When you follow Jesus, sometimes it's your "close friends/associates/family" that fight you the hardest.

I usually begin with scripture and spend the rest of the posting in an explanation of that scripture. As you have seen, the last couple were not in that pattern and neither will this one be. 

Making the commitment to follow Jesus is a wonderful thing. It's choosing to give up your sins, your selfishness, and your old life in order to begin learning to live life by God's rules. It's learning to have faith in and completely trust the God of the universe with everything in your life: Finances, Relationships, Jobs, entertainment, time, health, and so on. 

But, notice I didn't say following Jesus was easy. I didn't say "making a decision for Jesus." In fact, there's no scripture that says we are to "make a decision for Jesus." Following Jesus is not like deciding what outfit to wear. In your closet, there are multiple choices and all may have equal merit. In Jesus, it's an all or nothing thing. It's a total commitment or it's no relationship with Jesus at all. 

There is no other choice if going to heaven is our goal. It's Jesus or Hell. It's his way or the end of the highway. 

But, there's another thing we must be aware of: some people that we respected will not be in favor of our new belief nor the life changes that accompany it. 

First, let's look at family. The people that we have looked to for the better part of our lives for comfort, counsel, and even help, may not give positive feedback to your commitment. Some may only give a cursory "That's nice," or, "I'm happy for you." Other's may be outright hostile towards you. People have lost family relationships with parents, siblings, children, close kin, and spouses due to their becoming a Biblical Christian. 

When Jesus began his public mission his brothers openly mocked him. They believed he was about lifting himself up. They thought he was another false Messiah: 

2 Now the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand.

3 His brethren, therefore, said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

4 For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.

(John 7:2-4)

Jesus didn't defend himself. He didn't attack them. He just calmly went about his business. But, due to the witness of the spirit of God in his life, his mother and at least 2 brothers (James and Jude) became his followers. 

So, pray for them and live the life of Jesus before them. There's always hope that they will see Jesus in you and be converted one day. 

There's evidence (inconclusive) in the scripture that Paul was married at one time. I believe he was. Part of being a good Pharisee was to be married and carry on his Jewish heritage through his family line. 

I also believe that Paul was divorced. 

12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. (1 Corinthians 7:12-15)

He says this with the sensitivity of a man who had lived and prayed through the process of losing his spouse himself. 

I believe the great Apostle Paul lost his spouse due to his conversion to Jesus. 

As a Pharisee, Paul had grown to be a powerful and popular man. He worked hand in hand with the Sanhedrin (Pharisees and Sadducees) in trying to stamp our Christianity. (Acts chapters 8&9). He was trained and educated by the famous teacher Gamaliel (Acts 22:3-5). 

Yet, after he was converted, the same men that had once been his allies became his greatest enemies. They persecuted him and had him beaten 5 times in the same way Jesus was beaten, he was beaten with a rod 3 times and stoned once - at the behest of his once-close colleagues! (2 Corinthians 11:24-31)

Yes, when we decide to commit to and obey Jesus, it changes our lives for the better spiritually, but it can also bring on a whole host of other problems we've never faced. Some of them extremely painful. Paul lost friends, family, and respected colleagues. He lost position in society, money, and position in the Temple he'd grown up in and loved.

But, he gained the high calling of Jesus! 

Living for Jesus is not a cakewalk. It takes real commitment. There are many things that the world will throw at you in its efforts to pull you away from Jesus. It is not easy. That's why it takes more than a decision for Jesus. It takes a commitment. And with that commitment comes obedience to Jesus. 

Without obedience, he cannot be our Lord. If he is not our Lord, he cannot be our Savior. 

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

God's power is not a lottery ticket. It's a necessity for our lives.

Mark 16:16-18

King James Version

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Acts 2: 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

I'm not the only one to notice this, but there's something missing in the church today. Jesus and the Apostles prayed for multitudes and they were healed, delivered, set free, changed immediately. In fact, the normal standard for the time was complete and immediate healing. 

Now there is a school of thought that says that the gifts of the spirit were for only the Apostles and those that they personally laid hands-on, but no further. The scriptures above disprove that theory. In Mark, it says, "these signs SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE." That's everybody that believes. It doesn't say the signs will follow "you and all you lay hands on and nobody else after that who believe." 

And to further destroy the argument, in Acts 2 the Apostles teach that the promise (what promise? The promise of the Holy Ghost! Acts 1: 4-8) is unto you (that generation), and to your children (next generation), and to all that are afar off (all following generations) even as many as the Lord our God shall call (until the Lord returns at the end)." So the infilling of the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the spirit that come along with it are supposed to be a part of the church until Jesus returns! 

That having been said, what's wrong with the church? We get together and we sing, clap, dance, praise, worship, hear fireball preaching, etc. But, it's very rare (in the western world) that we see the Lord "confirming the word with signs following." (Mark 16:20). 

Yes, there are examples of the Lord blessing people with healing, deliverance, finances, etc, in our services, but it's different. In scripture, nearly all healings and deliverance happened immediately- yes that means instantaneously. Rarely was it not immediate. 

Now, when it happens, it's usually a process of repeated prayer and time. Immediate healing is rare.  We go to church. Go through at least part of the service. Feel the spirit's moving. Go up for the preacher (and sometimes a few fellow saints) to pray for us. Feel the touch of the spirit. And go home believing for, but not seeing the healing we're needing. Our faith grows some because we felt the touch of God. We see some improvement over what it was. But, the problem persists. It can sometimes take weeks or months to be completely healed of the problem. BY then, if we testify of the healing to an unbeliever, they- in their minds- can say "it happened naturally over time. The prayers had little or nothing to do with it."

Yet, the same preacher that prayed for us, can go to a third world country that's full of abject poverty and see blinded eyes opened, limbs replaced, cancerous tumors disappear, demons cast out (they don't refer them to a psychiatrist to be given medicine for their mental issues), etc. 

Why? Why is there such a big difference in results between the affluent countries and the poor? 

THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BELIEVE. We have doctors and medicines and psychiatrists. So, we treat God as a lottery ticket. We go up and buy our ticket: "I'll take a chance on prayer. If God heals me, great! If not, I can always go to the doctor." That's why we don't ask for prayer for a cold. We know we can buy Nyquil. Why ask for prayer when it's a simple medicinal fix? 

I'm not against doctors in principle. Luke in scripture was a doctor. But, you don't hear of Luke taking his bag to sick folks homes and only calling in Paul to pray if his medicines didn't work. I believe it had to be the other way around! Luke started following Paul and his God precisely because when Paul preached, 

"3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

(1 Corinthians 2:3-5)

Luke, the man of science, was converted to Jesus because he saw diseases and afflictions he had battled for years being healed with a prayer! 

There were many that confused people with their eloquent, educated and enticing words, but Paul challenged them with this: 

18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. (1 Corinthians 4:18-20)

Basically, Paul was saying, you might speak well, but have you got the power? We shall see! 

But, not only have we stopped relying on God, we've truly stopped following him like they did. I believe there's another reason for our lack of power. 

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

The people of the early church spent nearly every day in a state of prayer. Yes, they had chores and jobs to do, but, they truly relied on God for everything, They believed that it is in God that:

"28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. " (Acts 17:28)

God is who allows us to work. God allows us to breath. God allows us to walk. God allows us to think. God truly is in control. 

So, why do we spend so little time with him? Hebrews 12 tells us to lay aside every weight AND the sin that so easily besets us. We know sin separates us from God, but do we understand that there are habits and practices in our lives that are not sinful- but they are thieves of time? We are only given so much time. 

Twenty Four hours a day is all we get. If we spend that time playing games, scrolling Facebook, watching youtube, etc, how much time have we used up that could have been spent with God? How much praying could we have done? How much reading and studying the scriptures could we have done? 

How much time did the Apostles spend with God after they got the Holy Ghost? 

Acts 6: And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Yes, ministers are to be servants to the people, but the congregation had grown to the point that it was interfering with the more important job of studying the Word and praying. The apostles were going from house to house daily teaching and preaching and praying. God was adding new born again believers every day. God was healing people every day. They had to study and pray for hours every day in order to recharge their spiritual batteries for the next home service.

