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SASKATOON
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Saskatoon City Website
Article Archive |
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| What is Revival? - by Mark Wicks |
| It has been incorrectly assumed that revival is when you
see great numbers of new people heading into and remaining in churches
that once held no interest for them. This is not revival. One dictionary definition comes close to the mark describing revival as
"a restoration to use, acceptance, activity, or vigor after a period
of obscurity or quiescence."
First, you cannot be "revived" if you were never previously
"vived." The basic components of the word literally mean
"to come to life again". It requires that you were once
"alive" in order order for you to become "alive"
again. The new people showing up in large numbers is not the revival. It is
the result of revival. They come as a result of what you do
as the result of your coming to life again.
For example, you become inspired by the fact that Jesus said to go into
all the world and preach the gospel. You commit to telling everyone around
you about the good things that have happened in your life since you began
a personal relationship with God. the result could be that several people
become curious about how they could have a similar relationship with him.
The revival is not that they have become revived, it is that your personal
revival in testifying drew those people toward God.
If you had not acted, revival would not have taken root in you and
there would be no change in those around you. |
| Get Lit, Stay Lit - by Mark Wicks |
| Recently, Saskatoon was visited by the Todd Bentley
Crusade via the Saskatoon Ablaze meetings that were held at Avenue H
and 20th Street. I was happy to see that many of the churches in Saskatoon were able
to combine their unique gifting and put together a city-wide
evangelical outreach that was more extensive than anything I have seen
since I have been in Saskatoon. This begs a question. Why did it take some outside ministry to come
to this city to get us mobilized? After all, the majority of the setup
and operation of the Saskatoon Ablaze Crusade was done by Saskatoon
people!
For the few weeks during the preparation and presentation of the
crusade quite a few people got involved from several churches and
ministries that already are in existence here. In fact, some of our
local leaders actually brought most of the messages to the people. Did
we really need Todd Bentley and crew to light a fire under us? Now
that they have moved on to the next crusade, what are we doing?
It was like throwing gasoline on a waterlogged piece of wood. When
it is ignited, there is an explosive burst of flame. It burns strong
for a while giving you the impression that you have a successful fire.
As soon as the gasoline is gone the fire goes out and you are left
with a barely charred piece of wet wood. Don't get me wrong, there was a lasting effect on the lives of
several people who attended the crusade and many of the volunteers
were and still are plugged into a local ministries here in Saskatoon.
However, there is no reason that this kind of outreach could not be in
place on a continual basis. We have the numbers and we have the
resources. We proved it.
I would be curious to hear from any of you if you have a heart to
be plugged into something more permanent here in the city of
Saskatoon. Do you feel driven to do something but lack a place to
focus that energy? Do you have a gift that feels buried? If so, then
contact me. |
| Doing the Right Thing - by Mark Wicks |
| If you saw an expensive sports car unlocked and running
on the side of the road would you drive away with that car? If you saw a
machine gun laying on the floor in the middle of a mall, would you pick
it up and begin shooting the people around you? Most people would not do either of these things regardless of whether
they would be caught because they know it is wrong. There is every
chance that they would be able to make right choice in these scenarios. Why then, do people say that they are powerless to make the right
decisions in other situations? Why do they feel like they are incapable
of resisting the urge to those things that they know are wrong?
Let's consider another scenario. A certain person decides that they
want to quit smoking. They put forth some effort and manage to stop for
a few days at a time but they just don't seem to have the
"will-power" to stop for good. It would appear that the
"addiction" to nicotine overrules their ability to resist
smoking. Would it be possible to design a method where we could
guarantee that they would give up smoking for any length of time? How about this idea for a solution. We design an airtight housing
unit. Then we supply it with food, water and everything else one would
need to live comfortably for one full year. Oddly enough, we also put a
year's supply of cigarettes, lighters, matches and ashtrays. Next, we
take our smoker and lock him in the housing unit for a year.
Finally, we continually pump pure oxygen into the room for that year.
When our smoker is in the room we point out a huge sign on the wall
that reads, "Caution do not light a cigarette. The oxygen will
ignite, the housing unit will explode, and you will die if you light a
cigarette." I have a pretty good idea that our smoker will not light a
cigarette for that full year. Regardless of the craving, the need for
self-preservation would over-rule the desire to smoke. Notice, if you
will, that no addiction counseling, drug or nicotine patch was
required.
What happened? Our "smoker" made a choice not to smoke.
Obviously, there were no other safe options, but that is not the point.
It didn't matter how badly the smokers body wanted the drug. The smoker
was able to make and act on the right decision. It is perfectly logical
that our subject could make the same decision not smoke while outside
the housing unit. It is all about making a choice and sticking by your
decision. Every time you end up in a situation where you have to choose
"yes or no" or "wrong or right" you are the one who
ultimately is responsible for your choice. God will not force you to do
the right thing and the devil can't force you to do the wrong thing.
Jesus said, "Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is
perfect". Jesus wasn't asking us to do the impossible. He proved it
could be done. During His own earthly life He made the right choice
every time. Its all about our own choice. It will always be "yes or
no" and you can always choose to do the right thing. |
| The Power of All - by Mark Wicks |
| Has it ever occurred to you why some minority
groups are successful in forcing their ideals upon the majority in
many issues? What is so special about these people which allows them
to easily manipulate others. In many cases even laws are rewritten in
their favour regardless that the majority would tell you that it is
opposed to the change? Frankly, there is nothing special about them at all. As individuals
they put their pants on one leg at a time just like anyone else.
However, whether they are aware of it or not, they have stumbled upon
a subtle but dynamic truth.
"And the Lord said, See, they are all one people and have all one
language; and this is only the start of what they may do: and now it
will not be possible to keep them from any purpose of theirs." -
Genesis 11:6 (BBE)
This scripture was written several millennia ago, but its purpose
was to give us a valuable clue rather than to be just some historical
footnote. You see, the similarity between the people in the verse
above and many minority groups today is their unity. They are many
individuals acting as one with the same goal and mindset. They have
put their differences aside to focus on a single purpose. This is why
they are successful and, unfortunately, it is also why the church as a
whole is not making progress.
We cannot afford to fight among ourselves because of manmade
doctrinal differences any more. One man says lay hands on the sick and
they will be healed and another man says that the gift of healing
doesn't operate today. Get over it! If you don't believe in healing it
won't work for you anyway. One man prays in a "unknown"
language and another prays in a clear and precise monotone of
Victorian English "Thee" and "Thou". Move on! Do
you really think God doesn't know the meaning of the prayer in each
mans heart?
