In the Good Times, in Real Life, in a Shrinking Economy... : Are You a Called Servant or an Expendable Employee?

So, I was speaking with someone who moved from coast to coast in search of job security. This should be fine right? Wrong! The individual was a full-time minister at a church plant on the west coast; due to the tight economy, his position got chopped to part-time. Because of the "risk" he pulled up stakes and moved to the east coast, in search for what I assume to be something "low risk".

WHAT IS WRONG WITH TODAY"S MINISTERS?!?!

We are not looking to be CEOs, we are not developing career plans, we are not searching for the next steping stone on the path to power, we are not in this for financial security, we are not counting on this world's wealth for survival, we are not trying to find the hottest market to which we can sell ourselves, we do not adjust our plans when the piggy bank gets low, we do not enter one position to set ourselves up for the next, we do not choose our geographic area based on the demographic of income and we do not judge security, success or situation by the world's sinful, earthly, selfish, faithless, atheistic standards!

I am sick to death of hearing ministers and Bible school students worrying about their "employment" due to the bad economy.

We are called by a Holy Calling, we are supplied by the Creator of the Universe, we have been redeemed from the things of this earth, we trust in God to supply our needs, we seek first the kingdom of God, we are ministers of the ministry of reconciliation, we are servants of all - not servants of money, we go because He has commanded us to go, we find that our citizenship is in heaven, we go after souls - not job security, we humble ourselves even to the point of death as Christ did, following His example - not looking for a higher position of power, we will deny ourselves of all things if God has called us and deems it neccessary to reach the poorest or most wicked sinner, we embrace poverty and trials with all joy since it brings glory to our Redeemer, we find comfort in the Lord who gives us breath - not the god of the 401k, we are willing to give up all things and to sell all that we posses and pick up our crosses and follow HIM!

The minister of God enters this ministry, ministers in a specific area and proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ to specific people because the holy, living God has called him through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. No other reason is acceptable or will stand the test of time.

A Study of Psalm 119: Part 2 - Finding Purity through God-Dependant Meditation v.9-16

Doctrine: God-dependant meditation on the Word of God is necessary to bring about pure hearts in the Saints.

9How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes!
13With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
14In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
15I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.

Commentary:

"How can a young man keep his way pure?" This is the big question and it reveals the battle that rages in all men, including David. Thankfully we get the answer in the very next statement. "By guarding it [his way] according to your [God's] word." But what does this mean? It seems to say that we guard our hearts. We control what enters/influences our hearts. In this way, we are responsible to filter what enters by the grid of the Word. God's Word is what should be influencing the core of our being.

When we guard our hearts according to God's word, we will be able to say with David, "with my whole heart I seek you" v.10. This is the fruit that comes when we focus on His word. Yet, David does not become arrogant and prideful because of his correct behavior. Instead he remains humble and prays "let me not wander from your commandments." The natural man will see the success that God has produced and attempt to claim it as its own. This arrogance is the death of dependence and the sure road to disaster! Dependence will characterize those who truly seek God with their whole hearts and it is essential to purifying ourselves through meditation on His Word.

David sums up why he dependently meditates on God's word. He states "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." David spends time memorizing and thinking on the word of God - Why? - so that he does not sin against God! So that he can "keep his way pure!" We must do this! This is the path to holiness and righteousness! This is our responsibility! Yet, here is the great paradox. David declares that he has filled his heart with the word of God, but then in v.12, after blessing God's name, David cries out "teach me your statutes!" David forever recognizes that it is God who gives him knowledge, wisdom and the ability to meditate and obey His word. Man is not capable of keeping the law of God, but with God all things are possible! We are forever dependant upon God for all things, including purity which comes through His word.

In the closing verses of this section, David reveals what will happen when God answers his cry of dependence. David will declare with his lips all of God's rules, he will delight in God's testimonies in the same way that a person delights in great riches, he will meditate on God's precepts, he will fix his eyes on God's ways, he will delight in God's statues, and finally, he will not forget His word! This is what will happen in the life of a saint that is dependent on God: His heart will become pure and he will delight in the things of God!

Application questions:

#1 - How are you displaying your dependence on God to understand His word and obey it? Follow David's example and pray "Let me not wander from your commandments" and "Teach me your statutes."

#2 - Are you so dependent on God that all your life issues qualify to be brought before Him?Oh, how we must pray! We can enter boldly into the throne room of God, into the presence of the Creator! Amen!

#3 - When are you meditating on God's word? Is it enough to counter all the negative influences towards sin?

#4 - Are you lacking desire to/joy in studying the Word or obeying it? Pray for God to change your heart!

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Some encouraging truth from the newsboys!

Here are some great lyrics for anyone who has been or currently is beaten down by life and sin. Stay strong!

Song: Stay Strong

You're in the moment now
A bitter root
A wandering eye and then
The ties that bind start wearing thin, thin

You're in the moment now
When all you've been blessed withIs not enough
Here's where the ground gets loose
Here's where the devils call your bluff

Chorus

Stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
There's a new dawn to light our day, our day
You've gotta stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We've come too far to lose our way, our way

v.2
We've seen the tragic flaws
The tortured souls
The saints with feet of clay
Here's where sin becomes cliche'

We've come through wilderness and watched
The cloud by day
The burning sky into dawn
Have you forgotten who you are?
Did you forget whose trip you're on? (Chorus)

Bridge

Get up, there's further to go
Get up, there's more to be done
Get up, this witness is sure
Get up, this race can be won
This race can be won

We've gotta stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
Our Father's dawn will light our day, our day
Come on and stay strong
His grip is sure
And His patience still endures
There'll be no letting go today, no way
Come on, and stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We've come too far to lose our way, our way

*Listen to almost all of the newsboys songs legally for free! http://newsboys.com/v09/radio_standalone.php

Critical Review of the Shack by Mark Driscoll

This is an excellant evaluation of the book The Shack. I pray that it will help you discern the times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK65Jfny70Y