Ephesians 4: 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Those of us in North american Church may know the ministry gifts but we may not have had opportunity to see them functioning together. Seeing the ministry gifts operating together is a beautiful, magnificent glorious pleasure. Most churches that I have been to do not have all of the ministry gifts in leadership. O it would be awesome if they were altogether!
Mostly we know Pastors who teach us and who lead us in the sacraments (water baptism, communion, marriage, baby dedication, burial etc) and care for us personally. The truth is most pastors have a teaching ministry. Some Pastors have a strong prophetic anointing.
I have been privileged to receive much from a Pastor who was a Prophet. He would be teaching and preaching a sermon and be moved on by God with a word of wisdom, or word of knowledge and he would call out people and pray over them. These pastors preach sermons that reach into the depths of your being - not just you but all the congregation.
An Apostolic Pastor is a mighty miracle working dynamite of faith. This type of Pastor teaches with an authority rarely discerned. The person is a Pastor of Pastors. He or she has an anointing to gather people, organize efforts, care for churches - plural - churches. In denominations they are sometimes called Leaders or Overseers but the truth is they care for all the churches in their sphere of influence and can effectively rally people for the purposes of Christ. Signs and wonders are evident when an Apostle is preaching. Demonstrations of God's glory follow the preached word. also, many people decide to commit themselves to ministry because of them. They are so excited about God - other people are inspired and ignited for service.
An Evangelistic Pastor will always be leading his or her sheep into Missionary endeavors. This person will often give salvation calls at church and also be able to gather people for missionary trips. I had one pastor who used to take the youth group on missionary trips regularly during March break or during summer. During their youth service - often he would assign the teenagers places throughout the city to pray. He would sometimes take the youth group to preach downtown on Friday nights -witnessing to people lined up going to bars or the movies. This pastor's heart was to share Christ and train and equip others to share Christ with as many people as possible.
Each pastor has a heart for the sheep. He or she cares for the people in the congregation and as the scripture teaches would lay down his or her life for the sheep. This person prays for the church; gives spiritual nourishment to the church; builds it; cares about all different kinds of people and knows he or she answers only to God. This compels him or her to live an excellent life of service. All pastors are servants of Jehovah. They are people oriented - they care about people.
Knowing your Pastors giftings may be something you didn't realize before. pray for your pastor. pray for his or her giftings to be developed. pray for his or her influence and that he or she will train, equip and build up the Body of Christ. In this way, not only will you be knowing the gifting - this is a key to receiving the blessings of the giftings, but you will also be praying blessing, protection and encouragement on someone who has given his or her life to serve God.
Sunday 29 May 2016
Saturday 21 May 2016
Praying Spiritual Prayers for loved ones
Ephesians 1: 18 that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, 20 which He performed in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principalities, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
The Apostle Paul is expressing his deepest spiritual prayers for the Church at Ephesus. He doesn't pray about things natural but things of spiritual substance. He cares that they have understanding of the Word of God and the glorious hope of the callings of God for their lives. He gets them to focus on spiritual things, not the natural things or present day concerns.
First he points them in the direction of knowing there is much more of Christ to know. He encourages them that they might build themselves up spiritually. To meditate on the glory of Christ - the riches of the glory of Christ - higher, wider, deeper, above and beyond what can be imagined, he successfully gets them focussed on the Omnipotent God who can do all things. This raises their faith level.
Next he gets them to pray for more revelation on the greatness of God. He prays "according to the might of God" not according to their own imaginations only. It is important that we pray according to the measure of Christ who lives in us. If we only pray to receive according to our faith, we may not receive much. But if we pray to receive according to Jesus Christ who lives in us, we exponentially multiply what is possible for us to believe.
Finally, he gets them to focus on Jesus - seated on the throne in heaven - ruling and reigning above all earthly and heavenly powers. The final scene is Jesus Christ in triumphant glory.This is not in the future only but in the present. Jesus finished it all by His resurrection from the dead and ascension into Heaven. Jesus paid the price by shedding his blood that we might have eternal life and be blessed on the earth with all spiritual and natural blessings.