Yes my friends, we are suffering most of all from a terminal lack
of unity and it is time to get focused on our primary purpose as
Christians. If we fail to do so then we will not go forward. In fact,
lack of unity will only serve to have us destroy each other because of
the trivial differences we have dreamed up in order to make God fit
into a box of our design. And what is the viewpoint of Jesus in this matter? Take a close
look at the following scripture.
"John spoke up, "Teacher, we saw a man using your name to
expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn't in our group. Jesus
wasn't pleased. "Don't stop him. No one can use my name to do
something good and powerful, and in the next breath cut me down. If
he's not an enemy, he's an ally." - Mark 9:38-40 (MSG)
Did you catch it. We need to put aside our differences and stop
trying to prevent people from doing good just because we don't belong
to their group or understand what they are doing. Instead, let's work
on the one thing that we know all of us are supposed to be doing.
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come
upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem
(locally), and in all Judea, and in Samaria (our country), and unto
the uttermost part of the earth. (the other countries)."- Acts
1:8 |
| The Tool or the Task? - by Mark Wicks |
|
Have you ever tried to pound a nail into
wood while looking at your hand or the handle of the hammer? Do you
shift your gaze to the box of nails or the next piece of wood while
you are swinging the hammer? The results could be disastrous If
you look any where else but at the nail you are attempting to drive
in to the wood. Not only will you miss the nail but you could damage
the project material or even be injured by hitting your hand or
thumb. It is important to focus on what we
are doing even in the simple task of hammering a nail. In larger or
more complex projects it is even more crucial that our concentration
be on what we are doing. Too often we forget to apply this
principal where it relates to the spiritual areas of our lives.
When God gives us a task we need to
focus on the goal and not the circumstance that we face getting
there. If we get too involved with the details and our ability or
resources to see the job to completion we can actually hinder our
own progress. The gifts and talents that we are given will be
sufficient to what God has planned for our lives regardless of how
we view them. Quit worrying and just take another step forward.
God does not give us something to do and leave us with no way to
accomplish it.
"Give your entire attention to
what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may
or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever
hard things come up when the time comes." - Matthew 6:34 (MSG)
When
we try to figure it all out before hand, it will just drain us
mentally and emotionally. If that happens then we are not going to
be able to perform much at all. Keep, in mind that you are the tool
God has picked for the task and he will never choose the wrong tool.
Anyone that is chosen for His purpose will inherently have the
capability to accomplish the work. He's God and He doesn't make
mistakes. Just focus on the task and not the
tool.
|
| The Wind of Change - by Mark Wicks |
|
I had a vision last evening. I was contemplating about revival in
Saskatoon again and this scene came to mind. There was a skeleton of
a fully grown man lying on the ground. There was no of flesh of any
kind on the bones. The bones were hollow, grey and lacking any
marrow. In a burst of wind I saw the bones disintegrate and the
resulting dust blew away. When all traces of the old bones were gone
a newborn baby appeared where the skeleton had been. I pondered this
for a while. What did the skeleton and infant represent?
We understand the cycle of life from everything going all around
us in nature but this vision did not quite fit the pattern. There
was no mother to give birth and there was nothing left of the
skeleton to nourish and foster new life. All traces had blown away
in the wind. Where did this new life come from? The only factor in
the vision was the wind. The wind slowly eroded and swept away the
old bones. Then, in contrast, new life appeared in an instant. It
was as if the the same gust of wind had brought it there from some
other place.
It makes perfect sense if we look at it from a spiritual point of
view. We tend to be either too comfortable, or too fearful to move
on to the next level in our spiritual lives. Basically, we resistant
change. The lifeless skeleton resisted the wind, but inevitably the
friction generated by that resistance was its demise. New life was
ushered in without delay as soon as any trace of resistance was
gone. Are we resisting what God's Spirit wants to do? |
| Don't Just Sit There - by Mark Wicks |
|
Over the years, as Christians, we have been incorrectly taught that
we have to get on our knees and pray to the Lord to rescue us out of
our plight. Sadly, in many cases this prayer has only come after
many have come to their wits end trying to live out their entire
lives without ever praying to God for help.
The idea that we pray to the Lord for help is not wrong. The Lord
promised us that He would help us in everything, but He has been
trying to teach us that He has given us the authority to access His
power and the wisdom to use it.He wants us to do something. He wants
us to take charge. He wants us to bring everything into submission
and be the overcoming children that he created us to be. The
Christian life is not a spectator sport. We are not sitting in front
of a big screen and watching everything play out in front of us.
This is real life. God gave us full access to His wisdom and power
and said, now go out there and take over the place.
We are not small in spirit either. The Holy Spirit that lives in us
is the one that supplies the wisdom and the power that we require to
prevail in every circumstance. Since finding this out, the concept
has not and will not be wasted on me. I am far less likely to pray
prayers such as, "Lord I don't know what to do, do
something!" Doesn't it seem funny to pray that way when we
realize the wisdom of our mighty God is available from the Holy
Spirit simply by asking Him, "What is the answer?" And
this is only in the extreme cases since a lot of times we already
know what needs to be done.
For example, if I am having a slow period in my business and the
pressure comes against me financially, instead of whining to God for
Him to pull me out of the situation I would rather ask the Holy
Spirit to give me wisdom in how to proceed and after He tells you
which way to go, speak the situation and command that there would be
an increase in business through the authority of the name of Jesus.
After that go about your business and believe you will have what you
asked. Take authority over it. Change the circumstances by your
words that are backed up by your actions.
It has become more and more apparent to me that Moses, Joshua, David
and all the other people in the Bible have no more going for them
than any of us do today. In fact in some ways they had less. These
men took action and look what happened. They stopped up huge rivers,
destroyed giants, and overcame massive armies. Who were these people
that did this. They were people who trusted God to back them up when
they did something. |
| What is Real Love? - by Mark Wicks |
|
One of the universal questions is "What is Love?" The
question echoes in the songs and poetry of many who have sought an
answer. I think we would be surprised to learn how many people,
Christian or not, still don't understand love. This lack of
knowledge is the source of the many problems we face in society such
as the very high divorce rate among couples in all walks of life. It
is reasonable to expect that relationships will erode if we can't
grasp the concept of love in the first place.
Many people can quote the academic definitions of love.
"Love" has been broken down into four categories. We can
even list them here. Eros is romantic or sexual love. Phileo is love
toward our fellow man or "brotherly love". Storge is
parental affection or the instinctual love that animals or siblings
have for each other. Agape is God's unconditional love. Does having
the mental capacity to recognize the different types of love help us
to understand what real love is? No, of course not. The very nature
of love goes beyond our typical mental process and our emotions.
