had fearful hearts, stumbled with no one pursuing them and wasted away because of their own and ancestors’ sins (Lev. 26:27-39). Turning away from God causes separation and devastation.

If they confessed their own and forefathers iniquity by humbling their heart, then God would remember His covenant and land with Jacob, Isaac and Abraham. For the land would be deserted by them, but enjoy its Sabbaths while it lied desolate without them. They would pay for their sins because they rejected his laws and abhorred His statutes. God would not reject them by destroying them completely, but would remember the covenant with their ancestors. He them brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. These were the statutes, ordinances and laws Lord established between Himself and sons of Israel through Moses at Mt. Sinai (Lev. 26:40-46). Confessing your own and fathers’ sins restore your cities to fruitfulness.

When a man made a special vow to dedicate a person to the Lord by giving equivalent values--male from 20 to 60 years old at 50 shekels of silver and female 30 shekels, male from 5 to 20 years at 20 shekels and female 10 shekels, male from one month to 5 years old at 5 shekels and female 3 shekels, male from 60 years and older at 15 shekels and female 10 shekels. If a vow was given as an acceptable offering to the Lord, it became holy. He would not replace the animal with a good for bad or bad for good. If they substitute one animal for another, both became holy. A priest would value any unclean animal not presented as an offering to Lord. If the owner wished to redeem the animal, add one-fifth to its value (Lev. 27:1-13). God values a person's dedication to His purposes.

The priest judged the value and quality (good or bad) of a house dedicated as holy to the Lord. If the person wished to redeem it, they added a fifth to its value and the house was theirs. If a man dedicated part of their family land to the Lord, its value would be set according to the amount of seed required proportionate to the years left until the year of Jubilee. If they wished to redeem it, they added a fifth to its value and the field would become theirs. If they did not redeem the field or sold it, it would never be redeemed. When the field was released in Jubilee, it became holy as priestly property. In Jubilee, the field would return to the one from whom he bought it (Lev. 27:14-25). God deems the redemption of individuals through Christ's blood priceless compared to material things.

No one could dedicate the firstborn of an animal since it belonged to the Lord. Anything sets apart to the Lord out of all he had would not be sold or redeemed. Nothing set apart among men would be ransomed, but put to death. The tithe of the land, seed and fruit was holy to the Lord. If a man wished to redeem part of his tithe, he added one-fifth to it. Every tenth part of a herd or flock would be holy to the Lord. He would not be concerned whether it was good or bad (Lev. 27:26-34). God protects and values material goods set apart for His kingdom purposes.

Turn away from pride and independence and pursue humility and confession of sin to become fruitful in your life.

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God's Great Society Program (Insights in Psalms)

11/12/2011

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The current financial crisis is considered by many economists to be the worst since the Great Depression of the of the 1930s. It resulted in the collapse of large financial institutions, the bailout of banks by national governments, and downturns in stock markets around the world. In many areas, the housing market had also suffered, resulting in numerous evictions, foreclosures and prolonged unemployment. It contributed to the failure of key businesses, declines in consumer wealth estimated in the trillions of U.S. dollars, and a significant decline in economic activity, leading to a severe global economic recession. Psalm 107 has application not only to the economic welfare of a nation, but the quality of life for its people. Government policy can help, but true vitality and a great society come from one's relationship with God.

Give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and eternal lovingkindness. He redeemed us from the adversary and gathered us from the lands (Ps. 107:1-3). God redeems you from the adversary because He is good and loving.

The Lord delivered them out of their distresses when they cried out to Him while wandering in the wilderness with hungry souls. He led them by a straight way to an inhabited city. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness in satisfying their thirsty and hungry souls, which He filled with what is good (Ps. 107:4-9). God delivers, guides and satisfies you with goodness.

Some lived as prisoners in misery, darkness, chains and shadow of death since they rebelled against God's words and counsel. When He humbled their heart with labor, they cried out to the Lord in their trouble and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death while breaking their bands apart. Let them give thanks for He shattered gates of bronze and cut bars of iron (Ps. 107:10-16). God breaks bands of bondage and removes darkness and death.

God afflicted fools because of their rebellion and iniquities. Because their soul abhorred food, they drew near to death. They cried out to the Lord in their trouble and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word, healed them and delivered them from their destruction. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and tell of His works with joyful singing (Ps. 107:17-22). God sends His word to heal and deliver you from destruction.

Those who do business in ships saw the Lord's works when storms arose, their soul melted away in misery, staggered like a drunken man and were at wits' end. They cried out to the Lord in their trouble and He brought them out of their distresses. He stilled the storm and guided them to their desired haven. Let them extol Him in the congregation and praise Him at the seat of the elders (Ps. 107:23-32). God stills the storm and brings you to your desired destination.

