Tuesday 6 January 2015

5 Things to Consider About Your Calling to Ministry

JANUARY 3, 2015 CASEY CEASE 0 COMMENTS, from Before you plant a church
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. — 2 Corinthians 5:14–15
The call to vocational ministry is a true joy and privilege. God calls us in various ways and it often takes time to think through, process, and discern. There are often great cost and sacrifice that go along with a calling that shouldn’t be taken lightly. For some people, they mistake the apathy in their current life situation as a sign that they should do vocational ministry, but this often ends badly for the individual and for those whom they exercise their calling on.

Isaiah 6:8New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Isaiah’s Commission

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Words for the Wise, Revival, Psalm 85



Psalm 85 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Psalm 85[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

1 You, Lord, showed favour to your land;
    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people
    and covered all their sins.[b]
3 You set aside all your wrath
    and turned from your fierce anger.
4 Restore us again, God our Saviour,
    and put away your displeasure towards us.
5 Will you be angry with us for ever?
    Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
    that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your unfailing love, Lord,
    and grant us your salvation.
8 I will listen to what God the Lord says;
    he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants –
    but let them not turn to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
    that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Love and faithfulness meet together;
    righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
    and righteousness looks down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,
    and our land will yield its harvest.
13 Righteousness goes before him
    and prepares the way for his steps.

The Bible Panorama
Psalm 85
V 1–3: REMEMBER The psalmist remembers what God has done for the people of Israel before. He has turned their captivity and forgiven them.
 V 4–5: RESTORE He asks God to turn from His anger at their sins and restore them again.
V 6–9: REVIVEHe pleads for physical and spiritual revival through God’s mercy, producing salvation, rejoicing and peace. 
V 10–13: RIGHTEOUSNESS Because of God’s mercy, truth, righteousness and peace, the supplicant is sure that God will lead them in fruitful righteousness and enable them to follow Him.


Dictionary of Bible Themes

8149 revival, nature of

Scripture indicates that a number of characteristics precede revival, including repentance, humility and obedience.

Characteristics which precede revival

God’s people long for renewal of their lives Ps 80:18 See also Ps 74:22; Ps 80:1-17,19; Ps 85:6
God’s people must repent 2Ch 7:14 See also 1Ki 8:46-50 pp2Ch 6:26-27; Isa 64:1-7; Hos 5:15; Ac 3:19
God’s people experience a new awareness of sin 2Ki 22:11See also Ps 32:3-5
God’s people need to be humble Isa 57:15 See also Ps 149:4;Isa 66:2; Mic 6:6-8
God’s people are revived through God’s initiative Isa 59:16See also Jer 24:7; Jer 33:6-9; Tit 3:5

Characteristic results of revival

People experience inward change Heb 8:10-12 See also Jer 31:33-34; Eze 11:19; Ac 2:42-47
People live obedient lives Eze 11:20 See also Eph 4:1-3; 1Th 1:7-8
People are zealous for God’s work Ezr 5:1-2 See also Hag 1:12-15

People are generous in giving Ex 36:5 See also 1Ch 29:6-9;2Ch 31:3-8; Ac 11:28-30
People delight in worshipping God Ezr 3:11 See also Isa 12:1-6
People are joyful Ac 13:49-52 See also Isa 35:1-10; Ac 8:5-8

Psalm 80:18New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

18 Then we will not turn away from you;
    revive us, and we will call on your name.

Hebrews 8:10-12New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel
    after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
    and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
11 No longer will they teach their neighbours,
    or say to one another, “Know the Lord,”
because they will all know me,
    from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will forgive their wickedness
    and will remember their sins no more.’[a]


Dictionary of Bible Themes

8151 revival, corporate

The experience of God’s people both in the OT and NT when prayer is answered and their growth and effectiveness are renewed.

The recurring pattern of apostasy and revival in the OT

Jdg 2:10-19

God is petitioned to revive his people

Ps 80:14-15 See also Ps 85:4-7; Jer 31:18; La 5:21; Hab 3:2

Repentance is necessary for revival

God’s people are urged to repent 2Ch 30:6 Hezekiah’s appeal to all Israel. See also Isa 55:1-3; Jer 3:22; La 3:40; Hos 12:6; Hos 14:1-2; Zec 1:3; Mal 3:7; Rev 2:5,16; Rev 3:2-3

Wholehearted repentance is required Joel 2:12-13 See also Dt 4:29; Dt 30:2-3; Jer 24:7; Jer 29:13-14; Ac 19:18-19 Repentance should be evidenced by deeds.