Love might be inspired by some mental notion or be spurred on by an
emotion but real love is not a thought or a feeling.
Like many other people, I spent years trying to
"analyze" the "level of love" I had for someone
based on a measure of my "feelings" for them. I never
could come up with the right equation to know whether or not I was
really in love. Oh, how the answer eluded me. Finally, the answer
was revealed to me in the Bible.
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God;
and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that
loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1 John 4:7-8)
You see, God's love is not in a feeling or a thought, it is in
who and what He is. The very nature of God is to love and it is
expressed in action. He loves us regardless of what we are doing or
how He "feels" or "thinks" about what we are
doing. The act of love overcomes these things. We need to be
like God if we want to have or express true love to anyone who is in
our lives. How do we express our love? We do it by "being"
love in the same way that God is love! I imagine this will bring up
another question so I will answer it now the same way it was
answered for me. How do we "be" love? Simple, we find out
what love does and do the same. The Bible is full of the
explanation. Read it, know it, feel it, do it and then you will be
it.
"Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful,
proud, or rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't
keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth,
but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and
trusting. Love never fails!..." - (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) |
| What Should You Expect? - by Mark Wicks |
|
It is obvious that there are opposing concepts about how a godly
lifestyle should be lived as it pertains to finances. Those who
would be opponents to the faithful would say it is incorrect
thinking for godly people to have wealth or to own property. These
same people will tell the godly that it is their duty to take care
of the needy. If the godly fail to do this because they don't have
the resources to do so it is apparently not a reasonable excuse.
The people in opposition to godly wealth need to make up their
mind. Do you want the godly to be poor or do you want us to help the
poor? They had better choose wisely. If they choose for the godly to
be poor the the ball is back in their court and they had better put
their money where their mouth is and take care of needy themselves.
If they want the godly to take care of the needy then they had
better be encouraging the godly to gather as much wealth as possible
so that they can effectively aid the impoverished.
Fortunately we don't have to rely on waiting a few more millennia
for such people to make up our mind for us. It was clearly stated by
Jesus Christ that we are to feed the poor and look after the widow.
Any human being with an intellect greater than a single-celled
organism should be able to figure out that in order to do this it
will require that we have funding to do it. I agree that the church
shouldn't be begging for handouts from the ungodly. Of course they
shouldn't. Even those people should already be willing to give if
their heart has warm blood flowing through it. The church should not
need to ask. The godly should be wealthy enough to meet every need
that is out there.
The Bible states that if we would listen to what God said we would
be "made rich in every way so that we could be generous
on every occasion." ( 1 Corinthians 9:10,11 CEV ) Poverty is
not riches. They are diametrically opposed. Just as dark and light
are two different ends of a spectrum, so is having and not having.
So I would invite all of those with a contradictory opinion to
"wake up and smell the coffee"," to grow a
brain", or to "let the elevator go all the way to the
top." |
| Heresy or Reformation? - by Mark Wicks |
It is evident that many denominations are
having a difficult time accepting the movement to revival in the
world today. You can see it on the internet every time you do a
search for any items concerning the present revival movement. It doesn't seem to matter to such people
that without exception their own denominations have their roots in
the same type of revival. The miraculous power of God was present in
their beginnings too. Yes those revivals also came, complete with
the shaking, falling, laughing and other manifestations including
healing and speaking and praying in unknown tongues.
I also find it odd that such people want to give credit to the devil
when millions of lost souls suddenly find salvation, healing,
freedom and restoration to God through Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "A house divided
against itself cannot stand." The devil wants to bring misery
and destruction, not good! If something appears good, it is
temporary and leads to loss of the individuals soul without
exception.
Obviously there have been some
who start in revival and get off track but this doesn't apply to
those who follow the scripture and act in the things that are
written in scripture and were accepted by the mainstream early
apostles like Peter and Paul. These acts included healing, falling
down in the presence of God, tongue-speaking, prophesy and all the
other nine gifts we see in the revival churches of modern day.
If you think you can convince me that God
couldn't show the truth to Holy Ghost directed, blood washed Christians
who love God with all their heart when they are being deceived then
you are a fool. My God is real, tangible and omnipotent. He helps
and rescues His people from calamity. He is not weak and unable to
set people straight if it becomes necessary.
Consider, if you will, the Lutheran
Reformation. God moved Luther to go against the thinking of the time
and brought back the concept that a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ was acceptable and so was the personal reading of scripture.
This was heresy then and the stiff-necked people reacted in the same
way as anti-revival denominations are reacting to God the Father
revealing Himself in this latest movement. Of course they took it a
little farther back then and murdered people who chose a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ. (We refer to this as the
"Spanish Inquisition" in our history books.) Hopefully,
the opponents of revival won't resort to burning revivalists at the
stake or torturing as their forerunners did to anyone brave enough
to say that salvation comes through Jesus Christ as the Christians
did in Luther's time. Modern day Christians who oppose the
movement of God should understand that they would have been the
victims of burnings and drowning in in Luther's day for what they
believe now!
Now, being one who has had a Salvationist
upbringing and have also attended churches such as Baptist, United,
Mennonite, Anglican, Pentecostal, Charismatic, and Nazarene I have
seen every side reject one Biblical truth or another. This even
applies to Full Gospel and Full Bible Denominations. Most of the controversy
and disbelief does not come from any Biblical argument. I know, I
have read through the Bible more than once and I have seen every
revival movement activity in the scripture and typically of Jesus by
the greatest apostles of the scriptures.
One example is speaking, praying and
singing in unknown tongues. Some people would say that this is
"from the devil". If that is the case Jesus must have been
supporting the devil when He stated in the gospels that His
followers would do many things including speaking in unknown
tongues. And then there is the man-spawned argument that they only
spoke languages of different human nationalities. Really? Paul said,
"Even though I speak in tongues of men AND angels...."
Can you tell me if you know, Oh thou "wiser than I", what
nationality on earth speaks the same language as angels? Is it
English? Is it Mandarin?
The controversy come from the opinion of
men who are afraid of change and reformation or those who would like
to believe that they alone have the inside track on the entire mind
of God and are jealous when somebody tries to mess with their
"Holy Grail."
Don't be so hard on yourselves, the
disciples of Jesus made the same mistake too. They had the Gaul to
go to Jesus and report that they had ordered a man to stop bringing
spiritual freedom people in the name of Jesus Christ. They too
believed that they were the only ones entitled to access the power
and authority of God. What did Jesus do? He rebuked them immediately
and said, "Don't stop him. Those who do theses things in my
name will not soon turn against us." Yes, really! Look it up.
