The Only Message

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14)

Those of us who receive and obey the call to preach the Word have the most consequential job on earth, and woe to us if we don't preach —  preach the Word. The fiercest and most incessant temptation a preacher will face is to present something or someone other than Jesus. Satan doesn't mind preaching, he simply hates preaching that centers on Jesus alone; only then does he have a problem with our message, for Jesus is the true Lord of Creation and the Spirit of Prophecy. Remember, our preaching must be all about Him, or it will amount to nothing.

 

There are legions of Christian teachers drawn away by doctrines of men and demons, many of them unaware. God never sent anyone to preach healing, financial prosperity, breakthrough, or the like, but to preach Christ and Him crucified. God's work cannot be scheduled or calibrated, and He will not adhere to our models or methods. Those things are grievous to Him, because they blind and stumble men and women, keeping them from the simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Spirit-led preaching always centers on heaven and never on earthly things. Remember, the Kingdom of God is within us, not around us; and we must not preach in a way that draws men back into the world from which Jesus saved them. The wise teacher keeps his or her eyes on the Master, and they preach what they have heard from Him. Let that be said of us, for Jesus Christ is our Message. He is the Word of God.

 

Let’s Pray – Lord, may there be no compromise in what we preach. Everything You are saying to us is found in Jesus. May we hear and speak that message, and that message only. Amen

That Good Part

And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:39-42)

The Martha/Mary incident was probably not an isolated one. I can hear Martha thinking, "This is what always happens! I get to do all the work, while Mary gets to have all the fun, and it's always been that way! Jesus, please straighten her out!!” But, as we know, it was Mary (at least in this instance) who had chosen what was right and good in the Lord's sight. She seized the moment, prioritized the presence of the Lord, and sat at His feet to receive anything and everything He had to share. Martha chose work, while Mary chose worship — "that good part."

 

Even today, many Christians are worried and troubled by the ills of the world and the work to be done to cure them. Yes, there is work to do, but not the work we think.

 

Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6:29)

 

All our works must flow from our faith in Christ, not out of our sense of goodness, urgency, or duty. Before we set out to serve God, let’s receive the instruction He gives to those who sit at His feet. Only then are we equipped to do the works of the Kingdom. For now, sit still. Jesus is speaking. 

 

Let's Pray - Dear Father, may we always prioritize the value of sitting at Your feet. Down at Your feet, o Lord, is the highest place! Amen.

Perfect in Christ

"Him (Jesus) we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 1:28)

We must never tire of preaching the Gospel, and warning men and women of death and hell that awaits those who reject Jesus. Some are saved by the Word's sweet encouragement and promises, and some are snatched from the fire while barely escaping the flames. Either way, we must go, and we must preach. Men will hate us, because our words sting with conviction; but some will hear gladly, confess their sins, repent, and turn from death to life. Only God knows who's who, and we are to preach whether or not we see anyone or anything change. It's God's business to save and our business to preach. 

Beware of the temptation to appeal to men by serving their needs and softening the message of salvation. If man's acceptance is important to us, we will become traitors to Jesus every time, and we will present ourselves and man's goodness as God's standard. God forbid! 

Jesus preached the truth and cared nothing about the consequences. He knew that everyone the Father predestined to hear and accept the truth would do so and be saved. His mission was to complete the work He was sent to do, and He did just that. You and I must do the same, and God will use our fierce dedication to Jesus and His message to bring many sons and daughters to glory — to present every man and woman perfect in Christ. That's what it means to preach in the way God approves, and His approval must be all that matters.

Let’s Pray – Dear Lord, may the message we carry be true to Jesus Christ, and may we not be concerned about what it costs us to preach the truth, but what it cost Jesus! In Him alone, Amen.

The Lord’s Correction

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11-12)

 

Some men would rather argue and cry "foul" than receive correction, so they are not yet trustworthy with ministry or spiritual things. God is calling His servants to put away childish things, grow up in Him, and serve Him acceptably. This can only be accomplished by those who have learned to receive His correction and discipline, and that is one way the Lord shows His love.

