Minggu, 13 Juli 2008
Sabtu, 12 Juli 2008
Kamis, 05 Juni 2008
TO PROSPER OR NOT
To Prosper - or Not
Systematic Theology - Sound doctrine is no more or less that a correct understanding of God that allows us to naturally gravitate toward his will and Favor. Over time we've seen mainstream Christianity reject various streams over theological issues. We threw the baby out with the bath water in some cases. Here are a couple of examples:
The Social Gospel - (Wikipedia.org) is a Protestant Christian intellectual movement that was most prominent in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The movement applied Christian principles to social problems, especially poverty, inequality, liquor, crime, racial tensions, slums, bad hygiene, poor schools, and the danger of war. Theologically, the Social Gospel leaders were overwhelmingly post-millennialist. That is because they believed the Second Coming could not happen until humankind rid itself of social evils by human effort. For the most part, they rejected premillennialist theology, according to which the Second Coming of Christ was imminent, and Christians should devote their energies to preparing for it rather than addressing the issue of social evils. Social Gospel leaders were predominantly liberal politically and theologically.
Why we threw it out - As young believer 30 years ago, I can still remember categorizing these folks as having a form of Godliness but denying the power (2Tim 3:5). Although it addresses various categories of society (analogous to the 7 Mountains terminology now popular), It was plagued by a liberal, intellectual approach that repulsed anyone that had seen spiritual gifts in operation. It's also interesting that most of the spirit-led camp was pretty busy with rapture theology... preparing to be part of the remnant and keeping the church holy. (A few decades of introverted church programs, splits, and boredom have taken the rapture edge off those folks - forgive the humor! I was one of them!)
Prosperity theology - (Wikipedia.og) is the teaching that authentic religious belief and behavior will result in material prosperity for the believer. That is, the doctrine holds that material prosperity, particularly financial prosperity and success in business and personal life, is to be expected as external evidence of God's favor. This favor may be preordained, or granted in return for efficacious prayer, merit-making and/or appropriate faith.
Why we threw it out - Prosperity theology was repulsive to the mainstream because it has been directed more accumulating personal possessions (watches, Mercedes, boats, and motorcycles) than expanding the Kingdom and reaching the lost.
Sound Doctrine - is really in the middle. "Rapture" is not a predominant theme of scripture. Yes, there may be one - but in terms of big events our hearts are focused on doing the work here and now. Jesus will return, but His heart is yearning for a bride that will fill the earth with His glory and goodness. Similar to one aspect of the social gospel, we should be touching every part of the marketplace - all seven mountains (religion, family, education, media, arts & entertainment, government, and business). It's really nothing more than new language for the great commission... we're going into all the earth.
Should I be prosperous? - Let's define our terms. Prosperity is not a Mercedes, nor an external measure of your spiritual maturity. Not everyone needs or wants wealth and that's OK. What if we define prosperity as sufficient abundance of finances for you to do the will of God? We're not requiring everyone to be a King. But if you want to join the party, we'll show you how.
Here's a sad reality; the same folks that rail against prosperity make all kinds of decisions based simply on the lack of finances - regardless of what they may think God's will is. God wants your spiritual and financial cup to run over so that you can minister to others... starting with your own family. We break the cycle of poverty at home first. Listen to what God has to say on the topic.
If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Tim 5:8 NIV
After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 2 Cor 12:14 NIV
A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children... Prov 13:22 NIV
Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous. 22 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children Prov 13:21-22
I've said "yes Lord" to enough prosperity to do the whole will of God. How about you?
Love,
John & Sue
Systematic Theology - Sound doctrine is no more or less that a correct understanding of God that allows us to naturally gravitate toward his will and Favor. Over time we've seen mainstream Christianity reject various streams over theological issues. We threw the baby out with the bath water in some cases. Here are a couple of examples:
The Social Gospel - (Wikipedia.org) is a Protestant Christian intellectual movement that was most prominent in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The movement applied Christian principles to social problems, especially poverty, inequality, liquor, crime, racial tensions, slums, bad hygiene, poor schools, and the danger of war. Theologically, the Social Gospel leaders were overwhelmingly post-millennialist. That is because they believed the Second Coming could not happen until humankind rid itself of social evils by human effort. For the most part, they rejected premillennialist theology, according to which the Second Coming of Christ was imminent, and Christians should devote their energies to preparing for it rather than addressing the issue of social evils. Social Gospel leaders were predominantly liberal politically and theologically.