It is in those books we refer to as the Gospels of Jesus. That
should be a warning to those who would oppose others from operating
with love and in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The difference between revivalist and
non-revivalists is the state of contentment. Non-revivalist are
content to hang out in the "outer temple courtyard" and
going through the rituals. The revivalists have figured out that
through the blood of Jesus we have access into the Holy of
Holies" as sanctified and holy priests. The problem is that
those who remain outside in the courtyard will never experience God
close up and don't have any personal experiences to base things on
except the written word.
the written word does talk about these
things in a positive light, but I would venture to guess that when
the scriptures were written these things were so commonplace that
Paul, Peter and the other followers of Jesus Christ didn't have the
need to explain it much.
|
| Get Out of Your Head - by Mark Wicks |
Considering the thoughts and actions of people who are trying to do what Jesus
would has helped me to examine the same commitment I have given in my own life.
This is an attempt to put it into words even though in some instances my
vocabulary and understanding don’t mix well.
There have been times in which our drive and desire to go the extra mile or
sacrifice our own personal comfort for another has come under fire. We’d like
to say that in every instance that we did what we thought Jesus would do.
Unfortunately, this statement would be inaccurate.
The more we gauge our own actions and attitudes against the ultimate example of
selflessness that we see in the life of Jesus, the more disappointed we are in
how we don’t measure up. Fortunately, our Heavenly Father doesn’t use the same
weights and measures to examine our hearts that we do and He expresses this to
us from His heart to ours. Contrary to what we think, he does not show
disappointment in our performance. Rather, he shows us that his love and the
love of Jesus is more than enough to overcome our inadequacies.
Something interesting happens when we realize this and understand that we don’t
have to analyze everything. We can stop scrutinizing things based on our
limited human brain. At this point there can be a conscious shift of our
awareness from being centered in our heads to being centered in our hearts. I
don’t know if I can emphasize the magnitude of this phenomenon. It takes a
concerted effort on our part to focus on things around us.
In this past while, I have been confronted with issues such as, how much time
should I give for one thing and how do I keep a loving attitude towards people
when my flesh didn’t feel like it. I have had to choose others needs over my
own in many situations. I have had to be generous when my brain wanted to argue
with my heart.
Personally, I know I didn’t always do what Jesus would do but I know my Heavenly
Father has been doing new things in my life that I can already recognize. He is
yanking me right up and out of my comfort zone in a big way more and more. I have
been put in a position more than once where I have had to step up into what God
has expected of me.
There is one thing I have noted. God has been showing me that when I do stand up
and do what Jesus would do that I find a wonderful sense of fulfillment and
satisfaction in seeing the result of how God our Father can flow through a
willing vessel. It feels amazing to be part of the solution rather than to
perpetuate the problem. |
| Climb the
Mountain - by Mark Wicks |
|
A vision came to me Sunday morning. I was shown a mountain. At the
foot of the mountain there were many people mingling around. They
seemed to be busy and content there. It was apparent they were not as
interested in the mountain as they were with what was occupying them
at its base.
There were also people who had climbed up the mountain a ways and
had sat down to rest or to take in the view. They had been on their
way up the mountain and had either become tired or distracted by the
scenery around them.
Then the Lord said that He longed for them to climb up the rest of
the way. He also said that the view was even better up at the top and
that there were gifts on the path to the summit.
So where are you? Are you occupied with busy things that keep your
attention focused away from God at the bottom of the mountain. Have
you started your journey but given up. Did you lose your momentum
because the climb seemed more difficult than you first thought.
Perhaps you have come up a ways and are comfortable with what you
have found on the way. Maybe you think that you have arrived at your
destination even though you are only yet enjoying a portion of what
the journey has in store for you. Still hungry for God. Do you still
want more. It's time to climb. See you at the top! |
| Where's Your Integrity? - by Mark Wicks |
|
How do you know if you are a person of integrity? Perhaps one may
express the idea of integrity as the concept that you are only as
good as your word. From a simply human standpoint, without reference
to the Christian lifestyle, people of integrity are respected and
trusted. People of integrity can be relied on and therefore become an
asset as a friend, business partner, marriage partner or in any other
capacity.
From a Christian standpoint, integrity should become even more
pronounced. The world’s standard of integrity, due to society's
standards and level of tolerance for selfishness, will never be
elevated to the same level as one who stands on the principles laid
out in the Bible. As Christians, and therefore people who attempt to
follow the Word of God, it is more than an expectation or a
suggestion that we live with Biblical integrity. God demands it.
Here is a hint for those who have the courage to honestly examine
themselves. If you want to know how much integrity you have,
contemplate for a moment how you act, what you do and what you say,
when there is no one else around to see or hear you. Your private
expression of character should be just as honorable and holy, if not
better, than how you are seen in the public eye. Integrity says that
you give back the money along with the wallet you found on the
sidewalk. Integrity says you should help that elderly lady to change
her tire even if you might get cold or wet. It expects you to share
your food with those that are hungry. It says when you give you are
to be generous with everything you have and not just what is left
over after you have purchased all those luxury items and toys. Even
many of the people in the world who are not Christians will do these
things. The Christian people of God's Word are expected to excel far
beyond this.
Have we spent any time in introspection about our own personal
integrity or do we avoid doing so because it is too uncomfortable for
us to confront our own inadequacies? Take these words to heart and
take some time to observe your own behavior in public and private.
Are you coming up short in any areas? However, don't become
discouraged.. Such a personal examination can give you a whole new
perspective. You will be able to see the things that need to be
changed and it will provide you with an excellent tool by which to
effect those changes.
I think that in some instances, though we know that God is present
with us at all times, the fact that we can’t see Him physically
allows us to be too much at ease as we go about our daily routines.
“Out of sight, Out of Mind”, seems to rule the day much too
often. Well, He is there and He does see. I think it is a difficult
thing for Him to have to see. When you force yourself to be aware of
what you are doing you can be a good referee of your own integrity.
With the help of the Holy Spirit we will know when we are about to
blow it and then we can put a stop to our wrong-doing by making a
simple choice.
After all when push comes to shove and all is said and done,
ultimately the decisions are ours to make and the choices we make
prove out our integrity. |
| While You're Still Young - by Mark Wicks |
|
Many times our young people tend to ignore the future
and instead concentrate on the momentary situations they find
themselves in.
Their main concerns early on are decisions about schooling,
friends and how to raise the money to be able to afford the
fun things they can find to do to burn off all that youthful
energy.
