It's been a long and GOOD day. I taught my two sessions and Kirk saw people crying as I discussed the sinful condition of man and our utter helplessness and need for God. In later sessions there were people jumping and dancing, and a time on our knees praying and crying out to God. Wow!
It's almost 10 pm now and I'm back at the church building. We are getting ready for a New Year's Meeting to ring in the new year. They are doing a bonfire and Asian BBQ chicken. Smells good... I've been asked to preach at the meeting, and the Lord has given me a word of encouragement for these pastors. A holy, God-glorifying church is worth any price. No sacrifice is too much; no price is too high. It was worth it to God, who gave his Son. It was worth it to Christ, who gave himself at the cross. It was worth it to Paul, who endured all things for the sake of the elect. Is it worth it to us? Do we see the value in God's eternal purpose (Eph 3) of showing his glory in Christ through the church he is gathering? This is his work. I pray the pastors here will see the value of this work and continue to pour out their lives in it, for Christ's glory. It's worth it!!!
Even as I say that, I know that it is worth it for us to miss our family and travel around the world to build a holy church in Nepal. What a small sacrifice...
It's crazy that we'll be celebrating the new year while you guys are eating lunch. And as the clock strikes midnight, Kim and I will have been married 5 years. Happy anniversary, Kim!!!!
Much love and thanks to all of you who are praying. It's worth it!
Happy new year from the ends of the earth!!
I'm praying for you, CCC! Finish strong!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Mission Update
Hello everyone. I am typing this during lunch, so it will be fast (don't want to miss the niceness). I just finished teaching 2 sessions (my first time to teach since arriving) and it was very well received. I poured out my heart to these pastors as I taught on the sinful condition of man apart from Christ and our reliance on the Holy Spirit when evangelizing.
Let me comment on the Nepalese people. WOW. They are so beautiful, inside and out. What a tremendous culture! They are such servants, too, especially the women. They are waiting on us hand and foot. During meals they continually bring more and more until we have to say no more.
Kathmandu is crazy, beautiful and chaotic. Much poverty and so many people everywhere! The city schedules power shut-offs every day and night for different parts of the city because it can't run the whole city at once. Power is off for 82 hours per week! Last night it was off from 8:30 pm till about 2 a.m. Which means our heater did not work in the hotel room, and it was around 30 degrees! But a generator keeps the ceiling light and toilet working.
Kirk, Wingo and myself went to the airport last night to see if our luggage made it in on the 10 pm flight from Hong Kong. It did not. Please keep praying!
Kim mentioned that the orphans are living in the basement of the church building. They are precious, and well taken care of. But this ministry, like so many others, has MUCH need. There is so much we can do here to help. Let's pray about this!
Today is new year's eve and we will have a watch party service in church to bring in the new year. I think they may have me preach. I'm also very excited that on New Year's Day Kim and I will have been married for 5 years! I love you and miss you Kim!!!
Let me comment on the Nepalese people. WOW. They are so beautiful, inside and out. What a tremendous culture! They are such servants, too, especially the women. They are waiting on us hand and foot. During meals they continually bring more and more until we have to say no more.
Kathmandu is crazy, beautiful and chaotic. Much poverty and so many people everywhere! The city schedules power shut-offs every day and night for different parts of the city because it can't run the whole city at once. Power is off for 82 hours per week! Last night it was off from 8:30 pm till about 2 a.m. Which means our heater did not work in the hotel room, and it was around 30 degrees! But a generator keeps the ceiling light and toilet working.
Kirk, Wingo and myself went to the airport last night to see if our luggage made it in on the 10 pm flight from Hong Kong. It did not. Please keep praying!
Kim mentioned that the orphans are living in the basement of the church building. They are precious, and well taken care of. But this ministry, like so many others, has MUCH need. There is so much we can do here to help. Let's pray about this!
Today is new year's eve and we will have a watch party service in church to bring in the new year. I think they may have me preach. I'm also very excited that on New Year's Day Kim and I will have been married for 5 years! I love you and miss you Kim!!!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Phone Call!!
Cary seemed very excited and full of energy when he called me this morning. Here are a few fun tidbits of info.
The group are eating 2 meals a day at the church. The meals are being cooked for about 300 or so people and it is top notch homemade Nepali food. Cary has had curry for breakfast, lunch, and dinner today.
The church building is an awesome 6 story building. There are offices on the top floor(s) from which they can use the internet and internet phone (MUCH cheaper). The children from the orphanage now live in the basement of the church due to a lack of funds. The pastors and their wives are there for the conference and there are orphanage kids everywhere. It's great.
Steve Wingo is having the time of his life. Cary said he is glowing with energy and excitement. The children from the orphanage love him. He did an awesome job preaching/teaching today. Steve is in his element! (He probably had curry 3 times today too!)
They were able to buy very nice dress clothes for about a third of the price they would cost in the U.S. A few of the guys are going to go to the airport in hopes that their luggage comes in on the Hong Kong flight in a couple of hours.
Jayna - I told Cary to tell your parents you said Hi!
Kim
The group are eating 2 meals a day at the church. The meals are being cooked for about 300 or so people and it is top notch homemade Nepali food. Cary has had curry for breakfast, lunch, and dinner today.
The church building is an awesome 6 story building. There are offices on the top floor(s) from which they can use the internet and internet phone (MUCH cheaper). The children from the orphanage now live in the basement of the church due to a lack of funds. The pastors and their wives are there for the conference and there are orphanage kids everywhere. It's great.
Steve Wingo is having the time of his life. Cary said he is glowing with energy and excitement. The children from the orphanage love him. He did an awesome job preaching/teaching today. Steve is in his element! (He probably had curry 3 times today too!)
They were able to buy very nice dress clothes for about a third of the price they would cost in the U.S. A few of the guys are going to go to the airport in hopes that their luggage comes in on the Hong Kong flight in a couple of hours.
Jayna - I told Cary to tell your parents you said Hi!
Kim
Nepal Mission Update: The Conference Begins!
Praise God!!! I'm so happy to finally get an opportunity to sit down at a computer and give an update. Thanks Kim for passing on my quick update from my phone call (that 7 minutes was $20).
I think our bags went west to Hong Kong while we went East to London. But keep praying...hopefully they'll arrive soon.
I don't even know where to begin. I'm happy to report that there is a vibrant, beautiful, glorious church of the Lord Jesus here in Kathmandu, Nepal!!! This place is FULL of pastors and their wives and the orphans praising Jesus and receiving teaching in the word of God. They love to sing and worship the Lord, lifting hands and praying with passion. Almost is everyone is taking notes and turning with us in their Bibles.
The conference officially began today (Tuesday). The place is packed. They honored us this morning by introducing us to much applause and putting leighs around our necks made from fresh orange carnations (that smell wonderful) and pinning ribbons to us that say "guest." It was very humbling.
Steve Wingo taught his first lesson today and he did a GREAT job. He's bursting with joy and life over here... and it's contagious. I think God is doing a good work in him on his first mission trip!
I'll start my first teaching tomorrow.
It's surprisingly COLD here!! Yikes!
The food is wonderful and they are taking such good care of us.
Please continue to PRAY for us as we minister to the church here in Nepal. God is doing an awesome work in this part of the world. Praise his glorious name!
I think our bags went west to Hong Kong while we went East to London. But keep praying...hopefully they'll arrive soon.
I don't even know where to begin. I'm happy to report that there is a vibrant, beautiful, glorious church of the Lord Jesus here in Kathmandu, Nepal!!! This place is FULL of pastors and their wives and the orphans praising Jesus and receiving teaching in the word of God. They love to sing and worship the Lord, lifting hands and praying with passion. Almost is everyone is taking notes and turning with us in their Bibles.
