Throughout the week, God has been speaking to me about the place of refuge. We understand that a place of refuge is a place of shelter and protection. It is a safe haven, a place where one can be strengthened and protected.
Psalm 46
1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
As people of God, we must learn to truly make God our place of refuge. Too often, we learn in church to run from God in the time of trouble rather than running to Him. The enemy is busy. He is doing His job and rising against the people of God. He is at war against the remnant. Unfortunately, he has been too successful in his primary attempt, which is to place a wedge between God and His people.
When a mistake is made, this is the moment to run to God. Allow nothing to keep you from His presence and repentance. RUN to the place of refuge. This is the perfect opportunity to take on the mind of Paul –
Philippians 3:12-14
12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
In this season, it is essential that we understand and know God as a source of refuge. There will be times when we are overtaken by weakness. Run to God! There will be occasions when we feel sad or defeated. Run to the Father!
When in the presence of our God, we have no reason to fear. Hallelujah!
Psalm 27
1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Refuge is nothing new to our God. Even in the days of old, He has always provided a place of escape for those who were weak and hunted by an enemy. Under the law, a man who accidentally murdered another had a place of escape - a place of refuge where his mistake would not make him susceptible to attack due to his mistake.
Our God is a just God. He knows that those who love Him will make mistakes. Yet, He rightly judges the heart. A true child of God knows that His love covers a multitude of sin. We need to learn to run to our source when we are troubled. That is not the time to be alone. It’s not the time to run from God, but to run TO Him!
Be encouraged in this season. Learn to run to the bosom of our God. He is your REFUGE!
Selah.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Signs of Vindication
I just want to encourage the leaders this morning… those whom God has called forth to raise up a remnant. I’m not necessarily speaking, however, of those with the largest church and most faithful followers. I’m talking about those who face opposition, doubt and frustration, but know only that God has given you an assignment that you cannot afford to abandon. I’m speaking to those who are quickly dismissed as “crazy” and “rebellious.”
Oftentimes, the success of a spiritual leader is judged by worldly standards, but God is calling us to refocus. We need to measure our success by our level of obedience, the impact of our worship and the readiness of God’s revelation to us! Money, popularity and status mean nothing to God. Take a look at the word. Has he not ALWAYS chosen the foolish things (and people) to confound the wise?
There are many called of God who are still working in the trenches. Some are struggling just to be obedient. The support is absent. The money is scarce. Resources are limited, but the call is great! The media, the world and this society have made you feel like less, because you are not “blessed” by the standards of men. Today, God is saying that He is sending signs of validation.
Numbers 17:1-9
{17:1} And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, {17:2} Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of [their] fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man’s name upon his rod. {17:3} And thou shalt write Aaron’s name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod [shall be] for the head of the house of their fathers. {17:4} And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you. {17:5} And it shall come to pass, [that] the man’s rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you. {17:6} And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers’ houses, [even] twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron [was] among their rods. {17:7} And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness. {17:8} And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded
almonds. {17:9} And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod.
Just as we see today, there were people in Moses’ camp who doubted his ability to lead. He was different. He didn’t fit the stereotype and didn’t have structured training. Yet, God took the opportunity to prove that he was chosen for the work. Such is the season of our day.
God spoke to me a few weeks ago and reminded me of His word, which says that as long as the earth remains, there will be seedtime and harvest. He then said very clearly, this is a season of sowing! Now, He was not speaking of money. God began to show me how ministry, for many, has become a means of gain. People are starting churches to make money, launching ministries to become popular and finding followers simply because they feel they are “owed” for the many years they served another leader. In the mindset of many, they feel this is a season of harvest. The prosperity messages are going forth. People are being taught to “declare and decree” anything they want or desire. God is saying that is not what He is looking for. He’s looking for those who are willing to sow. He wants worship. He wants obedience. He wants a love for His people and a desire to win souls. This is a season to WORK.
Just like Moses, some of you are different. Though you’ve been taught one thing all your life, God is telling you differently. While everyone else is preaching one thing, you are hearing another. You are not in this for personal gain, but because you feel as Paul did – Woe is me if I do not preach the Gospel!
