Being a Teacher Hurts

This is a fact to which I keep needing to submit. Having opportunities to lead Ladies Bible studies, and to speak before groups of women, I need to keep myself in the Bible and be sure that what comes out of my mouth is true to Scriptures and does not blaspheme God.

I have to be aware that what I teach or speak on is something I am certain is Biblically true and in no way will harm my listeners or students in their relationship to God. In that thought, I fear God, that I may in some way get it wrong. Then my judgement is deserved, because I dishonored holy perfect God.

So, when God takes me through something that brings me into closer relationship with Him and restores my faith in Him, this honors God in me. That end is which is the entire purpose of my witness to Him in my life and manifests itself to others.

If you think it doesn't hurt to care about the things of God--try be a teacher of the Bible sometime
One of the things that happens to someone who joins the hosts who in some way teach the Bible, is that God makes them learn the harder lessons than, say, someone who just comes to church once a week and absorbs.

"My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive the stricter judgement. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble... in word, he is a perfect man, able to also bridle the whole body" James 3:1,2.

"Be diligent to present yourself approved unto God, a worker who needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the truth" 2 Timothy 2:3.

The teacher must learn the lesson themselves, or otherwise the topic/object is without example in their own lives, making it just stories, tradition, and platitudes.

(in the parable of the good servant) Luke 19:12-27 "So he called ten of his servants, and delivered to them ten minas, and said to them 'Do business till I come'" Luke 19:13.

For God gives us the means and the material to do His business until He calls us to be with Him.

"For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him" Luke 19:26.

And our reward comes in glory when our works go through the fire and we can here God say "Well done, good and faithful servant" Matthew 5:23.

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Do You Want Revival?

Brought dynamically alive by God for His work would be great!

But, is it possible, if God the Holy Spirit revealed Himself to some congregations today, might there be more weeping than rejoicing.

To have the perfect presence of God come into the midst of a Sunday congregation would expose how terribly sinful we are and how unfit we are for His work. When Peter saw one miracle, he fell at Jesus' feet and begged Him to leave,(Luke 5:5-8). And Peter was a godly man seeking the coming of his Messiah, (John 1:40, 41).

In the past, when the God's revivals came, the men and women went into small groups of prayer, and earnestly sought God for themselves, fasting, asking to be cleansed, forgiven, and made right for the work. And then they turned their prayers toward the needs of others.

And God answered their faith and faithful prayers to change them and the areas around them for a generation.

"Fear of the LORD is instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility" Proverbs 15:33.

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time" 1 Peter 5:6.

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction, but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Now to Him who is able to keep
you from stumbling, and to present you faultless
before the presence of His glory
with exceeding joy, to God our Savior,
who alone is wise, be glory and majesty. dominion and power,
both now and forever.
Amen."
Jude 20-25.

To be revived, you must admit you're dead and without power in yourself, trusting God to bring life back to your body.

Wanting revival shouldn't be for personal benefit, it should be a desire for our God to be revealed and glorified by the changes in our lives and the lives of those who will be saved by His grace and love.

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A Personal Opinion of the Fall of Mankind in Genesis 3

A personal opinion of what happened in the Garden of Eden. This is not to be taken as fact but is just an idea of mine.

After he figured out that God loved these weak little creatures Jesus made, Satan wanted to be worshiped. However, because of his newly expressed pride, Satan was kicked out of heaven for trying to elevate his position to a god.

Therefore, angry at God for not accepting his self-appointed promotion, Satan decided to see wha...t damage he could do to God's perfect little creatures. He took a walk around the Garden of Eden watching and studying the man and his wife. Finally figuring out a way to hurt them, Satan approached Eve with his evil plans.


Satan succeeded in killing the relationship between God and man by getting Eve to question God's love for her simply by making her wonder why God would tell her not to do something.

Satan killed us all, bringing the wages of sin in the form of death to all people. Spiritual death and eternal separation in hellfire from our original relationship to God and physical death in our bodies that returns to the earth God formed us from.

Thank God for His gracious salvation Jesus provided through the cross!!