Why we threw it out - As young believer 30 years ago, I can still remember categorizing these folks as having a form of Godliness but denying the power (2Tim 3:5). Although it addresses various categories of society (analogous to the 7 Mountains terminology now popular), It was plagued by a liberal, intellectual approach that repulsed anyone that had seen spiritual gifts in operation. It's also interesting that most of the spirit-led camp was pretty busy with rapture theology... preparing to be part of the remnant and keeping the church holy. (A few decades of introverted church programs, splits, and boredom have taken the rapture edge off those folks - forgive the humor! I was one of them!)
Prosperity theology - (Wikipedia.og) is the teaching that authentic religious belief and behavior will result in material prosperity for the believer. That is, the doctrine holds that material prosperity, particularly financial prosperity and success in business and personal life, is to be expected as external evidence of God's favor. This favor may be preordained, or granted in return for efficacious prayer, merit-making and/or appropriate faith.
Why we threw it out - Prosperity theology was repulsive to the mainstream because it has been directed more accumulating personal possessions (watches, Mercedes, boats, and motorcycles) than expanding the Kingdom and reaching the lost.
Sound Doctrine - is really in the middle. "Rapture" is not a predominant theme of scripture. Yes, there may be one - but in terms of big events our hearts are focused on doing the work here and now. Jesus will return, but His heart is yearning for a bride that will fill the earth with His glory and goodness. Similar to one aspect of the social gospel, we should be touching every part of the marketplace - all seven mountains (religion, family, education, media, arts & entertainment, government, and business). It's really nothing more than new language for the great commission... we're going into all the earth.
Should I be prosperous? - Let's define our terms. Prosperity is not a Mercedes, nor an external measure of your spiritual maturity. Not everyone needs or wants wealth and that's OK. What if we define prosperity as sufficient abundance of finances for you to do the will of God? We're not requiring everyone to be a King. But if you want to join the party, we'll show you how.
Here's a sad reality; the same folks that rail against prosperity make all kinds of decisions based simply on the lack of finances - regardless of what they may think God's will is. God wants your spiritual and financial cup to run over so that you can minister to others... starting with your own family. We break the cycle of poverty at home first. Listen to what God has to say on the topic.
If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Tim 5:8 NIV
After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 2 Cor 12:14 NIV
A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children... Prov 13:22 NIV
Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous. 22 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children Prov 13:21-22
I've said "yes Lord" to enough prosperity to do the whole will of God. How about you?
Love,
John & Sue
Rabu, 04 Juni 2008
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?
Not long ago I got my eyes on me instead of on Jesus. Confusion and feelings of doubt and insecurity grew within me. I honestly did not know what my problem was. For months I been experiencing the most peaceful spiritual state of mind that I had enjoyed in years, then slowly it all began to ebb away.
"What have I done, Lord?" I cried. " Where is my sin that I may confess it and find forgiveness?" Having had a background of tons of legalism and works oriented theology, I found it easy to condemn myself with the thought that I was not doing all I should be doing to maintain a spiritual frame of mind. This usually leads me into fasting. Nothing wrong with fasting, but for me, when fasting is introduced, I begin a perfect circle of agony. No matter what the nature or extent of the fast, I usually come short of my goal, so I find myself under more condemnation. This compels me to try harder and off I go again toward more fasting and more defeat and more condemnation.
While in the midst of this struggle, I went by a friend's house and without my mentioning to him my spiritual battle, just casually, out of his mouth came the light I needed. "Bob, God spoke to me today as I was praying about my healing rally at the Holiday Inn. I said, 'Lord, what can I tell the people that will help them receive their healing?' The Lord said, 'Just tell them to look at Jesus and that will be enough.' I was reminded of how Moses lifted up the brass serpent in the midst of the camp and those who were dying from snake bite, when they looked at the brass serpent were healed on the spot."
