THE ROLE OF THE MODERN PASTOR

Modern Pastor

THE ROLE OF THE MODERN PASTOR

Pastor George W. Black

Confession: I am a victorious believer, redeemed by the Lord, washed from my sins in the blood of Jesus my Savior, saved by grace through faith, filled with the powerful Holy Spirit, poised for God’s eternal purposes, and boldly sharing the joy of God’s love, with my world.

I am a faith walking, Word talking, over-comer in this life. I am a Victor, not a victim. I can do, all things through Christ. Today, my mind is open and alert, and my heart is good soil, for the seed of God’s Word.  I will be a diligent disciple, to apply its’ truths, for from this day forward, by the miracle of spiritual growth, I will never, ever, be the same again.

 

Introduction: The role of the modern pastor has become a complex one, filled with both corporate and church responsibilities that were never a part of this role in the early church. Because of the brokenness of families and individuals, and the high pressure of running a corporation as a part of leading a church family, many pastors today feel overwhelmed. Over 1,500 pastors leave the ministry every month, and they are not being replaced at the same rate.

Add to this burden the fact that so many people today have deep wounds and hurts from the past. They come to our church already wounded…we did not wound them…we are not the ones that hurt them…but in order to make them useful partners in the ministry we have to touch their wounds to try and heal them. Very few will let you do this. They would rather blame you for their wound than receive your healing discipline and correction.

For example on Thanksgiving Day we had family over for dinner and one of my grandsons, Elijah, had an accident with his bike. He had accidently slipped off the pedal and his leg was lodged between the bike frame and the pedal. To remove his leg from this situation was an ordeal, because every time we tried to remove his leg, he screamed like bloody murder. We didn’t cause the problem. But it was our job to fix the problem, which involved a little pain. The leg was sprayed with cooking oil, the rear tire was removed so we could disengage the chain which was holding the brake and the pedal. Eventually his leg slid out from the painful situation and his tears dried up and all was well. As a matter of fact, he was riding the bike later that day. We were not his enemy, but he had to suffer through the removal process to gain his freedom.

These are the kinds of challenges a modern pastor has to face…people broken by bad parenting or no parenting, abusive relationships, drugs, alcohol, pornography, and the list goes on and on. Jesus can heal us, but He doesn’t wave a magic wand and everything is better. No, He asks us to submit to our spiritual leaders and do what they say…to imitate those who through faith and patience have inherited the promises. Not all wounds can be healed overnight. Some take long term therapy. But if we will receive the medicine, the cure can be obtained.

We are living at a turning point in the history of the church as we know it. It’s time to take another look at what the Bible says this important office should be.

Opening Scripture:

Ephesians 4:11-12 NKJV “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”

 

1. The role of the pastor is an ascension gift ministry known as the 5-Fold Ministry Gifts. Jesus operated in all five of these ministry gifts, but His plan was to replace Himself with many others who would occupy these offices as a united team representing Him.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

 

 

  1. The role of the modern pastor is not the same in every situation. In a smaller church, the pastor is often expected to fill all five offices because of a lack of leaders and budget. In a larger church the opportunity to specialize involves more people.

While each of the 5-fold ministry gifts are separate gifts with a different functions, here is how the modern pastor is often asked to fulfil them.

Apostle – the founding pastor who has the ability to start a church, lay the foundation, train leaders, and make the church viable for the long term. Primary preacher the first years of the church. Later an occasional preacher to keep the church on point.

Prophet – the visionary pastor who points to the future, calling the church to purity and holiness, dispenses correction and discipline. Occasional preacher as needed.

Evangelist – the outreach pastor who gathers the lost, teaching the local church to do the same. