Category: Reflections

Remind Me Dear Lord: Reassurance During a Pandemic – Part 2

Remind Me Dear Lord: Reassurance During a Pandemic – Part 2

daltonjenkins

Dalton Jenkins / General

Zechariah (Ne. 8:4); Assurance; Comfort; Jews (return from Exile) / Zechariah 4; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalm 91; Isaiah 65:24

Zechariah 4:6 ESV

6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

PART 2

WE NEED TO SEE SPIRITUALLY

As I look in the text, one of the first things I note is that we need to see spiritually. It’s easy to forget that the goodness of God, that his hands still can reach us. When you are battered with all kinds of situations and expected to live, you’re expected to serve; you’re expected to carry on; it’s not easy. Zerubbabel understood this. As a king, how does he encourage the people? How does he speak peace, speak hope? He became affected by the circumstances that were around him.

Every single one of us, at some point in time, will need somebody to encourage us. At some point in time, every one of us needs somebody to speak hope and life into our circumstances. When you look all around you and seem hopeless, you need somebody to come alongside and say it is not all lost. There is hope for tomorrow. You need someone who can see spiritually. Being able to see spiritually means you can look beyond the current circumstances and discern the voice and instruction of the Holy Spirit.

In verse two of Zechariah chapter four, the angel said to Zechariah, what do you see? He replied I’m looking. See, we must be able to look spiritually. He didn’t see death and doom. He didn’t see broken walls and overturned tombs. No. He had to look spiritually. He had to look beyond the circumstances. And what he saw was something unique. He saw the candlestick. Consider with me for a moment what this candlestick represented in the sanctuary. He could see the original deposition of the candlestick.  The prophet sees it as where it should be, projected up like usually. He saw beyond the current condition. He’s thinking about the temple of God with the candlestick, with the lights burning, signifying something is going to happen. Beside the candlestick were two olive trees. Consider the purpose of the olive trees; olive trees speak of supplies. Therefore, if you have an olive tree, you will get olive, and you can make your oil, and oil is essential. You can sell your oil, and now you have provision. I am refusing to allow my current disposition to dictate what I see and what I believe. I am looking deeper and beyond the natural. I want to see what God is showing me, hope!

I am refusing to allow my current disposition to dictate what I see and what I believe. I am looking deeper and beyond the natural. I want to see what God is showing me, hope!

When I look, and I see the devastation, I must look deeper. I must look through the eyes of the Spirit. I must hear what God says to me when he asks me, son, what do you see? I must look. What do you see? Sometimes you are at a point where you don’t know what is happening around you. You’re just backed in a corner; you just don’t know what to do. When a question is asked of you, and you cannot find the answer. God wants you to look beyond what you are experiencing physically. Just don’t rest at, I don’t know. You must go beyond that point and look again. I must look again because what I’m used to seeing, I don’t think that’s what you’re asking me about God. You’re not asking me what my physical eyes see; you’re asking me what my spiritual eyes are looking on. Look again! Tell me what you see.

It’s interesting as you dig deeper into this text that the question is not about the past. It’s not what you saw, but it’s what do you see now. It’s the reality. You must get this in your Spirit today. He’s not concerned about what you saw. He says, look and tell me what you see. For some folks, the past is not worth beholding. History is hard to grasp, to comprehend. When I look at the past, I get more depressed; I just want to be detached. So, I can’t dwell in the past. I got to look at what I see now and now; it’s something of life and hope. He spoke. I see that there’s a lampstand. I see solid gold with a bowl on top of it. And on it, seven lamps, seven pipes, seven lamps.

Just like the prophet, I must look beyond what man tells me. I got to look beyond what my eyes were telling me. I got to look beyond my current situation. I must look through the eyes of God, and I see hope, I see a future, I see brighter today. I see things are changing; I see my olive trees. I see my bowls on the right and the left, and I have hope. We need to be able to see spiritually.

Just like the prophet, I must look beyond what man tells me. I got to look beyond what my eyes were telling me. I got to look beyond my current situation. I must look through the eyes of God, and I see hope, I see a future, I see brighter today.

WE NEED A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM GOD

Secondly, Zechariah 4:6-7 (ESV) demonstrates that we need a message of hope from God. I embrace this in my heart that it’s 

6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

This is a message of hope. Verse six states, this is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel. Does anyone need a word from God in your circumstances? I don’t need any fancier speeches. I don’t need any excellent lectures. I need the word of God for my life. I need the word of God in my circumstances. I am in dire situation. I’m in a straight. I don’t need you tickling ears with words that do not give hope. I don’t need fancy talk.

I need the word of God since he is the source of my hope. I need to hear that God is coming through for me. I need God’s word. This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, a message of hope from God our Father. This word is available to you and me as we experience the darkest moments of our lives.

We’ve got to speak the word of God into the lives and circumstances of others. Speak positively into the lives of others. Listen to what God is saying. You see, the prophet cannot be quick to speak. First, he asked him, what do you see? If people are quick to talk, they primarily don’t ponder the point long enough to speak. The first thing he said to the prophet was, look, what do you see? And when he told him what he saw, he said, okay, here is what you need to tell Zerubbabel. We must be deliberating before we start speaking. We should not be too quick to talk, but we are to be praying about what God says to us and what he wants us to say? What is it that he is showing us?