Contrary to many folks teaching, being filled with the Holy Ghost is not a one-time thing. Three times in the first four chapters of Acts, the word records the Apostles (and those with them) being filled with the Holy Ghost. We, like a car, can only go so far before we need a refill. The early church had to pray and study every day to grow their faith.  

I love my wife dearly, but we didn't meet and get married. We met and liked each other. As our relationship grew we spent more and more time together talking- getting to know each other. The more we knew, the more we trusted each other. Finally, we ended up married- and we've grown from there. I trust my wife implicitly. I can trust her with my feelings, my thoughts, my past, my present, and my future. I have no need for any other women because she has my complete trust. I know she won't do anything to harm me and only wants my good. 

The more time we spend with God in his word and in prayer, the closer our relationship will become. The closer our relationship becomes, the more faith we develop in God. The deeper our relationship grows, the stronger our faith becomes. 

Now, the stronger our relationship becomes, and the deeper our faith becomes, the more we understand that he means what he says and says what he means. He has only our good in mind. When he says, "by (his) stripes we are healed," (1 Peter 2:24) he means it. 

So, why do we not see God moving in the "educated and enlightened" world we live in like he did back then and does now in "backwoods places (as many call them)?" 

We've made God unnecessary in our daily lives. Our faith is small because we do not allow him room in our lives to prove himself. If we would lay aside the weights that tie us down and spend time with him in prayer and his word, we'd be amazed at what he'd do. If we would understand that his love is everlasting and that he truly is ALMIGHTY, then we would be awed by the works that he would begin to do among us once again.

There are some among us that he uses in this manner even now. But, we treat them as if they are just odd prophets that swoop in and do things for us and leave. But, scripture doesn't say it's only for a select few. Scripture says, "these signs shall follow them that believe." 

People like to sing about the "old-time religion," but the real old-time religion had God confirming his word with signs and wonders. 

We have a faith problem and we have a relationship problem. 

We need to turn off the TV and the Computer and go into prayer. We need to put down our hobbies and books and start spending time in prayer with him.

God has not changed. What he did then, he will do now. What he does overseas, he will do here. God's power is not a lottery ticket that might bless our lives. He is a necessity to carry us through this life and into eternity. 

I'm troubled about many things in these troubled times. Please join me in prayer.

I have my own personal issues that I could probably fill several pages up with. But, I'll make it short and sweet. Please pray for my family.

Looking around at the broader picture is even more troubling.

There are people running scared to death worried about a virus that has a much lower kill rate than the Flu. I'm not advocating foolishness, but who do you put your trust in? God? Or the Government?

If your faith is in man's government, get ready to be very disappointed! As Reagan said, "The scariest words in the English language are "I'm from the government and I'm here to help." If the Government is our help, you can bet it will put them even further in our pockets and lives- and it will come at a very steep cost!

If God is who you trust, then keep praying and let him have control. He's busy working everything for our good and his glory. So, just hold on, help is on the way! Count your blessings. How many times has he made a way where there seems to be no way?

One time we were in desperate need and God sent a little old lady over with a sack full of groceries to feed our young family! One time we were so in need, my wife and daughters were out in an abandoned yard picking Raspberries and Blackberries, when a church van full of food showed up in our driveway! One time my wife and I weren't working for 6 months (not by choice) and God kept us fed, clothed, sheltered, gas in the car, etc for 6 months! Whatever you're going through, rest in him! He will make a way!

There are powerful people within our government that are trying to use this virus crisis to crash the economy in order to 1) steal the upcoming elections and 2) even go so far as to completely convert our nation to a Socialist nation! And many people do not know how bad this would be!

Look at Venezuela. They had a democratic government and a thriving economy. The people were promised lots of government freebies if they voted in a socialistic government. They did. Now, a dozen eggs cost them a month's wages! It's horrible!

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Someone has to pay for it. If we go full socialism, say goodbye to free speech. Say goodbye to freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom to own things yourself- even freedom of your own bank account. There will be no more freedom to work hard and make your own way and care for your family!