In the Bible, King Solomon urges the young to walk away
from worldly living and live holy lives in obedience to God
while they are still in their youth. After all, wouldn't it be
a greater accomplishment to resist your worldly desires while
your hormones are raging than when that incessant youthful
drive begins to diminish in the later years?
Wouldn't it be better to follow hard after God now
rather than waiting until you don't have the strength to get
the job done later?
I know when I was a teen I used to have a saying,
"I will get all the sleep I need when I am dead." It
might be interesting to note that for the majority of that
time I was dead. Spiritually dead. In reality I had not yet
begun to live. Many of the so-called friends of my youth would
explain that they would go find God later. They thought that
they had plenty of time to waste before seeking after the God.
Solomon speaks about what they have to look forward to as they
age.
The writer explains that anything we do that is not in obedience to the Lord is
meaningless. It's like a dog chasing after its tail. More
importantly what we do during this life will be scrutinized in
great detail when you get to the end of the road here on
earth.
People who have the attitude that they will come to the Lord after
they have had their fun will soon find out that God knows your
heart. He knows if you are trying to abuse His grace just to
avoid hell rather than because there is any sincerity in your
choice. He will see right through the guise and find the
reverence for Him is missing. He will know if you are treating
His Son's sacrifice as something trivial.
King Solomon's advice is that the youth should not to
study so hard that you wear yourself out and become useless.
He also says to be obedient to whatever God asks you to do. I
believe this is a fairly basic theme that runs throughout the
Bible from cover to cover. Obey God. Worship Him. Do these
things with sincerity and a true appreciation for the mercy he
has offered and you will live a blessed and fulfilling life.
|
| I'm Quitting! - by Mark Wicks |
|
I've had enough. I'm done. It's over. It won't do you any good to
argue the point. No amount of pleading will change my mind. I've
made up my mind! This is my choice.
I will not do things just to make myself feel good at the expense
of other people. I will not look the other way or walk away when it
is obvious that someone around me is hurting and needs my help. I
will not be apathetic to the spiritual well-being of any person when
I have the chance to give them them a hand up. I will not treat
people different than I would want to be treated if I was in their
place. I will not keep silent when to speak up would mean that
someone would be encouraged and regain their strength and
confidence. I will not waste any more valuable time doing things
that have no meaning when life is so short. I will not treat my
family and friends, especially my mother and father, with
disrespect. I will not think of myself first all the time. I will
stop ignoring God when He is trying to help one of His children to
live a full, meaningful, joyful and abundant life.
That's right I'm quitting! I'm moving on to better things and I
already like myself better because of it. Doing the right thing will
always be free of guilt, remorse and regret. I recommend it to
anyone who thinks they can handle it. But be warned, it is not a
lifestyle for the lazy weaklings. It takes all the "try"
you can muster. Do you feel like quitting too?
|
| What are You Afraid of? - by Mark Wicks |
|
Many people have a developed a phobia when it comes to hearing about
the subject of Christianity. What a bunch of cowards! The fact is
they are so gutless about the subject that some of them stopped
reading this article a second ago when I used the word Christianity.
Now, some other people might think it is hilarious that one would
turn tail and run at the first mention of Jesus or God. You might
call them spineless, yellow, or chicken. After all, it is just a
"story in a book" that has them yelling for protection and
ducking for cover. Could you imagine someone being terrified by
having "Dr. Seuss" read to them? Well, let's not be too
hasty. To poke fun or laugh at people who are afraid of what the
Bible says might be unmerited. There is more than one way to look at
this. In reality, they might have good reason to be fearful. One has
to consider the mental condition of the person who tends to become
nervous when they hear about scriptural things.
For those of us that have made the choice to receive Jesus Christ
there is nothing to fear as long as we actually follow what we say
we believe. Those who have never read or heard what the Bible is
about continue, for now, in "blissful ignorance" as they
always have. They might overhear little bits of the story in other
people's conversations and wonder "What's the big deal"
but the chances are that they won't be investigating it anytime
soon. This would be like listening to people around you talking
about a huge asteroid that is heading in the general direction of
earth and then brushing it off as gossip without peering into a
telescope to check it out for yourself.I
These people who are afraid of what the Bible says are not afraid
of Christian people. After all, who could be afraid of people who
follow a book which encourages them to love and help their neighbors
in any way they can. Why would fear grip someone because another
person offers to help them change a tire in the rain or take them
shopping at the grocery store because they haven't eaten in a few
days. Are they terrorized when they see the boy scouts or Mr.
Rodgers too?
The thing about the Bible that scares people more than anything
is the fact that it compels them to compare their own lifestyle with
that which is expected by God in His Word. Somehow there is
something built into them that can't quite prove the non-existence
of God. If they could ever truly convince themselves that there is
no God, the Bible would just be a bunch of really interesting
folklore. They could pass it off as easily as "Mother
Goose."
It bother's these people to hear what the Bible says just like it
bothers some people to live across the street from a cemetery.
What's so scary about a graveyard? Nothing. Its just a field of
grass with stones here and there. The uneasiness comes from the
knowledge that no matter how hard they try, they can't escape coming
to the end of their life some day. Taking prayer and the Bible out
of the school or politics won't help anymore than bulldozing the
graveyard. It doesn't change anything.
Want to be free from fear? Accept the truth and the Truth will
set you free.
|
| Non-Christian Christians - by Mark Wicks |
|
I received an excellent comment from a person who has decided to
follow another "path" than Christianity. He made his
choice because of the historical evidence of human atrocities being
inflicted on people in the past in the "name" of
"Christianity."
The "Roman edifices", which are the predecessors of the
buildings which we have labeled as the "church", are the
remnant of what was once a "religious" political state.
The Roman based politics of that day insisted that everyone must not
only attend a "church" but be a "Christian."
Anyone failing to do so or speaking out against the political power
were tortured, if not killed.
He is absolutely correct. I wouldn't want to be part of such a
"Christianity" either. The leaders of that political
system, did not allow the common man to read the Bible for
themselves. They did not want the "people" to know that
the wicked deeds of their so-called "leaders" were
diametrically opposed to what the Bible really said. This is nothing
new. Jesus confronted the religious leaders of His day too. Jesus
told them that they spouted out the "Law" with their
mouths, but inwardly they would do anything they "thought"
they could get away with. Why do you think they wanted to kill Jesus
so bad. He was exposing the truth about what was in their hearts to
the "people."
The trouble with "Christianity" has never been because
of what God the Father, Jesus Christ or His Holy Spirit have done or
said. The trouble is with human hypocrisy. Jesus took the
original "Ten Commandment" Laws of Moses and reduced them
to just two. He made it very, very, simple. The Biblical scholars
trip over themselves today trying to figure out the deeper
interpretation of what He said. It was not meant to be difficult,
its not a mystery or a riddle. Jesus wasn't trying to keep people
out of Heaven. He was trying to show them how to get there.