The vision wasn’t for the prophet. The vision was for the king because the king needed to be encouraged. The prophet brought the message of hope. The message to Zerubbabel is that it is not by “your might that you will be successful.” In other words, Zerubbabel, don’t worry yourself. You are looking at the task, and the task seems daunting. You’re looking at the task, and it seems like you cannot do it, but don’t worry yourself, Zerubbabel.

It’s not by your might, Zerubbabel.

It’s not how strong you are, Zerubbabel.

It’s not how deep your pocket is, Zerubbabel.

It’s not by your might, Zerubbabel, but it is by the Spirit of God.

At this point, we should be shouting because when I am weak, I am strong in God, as stated in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly, I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  

That means when I am discouraged and worn out; then I am encouraged and lifted because it’s not by my might; it’s not by my strength. I don’t have to develop any energy for the Spirit of God to move. He is independent of our circumstances. I just got to trust the Spirit of God to move in my life.

Pray

Today, my cry is, “Lord; I cannot do this task; only you can get it done, God. Even when I think I am capable, God, unless you do it, I will fail unless your Holy Spirit leads. Move Holy spirit! As you reminded Zerubbabel, please continue to remind me that the Lord of hosts sent the message. It is the mighty God, the everlasting father, the prince of peace that has spoken, and I believe him!”

To prophet intending to reassure the king did not immediately give the message directly. However, he showed him a picture. It is as if God was saying, “I want him to understand what I’m trying to tell him.” I’m going to speak to his enemies at the same time. I will speak to his challenges; I will say to the circumstances, the situation that gets him down. I need God to speak into my affairs. I need God to talk to my mountains. The writer asked in verse seven, who are you thou great “Mountain”? I don’t know what the “Mountain” is in your life today; let me share with you, there is a word from God. He has a word that He has sent to you. And the question is, who are you, thou “great Mountain”?

Why is God questioning this Mountain? He says, “oh great Mountain, who are you great Mountain before Zerubbabel?” The reason why God is questioning this Mountain is that the Mountain is a hindrance to his servant. In other words, whatever your mountains are, your restrictions, and your challenges, the God that we serve will require those “Mountains” to answer to Him. He’s not arguing. God is not quarreling. He’s not fussing with the “Mountain.” He’s just asking the question, who are you, great Mountain? Who are you that you’re going to stand in front of my servant Zerubbabel? You will become a plain. God said I’m going to bring you down “Mountain.” Why? Because you are a hindrance to my servant’s progress.

We need a message of hope when we are faced with our pandemics. It’s not just coronavirus that is a pandemic in our lives. There are pandemics of finances affecting our relationships and our jobs. These pandemics are haunting us night and day. We need God to speak to our mountains. God will bring low those obstacles, and He will give us hope. Don’t you worry; just leave it to the Spirit of God. Because the Bible tells me that God has given us His Spirit, he says he didn’t give you a spirit of fear but love and power and a sound mind [2 Timothy 1:7].

So, I’m not going to ignore my situation. I’m not going to ignore that I have a mountain either. I’m going to acknowledge I have a mountain, but I’m going to say to the Mountain, Mountain, get out of my way. Mountain, you got to move. Yes, the Spirit of God brings life. The Spirit of God brings liberation. The Spirit of God breaks every stronghold and sets the prisoner free [Leviticus 26:13]. Maybe you have been a prisoner of your mind. I’m here to tell you that God has come. He has set his Spirit upon you to give you liberty. Cry out to God today; Oh, Holy Spirit, oh, Holy Spirit, oh, Holy Spirit, we need your help. We need your help, Holy Spirit. Oh, God helps us.

Maybe you have been a prisoner of your mind. I’m here to tell you that God has come. He has set his Spirit upon you to give you liberty.

WE NEED REASSURANCE THAT THE WORK WILL BE COMPLETED

Thirdly, in verses eight and nine, we are told that we need reassurance that the work will be completed. The Bible tells us that Zerubbabel was building the temple, and he got discouraged. He questioned himself. He stated I didn’t know if I could finish this task. This task is more than I can bear. How am I going to do this? He needed a word from God. The word came directly and said, Zerubbabel, you can do it.

As you read this blog, you might be feeling similarly to how Zerubbabel was feeling in this passage, Zechariah 4:8–9 (ESV)

8 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 
9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.

In other words, you have started it. And the hands of Zerubbabel will complete it. The prophet told Zerubbabel that he was coming to him as the mouthpiece of the Lord of hosts. I’m coming to encourage you. What you have started, what you have put your hand to, and you feel that you cannot complete it, I’m here to tell you that God has made a promise for you. You will get it done. We all need this kind of reassurance.

Do you need reassurance today? The Lord wants to reassure you that what you are facing is not the end. What you are facing is just the beginning. The hand of God is with you. The hand of God has surrounded you. The hand of God is protecting you. The prophet told the king that you would know that the Lord of hosts has sent me when you have finished your assignment.