We now have a government that is willing to let hundreds of people go to a business but will only allow 10 inside of a church. They close churches and allow abortion clinics and liquor stores to stay open? Does any of this make sense to anybody?

As Reagan said, if we lose freedom here, there is nowhere else to run to. America is the last bastion of freedom left on earth.

On the flip side, there are those who are ready to go to arms to fight the government because of the acts of tyranny the Government has already done. I understand this. I even to some degree support it, if necessary. But, we better be very sure there's not a better way to do this before we start pulling triggers.

There's no such thing as a clean war. Evils are perpetrated on all sides. Many thousands would die- and not just of bullets, but of starvation and pestilence. And even if we went to war and won, who's to say the government we end up with won't be worse than the one we fought? When one set of humans defeats another, there's a tendency to try and keep punishing the losers and buckle down on the winners to be sure they won't turn into being like the losers were.

Yes, there are many changes that should and need to be made, but those changes must start in the hearts of men. And only God can make those changes.

Trusting the courts to make changes is like rolling dice to win a dollar. Many times you don't get the results you hoped for.

Trusting elected officials to make the necessary changes is a bit like asking the mob to stop pushing gambling. Politicians have a vested personal interest in the Government complex growing and getting bigger.

Trusting company's to do the right thing is just as much a fools errand as trusting politicians. Corporations are after one thing and one thing only, the almighty dollar. And they will do whatever they believe they need to do to people in order to secure ever larger pieces of the monetary pie. Companies are even now having farmers throw away perfectly good food products in order to keep the prices higher during this crisis.

No, you cannot force change. You cannot legislate change. The only true and lasting change must come from the heart. And the only being capable of truly changing the hearts of man is Jesus (God almighty).

So, join me in praying for our families, our communities, and our nations! In truth, Jesus is the only hope we have! And only Jesus can be trusted to make the necessary changes in the hearts of mankind that will help everyone.

Pray, people pray. If we pray, we have hope. If we do not pray, we have no hope. Pray like you've never prayed before!

Prayer and ministry go hand in hand, but prayer is the higher calling.

Jesus prayed daily- usually many times a day.

Note to the ministry: Ministry happens anytime, anyplace. It is not just a “church meeting thing.”

The man Christ Jesus understood this. He understood that the flesh can do nothing apart from God's empowerment. 

So, he prayed. Daily and, in fact, several times a day.

We are to pray, first and foremost, for a closer walk (a stronger relationship) with God. 

Ministry flows from our walk with God. Our walk with God does not flow from our ministry. As we pray and walk and talk with God, he can guide us to minister to others in unexpected ways. He can open the door for ministry in places we never dreamed of. If we stay prayed up, he will begin to lift us up (in him, I mean. I'm not advocating a prosperity doctrine.). Why? To lift his name to a lost and dying world!

How often should we pray?

Short answer: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

The word “ceasing” here means “without intermission, incessantly, assiduously.”

Incessantly means “without stopping.” Without intermission means “without a break.” Assiduously means “showing great care, attention, and effort.”

By this definition, if we take it literally, we would all die soon after becoming a Christian. If we could never take a break, or stop praying, then we would never be able to eat, drink, sleep, potty, study the word, work for our living, etc. So, is he truly saying we must physically pray all day, every day?

I think not.

However, I do believe he is telling us not to neglect our prayer time with God. Always have an attitude of prayer. Always make prayer a priority. Do not let it get lost in the business of life or ministry. Make it a priority. Do it with “great care, attention, and effort.” Don't let it become a ritual of words. Don't reduce it to a short phrase or two. Do it with all we have!

David says in Psalms 63:1:

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; “

So, we should start our day, even if we must get up a little earlier, with concentrated and consistent prayer. Is that all?

Isaiah 26:9 seems to hint at nighttime prayer, in addition to morning prayer:

“With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. “

Daniel prayed three times a day:

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”- Daniel 6:10

And this he did, despite the king’s order that no man should pray to any other god, besides the statue that he had just erected. Daniel knew he was risking his life by praying to God. But he also knew that his time with God was the most important thing in his life. He might die from his choice, but at least he'd be right with God.

