Tag: christ

The Requirement Is Faithfulness

1 Corinthians 4
2 Moreover, it is required of stewards, that a man be found faithful.

  • Faithfulness is synonymous with love. In fact James could easily have written “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so love [faith] without works is dead also.” (James 2:26) Or Paul could have written faithfulness “endures long and is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4). We cannot merely claim to be faithful, in the same way that we cannot simply claim to love. There is a proving in the course of time by our actions. In the small, unnoticed, unappreciated, taken for granted actions that we do daily. In the long suffering, in the enduring, in the weathering and abiding, in the preferring of others and the denying of self.
  • Men are so quick to honour position. They love to praise the pastor or the preacher, the great evangelist, the worship leader or scholar. The flesh praises flesh for its achievements and success. (Matthew 23:8-10). Where man loves princes God desires paupers. Paupers that live completely and daily dependant upon [faithful to] His life and blessing.
  • Faithfulness isn’t found in the spotlight. It isn’t glamourous. It is not proved in dramatic events. Faithfulness is quiet, consistent, steadfast, dependable, busy about its business, committed and dedicated to the cause. It is often unnoticed and unseen by man. Faithfulness is menial to the flesh but mighty with The Lord!

Luke 18
8 However, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith [faithfulness] on the earth?

  • When Jesus Christ comes He will find an abundance of pastors, He will find so many glorified worship leaders, evangelists and leaders… But who can find a faithful man? God Himself asks the question ‘Will I find any who are simply remaining faithful to me?’. Oh may we learn to die daily, confess sin often, rejoice evermore and, in humility, live to serve consistent and diligent in the small things. May we be doing business with the mina that He has given us and be found to be good and faithful servants. (Luke 19:12-17) Simply abiding in His wonderful presence.
  • May we also be careful to let The Lord’s heart live through us to honour and reverence faithfulness in others over fleshly fame.

2 Thessalonians 3
13 And for you, brethren, do not become weary in [faithful] well doing…

Give The Enemy No Credit

Job 1:20
Then Job arose, and tore his coat, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped

Job 2
9 Then said his wife unto him, Do you still hold fast to your integrity? curse God, and die.
10 But he said to her, You speak as one of the impious and foolish women would speak. What? Shall we accept only good at the hand of God and shall we not accept evil? In all this, Job did not sin with his lips.

  • Job never mentions the devil. He never gives the enemy any credit and never attributes to him any power or ability. He only sees and only fears His sovereign God who he is intimately acquainted with. Who he has walked with, talked with, trusted and proven!
  • It’s true that Paul talks of being hindered to the Thessalonians but… He DOES NOT say that the work of God was hindered. He DOES NOT say that his faith in or fellowship with Christ was hindered. He DOES NOT say that God’s sovereign plan was hindered! he only mentions it in passing concerning a personal desire to see them.
  • Born Again believers, the Temples of The Holy Ghost, who ought to be abiding in Christ and in the secret place of The Most High (where no evil can be!!), often give the devil far too much attention and give not enough reverence to the sovereignty of Almighty God!! The devil cannot touch God’s children abiding in Him without permission and that… Will always be for His glory to be revealed!
  • The devil has as much power over you as you attribute to him. Yes the devil is a powerful, crafty foe… But He is a defeated enemy before the sons and daughters of God.

Luke 22
31 “Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has demanded permission to sift [all of] you like grain;
32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith [and confidence in Me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to Me], strengthen and support your brothers [in the faith].”

  • Jesus is saying that Satan will indeed sift you!! But the sifting is only to reveal the grain! Let the chaff (flesh) be removed and let the glory of God be revealed as we abide in Him and keep looking unto Jesus who is the beginning and the end, the author and finisher, the Risen, Conquering King!! The one who has all things placed under His feet!! ABIDE IN HIM!!! He is the power and the glory! Yield and submit to His sovereign plan and timing. Trust in His faithfulness and loving ways. The sifting is painful but “When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous].” Job 23:10
  • Follow in Jobs example. Give the devil no credit. Attribute to him no power. When He is given permission to sift… Then may we be found on our faces in worship before The Almighty, Sovereign God! Hallelujah!!

A House Worth Building

Haggai 1
5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.

The Reason For Being

All of creation was spoken for this one purpose, to glorify God. He gave the ocean its boundaries and it obeys Him; He told the stars where to shine and they steadfastly obey Him; He told the mountains where to rise and they obey till this day; He told the sun, the moon and all the planets to map their courses and they consistently obey his voice, He tells the wind where to blow and it unquestioningly obeys…

He turns to us and with unconditional, self-denying love He says “Come.” and we say “NO!” Continue reading “The Reason For Being” →