As I heard those words, I knew the Lord had spoken to my own need. In my case, it was not a physical healing that I needed, but release from a spirit of condemnation that kept me ever looking inward at my shortcomings, mistakes and weaknesses rather than looking to Jesus for a life of victory over the world, the flesh and the devil.
"PRAISE THE LORD, JIM!" I shouted. "God just opened my eyes! You have given me just what I needed. There is nothing more simple and easy than a look. There is no work or effort involved. It is just a matter of which way we point our eyes."
The simplicity of faith broke upon me and I suddenly saw that it didn't require a conscious meditation on a verse of scripture or on a certain truth in order to be walking in faith. I didn't have to be audibly confessing or praying or praising, though all of that is right and good. All we have to do is keep our eyes on Jesus as our life, our healer, our helper, our Savior! Paul said, "You are in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption." God both justifies and sanctifies through faith in the finished work of Christ, and that faith is a constant attitude of trust in the indwelling Christ who will live his victorious life in us and through us.
God's plan is not to prune back and reform the old man, but to put on a new man which is created in righteousness and true holiness, and that new man is Jesus! Our tendency is to always be looking at ourselves and what we are doing for God, or what we are not doing; to measure our worth before God in accordance with how well we are doing in our Bible reading, praying, witnessing, church attendance, giving, going, doing, doing, doing. But the question is, what are you looking at?
Robert & Joni Fitts
Where it all Starts
All fruitfulness flows out of intimacy. Out of the womb of prayer, praise and worship all things in the kingdom of God are conceived, nurtured, and brought to birth to the glory of God and for the good of mankind.
A Declaration of Unity
I belong to everything that belongs to Jesus and everything that belongs to Jesus belongs to me! It's not us and them. It's just us! There's only one Body of Christ, and the problems of the church, the whole church, are our problems, for we are the church and we can do more united than we can do divided! So let's unify, simplify, and multiply!
Divine Appointment Prayer
Father, give me a divine appointment today with someone who is hungry for God, or sick, or in need, and give me grace to minister the love of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.
A Prayer for More Workers and More Miracles
Father, send more laborers into this harvest and grant us boldness to speak your word, by stretching forth your hand to heal and that signs and wonders be done in the name of Jesus.
Winning the War on Terrorism Through Prayer
"Father, give every terrorist in the world an encounter with Jesus like Saul of Tarsus had on the road to Damascus."
LAW, NO! GRACE, YES!
The law demands, demands, demands, but gives me neither feet nor hands.
Now Grace and Truth are better things, they bid me fly and give me wings!
Not long ago I got my eyes on me instead of on Jesus. Confusion and feelings of doubt and insecurity grew within me. I honestly did not know what my problem was. For months I been experiencing the most peaceful spiritual state of mind that I had enjoyed in years, then slowly it all began to ebb away.
"What have I done, Lord?" I cried. " Where is my sin that I may confess it and find forgiveness?" Having had a background of tons of legalism and works oriented theology, I found it easy to condemn myself with the thought that I was not doing all I should be doing to maintain a spiritual frame of mind. This usually leads me into fasting. Nothing wrong with fasting, but for me, when fasting is introduced, I begin a perfect circle of agony. No matter what the nature or extent of the fast, I usually come short of my goal, so I find myself under more condemnation. This compels me to try harder and off I go again toward more fasting and more defeat and more condemnation.
While in the midst of this struggle, I went by a friend's house and without my mentioning to him my spiritual battle, just casually, out of his mouth came the light I needed. "Bob, God spoke to me today as I was praying about my healing rally at the Holiday Inn. I said, 'Lord, what can I tell the people that will help them receive their healing?' The Lord said, 'Just tell them to look at Jesus and that will be enough.' I was reminded of how Moses lifted up the brass serpent in the midst of the camp and those who were dying from snake bite, when they looked at the brass serpent were healed on the spot."
As I heard those words, I knew the Lord had spoken to my own need. In my case, it was not a physical healing that I needed, but release from a spirit of condemnation that kept me ever looking inward at my shortcomings, mistakes and weaknesses rather than looking to Jesus for a life of victory over the world, the flesh and the devil.
"PRAISE THE LORD, JIM!" I shouted. "God just opened my eyes! You have given me just what I needed. There is nothing more simple and easy than a look. There is no work or effort involved. It is just a matter of which way we point our eyes."
