When Nathan is sent

   I Samuel 12:1 begins like this, And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. That statement alone doesn’t seem like a big deal. However, when we dig into the scripture and find the purpose of his visit we understand the significance of this meeting. God sent the Prophet Nathan to David shortly after his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and the ordered murder of her husband Uriah.

   David supposed since he had never gotten caught and his sin had not been found out that all was well. Uriah was now dead and Bathsheba had become his wife. Somehow his heart had become unmoved by the God in which he loved dearly. However, the God in which he served being holy yet loving sent a man to confront David. Nathan’s purpose was to get him to recognize this sin for what it was which he did through a parable.

   When David’s anger had risen within him and he wanted justice for this poor man whose ewe lamb and been taken unjustly it was then that Nathan delivered the soul crushing message from I Samuel 12:7 Thou art the man. This humbled David and now he was able to see the error of his ways and to whole heartedly repent and follow God. When Nathan is sent we must hear him out, take heed to his words and make our hearts and actions right before God. We must never stone Nathan but we must be thankful for him!

   It brings Nathan no joy to deliver such messages to us. Before he ever comes he has sought God in prayer and fasting. He has carefully considered his manner of speech and he comes with a burdened heart and love for our souls and well being. You can rest assured that when Nathan is sent it is a sign from a loving God that wants the best for His people. It may come through friend, pastor, trusted confidant or even someone you may not know. Nevertheless, let us take head when Nathan is sent.

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.

Technology Age

If you really sit back and think about how technology has evolved over the past 20 years it will blow your mind. I grew up with Nintendo. At that point and time we were on the cutting edge of technology having surpassed the Atari. Now those games that we once thought were so cool are put to shame by games and gaming systems such as the PS3, XBOX 360 and the Wii.

My first memory of a cell phone was a bag car phone. Now we have phones that are not only much smaller but they are mini cameras and computers as well. Computer monitors and television sets have decreased in size yet have increased in visual effects. Gone are the days of paying with cash even at fast food restaurants and vending machines. Banking and shopping are done via the internet. People no longer make phone calls to see how someone is doing or write letters for correspondence but rather text and e-mail.

Facebook and Twitter capture our time and attention as we use them as ways to express ourselves as well as to keep track of family and friends. It amazes me that we live in a society that wants to keep their affairs private yet through technology we put ourselves out there for all to see. We say that we don’t but we have hundreds of friends or followers on our social networking sites and then get upset when people comment on our status or pictures in such a way that we don’t agree with.

When we are angry, sad, happy, sad etc… we rush to our social networking sights to quickly make that information available. Not only do we make it public knowledge how we are feeling but we make public our location and the reason for us being there. Very rarely do you see someone in a public place when they are not communicating via text messaging, phone call or mobile web. After all this is the technology age. I am not opposed to the technological advances because it is just a part of the world we live in. However, I would caution us to be careful what we share. It seems as if we are more bold, open and honest when using technology then when we are having face to face communication.

Although we are living in the technology age let us not forget to take a break from it all and have some human contact without typing, scrolling or dialing. I to enjoy technology as I very rarely hand write anything. Much of my work is accomplished through e-mails, text messages and phone calls. However, it is still good to hear an, I love you face to face and to share your feelings with someone and see their reaction holds great value. In conclusion I would encourage us all to stay on the cutting edge of technology as we need it in this 21st century to keep up with evolving times. Yet let us be ever mindful to take time and share those God given emotions that we have with those around so that they do not become numb. Just a few thoughts.

"Change"

   Change. One word that impacts lives like no other. “Change” always brings about something new. As a result some things have to be left behind and others have to be embraced and accepted. The past 5 ½ years of my family’s life has been spent laboring in Seneca, SC as the Lord used us to build a great church. The church had been through lots of “Change” in its first several years of existence.

   Through the grace of God we were able to have had the longest tenure as Pastor of that wonderful congregation. We poured our lives in the work of the ministry to see the church become established in doctrine, relationships, finances as well as Spiritual growth. Attendance records were broken as an outpouring of the Spirit of God came to our city. People were healed of cancer and diabetes, drug addicts were delivered and marriages were rescued from the brink of destruction. Many were filled with the Holy Ghost and baptized in Jesus Name! “Change” was taken place.

   However, the “Change” that no one expected came like a punch right in the stomach. Through God’s sovereignty He called our family back to our home church to serve as Pastor of that congregation. Everything in Seneca was going so well which made the call to change so difficult. However, since the “Change” took place I have been thrilled to see Living Water Church in Seneca doing so well. As we visited to preach one last time I could not find a parking spot and had a hard time finding a seat. “Change” has not been easy but “Change” has been embraced. Living Water now has a wonderful Pastor and the church is headed for heights in which it has seen in vision only for the past 5 ½ years but will now be able to embrace as reality all because of one word, “Change”.

   Now as my family and I embark on “Change” our new journey in God’s will we are walking with anticipation of what the Lord has in store. We give honor to Pastor and Sis. Goddard! It is our honor to serve with you in this time of “Change”. This is not a decision that we have taken lightly nor has it been easy but we do feel the will of God at work. “Change”. One word that impacts lives like no other. What will you do when “Change” comes knocking on your door? Don’t run from it. Seek God, embrace His will and get ready for the “Change”!