Let us consider these things

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.


   The writer is addressing the Hebrews and encouraging them to hold on to their faith in God. The last part of v.23 where he makes the statement that He (God) is faithful that promised denotes to me that he is saying this faith is worth holding on to no matter what we face in life. Knowing that trials and tribulations come to us all he points out that we cannot make it on our own but that we need one another.

   In v.24 the writer tells us to consider one another to provoke our brethren to love and to good works. When we provoke we are performing an act that will get a response. Typically a Country doesn’t go to war unless they are provoked. Children typically don’t engage in fisticuffs unless they feel belittled or threatened. We can provoke someone in two different ways. The first would be to point out what is being done wrong and to harp on it until it is corrected. The second would be in the form of goal setting. Casting vision of where we want to go and working hard to get there. Either way we are told to provoke one another to love and to good works so that we would hold fast to our profession of faith.

   We have to understand that holding on to the faith and being strong in it is the goal. We are not in this for titles or self recognition or glorification but rather our purpose is to live our lives in such a way that it glorifies our savior and draws others to Him! With that in mind we have to be willing to accept the rebuke or strong words from our Pastor and the ministry that would point out our short comings. Though it may embarrass us and even hurt our feelings we have to understand that it is not to tare us down but rather it is to provoke us to love and to good works. At the same time we have to be willing to get out of our comfort zone and reach beyond where we are and where we have been.

   If we have been on this journey of faith for 5 years and we are in same Spiritual condition we were when it began we need to set some goals for ourselves to grow in God. The church sets goals every year we need to see what we can do collectively as the body to help the church meet its goals and through that we will grow Spiritually as well. Last but not least the writer said in v.25 that not only do we need each other but we need to be in church one with another. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is. The church is where we find strength and encouragement. We need every service as it helps us to keep the Spirit man strong as the physical is weak. Let us consider these things!

Hearing a word from the Lord

 

I Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.



      The word of the Lord was precious in the days of Eli because there was no open vision. In other words a word from the Lord was scarce. In stark contrast it seems that we live in a day where everyone hears a word from the Lord. We are taught to listen to the voice of God. Heed to the unction’s that we feel from God and obey Him. After all when we are filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost we have the Almighty God of Creation living on the inside of us. Therefore, a word from Him ought to be frequent.

       I feel as if we struggle in this area of hearing from the Lord. Especially when it comes to putting the tag, “I heard from God”, on everything that we want to do. After all if we say God told me then who can contest it? As a Pastor when I hear someone say God told me I get a little nervous because if that person is not in perfect submission then there is no way to reason with them. While I believe that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23) we have to understand that God never intended for a man to be an Island all to Himself. In Matthew 18:16 and II Corinthians 13:1 the Bible declares, let every word be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses.

       In Acts 15 when a question concerning doctrine arose and Paul and Barnabas went for direction from the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem. There was varying opinions on the subject but once the Apostles and Elders had ruled on the matter it was final and all parties accepted it. They had confidence in the men of God that the Lord had placed in their lives. Hebrews 13:17 declares, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. The Lord gave Pastors to shepherd the flock, His body the church. Most people like this principle until the Pastor gives a word that is contradictory with what they are feeling or desiring.

       The scripture said to obey and submit. To submit is to continue to follow even when you don’t agree. Having confidence in the man of God the Lord has placed in your life that he is praying and fasting and hearing from God. When God speaks to you the word will be confirmed in the mouth of two or three witnesses and God will not withhold that word from the Shepherd He has placed in your life. In this day where a word from the Lord is in abundance let us be sure that we filter what we feel we have heard or felt from God through the channels that God has set in place.