 

We are more and more fit for the Master's use as we learn to wait and depend on Him, as difficult as that might be. If you are going through hardship today as a servant of the Lord, He is getting you pass your self-sufficiency. God's true servants will be found abiding and placing all their hope in Him. 

 

So, rest in the fact that God's correction is a sign that He delights in you. Receive His discipline and be blessed. That is what it means to be His child.

Let's Pray – Lord, I gladly receive Your hand of correction, because it leads me to repentance, and repentance leads me to the Cross. That is where my sins are forgiven, and my burden is lifted. That is where I am made more like Jesus. That is where I want to be. Amen.

The Door to Fullness

“There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” (John 6:9)

Emptiness is the door to fullness in the Kingdom. When we are full of resources, knowledge, and worldly wisdom, we will never turn to God, but to our own ingenuity. Too often, we are worried about not having enough, and we are so convinced that all we need is “more,” that we don't bother to thank God and offer Him the little we have. Being in need is not a curse, but a blessing when we take that need to God in faith.

 

The Lord will take us through seasons of lack, so that we might learn that He is our Sufficiency. That way, He can place us in any situation and trust us to look to Him, and not to our own devices. The miracle happens when we see "not enough" as the opportunity to trust God and exercise our faith. It is the mustard seed of faith that moves mountains and uproots the trees that stand between us and victory in Christ Jesus.

 

If the Lord fed five thousand men plus women and children with two fish and five barley loaves, imagine what He will do for us, if we offer Him what we have. Remember, nothing is impossible with God, and with God, impossible is nothing.

 

Let’s Pray – Lord, help me to see my lack as an opportunity to ask and believe! I know that You will provide everything necessary for life and godliness, so I ask believing! In Jesus name, Amen.

My True Family

And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” (Mark 3:34-35)

Every relationship has a reason and a season in the life of a believer, and the nature of those relationships must meet the Lord's standard. New wine cannot be poured into the old wineskin of family ties and natural affinities. If we insist on maintaining and pursuing those relationships, we cannot offer ourselves to God for Him to do what He pleases (remember Abraham was separated from his family, even from Lot). The efforts we put into those relationships are much better spent moving forward in Christ and embracing the family of God. There are fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters in the faith right before our eyes, sitting at the feet of Jesus!

 

If we consecrate our lives to the Lord, some will take offense. They will accuse us of being self-righteous and religious, "too good" for the people we once associated with. We must not give in to that kind of talk and keep our eyes on Jesus once we’ve begun to follow Him. We are His, and He is not simply leading us away from our past, but He is leading us in the righteous path. That path is narrow, and few find it.

 

Remember, while many are called, few are chosen; and the chosen ones are found at the feet of Jesus, hearing His Word, and  doing His will. That is the true meaning of family. 

 

Let's Pray – Thank You, Lord, for the church of Jesus Christ, which is my family. I am eternally grateful to be called a child of the Most High, and I will spend my days with my brothers and sisters giving You the worship You deserve. In Jesus, my Lord. Amen.

Found in Him

And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” (John 6:65)

Be careful not to let the difficulties in your ministry lead you into frustration. This disposition is always a result of an improper focus — you've taken your eyes off Jesus. The best thing you can do is to stop looking at others and your desires to see them saved and sanctified; then look squarely on Jesus, follow Him, and let God do as He will. Some of us don't go on with God, because we are caught up with folks who have not seen or heard like we have. Leave them to God — their salvation is His province. Jesus says to you, "Follow Me."

 

It doesn't matter how well you preach, how solid your doctrine, or how sound your academic and corporate systems. Men may heed those things, but God does not. The Lord looks for the man or woman He can trust with souls. He searches for the leader who serves the needs of others above himself, and one who does not need success and acceptance from men. 

All progress in ministry comes through the Holy Spirit, for He alone reveals the Son, who alone reveals the Father. That is the way of true service, and there will never be another way.

 

Ministry cannot be calculated, measured, or systematized in order to reach the lost. Godly service comes through sacrifice, suffering, humility, and obedience. That is how Jesus served, and those committed to Him do the same.

Let’s Pray – Lord, I want to be found in Jesus. That is the essential attribute I wish to possess – the abiding presence of the Lord. I am willing to let all else work itself out. I just want to be found in You. Amen.