The simplicity of faith broke upon me and I suddenly saw that it didn't require a conscious meditation on a verse of scripture or on a certain truth in order to be walking in faith. I didn't have to be audibly confessing or praying or praising, though all of that is right and good. All we have to do is keep our eyes on Jesus as our life, our healer, our helper, our Savior! Paul said, "You are in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption." God both justifies and sanctifies through faith in the finished work of Christ, and that faith is a constant attitude of trust in the indwelling Christ who will live his victorious life in us and through us.
God's plan is not to prune back and reform the old man, but to put on a new man which is created in righteousness and true holiness, and that new man is Jesus! Our tendency is to always be looking at ourselves and what we are doing for God, or what we are not doing; to measure our worth before God in accordance with how well we are doing in our Bible reading, praying, witnessing, church attendance, giving, going, doing, doing, doing. But the question is, what are you looking at?
Robert & Joni Fitts
Where it all Starts
All fruitfulness flows out of intimacy. Out of the womb of prayer, praise and worship all things in the kingdom of God are conceived, nurtured, and brought to birth to the glory of God and for the good of mankind.
A Declaration of Unity
I belong to everything that belongs to Jesus and everything that belongs to Jesus belongs to me! It's not us and them. It's just us! There's only one Body of Christ, and the problems of the church, the whole church, are our problems, for we are the church and we can do more united than we can do divided! So let's unify, simplify, and multiply!
Divine Appointment Prayer
Father, give me a divine appointment today with someone who is hungry for God, or sick, or in need, and give me grace to minister the love of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.
A Prayer for More Workers and More Miracles
Father, send more laborers into this harvest and grant us boldness to speak your word, by stretching forth your hand to heal and that signs and wonders be done in the name of Jesus.
Winning the War on Terrorism Through Prayer
"Father, give every terrorist in the world an encounter with Jesus like Saul of Tarsus had on the road to Damascus."
LAW, NO! GRACE, YES!
The law demands, demands, demands, but gives me neither feet nor hands.
Now Grace and Truth are better things, they bid me fly and give me wings!
Jumat, 09 Mei 2008
CAN HE COUNT ON YOU?
Can He Count on You?
"And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?"
(Luke 12:42)
We often praise God for His faithfulness. We're thankful that we can always count on Him to be there for us. But we rarely consider the fact that He needs us to be faithful too.
It's true. God needs people He can count on. He needs faithful and wise stewards He can trust over His household. In this final hour, He needs faithful believers to team up with, to manifest Himself in the earth more than ever before.
"Oh Dave, God doesn't need me!"
Yes, He does. Ever since the Creation, when He gave man dominion over the earth, He's needed people to work with Him to get His will done here. You can see that all through the Bible. When the children of Israel were in bondage in Egypt and He wanted to lead them out, He teamed up with a man, Moses, to get the job done. Moses' responsibility was to stretch out his hand in the earth and command the will of God to be done.
Why did He choose Moses? Because He needed someone who was faithful and would dare to act on His Word. He needed someone He could count on, and He knew Moses was that kind of man.
Psalm 103:7 says, "He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel." If Moses hadn't been faithful to know God's ways, the children of Israel would never have seen God's acts!
God needs you just as He needed Moses. He needs you to be faithful and alert to spiritual things. He needs you to be someone He can trust to know His Word and be obedient to it. He needs you to be a steward who will stretch out his hand like Moses did so that He can perform signs and wonders before the people.
Will you be faithful? It's a decision you have to make. No one can do it for you. Right now, commit yourself to be that wise and faithful servant. Say in your heart and with your mouth, "God, You can count on me."
"And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?"
(Luke 12:42)
We often praise God for His faithfulness. We're thankful that we can always count on Him to be there for us. But we rarely consider the fact that He needs us to be faithful too.
It's true. God needs people He can count on. He needs faithful and wise stewards He can trust over His household. In this final hour, He needs faithful believers to team up with, to manifest Himself in the earth more than ever before.
"Oh Dave, God doesn't need me!"
Yes, He does. Ever since the Creation, when He gave man dominion over the earth, He's needed people to work with Him to get His will done here. You can see that all through the Bible. When the children of Israel were in bondage in Egypt and He wanted to lead them out, He teamed up with a man, Moses, to get the job done. Moses' responsibility was to stretch out his hand in the earth and command the will of God to be done.
Why did He choose Moses? Because He needed someone who was faithful and would dare to act on His Word. He needed someone He could count on, and He knew Moses was that kind of man.
Psalm 103:7 says, "He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel." If Moses hadn't been faithful to know God's ways, the children of Israel would never have seen God's acts!
God needs you just as He needed Moses. He needs you to be faithful and alert to spiritual things. He needs you to be someone He can trust to know His Word and be obedient to it. He needs you to be a steward who will stretch out his hand like Moses did so that He can perform signs and wonders before the people.
Will you be faithful? It's a decision you have to make. No one can do it for you. Right now, commit yourself to be that wise and faithful servant. Say in your heart and with your mouth, "God, You can count on me."
THE GRACE OF GIVING
The Grace of Giving
"Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."
(2 Corinthians 8:7)
How do you give to the Lord?
Do you just drop some money in the plate at church without much thought? Or do you just write a check to God at the first of every month and pay Him like you pay all your other bills?
You need to think about that because how you give is a matter of deep concern to God. He's particular about how offerings are given. He won't receive just any old thing however you feel like giving it.
In Malachi, for example, God refused to receive Israel's offerings. They were bringing Him their defective animals, their blind calves, and the injured ones they couldn't do anything else with--and God said it offended Him. He told them, "You don't have any reverence or honor for Me, and I'm not going to accept your offering."
That kind of thing didn't die out after the book of Malachi. Many today don't have any reverence for God at offering time. People wait for the preacher to beat them over the head until they feel so guilty they have to reach down in their pocketbooks and get some money out.
But I want you to know, that's offensive to God. In fact, He spoke directly to a friend of mine about it. The statement He made to her so impressed me, I wrote it down word for word.
"It grieves Me when the Church takes offerings," He told her. "I said to worship Me. Don't take from the people, but let them bring their gifts and worship Me. Then they will see the fruits of their giving."
If you and I want God to be pleased with our offerings, we're going to have to do what the Apostle Paul wrote about in 2 Corinthians 8:7. We're going to have to learn to "excel in this grace of giving." We're going to have to quit being casual about it and to learn to give with faith and reverence in worship.
Next time the offering plate is passed, don't just drop your gift carelessly in the plate. Get serious. Determine to obey God. Worship Him with your money and be thankful. He'll do more than simply receive it, He'll open the windows of blessing for you.
"Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."
(2 Corinthians 8:7)
How do you give to the Lord?
Do you just drop some money in the plate at church without much thought? Or do you just write a check to God at the first of every month and pay Him like you pay all your other bills?
You need to think about that because how you give is a matter of deep concern to God. He's particular about how offerings are given. He won't receive just any old thing however you feel like giving it.
In Malachi, for example, God refused to receive Israel's offerings. They were bringing Him their defective animals, their blind calves, and the injured ones they couldn't do anything else with--and God said it offended Him. He told them, "You don't have any reverence or honor for Me, and I'm not going to accept your offering."
That kind of thing didn't die out after the book of Malachi. Many today don't have any reverence for God at offering time. People wait for the preacher to beat them over the head until they feel so guilty they have to reach down in their pocketbooks and get some money out.
But I want you to know, that's offensive to God. In fact, He spoke directly to a friend of mine about it. The statement He made to her so impressed me, I wrote it down word for word.
"It grieves Me when the Church takes offerings," He told her. "I said to worship Me. Don't take from the people, but let them bring their gifts and worship Me. Then they will see the fruits of their giving."
If you and I want God to be pleased with our offerings, we're going to have to do what the Apostle Paul wrote about in 2 Corinthians 8:7. We're going to have to learn to "excel in this grace of giving." We're going to have to quit being casual about it and to learn to give with faith and reverence in worship.
Next time the offering plate is passed, don't just drop your gift carelessly in the plate. Get serious. Determine to obey God. Worship Him with your money and be thankful. He'll do more than simply receive it, He'll open the windows of blessing for you.
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