The conference officially began today (Tuesday). The place is packed. They honored us this morning by introducing us to much applause and putting leighs around our necks made from fresh orange carnations (that smell wonderful) and pinning ribbons to us that say "guest." It was very humbling.
Steve Wingo taught his first lesson today and he did a GREAT job. He's bursting with joy and life over here... and it's contagious. I think God is doing a good work in him on his first mission trip!
I'll start my first teaching tomorrow.
It's surprisingly COLD here!! Yikes!
The food is wonderful and they are taking such good care of us.
Please continue to PRAY for us as we minister to the church here in Nepal. God is doing an awesome work in this part of the world. Praise his glorious name!
Monday, December 29, 2008
They made it to Kathmandu...Finally!
Cary called me at 7:30 this morning (Monday) to let me know that they had all made it to Kathmandu earlier in the day and had eaten lunch with the pastors. Funny thing happened...their luggage did not make it there (0 out of 12 bags)!! Some of us at Celebration have heard that ol' song and dance before. Wasn't it just last year those same words were ringing out from Kenya! He said they bought a change of clothes and were thinking of skipping dinner and going to bed. Since they left Dallas airport Saturday they had only slept about 3 hours or so in the last 48 hours. He also informed me that the computers at the hotel are down and that they will have to find time and an internet cafe to update or email.
Steve called me about 8:30 p.m. He said they got a good nights sleep and were heading to the conference. He also told me that it is $2 per minute, so he didn't say much more. Stormie turn your phone on!!
Hopefully they will receive their luggage (children's sweaters, coloring books, crayons, VBS supplies, Cary's entire dress clothes wardrobe including his brand new suit and shoes!) soon.
Remember they are 12 hours ahead of us, so when you wake up they are going to bed - pray for them to sleep well, when you go to bed they are getting up - pray that the Lord would use them to encourage and build up the body of believers in Nepal and to have clarity of mind while teaching
Kim Cox
Steve called me about 8:30 p.m. He said they got a good nights sleep and were heading to the conference. He also told me that it is $2 per minute, so he didn't say much more. Stormie turn your phone on!!
Hopefully they will receive their luggage (children's sweaters, coloring books, crayons, VBS supplies, Cary's entire dress clothes wardrobe including his brand new suit and shoes!) soon.
Remember they are 12 hours ahead of us, so when you wake up they are going to bed - pray for them to sleep well, when you go to bed they are getting up - pray that the Lord would use them to encourage and build up the body of believers in Nepal and to have clarity of mind while teaching
Kim Cox
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Nepal Mission Update: Bahrain
We are still alive. We made it to Bahrain, and we are very tired. Waited in Dallas airport all day, flew overnight to London (some of us didn't sleep at ALL), RAN through Heathrow to our connection, flew 6 1/2 hours to Bahrain (got a couple hours sleep on that one). So in the last 24 hours or so we've slept about 3?
Now we are waiting all night at the Bahrain airport (which is very cool...and expensive). We fly out at 4 am.
Luke and Joseph should be arriving about now in Kathmandu if all went as planned (the second plan... ). Pray for these guys.
Conway Celebration Church should be starting as I type this. We pray that God would bless your meeting and pour out his Spirit.
We love you all! Thanks for your prayers. Keep praying for our continued protection, rest, and the ministry in Kathmandu.
Kim and Stormie, we will email you more in Kathmandu, Lord willing. This internet is like $3 for a half hour. We love you guys...
Now we are waiting all night at the Bahrain airport (which is very cool...and expensive). We fly out at 4 am.
Luke and Joseph should be arriving about now in Kathmandu if all went as planned (the second plan... ). Pray for these guys.
Conway Celebration Church should be starting as I type this. We pray that God would bless your meeting and pour out his Spirit.
We love you all! Thanks for your prayers. Keep praying for our continued protection, rest, and the ministry in Kathmandu.
Kim and Stormie, we will email you more in Kathmandu, Lord willing. This internet is like $3 for a half hour. We love you guys...
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Nepal Mission: Unexpected Start!
We are off to a very eventful start to this mission. At the airport in Little Rock I realized that I had forgotten my passport! At the Wingo's house I was making a copy of my passport for my carry-on, and I left it in the copier. Fortunately Kenneth and Melinda Halstead grabbed it and raced to Little Rock to save the day. How embarrassing! The veteran traveler making a loser mistake!
Then the delays... Chicago weather pushed our flight to Dallas back. And back. The 5:10 flight finally left at 8 pm. Unfortunately we missed our connecting flights. ALL of them! As we were landing in Dallas we were told that a new flight to Los Angeles was boarding, so we got off the plane and ran across the airport toward the new flight. We stopped to make sure this was right, and a friendly American Airlines employee dashed our hopes to pieces. "There are no seats on the flight. You are looking at a minimum of a day and a half..." Wow. The Nepali pastors are traveling from all over the country to be in Kathmandu on Monday for our conference. And they have to go home when the week is over. So we circled up and began to pray, as Kirk (our fearless leader) dealt with the airline guy.
This man was very nice and helpful. But he couldn't find a flight ANYWHERE. Finally he got us a new route. We would stay the night in Dallas and leave the next evening en route to London, then Bahrain, then Kathmandu - arriving on Monday at midday. So I'm writing this from the hotel in Dallas, waiting to fly to London this evening around 5 pm.
PRAISE GOD: They put us up at Embassy suites (4 rooms, $389 per room per night...for free). Also, Luke and Joseph (pastors who we were to meet in Los Angeles) both made it to LA and caught the flight to Hong Kong. So they will start the conference on Monday in our place. They were supposed to teach on Tuesday but they will teach on Monday as we are arriving. Also praise God that all our team members are keeping godly attitudes and remembering that God is sovereign and "works all things according to the counsel of his will" (Eph 1:11). We are on HIS timetable, praise God!
This new flight route for the 6 of us will have us completely circling the earth in 2 weeks! Instead of flying west from LA to Hong Kong, then east for the return, we are now crossing the Atlantic to London, through the Middle East (Bahrain), to Kathmandu; for the return home we should cross the Pacific from Hong Kong to LA as planned. Both oceans!
Please Pray:
1. For our continued protection and God's blessing as we travel to Kathmandu.
2. For Luke and Joseph as they travel ahead of us and begin the conference.
3. For our luggage to make it to Kathmandu (we don't know if it went ahead of us or not).
4. For flexible attitudes and the fruit of the Spirit to continue in us.
5. That God would be glorified and pleased!!
We love you all and we are praying for you. Thank you SO MUCH for standing with us in prayer. In Psalm 2, God tells Jesus to ask, and he will give him the nations. Together, we are joining Jesus in receiving for himself a people in Nepal for his glory forever. What a mission!!
Then the delays... Chicago weather pushed our flight to Dallas back. And back. The 5:10 flight finally left at 8 pm. Unfortunately we missed our connecting flights. ALL of them! As we were landing in Dallas we were told that a new flight to Los Angeles was boarding, so we got off the plane and ran across the airport toward the new flight. We stopped to make sure this was right, and a friendly American Airlines employee dashed our hopes to pieces. "There are no seats on the flight. You are looking at a minimum of a day and a half..." Wow. The Nepali pastors are traveling from all over the country to be in Kathmandu on Monday for our conference. And they have to go home when the week is over. So we circled up and began to pray, as Kirk (our fearless leader) dealt with the airline guy.
This man was very nice and helpful. But he couldn't find a flight ANYWHERE. Finally he got us a new route. We would stay the night in Dallas and leave the next evening en route to London, then Bahrain, then Kathmandu - arriving on Monday at midday. So I'm writing this from the hotel in Dallas, waiting to fly to London this evening around 5 pm.
