In the kingdom of God things are different. Christ's kingdom is not like this world (John 18:36). The things we do is rooted in our being as Christ followers.
Who we are as Christ followers is more fundamental than what we do. Our character is more basic than our action. In God's economy, being mastered by the Holy Spirit is more important than knowing how to manage the rigors of the Church.
In the world's economy personal value and success is often derived from action. You must earn the right to be somebody. But in Christ's kingdom, letting God control one's life is foundational to being, thinking and doing. This can often be hard to grasp in a culture like ours.
Results is what matters in our society. Even in the Church critical thinking, seeking God out and serious evaluation of His will can be pushed to the side as irrelevant if something has proven to be successful elsewhere. Some would say, "What more needs to be thought about if the program or action has already validated itself elsewhere? If it's working elsewhere we can make it happen here!" We can often become preoccupied with the anticipate results and not focus on the leading of the Holy Spirit.
In the Church success is granted through relationship. Relationship with God. The power and provision of God comes as a result of dependence upon Him. The result of our obedience to His leading and not our own. The best business and organizational practices relevant to today's culture will not bring success in the Church. Rather it will come as a result of our full consecration and dependence upon Him and heart-felt obedience to His will. What say you?
Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian
Showing posts with label God's blessing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's blessing. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
What will it take?
Have you ever read a passage of scripture and asked yourself, "What would it take for that to happen again?" I do. One that I chew over periodically is Acts 2:47. It reads, "...And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Oh how I long for the day when the percentage of people coming to Jesus rivals or exceeds that of the early days of the Church. What will it take? What will we need to do to make it happen? Can we do anything at all? I do not have the answer to these questions but I do have a hypothesis to put forth. It came to me while reading First Thessalonians. In chapter one it tells how the Thessalonians turned from their idols and come to follow Christ. Because those who ministered to them did so "through the power of the Holy Spirit" (1:5-6).
So often it seems like something is missing in the work of the Church. We use our very best resources and yet the results simply are not there. Everything can seems to come off without a hitch and yet little impact was gained. It's as if God's blessing was not included in the mix.
Oh the blessing of God. How sweet it is! People will turn from their idols and come unto Jesus when the Holy Spirit is present. Even the littlest of effort will reap large results if the Holy Spirit is on board. The prophet Zechariah said it best ... "It is not by our might or our power; but by the Spirit of God" 4:6).
The contemporaries of early Friends called it the "Quaker Spirit." The presence and power of God upon early Friends often distinguished them from other religious orders. Through their humble ministry great works of God occurred. What made the difference? The blessing of God.
My hypothesis is: we need the blessing of God that comes through the fullness of the Holy Spirit. A fullness that is the result of people's full surrender to Christ and His ways. A condition that is the result of stillness before the Lord in prayer that includes a passionate, heartfelt plea for His power power to be displayed and glory to be seen. A power and anointing that is only seen when full dependence upon Christ is manifest.
I wonder: do we understand what it means to humble ourselves before God and forsake the self-sufficiency that is so natural ans seems so sensible to us as individuals or as a church? Have I as a minister in Christ's church modeled this life for others to see? Have I effectively taught it from the pulpit and lectern so others would know of this truth? So the Lord can add His blessing to our life, work and numbers to His kingdom?
Hmmmm ... sounds like more soul searching is needed on my part. What about you? Thanks for stopping by!
-------
Adrian
Oh how I long for the day when the percentage of people coming to Jesus rivals or exceeds that of the early days of the Church. What will it take? What will we need to do to make it happen? Can we do anything at all? I do not have the answer to these questions but I do have a hypothesis to put forth. It came to me while reading First Thessalonians. In chapter one it tells how the Thessalonians turned from their idols and come to follow Christ. Because those who ministered to them did so "through the power of the Holy Spirit" (1:5-6).
So often it seems like something is missing in the work of the Church. We use our very best resources and yet the results simply are not there. Everything can seems to come off without a hitch and yet little impact was gained. It's as if God's blessing was not included in the mix.
Oh the blessing of God. How sweet it is! People will turn from their idols and come unto Jesus when the Holy Spirit is present. Even the littlest of effort will reap large results if the Holy Spirit is on board. The prophet Zechariah said it best ... "It is not by our might or our power; but by the Spirit of God" 4:6).
The contemporaries of early Friends called it the "Quaker Spirit." The presence and power of God upon early Friends often distinguished them from other religious orders. Through their humble ministry great works of God occurred. What made the difference? The blessing of God.
My hypothesis is: we need the blessing of God that comes through the fullness of the Holy Spirit. A fullness that is the result of people's full surrender to Christ and His ways. A condition that is the result of stillness before the Lord in prayer that includes a passionate, heartfelt plea for His power power to be displayed and glory to be seen. A power and anointing that is only seen when full dependence upon Christ is manifest.
I wonder: do we understand what it means to humble ourselves before God and forsake the self-sufficiency that is so natural ans seems so sensible to us as individuals or as a church? Have I as a minister in Christ's church modeled this life for others to see? Have I effectively taught it from the pulpit and lectern so others would know of this truth? So the Lord can add His blessing to our life, work and numbers to His kingdom?
Hmmmm ... sounds like more soul searching is needed on my part. What about you? Thanks for stopping by!
-------
Adrian
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