First, love God with every part of your being and second, treat
others as good or better than YOU would appreciate being treated.
Can you see anywhere in these two laws where loving people means
to torture and kill them because they decided to think for
themselves. Of course not, its not there! Anyone doing anything that
is in opposition to this is not being "Christian" and
should not even consider calling themselves such. Too many people,
over thousands of years of history, have dragged the name of
Christianity through the mud for their own purposes and gain. It's
sickening.
The fact is, God gave everybody a free will to choose to live
life the way they want too. He doesn't insist that anyone do right
thing so why would some historical "religious" clowns
think they have the right to "force" them to decide. It's
not my place to make up anyone's mind. All I can do is express my
love for God and my thanks for what He has done to change me. It's
not my words that count, it's my actions. If someone says "no
thanks". Fine. All I'm supposed to do is make sure they know
there is an option and live according to what I believe.
So do the "real" Christians a favor all you
"non-Christian Christians." Quit pretending to be
something you're not. You're not part of the solution, you're part
of the problem. Get "real" or get out of the way.
|
| Helping the Shut-ins - by Mark Wicks |
|
In the winter months I spend much of my time inside like many other
people. I am not really a winter person unless I am skiing or
zipping around on a snowmobile. The rest of it I don't care for.
It's at these times I can relate in a small way to those people who
are not able to get out and do things at any time because of
circumstances in their lives.
When we think of shut-ins we have a tendency to imagine the
elderly or handicapped who don't have the ease of mobility that
others enjoy. Yes, there are those who live in isolation because
they don't have much choice in the matter, but I am not referring to
them. In the course of doing outreach ministry in my community
during these winter months I noticed how deserted the sidewalks and neighborhoods
were. Rarely did I encounter anyone outside unless they were walking
their dog or exiled to the front step because they weren't allowed
to smoke in the house.
Winter is not the only time that people are isolated from the
other people around them. Sadly, much of the time they choose this
isolation. Have you noticed how many people will not walk two blocks
to the corner store. If they have a car, many choose to drive that
short distance instead of getting a little exercise. Then there are
those people who spend countless hours watching television, playing
video games or chatting on the internet. For many, watching sports
has replaced actually participating in them and online chats have
replaced the idea of getting together in person. How many people in
these modern times could even tell you the names of the people who
live in the house next door or across the street?
It is becoming more of a challenge to meet people and what chance
is there that you can help someone if you don't know they have a
need or even that they exist? Jesus said that we are supposed
to love our neighbors. Are we doing that? The fact that one cannot
even recognize ones own neighbors makes quite a statement about how
much love is being expressed to other people. It would appear as
though we, as Christians, are shut-ins too. But we aren't shut-ins
because of some situation we have no control over. It is our choice.
Like anyone else, Christian people can find themselves distracted
by things that keep us isolated too. Unfortunately, we can also shut
ourselves up in our church buildings. We go to worship God, learn
from His Word and occasionally even take the time to encourage each
other and fellowship. Then what? What are we doing outside those
walls. Churches don't grow by having the members huddling together
and avoiding the world outside. Churches grow when they have the
courage to move out of the comfort of the pew and act in Christian
love to the people around them.
Here are a few ideas that can help the "Christian
Shut-in"
- Grow a vegetable garden and share the crop with your neighbors
( Garden grown vegetables taste great )
- Shovel the neighbors walk too if they could use a hand ( Be
helpful )
- Invite your neighbors over for coffee and get to know them (
Don't just preach at them - Be friendly! )
- Get involved in community activities. ( Yes, they really have
such things )
- Let them know you are willing to help them any way you are
able. ( Go the extra mile )
I am sure you can think of lots of other ways to be neighborly.
Go ahead, be creative and remember to actually do something. Your
actions speak for you until the Holy Spirit gives you the cue.
|
| Empty Hell or Fill The Church? - by Mark Wicks |
|
How many times should someone attend church in a week? Should we
only go on Sunday or should we go every time there is a service?
For some, there is nothing to decide because their church only
holds one service a week. For others, where the church has multiple
services, this is a question. Each person might attend church
for different reasons. There are those who come to learn, have a
need met or be encouraged by meeting with other believers. Some
might attend to teach, encourage or to meet needs of others.
I have heard some say that your commitment is in question if you
do not show up for each and every service or if you are not present
every time the doors are open. Where does the Bible support
this view? That being said, I enjoy going to church. I seldom go
only once a week but you probably won't see me there every day
either. I don't imagine it will come as a shock to you, but there is
more to the Christian life than just attending church services.
The Bible tells us that the early church met together every day.
Apparently they really enjoyed doing so. However, the teaching that
they met together at one particular building each time might not be
entirely accurate. Take a close look at the following scripture and
see if you can see a purpose for where they spent their time.
"And they, continuing daily with
one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house
to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of
heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And
the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
(Acts 2:46-47)
The believers ( the church ) were not going to the temple to
learn from the religious leaders. The temple was a very busy place.
There were a lot of people there. It was a mission field where the
early church could find people and share the good news that the
Messiah had finally come in the person of Jesus Christ. Likewise,
they brought the message when they met in theirs or other people's
homes. People were receiving the message and joining the church
because the believers were going out and doing something! They were
not just pew warmers. A few chapters later this verse seems to
clarify things even more.
"And daily in the temple, and in every house,
they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:42)"
When the early church was not meeting with itself to pray and
seek God, it was very mobile. It was out in the community and it was
there with purpose. The Bible did not say that they prayed for
people to come to God and then sat around waiting for the masses to
rush through the doors of the church. Even the unsaved who do come
in to a church on their own will usually do so because someone once
told them that they might find answers there. No, my friends, if we
want to make an impact for the Kingdom of God, it will have to be
outside the walls.
Now, don't think I am giving you an excuse to neglect going to
church. Having a physical building where believers can meet and a
regular schedule of services is for our convenience. You may not
realize it, but just by showing up and interacting with other people
you might be bringing the encouragement that someone else needs to
keep going. The Bible speaks about this.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the
more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)
Our churches can be wonderful institutions. New converts can come
to be healed, delivered and taught in the the things of God. But
first, we have to go out and reach them. If we focus first on
keeping people out of hell, the church will be filled in the
process.
|
| What in the World are We Doing? - by Mark Wicks |
|
How do people see us when we interact with them? How do we act when
we are in public? What impression are they getting?