PRAISE GOD: They put us up at Embassy suites (4 rooms, $389 per room per night...for free). Also, Luke and Joseph (pastors who we were to meet in Los Angeles) both made it to LA and caught the flight to Hong Kong. So they will start the conference on Monday in our place. They were supposed to teach on Tuesday but they will teach on Monday as we are arriving. Also praise God that all our team members are keeping godly attitudes and remembering that God is sovereign and "works all things according to the counsel of his will" (Eph 1:11). We are on HIS timetable, praise God!
This new flight route for the 6 of us will have us completely circling the earth in 2 weeks! Instead of flying west from LA to Hong Kong, then east for the return, we are now crossing the Atlantic to London, through the Middle East (Bahrain), to Kathmandu; for the return home we should cross the Pacific from Hong Kong to LA as planned. Both oceans!
Please Pray:
1. For our continued protection and God's blessing as we travel to Kathmandu.
2. For Luke and Joseph as they travel ahead of us and begin the conference.
3. For our luggage to make it to Kathmandu (we don't know if it went ahead of us or not).
4. For flexible attitudes and the fruit of the Spirit to continue in us.
5. That God would be glorified and pleased!!
We love you all and we are praying for you. Thank you SO MUCH for standing with us in prayer. In Psalm 2, God tells Jesus to ask, and he will give him the nations. Together, we are joining Jesus in receiving for himself a people in Nepal for his glory forever. What a mission!!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Mission Trip NEPAL
The day after Christmas I'll be heading to Kathmandu, Nepal for the mission trip we've been waiting for all year! Members of Conway Celebration Church have worked HARD and given much time, prayer, and money to send this team. Saints from other churches have pitched in as well. There were car washes, pizza fundraisers, yard sales, and donations. Now it's time to go!
What a story this is; an amazing small story in God's awesome large story! Ram Nepal began planting churches in Nepal in the 1980's. He started an orphanage and a school. He was persecuted for his faith, and spent time in prison for Christ. He ended up planting around 200 churches before having to flee the country after death threats were made on his family; they wanted a huge sum of money. Ram and his wife Meena fled to the USA, landing in Dallas, Texas and planting a church there for Asian immigrants. For the last several years he has divided his time between Nepal, overseeing his growing ministry there, and continuing his work in Texas. In the last few weeks he has moved to the Washington, DC area in order to plant another Asian-immigrant church. His vision is to plant churches for Asians in the United States in several major states, including New York City, Seattle, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Meanwhile, the governement has changed in Nepal. Now the church is free to proclaim the gospel in the streets! There is an open door...or window...for ministry. Already, the persecution has begun, as Hindu radicals are coming in from India to attack the growing, newly free, church in Nepal. Only God knows how long this open door for ministry in Nepal will last.
We are going to offer training for 200 to 300 precious Nepali pastors in a week-long conference in Kathmandu. Then we will visit the orphanage and school, see the plot of ground where Ram wants to build a seminary to train his pastors, and minister however we can in the local churches.
Will you pray for us? And will you cry out to God to move in a powerful way in Nepal, building his churches that were bought with his blood!? Acts 20:28
Jesus, be glorified in Nepal!
What a story this is; an amazing small story in God's awesome large story! Ram Nepal began planting churches in Nepal in the 1980's. He started an orphanage and a school. He was persecuted for his faith, and spent time in prison for Christ. He ended up planting around 200 churches before having to flee the country after death threats were made on his family; they wanted a huge sum of money. Ram and his wife Meena fled to the USA, landing in Dallas, Texas and planting a church there for Asian immigrants. For the last several years he has divided his time between Nepal, overseeing his growing ministry there, and continuing his work in Texas. In the last few weeks he has moved to the Washington, DC area in order to plant another Asian-immigrant church. His vision is to plant churches for Asians in the United States in several major states, including New York City, Seattle, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Meanwhile, the governement has changed in Nepal. Now the church is free to proclaim the gospel in the streets! There is an open door...or window...for ministry. Already, the persecution has begun, as Hindu radicals are coming in from India to attack the growing, newly free, church in Nepal. Only God knows how long this open door for ministry in Nepal will last.
We are going to offer training for 200 to 300 precious Nepali pastors in a week-long conference in Kathmandu. Then we will visit the orphanage and school, see the plot of ground where Ram wants to build a seminary to train his pastors, and minister however we can in the local churches.
Will you pray for us? And will you cry out to God to move in a powerful way in Nepal, building his churches that were bought with his blood!? Acts 20:28
Jesus, be glorified in Nepal!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
What Should I Think About at Christmas?
Christmas is crazy. Think of the myriad of different ways people celebrate this season. Some put up lights and decorations, sing a special genre of songs, eat special, seasonal foods, etc. Some go to church for the first time all year. Others spend about 2 months talking about an all-knowing person who rewards the good, not with salvation, but with...TOYS. There are so many different reactions, traditions, and responses to this season!
So what should be our meditation during Christmas? What should fill our thoughts? And with what should we fill other people's thoughts (including our children)?
Christmas Meditations
During the Christmas season, think about:
1. Jesus Christ taking on flesh. The incarnation. God came to us!
2. What this involved. An infinite humbling. What a distance from heaven to earth! What a descension! What an experience! God in the form of a baby! Oh, the sheer magnitude of Christ's taking on flesh...
3. Why did he do it? For his own glory. To gather to himself a beloved people. So he could die... To pour out his love and grace on sinners!
4. What this means for us. What a difference it makes that Jesus came! We, who deserve the righteous judgment, condemnation and wrath of Almighty God, now forgiven, pardoned, justified, sanctified, adopted, awaiting future glory!
5. What this means for others. There are still people who do not know; who have not heard. How can they believe unless they hear? How can they hear without a preacher? How can someone preach unless they are sent? Our generosity at Christmas must not be limited to helping the poor have a meal, or toys for their children. The incarnation of Christ means much more than that! Give the gospel. Pray for the nations. Join Christ afresh in his glorious, church-building work!
In short, during the Christmas season, meditate on JESUS CHRIST and him crucified! Behold the glory of the One who came to save! Fill your mind with awesome, heavenly thoughts of the glory of God in the face of Christ. And fill your family members' minds with such thoughts! Fill your children with thoughts of Christ, rather than thoughts of greed, materialism, idolatry, and worship of another man (Santa), to whom is ascribed miraculous power, devotion, and glory.
Oh, God! Set our minds on Christ! Set our hearts aflame with the gospel of your grace! Thank you, praise you, that Christ came!
So what should be our meditation during Christmas? What should fill our thoughts? And with what should we fill other people's thoughts (including our children)?
Christmas Meditations
During the Christmas season, think about:
1. Jesus Christ taking on flesh. The incarnation. God came to us!
2. What this involved. An infinite humbling. What a distance from heaven to earth! What a descension! What an experience! God in the form of a baby! Oh, the sheer magnitude of Christ's taking on flesh...
3. Why did he do it? For his own glory. To gather to himself a beloved people. So he could die... To pour out his love and grace on sinners!
4. What this means for us. What a difference it makes that Jesus came! We, who deserve the righteous judgment, condemnation and wrath of Almighty God, now forgiven, pardoned, justified, sanctified, adopted, awaiting future glory!
5. What this means for others. There are still people who do not know; who have not heard. How can they believe unless they hear? How can they hear without a preacher? How can someone preach unless they are sent? Our generosity at Christmas must not be limited to helping the poor have a meal, or toys for their children. The incarnation of Christ means much more than that! Give the gospel. Pray for the nations. Join Christ afresh in his glorious, church-building work!
