Consider the Ant

Why consider the ant?  Because there are a few things we can learn from the ant. 

…..The ant is small yet wise.

…..The ant does not have a leader, supervisor or ruler yet she still manages to eat food in the summer.

….. The ant has the wisdom to know when it is harvest time.

…..At the time of the harvest, she knows she needs to gather her food.

What can we humans learn from one of God’s smallest creatures?

.....If I am lazy I can get wise by watching, studying and imitating the ant.

…..I do not need someone telling me what to do in order for me to be productive.  I have the innate ability to be productive.  Productivity is on the inside of me.

.....I need to know when it's time to eat and when it's harvest time.  In other words, I need to know the different seasons.

.....I need to work when it is time to work and eat when it is time to eat.

.....If I do not learn this lesson, poverty will be my constant companion and, I will always be in "want" mode.

.....Poverty and the constant "want" mode will rob me.

Scriptures for meditation: Proverbs 6:6-11

Where Ae The Prophets?

            God has set prophets in local churches to help guide and mature the saints. 

And He gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelist; and some, pastors and teachers;

        For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ,

        Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

        That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive.

Ephesians 4:11-14

But, where are they?  How has sin gained such a prominent place in the lives of the saints, in the lives of the pastors and church leadership?  Where are the prophets that see the sin coming and sound the alarm to that particular local body?

Prophets provide direction to local churches. They provide a biblical standard for the body of Christ. Where are the prophets that provide the righteous standard for their particular local body?  Are they in hiding? Are they running from their call?  Regardless of the answer, I CALL THEM OUT OF DARKNESS AND INTO THE LIGHT OF THEIR CALL, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

What Do I See?

The Coming Confrontations Between Good and Evil

          I see coming confrontations between good and evil, between the powers of God and the powers of satan.  Men and women of God will stand up boldly and began to confront satan and his false doctrines and false teachings.  They will begin to boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.  These confrontations will take place both publicly and privately.  They will occur at meetings, at grocery stores, at churches and at schools.  They will occur anyplace and every place where people are located.

          The confrontations will be similar to the confrontations between Moses and the magicians of Egypt in the book of Exodus. Men and women of God will begin to boldly proclaim the Word of God.  This will anger satan and he will try to match God’s people word for word, vision for vision, miracle for miracle.  However, this will not be successful.  God will win. 

As His people boldly and courageously speak His Word, do what He says do and go where He says go, you will see courage rise up within them.  You will see signs following them as the Holy Spirit work with the people of God to confirm the Word of God. 

But, prior to this happening, God’s people must pray and seek the face of God. They must be gap standers, standing in the gap for their families, neighborhoods, cities, government leaders, church leaders and all that God lays on their hearts .  God’s people must take the time to pray and seek His face.  Then, He will hear from heaven and heal our land.  Intercession is the key.  (II Chronicles 7:14)

If My people, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

How Does The Call of Ministry Come? Part 2

Nehemiah

(Nehemiah 1)

          Nehemiah’s call into ministry came a little differently than Noah’s.  Nehemiah was at work one day.  His friend, Hanani, and some of the other brethren, decided to pay him a visit.  As they talked, Nehemiah asked how things were going back home.  The report was not a good one.

And they said unto me, The remnant who are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire. (Nehemiah 1:3)

          When he heard the report from his friends, Nehemiah sat down and cried, his heart was so full.  He then fasted for a number of days.  As he fasted, he prayed to God. 

          Nehemiah’s prayer revealed one very powerful thing about him: he knew the Word of God and the God of the Word. 

          He began his prayer acknowledging Who God was and how great He was. In other words, Nehemiah worshipped God before he asked him for anything (verse 5).  He then confessed the sins of his people, the nation of Israel.  

Not only did he confess the sins of the nation of Israel, but he also confessed his own sins (verses 6-7).  He continued on by reminding God of what God had said to Moses (verses 8-9).  He reminded God that Israel was His and that He was their Redeemer (verse 10). 

          By the time he had finished fasting and praying, Nehemiah had received direction from God on what he was to do.  How do I know that? verse 11,

O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who delight to fear thy name; and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.  For  I was the king’s cupbearer.  (verse 11)

How Does The Call of Ministry Come?

Genesis 6

The call into the ministry can come in various ways.  It depends on how God chooses to reveal His mind to an individual.  One of the ways a call came can be found in Genesis 6.

          As man began to multiply on the earth, people married and were given in marriage.  Men saw how beautiful the women were and married whomever they wanted to (verses 1-2). There are those who say that the “sons of God” mentioned in verse 2 were fallen angels. Either way, this was not very pleasing to God (verses 3-4).

          As man’s wickedness spread and increased in the earth, giants were born and man’s thoughts were continually wicked.  Of course, God saw this and it displeased Him that He had made man on the earth. It grieved Him at His heart (verses 5-6).  He decided to do something about it.  He was going to destroy “man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them” (verse 7).

The Call of Noah

          Noah found grace in the eyes of God (verse 8). He was a just man and walked with God (verse 9).  But, the earth was still corrupt and filled with violence (verse 11).  This sounds like the times that we are living in now.  Violence has overtaken some neighborhoods, cities and even countries. Be assured: this grieves God tremendously. He hears your cry.