As Christians, we have been known to pull out our best attitude
when we are heading off to church. We are careful to look and act
like people who have got it all together and figured out. There is a
tendency for us to act like someone would on their first date. You
know, dressing nice and being at your best to impress them. The
problem with doing this on a date is that you are not honestly
portraying who you are. Eventually there will come a time when you
have to be just the ordinary you. Unfortunately, the person you have
been dating might be in for a shock.
I have talked to people in church who are feeling depressed
because they find it hard to live up to the standards that are being
portrayed by other Christians. I was able to encourage them by
explaining to them that, although its hard to admit it, most of us
have felt the same way at times. The irony is that the people who we
are comparing ourselves with, the ones who give the impression that
they live as polished and perfect Christians, are probably feeling
just as inadequate.
So let me ask you, when did being a Christian have anything to do
with perfect people? None of us are perfect. If we were, why did we
need Jesus? What about outside the church? What does the unbeliever
think about those of us who are brave enough to admit to the world
that we are Christians? When people find out that we are Christians
they will scrutinize every detail of our lives. We will have to get
used to it because it goes with the territory. You might as well
know that they are going to judge you a lot harsher than they do
themselves or another unbeliever.
The unsaved people expect Christians to excel far beyond them in
moral living. Here's an example. What will they say if their friend
goes out to the bar one night and ends up spending the night in bed
with a stranger. Some might warn them of the dangers of STD's and
hope they used protection. Others might congratulate them on their
ability to "score" on the first date. The same people
would pounce on a Christian who accidentally used a four letter word
in a sentence.
Why the double standard? It's really very simple. They are
looking for Jesus in you. We've told them that He changed our lives
and made us better people. They seem to expect us to become
superhuman and infallible the moment we accept Jesus as our savior.
Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. We are still the people we
were before we invited Jesus into our lives, but the difference is
that we are forgiven.
Jesus, however, is perfect and He has empowered us by His Spirit
to at least recognize the difference between good and bad. As
ambassadors for God here in the world, we should attempt to act like
Jesus. The unbeliever is looking for the proof of our belief in
Jesus to emanate though our lives. Our "perfect Christian"
act and well chosen words will never take the place of an honest
effort to be like Jesus everywhere we go. It's really not as hard to
do the right thing as it is to choose to do it in the first place.
|
| Time Management - by Mark Wicks |
|
How can we stay focused on the priorities of life when other
issues constantly chip away at the precious commodity we
call time?
In the last week I personally found myself in the position
where this question needed an answer. Instead of stepping back
and examining what priorities should take the lead, I tried to
expand the borders of my daily activities by reducing the time
I slept.
This method worked alright for a few months, but the lack
of sleep and extended work weeks had begun to take a
noticeable toll on my mental and physical state. I found
myself forgetting important things in the jumble of thoughts
that was created by such a lifestyle. Still, I was ready to bear down, grit my teeth ... or
perhaps invent an electronic appointment book which could
digitize my thoughts and play back important information at
just the right moment.
The turning point came as someone said, "You need to
manage your time better." I replied that there was no
more time to manage. I was already organizing my life
according to where I would be at different times so I could
multi-task and wipe out whole flocks of birds with a single
stone. I sat myself down and listed the main priorities in my
life. The list included my spiritual life (my personal
relationship with God, ministry and church), my extended
family (relatives and friends) and my work.
I wasn't doing my career any favors without mental focus
and feeling physically fatigued. I was working so much that I
didn't have as much time for friends and family. Most
importantly I was delegating to others some of the ministry
work that my heart aches for. Without really knowing when it
happened, I had lost site of the proper order for the
priorities in my life. During my solution seeking I was reminded what Jesus taught
about prioritizing things.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of
God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be
added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)
All argument and debate melted away. All
men's opinion faded to a whisper. God first, regardless of
what that may mean for me. Things will again be His to
arrange. I don't want to be in the drivers seat. I've decided
to leave the "time management" to the one who
invented time in the first place.
|
| Communication Breakdown
- by Mark Wicks |
|
Communication is vital to any team. You can't be effective without
it. The Christian church as a whole needs to recognize this fact.
Recently, Saskatoon hosted nearly 1,000 people who were evacuated
from their homes in several northern Saskatchewan communities. They
were housed on the university campus and at the Soccer center in
Lawson Heights. I was personally informed that they were looking for
help on the evening of July 7th and was able to volunteer for most
of the day on Sunday. While I was there one of the other volunteers
told me that they had been in town for almost 14 days! I had heard
of the need for people in the last 2 days that they were here.
I posted a notice for volunteers on this website by Saturday
night and I heard a call for help was given at one church Sunday
morning. Perhaps this was a case of "too little, too
late". Here we were notifying everyone to help on the day the
evacuees were about to board buses to return home.
The Salvation Army, University of Saskatchewan and some other
organizations took up the slack for the rest of us and I
congratulate them for being there for the people when the need
arose. Now I am sure there are many of you out there, that would
have gladly given of your time to help if you had known what was
happening. It seems that, among most of the churches, we lack any
real desire to communicate with each other or any reliable method by
which to do so. This is one of the main reasons that this website
was established, but it relies on having the information from those
who are "in the know".
Are we all too busy in our own little corners to let other people
know what is going on? The Bible calls us to be set apart from
worldliness, not from each other. Can you imagine the effect that
the churches in Saskatoon could have if we all acted in cooperation
with each other. Personally, I am finished with trying to imagine
it. I want to see it in reality. How about you?
|
| Sawdust and Two by Fours - by Mark Wicks |
|
One common phrase says, "Lead, follow or get out of the
way." There is also another saying that goes like this,
"If you're not part of the solution, then you are part of the
problem." It is very easy for some people to look at how
someone else lives and come up with a myriad of suggestions about
how they could do things differently. Sadly, this is true of
so-called Christian people as well as the ungodly. The poison of
slander, gossip and complaint is spewing like hellish sewage out of
the mouths of opinionated self-righteous and self-appointed
judges.
Take warning, those who judge the people of God without cause.
You will be judged by all the words you speak against the servants
of God.
"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy
brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own
eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote
out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou
hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then
shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's
eye. - (Matthew 7:3-5)
Many therapists will tell you that the things we like least about
other people are usually the same things that we can't stand about
ourselves. I once knew a girl who would tell me about how the other
girls around her would constantly go from boyfriend to boyfriend yet
her own track record was to do the very same. Remember the story of
Job? The one who endured so much and had all his friends telling him
he was full of sin and doing wrong? Look what the book of Job say in
the first verse?
"There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was
Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God,
and eschewed evil. - (Job 1:1)
The people looked at him and judged him on the basis of the
circumstances that they could see in their own limited human eyes.