In short, during the Christmas season, meditate on JESUS CHRIST and him crucified! Behold the glory of the One who came to save! Fill your mind with awesome, heavenly thoughts of the glory of God in the face of Christ. And fill your family members' minds with such thoughts! Fill your children with thoughts of Christ, rather than thoughts of greed, materialism, idolatry, and worship of another man (Santa), to whom is ascribed miraculous power, devotion, and glory.
Oh, God! Set our minds on Christ! Set our hearts aflame with the gospel of your grace! Thank you, praise you, that Christ came!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Bible Questions Answered #4: Gift of Prophecy?
Is the Gift of Prophecy for Today?
Q. I’ve heard 2 beliefs on prophecy that I’m confused about:
1) The only prophecy for today is Scripture.
2) There are people with the gift of prophecy in the church who hear and relate messages from God that are not found word-for-word in Scripture.
Which is it?
Just as we said in discussing the gift of healing, the Bible does not tell us that the gift of prophecy has ceased (see our discussion of the gift of healing for “that which is perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13, http://hisbloodatones.blogspot.com/2008/12/bible-questions-answered-3-gift-of.html). Scripture instructs the church at Corinth in their usage of the gift of prophecy, so we must conclude that this is from God (1 Cor 12:28-31). 1 Corinthians 14 deals extensively with prophecy, in the context of comparing prophecy with tongues (tongues + interpretation is equal to prophecy, verse 5). In this chapter we learn much concerning prophecy:
Q. I’ve heard 2 beliefs on prophecy that I’m confused about:
1) The only prophecy for today is Scripture.
2) There are people with the gift of prophecy in the church who hear and relate messages from God that are not found word-for-word in Scripture.
Which is it?
Just as we said in discussing the gift of healing, the Bible does not tell us that the gift of prophecy has ceased (see our discussion of the gift of healing for “that which is perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13, http://hisbloodatones.blogspot.com/2008/12/bible-questions-answered-3-gift-of.html). Scripture instructs the church at Corinth in their usage of the gift of prophecy, so we must conclude that this is from God (1 Cor 12:28-31). 1 Corinthians 14 deals extensively with prophecy, in the context of comparing prophecy with tongues (tongues + interpretation is equal to prophecy, verse 5). In this chapter we learn much concerning prophecy:
- We are to “earnestly desire” the spiritual gifts, “especially that you may prophesy” (v1).
- This gift brings “upbuilding and encouragement and consolation” (v3).
- This gift builds up the church (v4).
- Paul wants all of the church members to speak in tongues, “but even more to prophesy” (v5).
- Paul would rather speak 5 words of prophecy (instruction) than ten thousand in an unknown tongue that is not interpreted (v19).
- Prophecy is a sign for believers (v22).
- Prophecy brings conviction to unbelievers (vs 24-25).
- 2 or 3 prophets can speak when we come together, while the rest of the church weighs what is said (v29).
- All can prophesy one by one (2 or 3 per meeting, v31).
- The prophet can exercise self-control over this gift (vs 32-33).
- Women should not exercise this gift in an official church meeting, for they are under the authority of the men (vs 34-35). This appears to be speaking about women giving authoritative words, not praises and testimonies. (Chapter 11 gives instructions for women to prophesy with head coverings, or long hair. Perhaps this refers to times other than official church meetings). In church meetings, authoritative words are to come from men.
- Anyone with the gift of prophecy will acknowledge that Paul is speaking the truth concerning these instructions (v37).
- If anyone rejects these instructions, he is rejected as a prophet (v38).
- We are commanded to “earnestly desire to prophesy” (v39).
- This gift, and all gifts in the meetings of the church, should be used “decently and in order” (v40).
We must point out a couple things about the gift of prophecy.
1. It must be tested against Scripture. No true prophecy can go against Scripture.
2. The New Testament gift of prophecy should not be seen as the word of God as equal to Scripture, but rather an idea that God has supernaturally brought to the mind of the Christian to build up the church. The words should not be added to Scripture. This is seen in 1 Cor 14:30 when Paul speaks of the prophets speaking in a church meeting and a “revelation is made to another sitting there.” It seems that prophecy in the church is God bringing an idea to mind that is communicated in human words, not the very words of God, equal to Scripture. The prophet is using his words, and could even mix his own thoughts or words with the revelation, which is why the listeners are urged to “weigh what is said” (29). This instruction is also given to the Thessalonian believers (1 Thess 5:19-21).
There is a great danger when people view this gift as being equal to words of Scripture. The Bible commands us to carefully weigh words of prophecy. Words of prophecy will usually be a confirmation of what God is already putting in the heart. Grudem advises us to be suspicious of those who come with a very personal “word from God” for us to obey. Never obey based on one “word” from a self-proclaimed “prophet.” But weigh what is said and pray for confirmation to be given. Never obey any “word from God” that goes against Scripture.
Even with these warnings, we must not despise prophecy (1 Thess 5:20). Let us seek to walk rightly in this and all gifts, and praise God for building up the church through the gifts of the Spirit.
Wayne Grudem has a lot of helpful instruction concerning this gift in his Systematic Theology, chapter 53.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Bible Questions Answered! #3: Gift of Healing?
Is The Gift of Healing For Today?
Q. I’ve heard two beliefs about healing.
1) The healing done by Jesus and the Apostles was to validate their authority, and the gift of healing is not for our day since we have the New Testament. God still heals, but there is no gift of healing.
2) The gift of healing is for today and there are believers who have this gift, who lay their hands on the sick and pray, and healing results.
Which is it?
The Bible simply does not say that the gift of healing was only for Jesus and the Apostles. Paul spoke of the gifts of healing at work in the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 12:9). Some say these ‘sign’ gifts passed away after the Bible was completed, but Scripture does not tell us this.
1 Corinthians 13 does speak of prophecies, tongues and knowledge passing away “when the perfect comes” (ESV). Some say this “perfect” refers to the completion of the Bible. But an honest reading of the context shows that this is speaking of when we see Christ face to face (v12). At that time we will “know fully, even as I have been fully known.” Can anyone truly believe that since the Bible has been completed we now see Jesus face to face (rather than “in a mirror dimly”) and know “fully”? We have a more complete knowledge and vision of Jesus than Paul the Apostle had? No. All the gifts are needed in the body for edification until Jesus comes. Then they will pass away.
Some argue that the “that which is perfect” (1 Cor 13:10, NKJV) cannot refer to Jesus because it is in the neuter gender. But Matthew 1:20 clearly refers to Jesus in the neuter gender when it says of Mary, “that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (ESV). So we believe that the “perfect” is the time when Christ comes and the church is with him.
Others argue that the gift of healing can be seen slowly fading away in the book of Acts until, by the end of the book, it is no longer in use. But in the last chapter of Acts, Paul was shipwrecked on the island of Malta and cured every sick person on the entire island (Acts 28:9)!
Just because we do not understand something does not mean that we can twist the word of God to say it doesn’t exist anymore. And just because a spiritual gift is abused or used incorrectly does not mean God wants us to teach that they are not for our time. It is true that many people abuse spiritual gifts, using them with no regard to the instructions of Scripture. But that does not make the gift bad; it simply means the one abusing the gift needs to repent. The church at Corinth was filled with abuses of the gifts, but Paul did not tell them to quit using them. And he most certainly did NOT say, “When I finish writing this letter and Scripture is complete, whole sections of this letter will immediately become obsolete. But I’m not going to tell you which chapters to rip out and disregard. I’ll let the Baptists explain this later…” (I’m a Baptist, so I can joke like that). Instead, what did Paul say? He corrected their abuses and told them to keep using the gifts! Not to wait for the apostles to come when they needed healing…
“And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts” (1 Cor 12:28-31a, ESV). God has appointed in the church gifts of healing! This verse shows us that not all in the church have the same gift, and gifts of healing is used as an example. So according to the word of God there are some in the body who have gifts of healing, and others do not. All of us can pray and ask God to heal the sick. And sometimes he does. But in his sovereign wisdom and purpose, sometimes he refrains. We are to ask for healing, praise God when he answers, and trust him when he refrains. Whether healing comes in answer to prayer, or through the laying on of hands and prayer by someone in the body who has the gift of healing, God has moved.