Completely rhetorical question---How long would you imagine it took Satan to figure out from which tree Adam and Eve weren’t to eat?

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The Two-Fold Purpose of God Moving Dynamic Workers

The Antioch church was growing and service was abundant, then God says, "Okay, now those who are doing the majority of the work, I want them to go where I send them, to further My work somewhere else."

"Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away." Acts 13:1-3.

Most churches would hate having their hardest workers leave. Even to disagreeing with God. "After all, God, their ministry is extremely vital! They can't leave, who will do the work!"

Kinda selfish isn't it? And also terribly restricting. It could be God wants to raise up someone else to do another work in that church, It may be these dynamic people leave no room for the new workers, or even a new work. Someone of importance might have to step down, or step away, from their ministry so another person may serve God. Hmmm?

No one would go to the mission field if dynamic workers didn't go. Even if that mission field is another church body, God can bless those who go, the church they leave, and the church they join for their obedience.

If Barnabas and Saul had stayed, would their work have continued to flourish or would it have stagnated and died over time? If they had said, "No, Lord, we are too busy here, we don't want to go," would God have continued to enjoy their service to Him in that place?

What do you think? Can God have a two-fold purpose for moving people out of a flourishing ministry?

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Do You View Circumstances Through Scripture Glasses?

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" 2 Timothy 3:16,17.

If we look at all the uses of maximizing Scripture in our daily lives, decision making, the eyes we see through, and the way we discern our circumstances, our lives can be the easiest way to exalt our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And just maybe it will be contrary to what we might have originally thought.

Scripture Glasses for Church Ministry

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. There are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all" 1 Corinthians 12:4-7.

If God has given someone a vision and you don't see how it is going to work out, accept that maybe you don't have a part in their ministry but you should do your ministry alongside them and thus build the body of Christ as you exercise your gifts.

The growth their vision brings is going to offer you more opportunities to serve God in your gifting because this person is being faithful in theirs.

As when Peter preached the first sermon; many gifts were used after the church began to grow.

"Then those who gladly received his (Peter's) word were baptized; and that day three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread and in prayers. Then the fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles" Acts 2:41,42,43.

Scripture Glasses for Personal Witness

"For faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God"
Romans 10:17.

When witnessing, try to speak verses during the opportunities. It doesn't matter if the other person can recite Bible verses. If they don't know God, their recitation is nothing. When you speak the word of God, you are representing Almighty God and His power is in the words you speak.

"And when He (The Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement" John 16:8.

"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" 1 John 4:4.

Scripture Glasses in Obedience to Serve

Even when you've done everything right in your witness, and the person you have witnessed to doesn't receive what you've told them and maybe even gotten really angry, God's word has done exactly what God intended.

You could be witnessing to someone and think you blew it but it could be God has done something you don't know anything about!

"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and shall prosper in that thing for which I sent it" Isaiah 55:10,11.

Scripture Glasses When Things Change

How do you view someone leaving your church for another body of Christ. Is your sorrow for losing a number or a member? Are you upset because they went to a rival congregation? Are you upset because you and they maybe couldn't reconcile a disagreement?

How about this--Are you sorry that maybe your church lost an evangelist, a prophet, a preacher, an administrator, a teacher, an encourager, or an exhorter.

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets,
some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers"
Ephesians 4:11.

Do you ever consider maybe God has given that person who's leaving a vision so strong God has to move them to a place where He can use them, because traditions or patterns at your church are too restrictive?

"As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them" Acts 3:2.

"Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing" Titus 3:13.

If you've been praying for revival, watch for God to do things that are contrary to your comfort zone.

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God Tell's Them Off--Not So Subtly

 "Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds" 

Numbers 17:8.

A group of people opposed Aaron, challenging his right to be priest in the tabernacle. God stepped in and made it an absolute fact that He approved of Aaron's service.

In having a dead stick produce leaves, buds, and ripe fruit, God left no room for anyone to not know He chose Aaron.

We will always have people jealous of our ministry, especially if God blesses it. Many people will only see 'our' success and forget that we're only being an obedient servant, pleasing our Master. It's the Master's choice to bless openly, which He often does.