He says in Zechariah 4:10, for who has despised the day of small things?  This verse is a reminder that we should not underestimate small things. For these seven rejoice to see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the Lord, which scan all around and throughout the whole world. The consolation today, in Zechariah 4:10, is very rich.  When the prophet talks about the plumb-line, carpenters know it is essential because it holds the level. It’s an indication that some building project is going on. When laying the blocks or trying to make sure that everything connects, they set the plumb-line. They set the plumb line, and everything is leveled from the plumb-line. According to The Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, the plumb-line is symbolic of an ordinary tool of the day representing God’s true and accurate judgment[iv].

The prophet says to Zerubbabel; you might not have all you think you need, but you must begin with what you have. Some people give up because they don’t have everything all at once, but that’s not what God wants from us. He wants us to trust him with whatever we have. We must trust God even if we have a little patience or modest faith like that of a grain of mustard seed. Whatever it is that you have, maybe it’s your finances. Trust God with it. Whatever you have, God is saying wholeheartedly don’t reject what you have. You are going to finish the work with what you have. You’re going to complete the task with what is in your hand.

Let us look more at the question, who has despised the day of small things? When you read the story of the children of Israel after the exile in Nehemiah and Ezra, you realize that the temple was built. The wall was erected, and the tombs were repaired. Then they got the scroll, and Ezra, the prophet, stood up on a platform and read from the scrolls. The Bible says that the people stood there and listened from morning till evening as they read the scrolls Nehemiah 8:3. The people responded and said all that the word of God says we will do. Maybe Zerubbabel didn’t even have this picture in his mind. He might not even saw the possibility of everything being restored. The temple and the platform are erected. Hundreds of thousands of people are standing in front of him, listening to the word of God being delivered. I am not sure he had this vision. God called him, and he did what he had to do, and the result is beyond imagination.

As Zerubbabel proceeded to tackle his Mountain, you and I must tackle all our mountains. We work because there is a future. There is hope. Don’t underestimate little things. It’s interesting when you consider all the big things those little things control. Look at the cruise ship and the little stern that controls it. Look at this tractor-trailer and look at the small steering wheel that controls it. A small instrument controls a giant airplane. You look at our body and the little tongue that controls it. You might be small, or you might have small things, but it doesn’t mean you can’t do big things. Little is much, and the songwriter says when God is in it.

The prophet’s message was, “don’t you worry because God is in it with you.” God is there to remind you that you have the plumb-line so keep working. The eyes of the Lord are upon you; it scans back and forth. You might feel that you’re not protected. Let me remind you that you are protected by the hand of God. You have comprehensive protection. You might not be able to see your way out, but God’s got you in His protection. He’s the one that is looking over you.

You might feel that you’re not protected. Let me remind you that you are protected by the hand of God. You have comprehensive protection.

You must understand that when your circumstances overwhelm you depend on God. When your situations seem to get the better of you, you can rely on God. Our God is always looking over us; he sees us. There’s nowhere on the face of this earth you can go that God is not present. He’s always there. The Psalmist says, where should I go from the presence of the Lord? Even hell, I can’t escape him. I could make my bed in the depths of the oceans, even there he is. God is all over. He’s concerned about his people [Hebrews 4:15]. Don’t underestimate the beginning of small things.

GOD’S ANOINTING IS AVAILABLE TO YOU

The last point I want to make from  Zechariah 4:11-14.  We need to know that God has set forth his anointed ones to serve alongside his people. To be “called” refers to “A ceremonial action performed on persons and things to separate them from profane use and obtain on their behalf the infusion of Divine grace.”[v] It is said that the Biblical personalities were often anointed in “recognition of the Lord’s divine calling upon their lives; the anointing was a physical recognition of their roles (or office), such as king, prophet, or priest.”[2] You might think you are alone but listen to what he said about the olive stands. He asked what the meaning of the olive trees? Explain it to me. In Zechariah 4:12, he begins to talk about it. He says, then I answered and said to him, what are these two olive branches that dip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes with the golden oil drain? He says this means something. The olive branch that connects to the bowl seems to be pouring golden oil into this thing. It’s not just pouring oil, and it’s pouring golden oil. I mean, this is such a rich passage.

 Zechariah 4:13 said that the angel answered and said, do you not know what are these? And he said, no, my Lord. The angel asked, don’t you know? In other words, the angel was thinking; you’re the prophet. He said these are two anointed ones who stand beside the Lord on the earth. God has sent his anointed ones. It reminded me of the scripture that says; he will give his angels charge over you as stated in Psalm 91:11-12. You are not alone. Everyone might have given up on you. You might be standing alone but remember the God of Heaven’s Army is on your side. Remember that Jesus promised us that He would send us the Holy Spirit, who is our Helper. In His high priestly prayer in John 17, he prayed that God would keep us. There is help for all of us. When you face life’s most pandemic situations, God is right there to help you.

You are not alone. Everyone might have given up on you. You might be standing alone but remember the God of Heaven’s Army is on your side.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have examined the message of the Spirit that was given to Zerubbabel. Faced with the task of completing the restoration of the walls and the city Zerubbabel was facing discouragement. Every leader knows what it is like to face their task and to have to deal with apathy. If you are going to look beyond the discouragement and more ahead, you must begin to see through the eyes of the Spirit. We Must Deal with the apathy of those who we will lead and work alongside. It is always true that God never changes. No circumstances can impact the nature of God. Our eyes must see beyond the natural and see in the spiritual realm. All of us need real companions, and we need a message of hope from God. We all need reassurance that the work we are assigned will be completed. We are not alone; the power and anointing of God are available to assist us with our assignment.

[i] Hwang, J. (2016). Zechariah, Book of. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

[ii] Hwang, J. (2016). Zechariah, Book of. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

[iii] https://covidusa.net. 10/01/21

[iv] Silva, M., & Tenney, M. C. (2009). In The Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, M-P (Revised, Full-Color Edition, Vol. 4, p. 918). Grand Rapids, MI: The Zondervan Corporation.

[v] Smith, R. L. (1984). Micah–Malachi (Vol. 32, p. 166). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

Pray and Watch God Work!

daltonjenkins

praying with power_wide_t_nv“Our God is Awesome! Heals me when I’m broken, strength where I’ve weakened… Forever He will reign…!!!”

I believe in the power of prayer!

During the months of October and November of 2013, I was led by the Holy Spirit to pray for the direct needs of my congregation and persons who worship with us at Bethel Temple of Praise. There were several individuals who had been diagnosed and some that were waiting for the test to confirm or clear them of potential diseases.  Others were in various stages of financial upheaval and families that were having various issues.

The Holy Spirit spoke these words to me to declare over the congregation, “Pray and Watch God Work”.

I commissioned one of our members, a medical doctor, to make a list of all the different kinds of illness that persons were facing.  She also gave me what were the causes and potential consequences of each of these illnesses. Every Sunday morning for 15-20 I personal prayed for these various issues: personal, spiritual and financial.  During this period, we would break during our Sunday morning worship and pray specifically for the different illnesses and needs of those persons who were worshipping with us. These moments of intercessory prayer have been such a blessing and on the fifth Sunday of October we had our congregation shared their testimonies about the power of prayer and how God has worked miraculously in their lives.

As we sat and listened, during worship, we were just in awe at some of the miracles that The Lord has done. God has continued to heal the sick among us. When we sat and listened to how God has removed tumors and potential cancer cells from the bodies of our people it is just so amazing! We have heard of persons who were told by their doctors that there was nothing more to do—no operation was possible. Thanks to God he never gives up on us, and He is the ultimate healer when we are ailing.

God’s goodness never fails us, for instance we see where The Lord continues to work miracles in the lives of his people. We have had healing taken place in the life of one of our members who was inflected with stage 3 pancreatic cancer. The doctors’ thought it was impossible to do surgery, but today the surgery was a success, and thanks to God she is now recovering. God has also removed what was thought to be cancerous cells from another of our sister’s body. I can recall following the leading of the Holy Spirit to ask for seven persons to believe in faith with me while we went to God in prayer for another person that had a preliminary diagnosis of potentially cancerous cells.  Our sister has been given seven months to return to the doctor to confirm that all cancerous cells are gone. It is only The Lord that could have performed all these miraculous deeds!

Through prayer, God had restored broken relationships, provided financially for his people, provided jobs when it seems as if all hope was gone. He brought about promotions in the lives of his people and has removed numerous obstacles that were preventing his people from moving upward.

We have also seen The Lord working in the lives of His people in their personal relationships.  There were siblings and relatives who have not been talking to each other for some time now. We prayed specifically for those relationships, and we have heard of reports of these persons are talking to each other and have now reconciled their differences. This could only be achieved through God’s grace and mercy towards us as we believed by faith.

We prayed continuously for job opportunities to be opened up for our people and how good it is to hear our people shared of God providing jobs for them when they least expected it to happen. Our God promised to supply our needs and indeed He has come through for us and we are so grateful to God for always being there for us.

How then can we not remain steadfast and continue to serve The Lord with all our hearts and soul? We read in God’s words that He will always provide for us if we remain faithful to him. After listening to all that The Lord has done in the lives of His people how can we not obey His word where we are told to “…hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering…”

Not everyone was instantly healed or delivered from their various sicknesses or delivered from their various issues. They too experienced the presence of God in a real and personal way. Through their issues and sicknesses they found strength and comfort that was a miracle.

Finally, let us always remember to give thanks to God for all He has done. As Psalm 34:19 says ” Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but The Lord delivers him out of them all.”…. God may not remove all the afflictions, but He makes sure we are able to endure them faithfully. Pray and watch God work!

Happy New Year!

daltonjenkins

10 year anniversary.004In 2014, how could one truly and radically live out the mission of the Church?  We still have a lot of work to do, and we must earnestly advance the mission of the Church. The Church has to recognize that their primary mission is to advance the Kingdom of God. Jesus prayed for the Church in John 17:11-17:

“And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me… I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

The Gospel must be preached! I have made a decision to move forward declaring the Gospel. The Gospel is truly ‘good news’ because the events of Jesus’ ministry are the fulfillment of God’s loving decision to heal the broken creation.

In 2014, as we advance the mission of the Kingdom of God, we must maintain a solid biblical foundation.  With the changing cultural environment of our time truth has taken on a relative nature, if not a back seat. The Scripture is being viewed as less authoritative than previous years.

It is quite evident that whenever there is a lack of Biblical foundation and structure there is a potential to wander away from the message of the Bible and the structure of the Church. We must hold to the teachings of the Scriptures without compromise. The heart of the bible is the Gospel Message.

During this period of Church history, we must rely on The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit directs the Church. The Holy Spirit equips and empowers the Church to serve and to proclaim the Gospel. Without the Holy Spirit in our lives we will be carried away in this period of relativity.

There is a deliberate effort to devalue and destroy!

There is an effort to reduce the Bible to less authoritative and outdated. There is a spirit of division that has entered into the church. I pray that in 2014 we deliberately make an effort to unite and hold up the authoritative nature of the Bible. This disunity and lack of biblical authority has allowed the desecration of the sacred. There is a deliberate effort to desecrate the sacred. Is this a result of those who are supposed to guard the sacred have left it open in the name of:

1) Quantity instead of quality,

2) “Delicious instead of nutritious”

3) Conforming instead of transforming

4) Imitators instead of leaders

5) Talkers instead of doers

6) Appeasers instead of truth-tellers

7) Political correctness instead of biblical boldness

8) Popularity instead of prophetic purity

9) Celebrity instead of shepherding

10) Acceptors instead of defenders

2014 will be a year of decisions. Joshua declared, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. What will your decision be in 2014? Will you conform or will you transform. There is no hiding. You will have to make a decision.

We must not sacrifice the gospel message in the name of being accepted in the eyes of the world. In 2014, I make a decision to more forward in advancing the cause of Christ!

Happy New Year!!!

Dr. Dalton Jenkins

I see a disturbing trend

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place to stand, a_wide_t_nv

I watched a hearing the other day, and it was fascinating, to say the least.  One of the things that I noticed was that those who were asking questions were often identified by what was their party affiliation.  What if before Christians made a statement they were identified by their theological or doctrinal position?

I am amazed by how many “pastors/theologians” are embracing doctrines and theologies that are not consistent with Scripture.  Oftentimes no one is aware of where they stand theologically.  Their statements seem authoritative and are readily consumed by many.

There is an effort afoot to limit or negate the authority of the Scriptures.  If the Bible is not the ultimate source of authority then we are able do as we feel without any standard of correction.

It seems that those who are confronted by Scriptures or in violation of Biblical principles sometimes try and argue the opposite of what is taught by the Bible. I think this is done in order that they can comfort themselves or to justify this violation.

Should Biblical Principles change based on ones experiences or culture?

Many of the discussions and questions that are in the spotlight are not new.  The Church fathers have vetted these before, and each had settled on a point of view. That is why we have so many branches of Christianity.

Social media and TV have a way of masking ones theological position. Rarely does a person see public disclosures of doctrines and theologies of a given speaker/blogger. What we have displayed in public are general, edited and popular ideas.

We should be careful to understand the theological perspectives of those who we are listening to or reading their writings. Given the vast amount of declarative statements that are usually posted on social media, we could be easily led astray.  Often we do not know the persons theological perspective and or doctrinal position.

Know where you stand! Do not be carried away with every wind of doctrines!

The mind of Christ

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search me_wide_t_nv

Phil 2:5-11 

One of the hallmarks of Jesus’ earthly ministry is humility. This kind of humility is not superficial or hypocritical. It exhibits a genuine dependence on God the Father. Tyndale Bible dictionary said, “Humility is a grateful and spontaneous awareness that life is a gift, and it is manifested as an ungrudging and unhypocritical acknowledgment of absolute dependence upon God.” Jesus was about his Father’s business, and nothing could change that mindset. Humility as defines by Merriam-Webster Dictionary is, “Lacking all signs of pride, aggressiveness, or self-assertiveness.”

My challenge like Paul’s is to develop a mind like Jesus, one marked by genuine humility.

Paul encouraged the Philippians to aspire to let the “mind of Christ” be their example. The principle of humility is the focus today. Even though Jesus knew the power he had, he “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” What humility? We should put ourselves second to the will of God. I know I have a choice, but I will deny myself in obedience to following Christ. So many times we hear it is my right, someone limiting my right but if we are to truly follow Christ we have no rights outside of Christ. Jesus recognized who he was and what power was available to him, but instead of activating his power to ease the demand of the mission, he denied himself for the sake of the mission.

Humility is from the heart. Sometimes a person can refuse to accept a higher place but deep inside they long for that place. They do not genuinely want to give up the high places, but it looks good to those around him/her. Humility does not look for, seek after, or work for praise. Humility shows up even when no one knows or notices. Humility is demonstrated even when it is known that nothing would be gained. Humility is to know you can but deciding, not to without any intention of gaining anything. Paul said, “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2:8). The Evangelical Dictionary states, “Humility is the foremost test of a truly great person or leader.” One cannot truly follow Christ without a heart of humility.