Sometimes the gift of healing is faked by conmen. But they will answer to God for this. Again, this does not make the gift bad.
Jesus said those who believe in him “will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12, ESV). He didn’t say this was for apostles, but for those who believe in him. In Mark 16:17-18 Jesus says “these signs will accompany those who believe…they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover” (ESV). He did not say these signs will accompany Apostles, but those who believe. And he did not say that they would accompany believers until the New Testament is completed.
Is it our “right” to be healed, as some teach? Some make you think that God ALWAYS wants to heal every sickness, and if you are not healed it simply means your faith is lacking. Like most lies, there is a grain of truth, but it has been perverted. Matthew 8:16-17 is a powerful passage that connects Jesus’ work at the cross with our physical healing: “That evening they brought to him many were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took our illnesses and bore our diseases’” (ESV). Matthew, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, quotes Isaiah 53, a passage which is clearly speaking of the atonement Jesus made at the cross, and connects it with physical healing! The verse in Isaiah reads, “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (ESV). The Holy Spirit led Matthew to point out that this refers not to just our sins, but our sicknesses. So if Jesus earned our healing at the cross, why do believers sometimes get sick and receive no healing even when they pray?
Jesus earned an entire “salvation package” for us at the cross. When we believe in Christ we receive the entire “package” – everything Jesus won for us – positionally, spiritually, in the heavenlies. In other words, we actually and truly possess all of the package, but experientially we only walk in part of it until we are face to face with Christ.
This is easy to see with the issue of sin. At the moment of belief in Christ we are justified – declared right with God. But in our experience day by day we still struggle with sin and grow in a sanctification process (of being set free day by day from the power of sin). We look ahead to our glorification, in which we will be given new bodies and be free from the very presence of sin. It is true that we, at the moment of faith, are free from sin in heaven. God sees the final product. But we are, in our experience, in the working out of it day by day. We are experiencing more and more of what we have in Christ, until one day we will actually experience the fullness of the package.
It is the same way with our healing. At the cross Christ earned our healing with his stripes. We possess, in the heavenlies, complete healing in Christ. But now we experience this in part. One day we will experience the fullness. Until that day, we pray for healing and we trust God. When God chooses not to heal, we believe that he has a reason for the sickness that will ultimately give him glory (John 9:3, 11:4).
Finally we must point out that we live in a fallen creation and it is appointed to man once to die. It is likely that our death will come through sickness. God doesn’t remove all sickness or no believer would ever die! This is not a lack of faith on our part, but the working out of God’s plan. Sin and lack of faith could be a hindrance to healing, but not necessarily.
So when we are sick we should:
1. Personally pray for healing.
2. Ask the church to pray for healing, expecting God to heal. God may want to involve the
entire body to strengthen the faith of all. This will also give opportunity for those with the
gift of healing to discover and use their gift. James tells us to call for the elders to anoint us
oil and pray (James 5:14). This is a command!
3. Look for unconfessed sin in our lives and ask God to search us and make known any sin. If he
shows us sin, repent.
4. If no sin is shown to us by God, ask God what he is teaching us through this and ask him to be
glorified in it.
5. Sometimes God heals using doctors. But we should look to God first. Our source is God, not
doctors.
Q. I’ve heard two beliefs about healing.
1) The healing done by Jesus and the Apostles was to validate their authority, and the gift of healing is not for our day since we have the New Testament. God still heals, but there is no gift of healing.
2) The gift of healing is for today and there are believers who have this gift, who lay their hands on the sick and pray, and healing results.
Which is it?
The Bible simply does not say that the gift of healing was only for Jesus and the Apostles. Paul spoke of the gifts of healing at work in the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 12:9). Some say these ‘sign’ gifts passed away after the Bible was completed, but Scripture does not tell us this.
1 Corinthians 13 does speak of prophecies, tongues and knowledge passing away “when the perfect comes” (ESV). Some say this “perfect” refers to the completion of the Bible. But an honest reading of the context shows that this is speaking of when we see Christ face to face (v12). At that time we will “know fully, even as I have been fully known.” Can anyone truly believe that since the Bible has been completed we now see Jesus face to face (rather than “in a mirror dimly”) and know “fully”? We have a more complete knowledge and vision of Jesus than Paul the Apostle had? No. All the gifts are needed in the body for edification until Jesus comes. Then they will pass away.
Some argue that the “that which is perfect” (1 Cor 13:10, NKJV) cannot refer to Jesus because it is in the neuter gender. But Matthew 1:20 clearly refers to Jesus in the neuter gender when it says of Mary, “that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (ESV). So we believe that the “perfect” is the time when Christ comes and the church is with him.
Others argue that the gift of healing can be seen slowly fading away in the book of Acts until, by the end of the book, it is no longer in use. But in the last chapter of Acts, Paul was shipwrecked on the island of Malta and cured every sick person on the entire island (Acts 28:9)!
Just because we do not understand something does not mean that we can twist the word of God to say it doesn’t exist anymore. And just because a spiritual gift is abused or used incorrectly does not mean God wants us to teach that they are not for our time. It is true that many people abuse spiritual gifts, using them with no regard to the instructions of Scripture. But that does not make the gift bad; it simply means the one abusing the gift needs to repent. The church at Corinth was filled with abuses of the gifts, but Paul did not tell them to quit using them. And he most certainly did NOT say, “When I finish writing this letter and Scripture is complete, whole sections of this letter will immediately become obsolete. But I’m not going to tell you which chapters to rip out and disregard. I’ll let the Baptists explain this later…” (I’m a Baptist, so I can joke like that). Instead, what did Paul say? He corrected their abuses and told them to keep using the gifts! Not to wait for the apostles to come when they needed healing…
“And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts” (1 Cor 12:28-31a, ESV). God has appointed in the church gifts of healing! This verse shows us that not all in the church have the same gift, and gifts of healing is used as an example. So according to the word of God there are some in the body who have gifts of healing, and others do not. All of us can pray and ask God to heal the sick. And sometimes he does. But in his sovereign wisdom and purpose, sometimes he refrains. We are to ask for healing, praise God when he answers, and trust him when he refrains. Whether healing comes in answer to prayer, or through the laying on of hands and prayer by someone in the body who has the gift of healing, God has moved.
Sometimes the gift of healing is faked by conmen. But they will answer to God for this. Again, this does not make the gift bad.
Jesus said those who believe in him “will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12, ESV). He didn’t say this was for apostles, but for those who believe in him. In Mark 16:17-18 Jesus says “these signs will accompany those who believe…they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover” (ESV). He did not say these signs will accompany Apostles, but those who believe. And he did not say that they would accompany believers until the New Testament is completed.
Is it our “right” to be healed, as some teach? Some make you think that God ALWAYS wants to heal every sickness, and if you are not healed it simply means your faith is lacking. Like most lies, there is a grain of truth, but it has been perverted. Matthew 8:16-17 is a powerful passage that connects Jesus’ work at the cross with our physical healing: “That evening they brought to him many were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took our illnesses and bore our diseases’” (ESV). Matthew, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, quotes Isaiah 53, a passage which is clearly speaking of the atonement Jesus made at the cross, and connects it with physical healing! The verse in Isaiah reads, “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (ESV). The Holy Spirit led Matthew to point out that this refers not to just our sins, but our sicknesses. So if Jesus earned our healing at the cross, why do believers sometimes get sick and receive no healing even when they pray?