Every employment opportunity in the secular has an equivalent in the Body of Christ. It is God who empowers that career to further His kingdom and bring lost people to salvation through what you do.

When God does take your service to new levels, always remember it is never your power, strength, knowledge or ability to get the Supernatural work of God done. Only God has the power to make His word or His work different than any other words spoken or work done on earth. You're just the servant--be a good one.

Let God take care of the jealous people.

An Expert Performance

“And He is the head of the body, the church…” cf Colossians 1: 18

An expert dressage performance is beautiful. Top-level dressage is a very complex and exacting equestrian discipline. The beauty is in the minimal action of the rider getting a large independent animal to move in timed, definite steps and gaits. Judges look for the least movement in the rider to produce fluid movement in the horse. Horse and rider move as a unit.

HFS Van Derus

The rider signals the horse with their fingers, knees, heels, thighs, small sounds and sometimes a short, thin riding crop. Each sign asks the animal for something, either to change gait, move to another step or in another direction. Spectators should not be able to detect the rider’s movements, only the horse’s obedience

The horse cannot produce a precision performance without the rider. When the horse obeys the rider, the rider gets the glory and the horse receives praise from the rider. A well-trained dressage horse is submissive and obedient to the rider. In performance, the animal will enjoy the smooth connection and sharply applied actions as much as the rider.

Just so, a church body cannot produce an effective witness without submission and obedience to the head. The disciplined body is to watch, listen, and respond so that God gets the glory when we get it right. God signals to the church through personal Bible reading and prayer, through hearing of good solid Bible preaching, through the loving instruction of others, through our willingness to serve others. He places us in situations where we can respond to Him and get the job done.

There is a negative side to the exhibition in the ring; the horse does not have to respond to the rider.

Consider this; the horse is in the ring, with all the correct equipment and qualifications but the performance is a disaster. The horse is sluggish, fidgety, reluctant, and disobedient. Its tail is twisting, feet are stomping, and dragging, the ears are flipping back and forth, and the mouth is working against the bit. The horse moves sideways or in circles. It tosses its head and maybe even attempts to dislodge the rider. 

A misbehaving horse makes his rider look terrible. 

People will speak against the disobedience but most will criticize the rider for the horse’s behavior. The rider will leave the ruing in shame and a cloud of disrespect.

Does the behavior of the body of Christ produce respect for Jesus? Do others have good things to say about you? Does your family, even the unsaved, honor your love for God? Do your co-workers consider you hypocritical or are they attentive and eavesdropping when you talk about Jesus?

Imagine the dressage horse is the church, Christ is the rider, the judges are our brothers & sisters and the spectators are all the unsaved people. We’ve passed all the qualifications, we have the equipment, we look the part, we have the name of Jesus, and we call ourselves Christians. Here we are in the ring, everyone is watching. Now, Jesus gives us a gentle command unseen or felt by anyone but us. How are we going to respond?

• Do we move in beautiful fluid motion or do we refuse. 
• Are we willing to make the requested gait or post change
• Is our response sluggish, reluctant, and disobedience

Just attending a church does not tell the unsaved, lost and dying we are the body of Christ. We could be a horse circling in the ring without any obedience to the rider. Sure, we’re visible and we have all the trappings but is the body responding smoothly to the head.

In eagerly responding to Jesus on a daily basis, we show the lost and dying world the beauty of Christianity and the glory of God. At first, we can set up visual posts then after a while, the action will happen without the visual reminders. Our serving will be a natural fluid motion, a beautiful and effective witness anywhere, and everywhere.

• Obedience to prayer

• Obedience to Bible reading

• Obedience to ministry

• Obedience to witness

• Obedience to holiness

• Obedience to Jesus’ name

• Obedience to church attendance

Any old horse and rider can enter a show but in a top-notch event, they have to be a proven equestrian or it will be quickly apparent if they’re not. There has to be proof. The proof that we are the body of Christ comes from our action to being part of the body of Christ. We need to allow Jesus to be our trainer and respond to the commands from His hands. A Christian’s behavior is a direct reflection on Jesus.