As far as I know, there is no limit on how many times a day we should pray- just as there is no prescribed time period we should pray for. Follow the leading of the spirit of God. Allow him to lead you. But, do not neglect prayer. Make it your top priority every day.

Without it, we become dry and hard. With it, we are watered with his spirit and pliable in his hands. 

Without it, we become a Pharisee. With it, we have his love to reach out to others.

Some of the saddest words in scripture are these:

Ezekiel 22:29-31King James Version (KJV)

29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.

30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God.

Part of our prayers are praise. Part of our prayers is for our needs. But what God really wants are intercessors. He wants people who will pray for his intervention into the lives of people (and nations) that are not right with him.

How many people have we seen and thought, "They need God!" That should be a prayer prompt. 

How many people ask for prayer? Don't just say you'll pray, pray with them right there.

How many politicians and leaders are heading in unbiblical directions and advocating ungodly policies? Pray for them.

How many are sick with cancer, diabetes, blood problems, Covid-19, etc? Pray for them. 

If we think about it, there are millions of things and people to pray about and for. 

The more we pray, the closer we will get to God's heart. The closer we get to God's heart, the more we will pray, and the more we will be moved with the same compassion that he feels for lost souls, for hurting people. 

There is no higher calling than that of being a prayer warrior. Remember, somebody, prayed for us. Can we not return the favor?  

It's not glamorous. It's not glorious. People do not lift it up. But, to God, it is the highest calling we can ever have. Plus, you will grow closer to God than you ever dreamed possible. 

Finishing well- a heartfelt prayer.

I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. I've done a lot of wrong things. I've taken a lot of wrong turns.

Even with my walk with Jesus, I've stumbled and fallen more than my fair share.

I'm 54 years old now. I don't know how many years I have left. Della and I would like 60 more years together to love Jesus, love each other, and love other people. Scripture says I'm not promised tomorrow.

All I know is that I've reached a place in my life where my number one priority is to be sure that I run the rest of my race the right way- and that I finish my journey well for Jesus and my family.

That's my prayer. That's my plea to my Lord. Help me to finish just as well as I messed up when I started. Help me to redeem the time I have left by loving my family, loving others, and holding on to you with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. Cause at the end of the day, that's all that truly matters.

The burden and the joy of teaching- Preaching will save you, but teaching will keep you!

Ephesians 4:11-16

King James Version

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

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

13 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 fulness of Christ:

14 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, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Preachers. 

Everybody loves preachers. 

Yes, the Bible does say that by "the foolishness of preaching" God will save the lost. (1 Corinthians 1:21). So, everyone is all fascinated by preachers. It's not uncommon to hear folks say, "I go to brother (x)'s church. He's a great man of God!" or "I love to hear brother (y) preach!" If they don't already have one, and somebody actually wanted to start one, there could probably be a multi-million dollar magazine- similar to the magazines at the grocery store check out lines that are all about the "stars" of our country (Who's in what movie, who's sleeping with who, etc)- all about preachers. Where they are preaching, what they are preaching, who had the "biggest move of God" this week. Top 10 most popular preachers! Sounds crazy, but some folks actually argue over that kind of stuff! 

Furthermore, in many places, seems like everybody has a Title. There's Pastor Jones, Evangelists Franks, Prophet Johnson, Apostle Horne, Bishop Johnson, Elder James, Deacon Grant (all made-up names to go with the Title, used for effect only). It seems nobody can be just Brother Mike or Sister Della anymore. Nobody's happy with just being part of the family of God. Everybody's got to have a Title! Nobody's content with doing things for the Lord and for people. We gotta have a special Title to go with it so we're recognized. I thought it was all about Jesus, not us?

Some get really crazy and add Titles the Bible doesn't truly mention: Senior Pastor, Chief Apostle (Yes, there are a couple of verses in Corinthians where Paul is trying to give honor to the rest of the Apostles and saying he's less than them where he talks about them as the chiefest Apostles, but Paul wasn't giving them a Title. He was merely esteeming his brethren as better than himself), Chief Elder, Head Deacon, General Secretary, General Superintendent, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear some folks call themselves Senior most excellent Apostle of (x) someday. Everybody wants a Title and everybody wants to be a preacher. 