They had no clue about what was happening in the realm of the
spirit. His so-called friends had no idea where Job stood with God.
You could easily assume that their accusations were well
intentioned. They wanted to help him and meant well didn't they? If
they were so right and Job was so wrong, why was their opinion in
direct opposition to what the Bible says about Job. Job got a
little frustrated with his well-meaning friends. I imagine that if
anyone knows how to "push your buttons" it would be the
people that know you best. This is what Job had to say about their
blind opinions
"Then Job defended himself: "I've had all I can
take of your talk. What a bunch of miserable comforters! Is there no
end to your windbag speeches? What's your problem that you go on and
on like this? If you were in my shoes, I could talk just like you. I
could put together a terrific harangue and really let you have it.
But I'd never do that. I'd console and comfort, make things better,
not worse!" - (Job 16:1-5 Message Bible)
Job gave good advice. If you think someone is missing it. Help
them with kind words, love and with all the resources at your
disposal. The wrong thing to do is gossip behind their back and
argue with them. You might actually be able to help someone if you
go to them directly and let them tell you why they are doing what
they are doing.
Grow Up! Stop your gossip. That's sin. Period. All gossiping
proves is that the gossiper is the one lacking righteousness.
|
| Gone to Seed? - by Mark Wicks |
|
Has your life as a Christian gone to seed? There is a very good
chance that it has for you and every other person who claims to be Christian.
We can say this about every Christian because it is possible to
apply this phrase in either a negative or a positive context.
During my lifetime I have heard this phrase many times and, for
the most part, it meant that something was not being well
maintained. If I were to let the grass grow all year without taking
out the lawnmower it would eventually go to seed. The grass would
grow tall and wild until it began to reproduce. The state of the
lawn would be the result of laziness and neglect. This would be
taking the phrase in a negative context. Unfortunately, many people
have a tendency to let their Christian walk go without proper
maintenance.
In a positive light, it is my hope that your Christian walk has
gone to seed. That is, you are taking the seed of the good news of
Jesus Christ and you are planting it wherever there is suitable
ground. Like the grass that was allowed to grow to maturity, we
should also come to the place where we are sowing the seed of new
life and future generations. That's the commission. That is what
Jesus Christ told us all to do. If we are not reaching out with the
good news to everyone when the opportunity arises, then we are no
better than a plant which fails to drop seed.
So which way does gone to seed apply to you today and what are
you doing about it? The clock is ticking!
|
| Are We on the Same Page? - by Mark Wicks |
|
For some who desire Christian unity, being "on the same
page" may be an important factor in seeing that result. What do
you imagine such unity would look like? Does that means that
everyone would act the same way, speak the same words, pray the same
prayers, or worship with the same songs. Would it require us all to
attend the same church building and clone our ministries? I highly
doubt it.
Just because someone operates in a way that we don't understand,
does not mean they are wrong or not acting ethically. Let me break
it to you gently. You and I are not God. God often has people do
things in a way that does not appear to be correct to us or those
around us. God can use anyone and anything in any place at any time
by any method to achieve his plan. He is not so simple minded and
limited in His ability as we are.
Imagine for a moment, a Godly Christian friend of yours went out
and married a prostitute. On Purpose, no less! Not a reformed
prostitute mind you. One that your friend knew would cheat on him
over and over without fail. Would you advise him that it was
"unethical" for him to do so. Would you disassociate
yourself from him. Would it make a difference to you if he told you
that he was doing it in obedience to what God asked him to do? This
is what God told Hosea to do as written about in the book of Hosea.
"The first time GOD spoke to Hosea he said: "Find
a whore and marry her. Make this whore the mother of your children.
And here's why: This whole country has become a whorehouse,
unfaithful to me, GOD." Hosea did it. He picked Gomer daughter
of Diblaim. She got pregnant and gave him a son." - Hosea 1:2-3
(MSG)
How would you like that for a ministry. Do you think that most Christian
people would want to be on the same page as Hosea? Some people might
be able to excuse it by saying Hosea made a poor marriage decision.
Would people tell him he should have had a longer engagement and
more marriage counseling beforehand?
Now imagine another God-fearing friend of yours stripped off all
his clothes and began walking around the city naked. In fact he kept
this up every day for years and God somehow kept the police from
arresting him all this time. How would you feel about associating
with him. Would you keep your distance. Might you suggest to him
that he should put some clothes on? What if he also told you that
what he was doing was in obedience to the Lord. How would you react.
Would you like to be found on the same page as your friend or would
that offend you. How do you think Isaiah's friends felt?
"GOD told Isaiah son of Amoz, "Go, take off your
clothes and sandals," and Isaiah did it, going about naked and
barefooted. Then GOD said, "Just as my servant Isaiah has
walked around town naked and barefooted for three years as a warning
sign to Egypt and Ethiopia..." - Isaiah 20:2-3 (MSG)
So in the light of the strange ministries God has asked our
predecessors to perform, how do we now question anyone who does
things differently than we are used to operating?
One of the biggest issues Christian people bicker about is how a
church or ministry raises funds. Do they take up an offering in
church? Do they express a need only privately to fellow believers?
Do they canvass the general public and the business sector? Do they
receive funding from the government? Do they quietly wait for God to
supply funding through people he sends to them. Does it really
matter how it happens. Is it really our concern anyway?
Money is just one issue that well-intentioned Christian people
spend too much time and energy getting stressed over. For what! How
big is your God? The God I know is more than able to accomplish his
purposes without my advice or opinion. My job is to focus on being
obedient to God in what He has asked me to do. Even if someone
else's ministry is in need of fixing, only God has the power to
repair it anyway. The disciples complained to Jesus that
someone who was not in their group was casting out demons in Jesus'
name. Do you know what Jesus said in reply?
"John spoke up, "Teacher, we saw a man using your
name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn't in our
group." Jesus wasn't pleased. "Don't stop him. No one can
use my name to do something good and powerful, and in the next
breath cut me down. If he's not an enemy, he's an ally." - Mark
9:38-40 (MSG)
Can we at least be unified in one thing? Can we all be obedient
to what God has asked us to do as individuals and focus on Jesus. We
are not here to tear down, our fellow workers in Christ. We are here
to encourage, edify and build each other up. If we fail at that
simple thing how will we ever be able to help those who are yet
without Christ.
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| Who You are, not How You Feel
- by Mark Wicks |
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How should you react when you feeling angry or frustrated? What do
you do if you feel sad, depressed or rejected? Have you made your
life's choices or formed bad habits based on these feelings | | |