He changes rivers into a wilderness, springs of water into thirsty ground and fruitful land into a salt waste because of wickedness of those living there. He changes the wilderness into a pool of water and dry land into springs of water so they can gather a fruitful harvest and multiply greatly after sowing fields and planting vineyards (Ps. 107:33-38). God brings fruitfulness to business, economy and the land.

When they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, misery and sorrow, He pours contempt upon princes and makes them wander in a pathless waste. But He sets the needy securely on high, away from affliction, and makes his families like a flock. All unrighteousness shuts its mouth, but the wise give heed to these things and considers the Lord's lovingkindness (Ps. 107:39-43). God exalts and protects the needy from affliction when they consider God's ways.

Consider the benefits of God:
1. He redeems you from the adversary
2. He delivers, guides and satisfies you with goodness
3. He breaks bands and removes darkness and death
4. He sends His word to heal and deliver you from destruction
5. He stills the storm and brings you to your desired destination
6. He brings fruitfulness to business, economy and the land
7. He exalts and protects the needy from affliction when they consider God's ways
Which one is most meaningful to you and why?
In response, praise and thank God for His lovingkindness.

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Tipping Point of Kingdom Growth (Insights in NT)

6/14/2011

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A tipping point is a culmination of a build-up of small changes that effects a big change. Malcolm Gladwell popularized the concept in his book, "The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference," showing examples of technologies, procedures, services or philosophies reaching critical mass and becoming mainstream. In New York City, for example, subways were cleaned of graffiti, which led to a sharp decrease in the crime rate after 1990. The kingdom of God has its own tipping point when Christ compared it to a mustard seed (smallest of all seeds) and leaven (obscure material) that grows like a tree, and leavens bread, respectively.

Neither the Galileans whose blood Pilate mingled with the Roman sacrifices nor the 18 killed when the Siloam tower collapsed on them were greater sinners than those still alive. Unless you repent, you will also perish. For three years, a fig tree did not produce fruit. If the tree did not bear fruit the fourth year after putting fertilizer around it, he would cut it down (Lk. 13:1-9). God designs circumstances so people repent of sin and bear fruit.

A woman stood erect after being bent double for 18 years with a sickness caused by a spirit when Jesus laid His hands on her. The Sabbath healing upset a synagogue official. Jesus said they were hypocritical because they untied their ox and watered them on the Sabbath. Shouldn't a daughter of Abraham be released from Satan's bonds? All His opponents were humiliated and the entire multitude rejoiced over the glorious things done by Him (Lk. 13:10-17). Jesus wants to release people from Satan's bonds so they can experience freedom.

Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed that grew and became a tree. The kingdom of God is also like leaven that a woman hid in meal until it was leavened (Lk. 13:18-21). God's kingdom spreads throughout the world from small beginnings to impact a person from the inside out.

When someone asked if just a few are saved, Jesus said to enter by the narrow door since many seek to enter without success. Those who know God's will, will eat and drink with Christ and those left out will experience weeping and gnashing of teeth (Lk. 13:22-30). God's kingdom is revealed to those who do God’s will.

The Pharisees told Christ to leave since Herod wanted to kill Him. He told them of His goal to cast out demons and perform cures until His death and resurrection. Christ expressed His sorrow over His people rejecting and not seeing Him again until His Second Coming (Lk. 13:31-35).Christ calls on everyone to receive His death and resurrection.

To show how God's kingdom grows corporately, use a chiastic structure beginning with the first paragraph: A, B, C, D, C', B' A'. We group together the content in A & A', B & B', etc.:

1. God desires people to repent of their sin and personally receive His death and resurrection
2. God desires people to bear fruit in their lives by accepting His rule
3. God works from the inside out by releasing people from bondage to Satan so they experience freedom.
4. God's kingdom spreads throughout the world from small beginnings.

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Discernment In An Internet Culture

7/24/2010

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It's easy to make a quick judgment when we suffer because of a decision made by our boss or unkind word. We respond with righteous indignation or wrong analysis of the situation. How do we determine our proper response? Studies have shown that people are getting much of their input from various media, including the internet and friends. How do we discern who's telling the truth? Do we have all the information? How can we be grounded to make the right decision and live life without being tossed up and down like a ping pong ball? With the proliferation of additional media channels and the internet, these issues become more complicated.