The Bible said Jesus emptied himself. He became unselfish by putting the mission first. What do we need to do to “empty ourselves” as Jesus did?

Humility is not just refusing complement, praise, recognition or a high place. A person can accept a compliment but is still humble. Humility is much more about your attitude as it is about your action. What is hidden is hard to assess and in that place there is true humility. It is all about the mind. It does not seek after the high seat but is content to sit in the low seat. Humility works in places where no recognition is or earthly reward is absent.

In the news lately is the story of Saint Francis of Assisi. He was a rich man, but abandons his riches to live a simple life, caring for the poor and suffering. During this Holy Week, I pray that we will strive to be like Jesus. We can accomplish this mind by being true to the teaching of Jesus.

The Bible in Matthew 20: 25-28 reminds us that we should not adopt the principles of the world, particular in these verses but follow Jesus.
“But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be prominent among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

How then can I find true humility? I started a list, maybe you can add to it:

1. Establish a system of accountability within your ministry.
2. Always ask yourself, who or what are you comparing to God?
3. Keep in mind at all times that all we have accomplished is for the Glory of God.
4. Remind yourselves that every gift or ministry is given to us to advance the Kingdom of God.
5. Perform a constant and honest evaluation of your life, both good and bad.
6. Always check your motives.
7. Accept commendation but put it in perspective.
8. Remind ourselves that no matter how educated you are we still fall short of knowledge and wisdom of God.
9. Remind yourselves that you are not infallible.
10. Always keep two are three persons around you that will tell you the truth regardless.
11. Create an atmosphere of candidness in your ministry.
12. Perform frequent and constant self-evaluation.
13. Have others anonymously evaluate your work including frank discussion about your work.
14. Avoid false humility (refusing to accept praise for a job well done).
15. Maintain a selected group of prayer partners.
16. Hang around those that will challenge your knowledge and expertise.
17. Entertain questions about you and your ministry.
18. Watch out for pride, covetousness and greed.

Are there any other suggestions you can add to this list?

Prayer
I pray today for a humble spirit. It is easy to develop a heart of pride, but I pray that you help me to humble myself before your throne. Lord, keep me humble because pride comes before a fall.

Staying focus

daltonjenkins

Philippians 3:13-14

It is very difficult, given all that is competing for our attention, to stay focus. Life seems to be moving at the speed of light. Fashion changes with the season. Methods become ineffective within months. Staying focus on one particular thing is viewed as abnormal and old fashion. Every six months there is a new technology and a new version is released. Satan is using this as a weapon to attack the church. He is doing so by taking us off course and causes us to compare the churches strategies and results with that of the world’s.

In Matthew 4, we read that immediately after Jesus’ 40 days of fasting was over, Satan quickly moved to distract Jesus. He was going to try and distract Jesus. This is the same method being employed by Satan today. He shows up at our low points and gives us short-cuts around God’s plan for our lives. He shows up in places we would not expect and quote scriptures out of context and apply them incorrectly just to support his point. All this is done deliberately to distract us and take us out of God’s will.

Have you ever started a ministry and shortly thereafter loosing focus? You might even made some pledges, promises and even offered to assist someone in ministry only to find something or someone causing you to back away from those pledges. You have made promises to God only to see them fade with time. Satan is the greatest architect of confusion leading to lack of focus and finally withdrawing. I hope you will recall your commitments and refocus with deliberate intention to fulfill your pledges.

The Bible says we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices ( 2 Corinthians 2:11). The first thing Satan did was to try and focus Jesus on his physical needs. He then pointed to Jesus’ ability to solved this problem. The Holy Spirit had led Jesus up to this point but now Satan wanted to have Jesus solve his need by himself.

Next he brought Jesus into the temple and wanted Jesus to tempt God. This he hope would stop Jesus from following the direction of the Father. Basically he as saying do what you want because God will take care of you.

He took Jesus to a high mountain and promised him the world and all it’s glory if Jesus worship him (Satan). Again he intended to cause Jesus to take his focus off the Father and go for the quick fame.

In the three temptations Satan intended to prevent Jesus from focusing on the mission he was on. We are often tempted with similar schemes. Fix it yourselves, God is taking too long to help me. You can sin God will forgive you. Show Off your gifts God has to honor his words. Worship others (putting them first) and receive the fame and glory.

Jesus defeated the devil thereby he gave us a pattern to use when we are tempted to loose focus. Here is what he did:
1) Jesus followed the leading of the Holy Spirit
2) Jesus stayed in prayer
3) Jesus was familiar with the scriptures
4) Jesus uses the scripture as his defense and support
Anytime you are uncertain about what to do or how to respond to temptation, turn to the Scriptures. The Scriptures are the perfect source to refocus us back to the basic mission. Let us not allow Satan to cause us to loose focus but let us be wise and alert as to the devices that are employed by Satan. Focus! Paul stated, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

Prayer
Lord as I seek to fulfill your will in my life help me to stay focus. There are a lot of things designed to take me off focus. Help me to always depend on you. Lead me to your Words when temptation causes me to loose focus.