He encourages the Church through his actual prayers but also in sharing them with them; his prayers are that they would know the limitless glory of God. His prayers show his concern for them spiritually as a spiritual mentor would do. His telling them what he is praying for them, would release faith in their hearts to believe for it in their lives.
Some of the most profound things we can pray for others are found in the prayers of the Apostle Paul for the churches. We should pray these things for ourselves but also for others. Those we are closest to - we should care that they grown in the knowledge of Christ so that they might teach others also.
The Apostle Paul is expressing his deepest spiritual prayers for the Church at Ephesus. He doesn't pray about things natural but things of spiritual substance. He cares that they have understanding of the Word of God and the glorious hope of the callings of God for their lives. He gets them to focus on spiritual things, not the natural things or present day concerns.
First he points them in the direction of knowing there is much more of Christ to know. He encourages them that they might build themselves up spiritually. To meditate on the glory of Christ - the riches of the glory of Christ - higher, wider, deeper, above and beyond what can be imagined, he successfully gets them focussed on the Omnipotent God who can do all things. This raises their faith level.
Next he gets them to pray for more revelation on the greatness of God. He prays "according to the might of God" not according to their own imaginations only. It is important that we pray according to the measure of Christ who lives in us. If we only pray to receive according to our faith, we may not receive much. But if we pray to receive according to Jesus Christ who lives in us, we exponentially multiply what is possible for us to believe.
Finally, he gets them to focus on Jesus - seated on the throne in heaven - ruling and reigning above all earthly and heavenly powers. The final scene is Jesus Christ in triumphant glory.This is not in the future only but in the present. Jesus finished it all by His resurrection from the dead and ascension into Heaven. Jesus paid the price by shedding his blood that we might have eternal life and be blessed on the earth with all spiritual and natural blessings.
He encourages the Church through his actual prayers but also in sharing them with them; his prayers are that they would know the limitless glory of God. His prayers show his concern for them spiritually as a spiritual mentor would do. His telling them what he is praying for them, would release faith in their hearts to believe for it in their lives.
Some of the most profound things we can pray for others are found in the prayers of the Apostle Paul for the churches. We should pray these things for ourselves but also for others. Those we are closest to - we should care that they grown in the knowledge of Christ so that they might teach others also.
Friday 13 May 2016
The Depths of the Glory of God
Ezekiel 47: 3 As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits[a] and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. 4 He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. 5 He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. 6 He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?”
The above passage in Ezekiel is of special significance to me as God has used it to speak to my life throughout my Christian life. A Born again - spirit Filled Christian knows that there is more of God than we can possibly measure. The more you pray, the more you worship, the more you read your Bible, the more you learn about God, the more there is to learn.
Somewhat early in my Christian life I heard preaching on this topic and it jumped out at me as though God Himself were speaking to me directly - that is the RHEMA Word - for those who have not experienced the joyful pleasure of God speaking to you through the Bible. I knew the preacher was talking about how we could have as much of God as we wanted.
Some will be content to be Christians at the ankle level. They fit God into their lives and they are Christians - I do not doubt their salvation but life is much more than God to them. God is some part of their lives - not the main part always. I would compare this relationship with God as an acquaintance. You know who they are but don't really get any further then that.
Some will press in further to God and become knee deep Christians. They will go to more Church services, pray more, give more. They may act more like a Christian by what they do and say. They may be known as Christians by those around them who are not. Their major decisions will be made with prayer and consulting \god. They will want to know what the Bible says about various topics.I would compare this to a friend rather than an acquaintance.
Those who go further are at the waist level of the River of God. They have made more of a commitment to God. They have surrendered all parts of their life to God. God is important in all decisions concerning life on earth - they pray; they read their Bible; they attend services. They are not only known as Christians by the people who don't know God, but they are known as sincere Christians by other Christians. People may gather around them because their is a spark of God in them that is charismatic. They use their gifts and talents for God.These are serious, devout people who worship the Lord Jesus Christ with their lives.I would compare this relationship as an intimate commitment as in a marriage or covenant friendship.
Those who enter into the waters that are so deep they can swim in them are a special treasure to God. These people live their lives in abandonment to God. I mean they want God more than anything or anybody. They want to share Christ. They want to share God's heart and pray as He wills for the people of the earth. Usually, they are intercessors who pray and worship and spend much of their time with God. They delight in praying for others as though it were for themselves.