Ask God to make you a proven disciple, an integral part of the body, responding to the head with smooth precision under the gentle guidance of Jesus. When the unsaved spectators see us, may they glorify our God in heaven for the beauty of our obedience?!

Themes in James

Chapter 1

• Vs 1. James' salutation to the letter's recipients 
• Vss 2-8. Utilizing prayers of faith to survive trials  
• Vss 9-11. Remember, everyone is equal in God’s sight 
• Vss 12-16 No one is perfect. Don’t get into trouble thinking you are 
• Vss 17, 18. God is what you have & all you have. Don’t boast otherwise  
• Vs 19. Watch your mouth  
• Vss 21-25. If you can’t stand to let God wash you, you’re blind to your habitual sins  
• Vss 26-27. Humble yourself. Be not proud—do service to God. Look for those in need and fill whatever their need is

Chapter 2 

• Vss 1-7. Be careful of pride;  the worlds’ social order practices discrimination. Don’t you dare do this in the church, at work, in your home, or anywhere  
• Vss 8-13. All your knowledge has little value as a witness; your conduct will explain your connection to Jesus  
• Vs 14-18. Do not take the Lord’s name in vain. If you name yourself a Christian, it’s going to show in what you do. If it doesn’t, you’re not. You manner, quality, and objective of work will prove you  
• Vss 19-20. Saying the name of Jesus doesn’t make you a Christian. Satan knows who God is and knows the difference between a genuine Christian and a quasi-Christian. Make sure you prove whom you are  
• Vss 21-26. Examples of people proving their faith

Chapter 3 

Green-Eyed envy

• Vss 1-8. Guard your tongue. If you think you can teach, be very careful of your words. God will hold you accountable for every word you speak on His behalf  (I’m accountable for this post)  
• Vss 9-12. Examples of how we can misuse the name of Jesus  
• Vss 13-18. If you’re knowledgeable about the truth, then teach it. It comes from God. Do not boast because you know something. It didn’t originate from you. Give it freely to everyone

Chapter 4 

• Vss 1-3. You idiots! Stop fighting for worthless stuff. Stop fighting for position  
• Vss 4-6. If you’re married to Christ, you’re an adulterer when you covet the worlds’ stuff. God is jealous when you cheat on Him  
• Vss 7-8 Satan has to leave you alone in the presence of your humble faith  
• Vss 11, 12. Idiot! You can’t correctly judge anyone. Stop it  
• Vss 13-16. Don’t leave God out of your plans. Make all your plans with flexibility.  
• Vs 17. Don’t place all your eggs in one basket. You could sin trying to sustain it

Chapter 5 

• Vss 1-6. Behave yourselves. Repent and help others. Give up your pride. Be honest!  
• Vss 7-9. Wait for Jesus, He’s right here  
•  Vss 10,11.  Examples of men who waited in faith, not knowing what was going on  
• Vs12. Be honest in all your promises  
•  Vss 13-16. The church body is there for Christians in all situations and stages of need. Stick together & help one another, especially praying for one another  
•  Vss 17, 18. Example of a Godly man’s prayers  
•  Vss 19-20. Helping a Brother or Sister in Christ with love will benefit everyone in the most beautiful and spiritual ways

Body Parts

"For in fact the body is not one member but many" 1 Corinthians 12:14.

There's a popluar trite saying "Grow where you're planted." Good advice---for a plant.

God calls the Church a Body. Because we can learn what the physical body does, we should be learning what the Body of Christ can do.

God says His church is a body, with many parts. The human body can preform many things. Physically we can do things with our hands. We walk with our feet. We talk with our mouths. We see with our eyes. We hear with our ears. We think with our brains. We love with our inner heart. We feel pain through nerves. We breath with our lungs. We pump blood through veins with the physical heart. We exert pressure with muscles. We digest with our internal organs.

There are atoms, cells, DNA, RNA, vessels, bones, minerals, water, air, and more that God made into the form that is us. God's design does millions of things, because God wanted it to do all those things. Everything that the body does brings God glory.

Praise the LORD!

It stands to reason, if God's physical design does that for which it was made, then the Body of Christ--His Church--should also do everything He designed it to do for His glory.