Jesus earned an entire “salvation package” for us at the cross. When we believe in Christ we receive the entire “package” – everything Jesus won for us – positionally, spiritually, in the heavenlies. In other words, we actually and truly possess all of the package, but experientially we only walk in part of it until we are face to face with Christ.
This is easy to see with the issue of sin. At the moment of belief in Christ we are justified – declared right with God. But in our experience day by day we still struggle with sin and grow in a sanctification process (of being set free day by day from the power of sin). We look ahead to our glorification, in which we will be given new bodies and be free from the very presence of sin. It is true that we, at the moment of faith, are free from sin in heaven. God sees the final product. But we are, in our experience, in the working out of it day by day. We are experiencing more and more of what we have in Christ, until one day we will actually experience the fullness of the package.
It is the same way with our healing. At the cross Christ earned our healing with his stripes. We possess, in the heavenlies, complete healing in Christ. But now we experience this in part. One day we will experience the fullness. Until that day, we pray for healing and we trust God. When God chooses not to heal, we believe that he has a reason for the sickness that will ultimately give him glory (John 9:3, 11:4).
Finally we must point out that we live in a fallen creation and it is appointed to man once to die. It is likely that our death will come through sickness. God doesn’t remove all sickness or no believer would ever die! This is not a lack of faith on our part, but the working out of God’s plan. Sin and lack of faith could be a hindrance to healing, but not necessarily.
So when we are sick we should:
1. Personally pray for healing.
2. Ask the church to pray for healing, expecting God to heal. God may want to involve the
entire body to strengthen the faith of all. This will also give opportunity for those with the
gift of healing to discover and use their gift. James tells us to call for the elders to anoint us
oil and pray (James 5:14). This is a command!
3. Look for unconfessed sin in our lives and ask God to search us and make known any sin. If he
shows us sin, repent.
4. If no sin is shown to us by God, ask God what he is teaching us through this and ask him to be
glorified in it.
5. Sometimes God heals using doctors. But we should look to God first. Our source is God, not
doctors.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Bible Questions Answered! #2: The Origin of Faith
Origin of Faith
Q. I’m learning that Jesus is the author of our faith, and that faith itself comes from God. What about Scriptures where Jesus seems frustrated when he sees a lack of faith in people? What about in times of healing when Jesus would say something like “according to your faith;” things that make it seem like our amount of faith is up to our control? Is faith something we build by obedience in reading his word or something he builds as we read and obey?
The bigger picture surrounding this question is God’s sovereignty vs. man’s responsibility. Which is true? They seem to contradict each other. Is God in control or is man responsible? Yes. Both are taught in Scripture. An antinomy (an-TIN-uh-me) is 2 apparent opposites both taught as true. We know that the Bible teaches that ultimately God is completely in control and has decreed and allows all things that happen. But the same Bible teaches that man still makes choices that are real and is responsible for those choices. Sometimes the word of God will emphasize God’s perspective (He is behind the scenes ruling over everything), and in other places Scripture will emphasize man’s perspective (we don’t see God ruling, we see us making choices). Usually people will take all the Scriptures that emphasize one side or the other and say that’s all there is. Balance is so crucial! We can go to the extreme on either side. I would say that the balance, in this case, does seem to be tilted towards God’s sovereignty; but Scripture clearly teaches that we are responsible before God for our actions, choices, obedience and/or disobedience.
Now specifically concerning the issue of faith, we see that faith comes from God: not all have faith (2 Thess 3:2b); faith then comes (by hearing the word, Rom 10:17); faith is a gift from God (Eph 2:8-9); coming from the author & perfector of our faith, who is Jesus (Heb 12:2). We are dead in our trespasses and sins (Eph 2) and cannot even see the kingdom of God until we are born again (John 3). So God must raise us up from the dead, give us new life and fill us with faith as his word penetrates us to the very core (Heb 4:12).
Hebrews 11 tells us that faith is a substance. It is an inward evidence; an assurance; a conviction (ESV). The verb is believing, but the noun is FAITH. Faith is SOMETHING. When we believe Christ, we possess eternal life inside of us by faith. We have the substance. This one true faith (“the” faith that was “once for all delivered to the saints” Jude 1:3) is ours from God. Glory to God!
At the same time, we are responsible before God for believing. We are commanded to believe! Everything God commands us to do, we are responsible to do. But here is the problem. We are NOT ABLE to do ANYTHING that God commands us to do…EVER (within ourselves).
Take the Law for example. God gave us the Ten Commandments. They are commandments, and yet we cannot obey them. “For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out” (Romans 718b, ESV). And yet our inability does not get us off the hook. We ought to obey, but we are dead. So God could have judged us, but he gave us Jesus – who did what we could never do. He fulfilled the Law of God, and lives it out through us (Jeremiah 31:33). With God’s command (a command that we cannot obey in our own strength) comes the supernatural power to obey that command through faith in Jesus Christ. So, God gives us the power to do what we could not otherwise do. He is glorified, and we are forgiven!
Jesus commanded the man with the withered hand to stretch it out (Luke 6:10). This was the one thing the man could NOT do! But with the command came the power to obey and do the impossible. The man stretched it out and he was whole! He had not healed himself; Jesus did it!
We are commanded to have faith (John 10:38). Unbelief is a sin (Rom 11:20, Heb 3:19). But we do not believe until our eyes are opened. We need God’s help. So from God’s perspective, he gives us faith. He does through us what we cannot do ourselves. But from man’s perspective, we are required to have faith, and are guilty before God when we do not. Jesus was right to be frustrated at people’s unbelief (Mark 6:6). God hates sin, but has decreed that it exist (to show his glory by way of comparison). God could have decreed that sin not exist. But God chose to allow some things that do not please him (sin, sickness, suffering, the death of the wicked – Ezek 33:11, hell) to still exist. He decreed these things and allows these things because in his infinite wisdom he knows they will best show forth his glory. Therefore, God knows we cannot obey. But we are responsible to obey him. And it is right of him to judge us when we don’t. But in Christ we may obey him and escape judgment! Glory to God!
Q. I’m learning that Jesus is the author of our faith, and that faith itself comes from God. What about Scriptures where Jesus seems frustrated when he sees a lack of faith in people? What about in times of healing when Jesus would say something like “according to your faith;” things that make it seem like our amount of faith is up to our control? Is faith something we build by obedience in reading his word or something he builds as we read and obey?
The bigger picture surrounding this question is God’s sovereignty vs. man’s responsibility. Which is true? They seem to contradict each other. Is God in control or is man responsible? Yes. Both are taught in Scripture. An antinomy (an-TIN-uh-me) is 2 apparent opposites both taught as true. We know that the Bible teaches that ultimately God is completely in control and has decreed and allows all things that happen. But the same Bible teaches that man still makes choices that are real and is responsible for those choices. Sometimes the word of God will emphasize God’s perspective (He is behind the scenes ruling over everything), and in other places Scripture will emphasize man’s perspective (we don’t see God ruling, we see us making choices). Usually people will take all the Scriptures that emphasize one side or the other and say that’s all there is. Balance is so crucial! We can go to the extreme on either side. I would say that the balance, in this case, does seem to be tilted towards God’s sovereignty; but Scripture clearly teaches that we are responsible before God for our actions, choices, obedience and/or disobedience.
Now specifically concerning the issue of faith, we see that faith comes from God: not all have faith (2 Thess 3:2b); faith then comes (by hearing the word, Rom 10:17); faith is a gift from God (Eph 2:8-9); coming from the author & perfector of our faith, who is Jesus (Heb 12:2). We are dead in our trespasses and sins (Eph 2) and cannot even see the kingdom of God until we are born again (John 3). So God must raise us up from the dead, give us new life and fill us with faith as his word penetrates us to the very core (Heb 4:12).