Though you may see things from a different perspective, God is justifying you. The key is your understanding that this life if not your own. You understand that ministry is not about you, but an opportunity to glorify the only true and living God. That’s what sets you apart. This is why God is moving on your behalf.
Prepare yourself to see signs and wonders that cannot be understood. God will use the “little” servants in the camp to remind the superstars of who He really is. Continue pressing. Continue sacrificing, because someone is watching. They see that things don’t add up. They are wondering how you continue to press through. After all the contemplation, only one solution makes sense… GOD!!!
Remain faithful to the call. God indeed justifies whom He calls. It is not our job to “prove” ourselves to men, but to God alone. If indeed we are called, He will provide the proof.
Roman 8:28-31
{8:28} And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. {8:29} For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. {8:30} Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. {8:31} What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?
Many started out with a purpose, zeal and a love for the people of God. Yet, in their desire to vindicate themselves, they lost focus of true ministry. We must not succumb to the same trap. Do not lose focus. There is a work to be done, and opposition is to be expected.
Be encouraged! Selah.
Oftentimes, the success of a spiritual leader is judged by worldly standards, but God is calling us to refocus. We need to measure our success by our level of obedience, the impact of our worship and the readiness of God’s revelation to us! Money, popularity and status mean nothing to God. Take a look at the word. Has he not ALWAYS chosen the foolish things (and people) to confound the wise?
There are many called of God who are still working in the trenches. Some are struggling just to be obedient. The support is absent. The money is scarce. Resources are limited, but the call is great! The media, the world and this society have made you feel like less, because you are not “blessed” by the standards of men. Today, God is saying that He is sending signs of validation.
Numbers 17:1-9
{17:1} And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, {17:2} Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of [their] fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man’s name upon his rod. {17:3} And thou shalt write Aaron’s name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod [shall be] for the head of the house of their fathers. {17:4} And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you. {17:5} And it shall come to pass, [that] the man’s rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you. {17:6} And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers’ houses, [even] twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron [was] among their rods. {17:7} And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness. {17:8} And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded
almonds. {17:9} And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod.
Just as we see today, there were people in Moses’ camp who doubted his ability to lead. He was different. He didn’t fit the stereotype and didn’t have structured training. Yet, God took the opportunity to prove that he was chosen for the work. Such is the season of our day.
God spoke to me a few weeks ago and reminded me of His word, which says that as long as the earth remains, there will be seedtime and harvest. He then said very clearly, this is a season of sowing! Now, He was not speaking of money. God began to show me how ministry, for many, has become a means of gain. People are starting churches to make money, launching ministries to become popular and finding followers simply because they feel they are “owed” for the many years they served another leader. In the mindset of many, they feel this is a season of harvest. The prosperity messages are going forth. People are being taught to “declare and decree” anything they want or desire. God is saying that is not what He is looking for. He’s looking for those who are willing to sow. He wants worship. He wants obedience. He wants a love for His people and a desire to win souls. This is a season to WORK.
Just like Moses, some of you are different. Though you’ve been taught one thing all your life, God is telling you differently. While everyone else is preaching one thing, you are hearing another. You are not in this for personal gain, but because you feel as Paul did – Woe is me if I do not preach the Gospel!
Though you may see things from a different perspective, God is justifying you. The key is your understanding that this life if not your own. You understand that ministry is not about you, but an opportunity to glorify the only true and living God. That’s what sets you apart. This is why God is moving on your behalf.
Prepare yourself to see signs and wonders that cannot be understood. God will use the “little” servants in the camp to remind the superstars of who He really is. Continue pressing. Continue sacrificing, because someone is watching. They see that things don’t add up. They are wondering how you continue to press through. After all the contemplation, only one solution makes sense… GOD!!!
Remain faithful to the call. God indeed justifies whom He calls. It is not our job to “prove” ourselves to men, but to God alone. If indeed we are called, He will provide the proof.
Roman 8:28-31
{8:28} And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. {8:29} For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. {8:30} Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. {8:31} What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?
Many started out with a purpose, zeal and a love for the people of God. Yet, in their desire to vindicate themselves, they lost focus of true ministry. We must not succumb to the same trap. Do not lose focus. There is a work to be done, and opposition is to be expected.
Be encouraged! Selah.
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