Let's look at one category of life, marriage, for example. An article states 10 marriage myths that seem plausible on the surface. I will mention three of these myths that research has shown to be lies:
1. Cohabitation is just like marriage, but without "the piece of paper."
2. Married people have less satisfying sex lives, and less sex, than single people.
3. Marrying puts a woman at a greater risk of domestice violence than her single counterpart.

Christ addresses human judgments in the Sermon On The Mount. If we don't resolve personal issues first, we hurt ourselves by reaping what we sow. Judging or giving our opinion about any matter of life, including marriage, comes without full knowledge. Without walking a mile in someone's shoes, we lack perspective. In addition, our human judgments often don't correspond with life's realities (Matt. 7:1-2).

First, we must deal with our sin and blindspots that hinder our vision before we can help the other person. Otherwise, we become counterfeits. Integrity demands we take the log out of our own eye before removing the speck out of others’ eyes (Matt. 7:3-5). At the same time, we make moral distinctions whether to correct a person. Some people are "pigs" because of closed hearts and not being teachable. They won't listen to our correction (Matt. 7:6).

To protect us from wrong judgments, we must take our relationship with God seriously. The rest of Matthew 7 explains how to take the log out of our eyes. As we pray, seek and knock in ever increasing intensity, God reveals knowledge, discernment, insight and multiple perspectives more generously than a human parent (Matt. 7:7-10).

What's the incentive to pray? Our reward is God Himself, the most useful and profitable gift imaginable. Our course, He will meet our earthly needs (Matt. 6:33; 7:11). God who mediates His Word through the Bible equips us to know the truth about any situation (law) and the ability to apply it (prophets) (Matt. 7:12).

Once we put on the armor of prayer and God's word, Christ commands us to enter the narrow way by abiding and standing upon each word in the Bible. Not intellectual knowledge but asking God for wisdom and guidance as we saw in the earlier verses. Our human judgments are the broad way to destruction similar to keeping the log in our eyes (Matt. 7:13-14). The log prevents us from discerning truth and error. Because of increased media through the internet, we face more opportunities for false teaching that seem plausible, but not life-giving (Matt. 7:15).

We must ask the following questions:
1. Does the teaching produce death and destruction or life and fruitfulness?
2. How do we discern truth from error?
It demands Spirit-inspired wisdom from God's word through prayer and fruit inspection. In this way, we discern what's right and what's wrong; what lines up with God's word or follows man's way (Matt. 7:16-20). We must listen to what God tells us after prayer (ask, seek and knock) and meditation on His word. One other key question to ask: Does the fruit in the teachers' lives and/or ministries match the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-12)?

Just because they quack like a duck, doesn't mean they are a duck. In other words, they could be preaching God's word and performing miracles in their ministries, but still be a false teacher if they aren't applying Scripture in their own lives and ministries(Matt. 7:21-23). Is it an ego trip or empowerment of God's Holy Spirit? All of us know leaders who started well, but finished badly.

Three red flags to watch out for in discerning whether a teacher or ministry is legitimate or authentic. We must apply these principles ourselves so we remove the log from our own eyes:
1. If they emphasize popularity, gaining wealth and influence instead of pursuing an intimate relationship with God the Father, watch out?
2. If they emphasize how to be the best you apart from relying on Christ the Son of God, watch out?
3. If they show pride by boasting or not emphasizing and living out the fruit of the Holy Spirit, watch out?
All of these tests indicate the teacher or minstry may be on the broad road to destruction instead of the narrow way to life.

Narrow and intolerance is a dirty word in our culture. When it regards truth, we must be narrow and intolerant, but when it concerns people, we must be tolerant, broad and compassionate. We have a hard time making these distinctions.

As we observed in prior blogs, Enoch and Noah were examples of men who walked with God. They built their lives upon the rock of God's word by hearing and applying His instructions day by day even when the going got tough (Matt. 7:24-27).

Increase the intensity of your prayer life by asking, seeking and knocking in your relationship with God. Meditate on Matthew 7 and listen to what God tells you regarding a relationship or circumstance in your life.

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Do You Have Good Soil?

Christ is Enough

Fruitfulness Requires Spiritual Disciplines Founded Upon God's Word (Insights in Prophets)

Choose Spiritual Leaders Who Practice and Teach God's Word (Insights in Prophets)

How to Wait Upon God for Eternal Reward (Insights in Prophets)

Effective Leadership Combines Prayer With Wisdom (Insights in Law)

Confession of Sin Leads to Fruitfulness (Insights in Law)

God's Great Society Program (Insights in Psalms)

Tipping Point of Kingdom Growth (Insights in NT)

Discernment In An Internet Culture

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