Hebrews 11 tells us that faith is a substance. It is an inward evidence; an assurance; a conviction (ESV). The verb is believing, but the noun is FAITH. Faith is SOMETHING. When we believe Christ, we possess eternal life inside of us by faith. We have the substance. This one true faith (“the” faith that was “once for all delivered to the saints” Jude 1:3) is ours from God. Glory to God!
At the same time, we are responsible before God for believing. We are commanded to believe! Everything God commands us to do, we are responsible to do. But here is the problem. We are NOT ABLE to do ANYTHING that God commands us to do…EVER (within ourselves).
Take the Law for example. God gave us the Ten Commandments. They are commandments, and yet we cannot obey them. “For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out” (Romans 718b, ESV). And yet our inability does not get us off the hook. We ought to obey, but we are dead. So God could have judged us, but he gave us Jesus – who did what we could never do. He fulfilled the Law of God, and lives it out through us (Jeremiah 31:33). With God’s command (a command that we cannot obey in our own strength) comes the supernatural power to obey that command through faith in Jesus Christ. So, God gives us the power to do what we could not otherwise do. He is glorified, and we are forgiven!
Jesus commanded the man with the withered hand to stretch it out (Luke 6:10). This was the one thing the man could NOT do! But with the command came the power to obey and do the impossible. The man stretched it out and he was whole! He had not healed himself; Jesus did it!
We are commanded to have faith (John 10:38). Unbelief is a sin (Rom 11:20, Heb 3:19). But we do not believe until our eyes are opened. We need God’s help. So from God’s perspective, he gives us faith. He does through us what we cannot do ourselves. But from man’s perspective, we are required to have faith, and are guilty before God when we do not. Jesus was right to be frustrated at people’s unbelief (Mark 6:6). God hates sin, but has decreed that it exist (to show his glory by way of comparison). God could have decreed that sin not exist. But God chose to allow some things that do not please him (sin, sickness, suffering, the death of the wicked – Ezek 33:11, hell) to still exist. He decreed these things and allows these things because in his infinite wisdom he knows they will best show forth his glory. Therefore, God knows we cannot obey. But we are responsible to obey him. And it is right of him to judge us when we don’t. But in Christ we may obey him and escape judgment! Glory to God!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Answering Bible Questions! Number One: Dreams
A few weeks ago I put a bucket on the info table and told the church that I would be answering Bible questions on this blog. The time has come, and today we are tackling the first question! (If you have a question to be considered, leave it as a comment to this post, or send me an email if you know me!) In the days and weeks ahead I'll be answering questions about healing, the gift of prophecy, and the origin of faith, Lord willing. Here's number one!
Dreams
Q. Does God still use dreams to speak to people or to fulfill a purpose? Does Satan use dreams to do the same? If you sin in your dreams did you really sin? Is it counted against you as sin? If Joseph was a dreamer, did he continue to have dreams the rest of his life, or did they go away?
This is a very interesting topic! Let's hit these questions one by one:
Does God still use dreams…?
Peter quoted the book of Joel on the day of Pentecost: “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams” (Acts 2:17, ESV). The last days began when Christ came the first time and include the church age we live in now. So it seems that God has told us that he will still speak through visions and dreams.
Much discernment should be used concerning our dreams. The Bible says that a “dream comes with much business” (Ecclesiastes 5:3, ESV). When we have a lot on our minds or our hearts, it could well up and bring dreams. So when we think God has spoken to us in a dream, we must pray and ask God to confirm this. Maybe he did. Or maybe we just had some bad sushi.
Does Satan use dreams to do the same?
I don’t know of an instance in Scripture where Satan made someone dream. (Can you think of one?) Usually in the Bible it is God who speaks in dreams. Satan and his demons can speak, however. Perhaps they whisper their lies to us which may induce dreams. The Bible doesn’t say.
When awaking from a scary dream, pray! Ask God to shut the mouth of any demon and speak peace to your soul.
If you sin in your dreams…
This is another situation that the Bible seems to be silent about. It would appear that when we sin in our dreams we have not actually committed that sin. However, it could be a sign of sin in our hearts that is taking expression in our dreams. So preventatively we must be walking in the Spirit, filling our minds and hearts with Scripture instead of the things of this world (giving ammunition to our flesh to use against us in our dreams). But when awaking from a dream about sin, pray! Do not receive what you have dreamed about; don’t own it. Reject those sinful thoughts, emotions, actions. Ask Jesus for cleansing with his blood and the removal of all guilt. Ask him to take away these dreams and give you peaceful dreams and thoughts of him. Fill your mind and heart with Christ!
Joseph
In Genesis 37:19 Joseph is called a dreamer. God indeed spoke to Joseph through dreams on several occasions. But the Bible does not tell us if he continued to dream. God is in control. He speaks and gives word and vision to his prophets at his own will and in his own timing.
Hope that helps!
Dreams
Q. Does God still use dreams to speak to people or to fulfill a purpose? Does Satan use dreams to do the same? If you sin in your dreams did you really sin? Is it counted against you as sin? If Joseph was a dreamer, did he continue to have dreams the rest of his life, or did they go away?
This is a very interesting topic! Let's hit these questions one by one:
Does God still use dreams…?
Peter quoted the book of Joel on the day of Pentecost: “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams” (Acts 2:17, ESV). The last days began when Christ came the first time and include the church age we live in now. So it seems that God has told us that he will still speak through visions and dreams.
Much discernment should be used concerning our dreams. The Bible says that a “dream comes with much business” (Ecclesiastes 5:3, ESV). When we have a lot on our minds or our hearts, it could well up and bring dreams. So when we think God has spoken to us in a dream, we must pray and ask God to confirm this. Maybe he did. Or maybe we just had some bad sushi.
Does Satan use dreams to do the same?
I don’t know of an instance in Scripture where Satan made someone dream. (Can you think of one?) Usually in the Bible it is God who speaks in dreams. Satan and his demons can speak, however. Perhaps they whisper their lies to us which may induce dreams. The Bible doesn’t say.
When awaking from a scary dream, pray! Ask God to shut the mouth of any demon and speak peace to your soul.
If you sin in your dreams…
This is another situation that the Bible seems to be silent about. It would appear that when we sin in our dreams we have not actually committed that sin. However, it could be a sign of sin in our hearts that is taking expression in our dreams. So preventatively we must be walking in the Spirit, filling our minds and hearts with Scripture instead of the things of this world (giving ammunition to our flesh to use against us in our dreams). But when awaking from a dream about sin, pray! Do not receive what you have dreamed about; don’t own it. Reject those sinful thoughts, emotions, actions. Ask Jesus for cleansing with his blood and the removal of all guilt. Ask him to take away these dreams and give you peaceful dreams and thoughts of him. Fill your mind and heart with Christ!
Joseph
In Genesis 37:19 Joseph is called a dreamer. God indeed spoke to Joseph through dreams on several occasions. But the Bible does not tell us if he continued to dream. God is in control. He speaks and gives word and vision to his prophets at his own will and in his own timing.
Hope that helps!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Preparing For Suffering?
"Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking... Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings..." (1 Peter 4:1, 12-13 ESV)
In America Christians have not suffered very much. It's caused us to think this is normal for Christian life. It's not, according to the word of God and according to the experience of thousands of our brothers and sisters around the globe. Signs indicate that suffering and persecution could be just around the corner for American believers.