They rejoice when God answers prayer and others are blessed because of it. They plan their lives around their relationship with God. As the Apostle Paul encouraged us to pray without ceasing,, these people go about their jobs praying and communing with God. They ask God to help them with ordinary things such as secular jobs or chores around the house. They commune with God while they do ordinary things but they always set apart special time to pray, praise, read the word of God, and pursue God passionately.
They are lovers of God. There are depths to God that no human can ever measure. God is higher, wider, deeper, above and beyond what we could ever conceive of - God is eternal - unending. Their relationship with God is as the most intimate sort of relationship but is more than all human relationships. It is an extraordinary, supernatural passionate, intimate - the only comparison I can make to this type of plunging into the depths of the River of Life is the analogy that God Himself gives in Revelation as the Bride, the Church preparing herself to marry Jesus.
It is not a natural preparing - there are spiritual explosions of glory that manifest in the lives of those who plunge into the depths of God. They will view things from the point of view of Christ seated on the throne in heaven rather than from the earth. They will be transformed from glory to glory as they constantly pursue the LORD Jesus Christ.
The above passage in Ezekiel is of special significance to me as God has used it to speak to my life throughout my Christian life. A Born again - spirit Filled Christian knows that there is more of God than we can possibly measure. The more you pray, the more you worship, the more you read your Bible, the more you learn about God, the more there is to learn.
Somewhat early in my Christian life I heard preaching on this topic and it jumped out at me as though God Himself were speaking to me directly - that is the RHEMA Word - for those who have not experienced the joyful pleasure of God speaking to you through the Bible. I knew the preacher was talking about how we could have as much of God as we wanted.
Some will be content to be Christians at the ankle level. They fit God into their lives and they are Christians - I do not doubt their salvation but life is much more than God to them. God is some part of their lives - not the main part always. I would compare this relationship with God as an acquaintance. You know who they are but don't really get any further then that.
Some will press in further to God and become knee deep Christians. They will go to more Church services, pray more, give more. They may act more like a Christian by what they do and say. They may be known as Christians by those around them who are not. Their major decisions will be made with prayer and consulting \god. They will want to know what the Bible says about various topics.I would compare this to a friend rather than an acquaintance.
Those who go further are at the waist level of the River of God. They have made more of a commitment to God. They have surrendered all parts of their life to God. God is important in all decisions concerning life on earth - they pray; they read their Bible; they attend services. They are not only known as Christians by the people who don't know God, but they are known as sincere Christians by other Christians. People may gather around them because their is a spark of God in them that is charismatic. They use their gifts and talents for God.These are serious, devout people who worship the Lord Jesus Christ with their lives.I would compare this relationship as an intimate commitment as in a marriage or covenant friendship.
Those who enter into the waters that are so deep they can swim in them are a special treasure to God. These people live their lives in abandonment to God. I mean they want God more than anything or anybody. They want to share Christ. They want to share God's heart and pray as He wills for the people of the earth. Usually, they are intercessors who pray and worship and spend much of their time with God. They delight in praying for others as though it were for themselves.
They rejoice when God answers prayer and others are blessed because of it. They plan their lives around their relationship with God. As the Apostle Paul encouraged us to pray without ceasing,, these people go about their jobs praying and communing with God. They ask God to help them with ordinary things such as secular jobs or chores around the house. They commune with God while they do ordinary things but they always set apart special time to pray, praise, read the word of God, and pursue God passionately.
They are lovers of God. There are depths to God that no human can ever measure. God is higher, wider, deeper, above and beyond what we could ever conceive of - God is eternal - unending. Their relationship with God is as the most intimate sort of relationship but is more than all human relationships. It is an extraordinary, supernatural passionate, intimate - the only comparison I can make to this type of plunging into the depths of the River of Life is the analogy that God Himself gives in Revelation as the Bride, the Church preparing herself to marry Jesus.
It is not a natural preparing - there are spiritual explosions of glory that manifest in the lives of those who plunge into the depths of God. They will view things from the point of view of Christ seated on the throne in heaven rather than from the earth. They will be transformed from glory to glory as they constantly pursue the LORD Jesus Christ.