But, though I've heard of Sunday School Superintendent -again not a Biblical Title, but an important job- I've never heard anyone making sure they are called Sunday School Superintendent Jackson. Why? It's not as glamorous. Why? It doesn't make you look large and in charge. After all, all they do is teach sometimes and make sure the right teachers are in the right classrooms. And you never hear somebody called Teacher Hanks! There's no "glory" in that Title in most people's eyes. But, teachers are a part of the "five-fold ministry!"

Let me tell the church world something. God didn't robe himself in flesh, go through Calvary, defeat death hell and the grave, and pour his spirit out on all flesh in order to create a religious upper class that everybody is to look up to! We are all equal in his sight! It doesn't matter what he's called us to do, we are all part of the body of Christ! He condemned those types of folks in the Bible. They're called Pharisees and Sadducees! The finger of the body is just as important as the big toe, or the knee, or the lungs, or the eyes, or a hair follicle. Everybody has a part in the body. Everybody has a calling. And I can't find a single scripture where we are told to be sure that calling becomes a Title and our name is to follow right after it! 

And one more thing before I get off my soapbox:

Yes God ordained preaching. I'm not belittling that calling. But, while Preaching will save you, TEACHING WILL KEEP YOU SAVED!!! Don't believe me? Read on and you'll see what I mean. 

So, today we want to take a look at a group of people that don't get a lot of praise and adoration in most churches: Teachers. 

Everybody talks about the "fivefold ministry" in Ephesians 1:11. And yes, 4 of the 5 listed there are preachers of some sort (pastors, apostles, prophets, and evangelists). These usually get the spotlight, the pats on the back, and (if there's any given) the money. Preachers get all the Glory. Preachers get all the hype. 

I contend that this verse should actually be called, the four-fold ministry. Why? Because it says Apostles (semi-colon) Prophets (semicolon) Evangelists (semicolon) Pastors AND Teachers (no separation of any kind between the two. In fact, Paul instructed Timothy to be "Apt to teach." (2 Timothy 2:24) Even Bishops are told to be "apt to teach." (1 Timothy 3:2) So truthfully, "Pastors and Teachers", in my humble opinion is the same office! If you're a pastor, but you can only preach, you need to step down!

In fact, let's break down some new Testament facts:

Matthew through John, we see Jesus ministering and doing miracles. In most places, it doesn't say that he preached. Most of the time it said he taught!!!

Yes, we have preaching in the book of Acts. But, it also tells us that they went from house to house breaking bread (teaching? Acts 2:46), in every house they ceased NOT to teach and to preach Jesus (Acts 5:42), and Paul showed the people and taught both publically and house to house (Acts 20:20).

Then from Romans through Jude, we have letters from the Apostles to CHURCHES and CHURCH PEOPLE teaching them (and us) how to STAY SAVED.

Finally, we have Revelations. It's a book of Prophecy given to the Apostle John to TEACH THE CHURCH ABOUT THINGS TO COME.

Notice a pattern here anybody?

We have 27 books in the New Testament. And nearly ALL of them are almost totally focused on TEACHING!! Preaching is awesome! I love to hear good preaching. I do preach myself sometimes. Preaching has an awesome place in the economy of God. But, my point is that TEACHING IS EVERY BIT AS NECESSARY AS PREACHING!! If you're called to teach the word of God, don't hang your head and act as if you're a secondary citizen in the kingdom of God. Be honored that God has called you into an awesome and necessary ministry!

There is a famine of the word of God in the land- worldwide. And it's not because of preaching. It's a lack of teaching!!

There are different ways to teach.

Some are called to go from house to house and teach Bible studies. There is such a need to do this! Many people won't go to the house of God, but they will accept a Bible study in their own home. Do it with wisdom. The enemy has many traps out there. But, there are ways to do it and do it well. Indeed, those safe ways need to be taught!

Some can lead small group studies in their own home. What do you think the Apostles were doing when they went from house to house teaching? And there are many good ways to do that! 