Repentance prepares for revival Isa 59:20 See also Jdg 10:9-16; Ezr 10:1,10-12; Ne 1:9; Eze 18:30-32

Revival is God’s work

Hos 6:2 See also Ps 80:3,7,17-19; Isa 32:14-17

God promises revival

God promises to revive his people Eze 11:19 See also Jer 31:33-34; Eze 36:26; Zec 10:6

The nations are included in the promise of revival Isa 2:3 pp Mic 4:2 See also Isa 19:22-25; Isa 45:22; Isa 56:6-8; Zec 8:20-22

The revival of Israel

Under Hezekiah 2Ki 18:4-6; 2Ch 29:3-5; 2Ch 30:1; 2Ch 31:4,9-10,20-21

Under Josiah 2Ki 23:1-4 pp 2Ch 34:29-33; 2Ch 35:1-3

Revival in the NT

Crowds turn to the Lord Mk 1:5; Jn 3:26; Jn 4:39; Ac 2:41,47; Ac 4:4; Ac 11:21

The Holy Spirit is active in the revival of believers Ac 4:31 See also Ac 13:9; 2Co 4:16; Eph 5:18

The response of believers in revival Ro 12:1-2 See also Eph 4:23-24; Php 3:13-14; Col 3:9-14

Romans 12:1-2New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Dedicated Service

12 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, [a]acceptable to God, which is your [b]spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this [c]world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may [d]prove what the will of God is, that which is good and [e]acceptable and perfect.

Colossians 3:1-17New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Put On the New Self

3 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 [a]Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

5 Therefore [b]consider the members of your earthly body as dead to [c]immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which [d]amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come [e]upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living [f]in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 [g]Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old [h]self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being [i]renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, [j]barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and [k]patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is [l]the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ [m]rule in your hearts, to which [n]indeed you were called in one body; and [o]be thankful. 16 Let the word of [p]Christ richly dwell within you, [q]with all wisdom teaching and admonishing [r]one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing [s]with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.



Some Revival Quotes

Oh! men and brethren, what would this heart feel if I could but believe that there were some among you who would go home and pray for a revival men whose faith is large enough, and their love fiery enough to lead them from this moment to exercise unceasing intercessions that God would appear among us and do wondrous things here, as in the times of former generations.     Author: Charles Spurgeon

To look back upon the progress of the divine kingdom upon earth is to review revival periods which have come like refreshing showers upon dry and thirsty ground, making the desert to blossom as the rose, and bringing new eras of spiritual life and activity just when the Church had fallen under the influence of the apathy of the times.    Author: E.M. Bounds

There is a growing conviction everywhere, and especially among thoughtful people, that unless revival comes, other forces will take the field, that will sink us still deeper into the mire of humanism and materialism.    Author: Duncan Campbell

Revivals begin with God's own people; the Holy Spirit touches their heart anew, and gives them new fervor and compassion, and zeal, new light and life, and when He has thus come to you, He next goes forth to the valley of dry bones... Oh, what responsibility this lays on the Church of God! If you grieve Him away from yourselves, or hinder His visit, then the poor perishing world suffers sorely!    Author: Andrew Bonar

A true revival means nothing less than a revolution, casting out the spirit of worldliness and selfishness, and making God and His love triumph in the heart and life.    Author: Andrew Murray

There is need of a great revival of spiritual life, of truly fervent devotion to our Lord Jesus, of entire consecration to His service. It is only in a church in which this spirit of revival has at least begun, that there is any hope of radical change in the relation of the majority of our Christian people to mission work.    Author: Andrew Murray


You cannot revive something that has never had life, so revival, by definition, is first of all an enlivening and quickening and awakening of lethargic, sleeping church members. Suddenly the power of the Spirit comes upon them … they are humbled, they are convicted of sin … then as a result of their quickening and enlivening, they begin to pray. New power comes into the preaching of the ministers, and the result of this is large numbers are converted. So the two main characteristics of revival are, first, this extraordinary enlivening of the members of the church, and, second, the conversion of masses of people who have been outside in indifference and in sin.”  Author D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Monday 5 January 2015

How a Move of Women Leading in the Church Begins

How a Move of Women Leading in the Church Begins



A fascinating video on YouTube called "Piercing the Veil" by Lance Wallnau expresses this concept:
Certain kingdom truths are veiled—the enemy keeps them hidden from God's people, who have a veil over their minds and spirits. If someone tries to break through, they hit a barrier. Finally a few pierce the veil, but at great personal price. Then it seems that God opens people's eyes—gives them revelation from the Scriptures—and the floodgates open. Anyone can walk into the "new" truth. Whole movements begin.
Wallnau's conclusion? Once you reach critical mass on a revelation, everyone gets access easily to what was once contested territory.