Peter instructs us to prepare ourselves for it ("arm yourselves" with this "way of thinking"). Are American believers armed with this way of thinking? Or have we mistakenly brought our abnormal experience of no persecution into our theology? Have we built a false theology (the extreme health/wealth, word of faith perversions) that sees God's highest purpose as pampering us? What will we do when suffering and persecution come?
In Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper quotes Richard Wurmbrand, the founder of Voice of the Martyrs, who was tortured for fourteen years in a Romanian prison (1948-1964). Listen to what Wurmbrand says:
"What shall we do about these tortures? Will we be able to bear them? If I do not bear them I put in prison another fifty or sixty men whom I know, because that is what the Communists wish from me, to betray those around me. And here comes the great need for the role of preparation for suffering which must start now. It is too difficult to prepare yourself for it when the Communists have put you in prison.
I remember my last Confirmation class before I left Romania. I took a group of ten to fifteen boys and girls on a Sunday morning, not to a church, but to the zoo. Before the cage of lions I told them, 'Your forefathers in faith were thrown before such wild beasts for their faith. Know that you also will have to suffer. You will not be thrown before lions, but you will have to do with men who would be much worse than lions. Decide here and now if you wish to pledge allegiance to Christ.' They had tears in their eyes when they said yes.
We have to make the preparation now, before we are imprisoned. In prison you lose everything. You are undressed and given a prisoner's suit. No more nice furniture, nice carpets, nice curtains. You do not have a wife any more and you do not have your children. You do not have your library and you never see a flower. Nothing of what makes life pleasant remains. Nobody resists who has not renounced the pleasures of life beforehand."
(page 79)
Oh, Lord, have mercy on America. You blessed us beyond compare, and we spent it on ourselves. We have overeaten to the point of discovering brand new diseases. We buy what we do not need with money we do not have. We trample people to death on day-after-Thanksgiving sales at Wal-Mart in our rush to buy unneeded gifts, and we do it in celebration of Christ's birth. Oh, Lord, have mercy on us! We have made man the focus and not God. We have built our theology on lies, believing that we will never have to suffer. Oh, Lord, we are not prepared; not fit for persecution. We don't ask to be persecuted. But we ask that you so move in our hearts that we renounce the pleasures and idols of this life and culture. Move in us until we are ready to die with Christ. Only in this way can we live for Christ!
In America Christians have not suffered very much. It's caused us to think this is normal for Christian life. It's not, according to the word of God and according to the experience of thousands of our brothers and sisters around the globe. Signs indicate that suffering and persecution could be just around the corner for American believers.
Peter instructs us to prepare ourselves for it ("arm yourselves" with this "way of thinking"). Are American believers armed with this way of thinking? Or have we mistakenly brought our abnormal experience of no persecution into our theology? Have we built a false theology (the extreme health/wealth, word of faith perversions) that sees God's highest purpose as pampering us? What will we do when suffering and persecution come?
In Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper quotes Richard Wurmbrand, the founder of Voice of the Martyrs, who was tortured for fourteen years in a Romanian prison (1948-1964). Listen to what Wurmbrand says:
"What shall we do about these tortures? Will we be able to bear them? If I do not bear them I put in prison another fifty or sixty men whom I know, because that is what the Communists wish from me, to betray those around me. And here comes the great need for the role of preparation for suffering which must start now. It is too difficult to prepare yourself for it when the Communists have put you in prison.
I remember my last Confirmation class before I left Romania. I took a group of ten to fifteen boys and girls on a Sunday morning, not to a church, but to the zoo. Before the cage of lions I told them, 'Your forefathers in faith were thrown before such wild beasts for their faith. Know that you also will have to suffer. You will not be thrown before lions, but you will have to do with men who would be much worse than lions. Decide here and now if you wish to pledge allegiance to Christ.' They had tears in their eyes when they said yes.
We have to make the preparation now, before we are imprisoned. In prison you lose everything. You are undressed and given a prisoner's suit. No more nice furniture, nice carpets, nice curtains. You do not have a wife any more and you do not have your children. You do not have your library and you never see a flower. Nothing of what makes life pleasant remains. Nobody resists who has not renounced the pleasures of life beforehand."
(page 79)
Oh, Lord, have mercy on America. You blessed us beyond compare, and we spent it on ourselves. We have overeaten to the point of discovering brand new diseases. We buy what we do not need with money we do not have. We trample people to death on day-after-Thanksgiving sales at Wal-Mart in our rush to buy unneeded gifts, and we do it in celebration of Christ's birth. Oh, Lord, have mercy on us! We have made man the focus and not God. We have built our theology on lies, believing that we will never have to suffer. Oh, Lord, we are not prepared; not fit for persecution. We don't ask to be persecuted. But we ask that you so move in our hearts that we renounce the pleasures and idols of this life and culture. Move in us until we are ready to die with Christ. Only in this way can we live for Christ!
Monday, December 1, 2008
How to Live for God
Christians, churches and ministries usually have a lot to say about how to become a Christian. But what next? How does the Christian live for God? Usually all we are taught on this subject is a "pull yourself up by your bootstraps," "try harder" message. The message we hear seems to be, "You were saved by faith. Now live for God by trying. You can do it!" Sermons abound giving us 7 steps to victorious living, 4 principles to overcoming sin, etc. This all amounts to saying we come to Christ by faith, but live for God by law.
But the gospel is for the BELIEVER also! Yes, we are justified by faith. But we are also sanctified by faith! The same gospel that saves the sinner, sanctifies the saint (Terry Simpson). But what does this mean practically? How do you live for God? You live for God by...dying.
Victoria Osteen has a new book called Love Your Life (pictured above). But what does Jesus say? "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:25, ESV). Jesus' call is not a call to fulfill self, but to deny self (Luke 9:23) and take up our cross. Taking up our cross does not refer to drearily accepting difficult situations. Taking up our cross means believing the gospel!
The gospel tells us that Christ died for us. If he has died for us, then the benefit goes to our account. For example, if I payed your house payment for you next month it would be credited to your account, not mine. I don't have a debt with your bank, you do! Jesus did not have a debt with God (he never sinned); we did. Jesus died for us. This means that WE are accounted as dead. Dead to sin (Romans 6:1-14). This is not speculation; this is TRUE for the believer. It is true that we are dead to sin, because Jesus died for us. So we must believe this report God has given us and count ourselves dead to sin because of the gospel. This is taking up our cross.
The flip side of this is the resurrection. Since we died with Christ, we also are raised with him to new life! It is no longer us, but Christ (Galatians 2:20)! Our flesh hates this message. It wants to live. Our flesh is sneaky and deceptive. It will even do good things; even serve the Lord (temporarily) if we will only let it live! It will pretend to obey God. Then when our guard is down: BAM! Back to the sin which so easily entangles. The flesh cannot be improved (That which is born of the flesh is flesh," John 3:6, ESV). God has only one answer for the flesh: it must die. It must be crucified. This was accomplished spiritually when Christ died for us at the cross; it is realized practically and experientially day by day as we believe the gospel, yield to Christ and count ourselve dead to sin and alive to God (Col 3:1-14).
How do you live for God? Try harder?? That only results in failure and frustration. We CAN'T live for God. The only thing God accepts is Jesus. Jesus can live for God (and has... and does daily through us as we yield). Paul was so upset with the Galatians because they started out in faith and then went to the flesh: "Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" (Gal 3:3, ESV). They were adding the Jewish law to faith in Christ. We may not add the Jewish law, but we add our own laws ("I'll memorize the New Testament...THEN I'll be holy.")
How do we live for God? We can't. God's answer is the gospel. We died in Christ and we believe that and walk in it daily. We can walk in victory over sin and glorious obedience to God through faith in Christ and him crucified...the same way we were justified! Praise God! It is all him, from start to finish. Salvation is of the Lord.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)