Who controls you?

daltonjenkins

Romans 8:14 & Matthew 4

Today’s reflection is on the phrase in Matthew 4:1 that stated “Jesus was led up by the Spirit”. What an example Jesus left for us to follow. He followed the Holy Spirit’s instructions. Jesus was going to face temptation. This temptation was designed to derail the plan of redemption. But Jesus knew that if he followed the Holy Spirit he would have additional help to combat the future temptation. Jesus humbled himself. Paul stated “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2:8)

To be led by someone indicated that there is some level of submission to the person leading. It also suggest obedience to the person that is leading. My youngest son, when he was younger, would often resist his older brother’s instructions by declaring “you are not the boss of me”. I cannot but see this statement in light of my relationship to the Holy spirit. When I follow his instructions I am indicating that he is the “boss of me”. The Bible in Romans 8:14 said “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” You can know who you belong to based on how obedient you are to the instructions you are given.

We do not know what is before us, therefore, we need to rely on the one that knows all things. These lines from a song says “Where leads me I will follow, I will go without a murmur and his footsteps follow still.” So many times we refuse to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit for one reason or another. This a dangerous place to be. As Jesus submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit so too we should gladly submit to his leading.

How do I know when the Holy Spirit is leading or bidding me to follow him? You have to be at a place where you are familiar with his voice. For the Christian, you have to spend extended time in prayer, Bible reading, quiet time in meditation, spend time in worship and reading and listening to those things that will edify your spirit. You cannot know the voice of someone that you have not spoken to. It is in the quiet times that I hear the Spirit. Also, evaluate the things you are pursuing, is it advancing the mission. Ask yourself this question, is what I am doing or planning on doing, going to bring glory to God and advance is kingdom? To unsaved he is leading them into righteousness (John 16:8-11).

Hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit often comes in some of the following ways:
1) Sometimes it is a thought that comes to your mind as you read the bible
2) Sometimes it is your intuition,
3) Some persons have heard an audible voice
4) It could be through a dream
5) It could be a confirmation through the sermon
6) Or it can be a direct instruction from another person confirming what you’ve pondering

The important thing is not to focus on how you will hear from God but to spend quality time with him. This way when He speaks you will know without a doubt what he is saying.

Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will come to instruct us, to help us and to empower us (John 16:13). Even though the task we have to carry out is great and the road ahead is long and rocky if we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit it will be ok.

Let us not resist the leading of the Holy Spirit but follow him with all of our heart. He is indeed the “boss of me”.

Who controls you?

Whose drum beats do you march to?

Who is pulling your strings?

Is there someone else that you listen to more than the Holy Spirit?

Prayer
Lord help me to submit to your leading. I do not want to make a mistake so help me to stay close to you that way I will be more familiar with your voice. Lead me lord I will follow.

Jesus stayed in prayer

daltonjenkins

Luke 11:1-13

Today my focus is on the fact that Jesus spent quality time in prayer and we should also.

Everything these days are expected to be quick. The microwave technology, fast food, cell phones, ATM machines, Facebook, twitter, instant messaging, and the internet have transform the mindset of our time. This expectation has crept into the church. We want instant gratification. Give me my blessings now! Why should I wait to be elevated to an office or position. Everything I need should just be ready for the taking.

I know that many things I desire, I have had to spent extended time seeking God’s direction. Spending quality time in prayer is not easy. There are so many things competing for our time. It is even easy to justify spending limited amount of time in prayer. There are even those that will say I just need to ask God once about a thing and don’t keep bothering him about it because he already knows what I need.

Prayer is not us informing God about what we are experiencing or about what we want or need. Prayer is the process of us aligning to God’s will for our lives. We need help to pray, that is why Paul reminded the church in Rome that:

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26

Sleep seems to overtake us so easily the moment we determined that we are going to spend quality time in prayer. The phone awakens out of its deep sleep the moment we decide to spend quality time in prayer. That relative or friend you have been wanting to talk to seem to call at just that moment of prayer. There is always something to interrupt your time of prayer. So, yea, it is not easy to find the time to spend in prayer that is why it takes deliberate effort to spend quality time in prayer.

The scripture in Luke 11:9 stated
“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

The verse in context is about not giving up too quickly when we pray. It is a challenge to stay in constant and consistent contact with God in prayer. It is about being persistent in seek God’s direction. Let us not just give up so easily. Jesus in Matthew 4 spent 40 days in prayer, in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36) he prayed until his sweat became like drops of blood. Jesus is our perfect example of how we should spend quality time in prayer. This is a healthy habit to develop.

We can spend hours watching a game or a movie but in prayer, maybe not. Here are somethings that have helped me prayed for extended periods of time:
1) Set aside a specific time
2) Locate a place, some place quiet and with few interruptions
3) Have a plan of what you are going pray about
4) Keep an itemize prayer log
5) Change your posture frequently
6) Identify scriptures that you will read during the time of prayer
8) Schedule some time during which you will stop praying and be silent
9) Pray audible

Prayer:
Lord help me to develop a healthy appetite for spending quality time in prayer. Help me to prioritize this period of my time so I can stay in prayer with you.