Friday 6 May 2016
Sharing Christ with Jesus as our Role Model
John 4: 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
That woman at that well believed that what she was there for was to get natural drinking water. Jesus met her there though to help her in ways she didn't even know about. She had private secrets that now no one but God could possibly know about. Something in her yearned to know the true and living God. Do you know it is a gift to thirst for truth? Not everyone cares about God or spiritual things. In this instance, Jesus uses the ordinary substance of clean water to share the truths of eternity with her.
She misunderstood that he was referring to some kind of magical water - that quenches thirst. Jesus uses this point to bring her to the realization that alone is Messiah - the Christ - the Saviour. Their discussion deepens as Jesus tells her to go get her husband. She says " I have none." but the truth is she does not want to reveal her situation.
Jesus uses a word of knowledge about her situation to tell her the secrets of her heart. She really has had 5 husbands and this one she isn't even married to. She realizes his words are direct and accurate. she confesses that he is a prophet. Now the secret matters of her heart are revealed - her true longings for God. She asks where she should worship, here or on the other mountain. She believes perhaps region is the answer - she appeals to him for a religious answer. Jesus answers her most directly with these words.
24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
She exclaims she wants this - to truly worship God in spirit and truth. she realizes it isn't about place or religious tradition but about knowing God. Jesus reveals to her His identity as Messiah and she suddenly becomes so overcome with joy that she runs into town evangelizing saying she has met the Christ.
The deepest yearnings of someone's heart are not often revealed to anyone. The yearning for God and to know eternal life are often hidden away because people know they are unworthy of true fellowship with God because He is Holy. Only by using the prompting of the Holy Spirit, can we know what to use as prompts to get people talking about Christ. Most people want to know the true and living God but they either believe they know Him and worship a false God or serve God on their terms or they don't believe they are worthy.
Only we who know that Jesus is Christ and that are lead by the Holy Spirit can make a difference in these people's lives. It is not by might or by power. It is not with mere words of man's wisdom that we can bring them to Christ. Pray before you speak with people. You may have God reveal keys to you of how to win that person to Christ.
That woman at that well believed that what she was there for was to get natural drinking water. Jesus met her there though to help her in ways she didn't even know about. She had private secrets that now no one but God could possibly know about. Something in her yearned to know the true and living God. Do you know it is a gift to thirst for truth? Not everyone cares about God or spiritual things. In this instance, Jesus uses the ordinary substance of clean water to share the truths of eternity with her.
She misunderstood that he was referring to some kind of magical water - that quenches thirst. Jesus uses this point to bring her to the realization that alone is Messiah - the Christ - the Saviour. Their discussion deepens as Jesus tells her to go get her husband. She says " I have none." but the truth is she does not want to reveal her situation.
Jesus uses a word of knowledge about her situation to tell her the secrets of her heart. She really has had 5 husbands and this one she isn't even married to. She realizes his words are direct and accurate. she confesses that he is a prophet. Now the secret matters of her heart are revealed - her true longings for God. She asks where she should worship, here or on the other mountain. She believes perhaps region is the answer - she appeals to him for a religious answer. Jesus answers her most directly with these words.
24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
She exclaims she wants this - to truly worship God in spirit and truth. she realizes it isn't about place or religious tradition but about knowing God. Jesus reveals to her His identity as Messiah and she suddenly becomes so overcome with joy that she runs into town evangelizing saying she has met the Christ.
The deepest yearnings of someone's heart are not often revealed to anyone. The yearning for God and to know eternal life are often hidden away because people know they are unworthy of true fellowship with God because He is Holy. Only by using the prompting of the Holy Spirit, can we know what to use as prompts to get people talking about Christ. Most people want to know the true and living God but they either believe they know Him and worship a false God or serve God on their terms or they don't believe they are worthy.
Only we who know that Jesus is Christ and that are lead by the Holy Spirit can make a difference in these people's lives. It is not by might or by power. It is not with mere words of man's wisdom that we can bring them to Christ. Pray before you speak with people. You may have God reveal keys to you of how to win that person to Christ.
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