In the church building, there are different ways as well. 

Sunday Schools are very important, but most don't do it right, I believe. 

It used to be that Churches took teaching seriously. Teachers didn't use the Sunday School curriculum. Rather, they had their Bibles out. They studied and prayed until the Lord gave them a lesson for their class. Then, when they got the message, they prayed for ways to teach those lessons to their students that would reach into the student's hearts and impact their lives!  

There are people in our churches that have expertise in areas that are needful: 

Titus 2 tells us that Godly older women are to teach younger women about marriage and family and living for God. It also says Godly older men are to teach the younger men about marriage and family and living for God.  And it doesn't have to be the same older saints teaching them. It can be rotated around. After all, different older people have gone through different experiences and have valuable Biblical insight into these topics they can pass on. 

While we do not all agree on every topic, there are folks that know scriptures well. They can teach others what they've learned through prayer, study, and experience how to teach folks about Salvation, the Godhead, Holiness, etc. 

If you have musicians and singers that know how to teach music to younger folks, and you have the facilities to do it, what's wrong with teaching them at church? It can be done during Sunday School, or at some other time. But, it needs to be taught. 

Some folks could teach end-time theology. Yes, there are differing views on the subject, but what's wrong with teaching each of these views and letting the saints pray and see how God leads?

Some could even teach how to study scripture itself! Different teachers could rotate through, explaining what works for them. After all, people learn differently. Eventually, somebody's way of studying is bound to click with them.

There are many, many subjects, specialty classes, etc that can be taught that could help the church family to progress in their homes and in the family of God. God's house has many rooms. If people aren't taught about all this stuff (the gifts of the spirit and their Biblical explanations and use, the fruits of the spirit and how we learn to bear fruit, new converts classes to explain the basic doctrines of Christianity, the different callings and giftings that scripture teaches so that folks maybe can see the direction God is leading them, and on and on!

How many churches are doing these kinds of things? I understand that some do not have the facilities or the people to do all of this. But, pray about it! Some of these things can be done! And more can be added as the Lord allows in the future.

And while I'm on the subject, just because you're a pastor or prophet or Apostle, or evangelist doesn't mean a) you can't teach some of this stuff and b) you don't need to be taught some of this stuff yourself!

While there is great preaching in the land, there is also bad preaching in the land. Teaching, along with prayer and personal study, will allow us to recognize bad preaching and bad teaching when we hear it. That way, we can consciously reject the bad and keep the good.

Pastor Jeff Arnold tells his testimony of how he was trying to find God years ago. He and his wife were in a denominal church. But, because his wife had grown up in a godly Apostolic Aunts home, she was able to warn Brother Jeff off of bad doctrine and point him to true doctrine.

Because a SUNDAY SCHOOL teacher had a burden and taught sister Arnold truth, Brother Arnold would later be born again and their ministry would impact millions of lives!

Teaching is too important to leave to chance. Teaching is too important to leave to organizational Sunday School books. It must be done in prayer, sometimes fasting, and personal Bible study so that the TEACHER can get a lesson and anointing from God! Only then will it be Biblical teaching. And only then will it have an impact on the students that they teach.

Why do people think it's okay to be gay? The world teaches them it is- and the church doesn't teach that it's evil! Some do, but many don't.

Why do people think it's okay to watch whatever they want, read whatever they want, listen to whatever they want, wear whatever they want, sleep with whomever they want, etc? The world teaches them it's okay- but many churches don't teach them it's not!

To change and paraphrase what I heard Pastor Wayne Huntley say in a sermon called, "Preach them out of hell:" TEACH, TEACH, TEACH, TEACH, TEACH, TEACHER!!! " We need to teach them so that they will stay out of hell!

So please, church, please! PLEASE return back to actually praying, studying, and teaching the word of God! Please do not take your calling as a teacher lightly. It means the difference between heaven and hell for some of your students.

Remember, Preaching will save you, but teaching will keep you!!!

An unexpected blessing!