The giver of life

daltonjenkins

John 3:13-18

Form a young man until now I have had this burning desire to preach the Gospel. Back then, I was not educated in the theological meanings or arguments surrounding my faith but I knew that:
1) God love us
2) He gave His Son to die for us
3) Jesus came to earth born of a virgin name Mary
4) He demonstrate His power, He die, rose, ascended and promise He will return for those who believe

That message transformed my life and I was going to share it with as many people as possible. Jesus the life giver has extended his hands to everyone.

Today, everyone is seeking for any solution to eternal life. Modern technology has allow for so call “fountain of youth” but even that ends, there is just so much stretching the skin will take, age will eventually say enough. But there is a solution to this problem, Jesus!

John 11:25 states that he who believe in me, though he may die, he shall live.

This is the Easter message.

This mission that Jesus was on was to bring eternal life to everyone. This eternal life is restoration of a broken relationship with God.

We experience on a daily basis beginning of life and ending of life. In the business world, technology, science, sporting competition, nature and education this is evident. We are conditioned to think that everything and everyone has an end therefore it is not natural to see that death is limited.

The message of the gospel is about the giver of life, eternal life. We should shout this as loud as we can to everyone we can and in every place we can. The point is this, even though I will succumb to death and all the consequences of death, there is a promise that I will live again. I will live in a place where these ills of life will no longer exist.

Jesus always uses life given statements to describe his mission. I come that he might have life comes to mind (John 10:10). We should develop this attitude and cultivate a new vocabulary that speaks life instead of death. The message of the cross is about grace, God loving me regardless of who I am and all I have done and continue to do. This message is about a lively hope, this message is about abundant life, and this message is about a secured future in Christ.

Let us use all we possess to speak life into others. Say to someone “though you might die, you shall live” and if you suffer for His sake you shall reign with Christ. Remember life and death is in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). When we speak positive things we are speaking life.

The reality is that we who live in this life will suffer and eventually experience death. Death can mean entrance into eternal life with God (heaven) or eternal separation from God (hell). Depending on where you will end up, death/suffering have a different meaning to you in this life.

Note carefully that this prospective on life and death, suffering and pain is only available to those “who believe in me (Jesus Christ)”. Therefore, death is not a point of finality for the believer, it is just the beginning of life.

Prayer:
Lord thank you for providing an opportunity that I could experience eternal life. Help me to speak life and not death to those you place into my life. Lord provide opportunities for
me to share this life giving story to those that have not yet accepted this message.

The giver of life

daltonjenkins

John 3:13-18

Form a young man until now I have had this burning desire to preach the Gospel. Back then, I was not educated in the theological meanings or arguments surrounding my faith but I knew that:
1) God love us
2) He gave His Son to die for us
3) Jesus came to earth born of a virgin name Mary
4) He demonstrate His power, He die, rose, ascended and promise He will return for those who believe

That message transformed my life and I was going to share it with as many people as possible. Jesus the life giver has extended his hands to everyone.

Today, everyone is seeking for any solution to eternal life. Modern technology has allow for so call “fountain of youth” but even that ends, there is just so much stretching the skin will take, age will eventually say enough. But there is a solution to this problem, Jesus!

John 11:25 states that he who believe in me, though he may die, he shall live.

This is the Easter message.

This mission that Jesus was on was to bring eternal life to everyone. This eternal life is restoration of a broken relationship with God.

We experience on a daily basis beginning of life and ending of life. In the business world, technology, science, sporting competition, nature and education this is evident. We are conditioned to think that everything and everyone has an end therefore it is not natural to see that death is limited.

The message of the gospel is about the giver of life, eternal life. We should shout this as loud as we can to everyone we can and in every place we can. The point is this, even though I will succumb to death and all the consequences of death, there is a promise that I will live again. I will live in a place where these ills of life will no longer exist.

Jesus always uses life given statements to describe his mission. I come that he might have life comes to mind (John 10:10). We should develop this attitude and cultivate a new vocabulary that speaks life instead of death. The message of the cross is about grace, God loving me regardless of who I am and all I have done and continue to do. This message is about a lively hope, this message is about abundant life, and this message is about a secured future in Christ.

Let us use all we possess to speak life into others. Say to someone “though you might die, you shall live” and if you suffer for His sake you shall reign with Christ. Remember life and death is in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). When we speak positive things we are speaking life.

The reality is that we who live in this life will suffer and eventually experience death. Death can mean entrance into eternal life with God (heaven) or eternal separation from God (hell). Depending on where you will end up, death/suffering have a different meaning to you in this life.

Note carefully that this prospective on life and death, suffering and pain is only available to those “who believe in me (Jesus Christ)”. Therefore, death is not a point of finality for the believer, it is just the beginning of life.

Prayer:
Lord thank you for providing an opportunity that I could experience eternal life. Help me to speak life and not death to those you place into my life. Lord provide opportunities for
me to share this life giving story to those that have not yet accepted this message.