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson slams council leaders over future of the region. Liverpool Echo by Alisha Rouse.
















Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson(pictured above) slams council leaders over future of the region.  Liverpool Echo by Alisha Rouse.

Mayor Anderson says fellow leaders have brought area into disrepute in letter to the ECHO

Mayor Joe Anderson has accused Merseyside council leaders of bringing the area into “disrepute” in a row over a potential new mayor for the region.

In a letter to the ECHO, Mayor Anderson claimed St Helens council leader Barrie Grunewald had gone back on his word after demanding a referendum on the issue of an elected Metro Mayor - similar to the one being adopted in Greater Manchester.

Adopting a Metro Mayor will see Greater Manchester get £1bn investment from government and the transfer of powers.

He also hit out at Knowsley council for approving a motion, proposed by its council leader Cllr Ron Round, which claimed there was “no public support” for a metro mayor in Merseyside.

Mayor Anderson said the matter was “about integrity” after council leaders had agreed to discuss the issue “with no preconditions”.

He said: “Only a matter of weeks ago we told Government in a letter agreed by all leaders that we would discuss with no preconditions devolution of powers and resources similar to Greater Manchester.

“We had a letter from the Leader of St Helens in the Echo demanding the precondition of a referendum, then we had Knowsley Council saying the same in a motion to their Council. We simply cannot make a statement one week saying one thing and do something different the next it brings discussions and our standing into disrepute.”





Further Reading



Comment:


Having fairly recently moved to Merseyside,  and living in Southport ,  I have followed the local news in regards to the offer of greater responsibility given to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority,  I don’t understand why Councillor Joe Anderson,  the unelected Mayor of Liverpool  feels he has the right to be the Mayor of Merseyside,  I think that Mr Anderson’s own sense of self-importance and ego is damaging to Merseyside and it’s people and the other councils are right to stand up to his bullying tactics.

Sunday 4 January 2015

Britain's threat of legal action to Spain on Gibraltar, Daily Express

Britain's threat of legal action to Spain on Gibraltar


Gibraltar from the air.


BRITAIN should take Spain to the European Court of Justice over its flagrant breaches of sovereignty in Gibraltar, MPs will say next week

The call will put Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond under further pressure after criticism that he has failed to properly deal with the issue.

It follows an ultimatum by the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee which gave the Foreign Office six months to take action.

Speaking last night, committee chairman Richard Ottaway MP told the Sunday Express: “We have been a soft touch for long enough.

“We told the Government that if there was no improvement in six months, Article 259 of the Lisbon treaty should be invoked, and we should take Spain to the European Court of Justice.

“Well, six months have passed and little has changed: the delays are still going on, Spain is still illegally intruding in British territorial wars and air space, and Madrid is unwilling to enter into even ad hoc talks with Britain.”

In October Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo QC, told the United Nations that Spain had made 245 illegal incursions into British waters in just two months.

In a separate development last night, Madrid was accused of “shameful” behaviour after using its support of the war against the Islamic State terror group to persuade US politicians to drop plans to officially back Britain’s claim over Gibraltar.

The move comes just weeks after a series of barbaric beheadings of US and British citizens by IS, including aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning.





Saturday 3 January 2015

Take Your God-Given Vision From a Dream to Reality

Take Your God-Given Vision From a Dream to Reality



It never ceases to amaze me what God will do through someone when they have the boldness to step out in faith and walk out the vision He's given them for their life. God wants every one of us to have a dream for our lives. The question is: What is your dream? Are you expecting something big? Are you expecting God to fulfill your dreams and visions for the future?
When we are expecting something great for our future, we are essentially "pregnant" with potential to see what we hope for come to pass. Just like a natural pregnancy, there is a gestation period—a time period when your vision is shaped, structured and developed. Once that vision reaches full maturity, there is a birthing process—and that's when the hardest work begins! But how we go from the "expecting" phase to the birth phase is what determines if our vision survives and thrives. Understanding the process is key to having success and bringing your dream to fulfillment.