John 1:45-50

King James Version

45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

Today, my family and I were going through our daily activities when the mail arrived. There was a card in the mail from a dear loved one. What a blessing! I definitely was not expecting this. An unexpected blessing is always a welcome change. It's like a cool drink of water in a desert place!

It made me think of another unexpected blessing.

Nathanael was a good man. A respected man. One who apparently was well versed in the law and the scriptures. He also was a man of keen insight and quick wit.  

How do we know this? 

When his dear friend Philip came to him (you always go to your closest friends and loved ones first when you have good news, right?) claiming to have found the Messiah, Philip told him the Messiah's name: Jesus of Nazareth. 

Immediately, Philip searches his memory of the scriptures and thinks, "Messiah? From Nazareth?" His scriptural quip is basically saying, "Please show me any scripture for the Messiah coming out of Nazareth. I'd love to see this!" 

You can almost hear the wry tone of voice!

Rather than engage in a scriptural debate, Philip simply says, "Come and See!"

How many more people could be won to the Lord if, rather than engaging them in trying to win the debate with them, we'd simply say, "come and see this Jesus I'm talking about!" 

Look at what he's done in my life! Look at how he works in our church! Look at his healings! See his deliverance! Feel his love! Yes, people can argue scripture, but they cannot argue your testimony, 

If we can get them into the presence of Jesus, and they can "Taste and see" how good he is, then they'll be open to hearing more about the scriptures. 

So, Nathanael follows Philip to where Jesus was. Truly, Nathanael was skeptical, but he couldn't help but feel some of the hopeful excitement and optimism that Philip most definitely had. You can almost see Philip, much like a young boy, dragging Nathanael behind him to meet Jesus! 

Then, Jesus does the most amazing thing. He didn't introduce himself to Nathanael. There was no formal, "Hello, I'm Jesus. And who are you?" 

Rather, Jesus speaks to Nathanael and says, "Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile!" It's as if Nathanael were an honored guest and Jesus was announcing him to the world. In fact, what Jesus actually said about him was, "INSIDE of Nathanael, there is NO subtlety, NO Deceit, and NO trickery of any kind!"

WOW!

How many men and women do you know that could have that statement said about them? 

May we all strive for that! No manipulation and no decoys. In other words, as it says in Matthew 5:37, "Let your communication be yea, yea, nay, nay, for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."

Nathanael is so taken back he asks Jesus, "how do you know me?" He's shocked. Jesus has talked to him as if he's a lifelong friend. He's confused.

But Jesus doesn't let him remain confused. Just as with us, he only allows our confusion to last for so long before he speaks his word into our confusion and rolls back the fog with his light. 

"Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee."

We're not told how far Philip and Nathanael had to go to see Jesus, but evidently, it was not from a nearby place that they traveled. Nathanael searched his mind and tried to remember seeing Jesus and his men pass by him while he relaxed under the fig tree. He knew that, even though he knew no one else, he did know Philip. He would've remembered seeing Philip and this small band passing by him. 

The implications of Jesus's words hit Nathanael like a ton of bricks. Jesus had not physically been there! YET, he had seen Nathanael there. He had known Nathanaels's character without knowing him physically! ONLY GOD COULD DO THIS!

He fell to his knees and cried out to Jesus, "Rabbi, thou art the son of God. Thou art the King of Israel!"

By calling Jesus Rabbi, he was offering to submit himself totally to Jesus. By calling Jesus the son of God and the King of Israel, he was recognizing Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! 

How many people today are willing to do that? 

Notice Jesus's response though: 

"Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these."

I didn't have to even do a miracle. All I had to do was reveal that I foreknew you and you believe? Hold on, baby! You ain't seen nothing yet!

Remember, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:" (John 6:44a)?

Here is a perfect example. Nathanael had no idea who Jesus was. This was before Jesus was famous. Yet, before Jesus was even a thought in Nathanael's mind and before Nathanael could submit himself to Jesus, Jesus was already watching and calling Nathanael. 

Just like Israel of old, we don't choose God. God chooses us. We don't just arbitrarily decide one day to look into the things of God and find him. God begins little by little, day by day, to call out to our souls. 

And if we respond to his calling, what a wonderfully unexpected blessing we receive!