Words for The Wise, The Firm Foundation. Colossians 2 Nasb







Colossians 2

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

You Are Built Up in Christ

2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. 5 For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.

6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. 9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; 11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having cancelled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.

20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

IVP New Testament Commentary.

Clearly, verse 3 is parallel to verse 2 in thought. The idea contained in the phrase full riches of complete understanding is virtually repeated in the following phrase, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, so that the idea of mystery finds a parallel in the word hidden. Significantly, sandwiched between these two parallel phrases is their focal point: Christ, in whom all these mysterious riches and hidden treasures of God's mystery are disclosed by the preaching of Paul's gospel. Remember that for Paul the biblical Jew, the mysteries of God's treasured salvation lie hidden within Scripture and are mined by exegesis; and for Paul the Christian missionary, the proclaimed faith is a christological monotheism, and so the wonderful riches of our faith are both deposited and drawn through Christ.

Simply put, spiritual maturity results from knowing Christ. The distinctive emphasis in this letter on wisdom (1:9, 28; 2:3, 23; 3:16; 4:5), knowledge (1:9-10, 27; 2:2-3; 3:10; 4:7-9) and knowing (1:6; 2:1; 3:24; 4:1, 6, 8), especially linked to Paul's proclamation of Christ, is no doubt made with Paul's Colossian opponents in mind. They too are concerned with ideas, but their "philosophy" is not centered by the teaching of and about Christ (2:8) and therefore is "hollow and deceptive," incapable of forming the spiritual life of the Christian congregation (2:6-7).

IVP New Testament Commentaries are made available by the generosity of InterVarsity Press.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary
3. It consists in the abundance of comfort in our souls: That their hearts might be comforted. The soul prospers when it is filled with joy and peace (Rom. 15:13), and has a satisfaction within which all the troubles without cannot disturb, and is able to joy in the Lord when all other comforts fail, Hab. 3:17, 18.

4. The more intimate communion we have with our fellow-christians the more the soul prospers: Being knit together in love. Holy love knits the hearts of Christians one to another; and faith and love both contribute to our comfort. The stronger our faith is, and the warmer our love, the greater will our comfort be. Having occasion to mention Christ (Col. 2:2), according to his usual way, he makes this remark to his honour (Col. 2:3): In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He had said (Col. 1:19) that all fullness dwells in him: here he mentions particularly the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. There is a fullness of wisdom in him, as he has perfectly revealed the will of God to mankind. Observe, The treasures of wisdom are hidden not from us, but for us, in Christ. Those who would be wise and knowing must make application to Christ. We must spend upon the stock which is laid up for us in him, and draw from the treasures which are hidden in him. He is the wisdom of God, and is of God made unto us wisdom, etc., 1 Cor. 1:24, 30.

II. His concern for them is repeated (Col. 2:5): Though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying, and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. Observe, 1. We may be present in spirit with those churches and Christians from whom we are absent in body; for the communion of saints is a spiritual thing. Paul had heard concerning the Colossians that they were orderly and regular; and though he had never seen them, nor was present with them, he tells them he could easily think himself among them, and look with pleasure upon their good behaviour. 2. The order and stedfastness of Christians are matter of joy to ministers; they joy when they behold their order, their regular behaviour and stedfast adherence to the Christian doctrine. 3. The more stedfast our faith in Christ is, the better order there will be in our whole conversation; for we live and walk by faith, 2 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 10:38.

Reformation Study Bible

2:6, 7 A good example of Paul’s pastoral style, in which the “ought” of the Christian life builds upon the “is” of having received the gift of life in Christ. Although Paul sometimes describes the good news of Jesus Christ as a tradition that can be received, his use of “tradition” does not refer to human custom or historical opinion but to the handing over of a divine message from God (1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6). Because the Colossians will continue on the basis of what they have already come to know of Christ, their further obedience will be grounded in thankfulness (3:17) rather than in frustrated, anxious guilt (3:1 note).


Generously provided by Ligonier Ministries

Today's post

Jesus Christ, The Same Yesterday, Today and Forever

I had the privilege to be raised in a Christian Home and had the input of my parents and grandparents into my life, they were ...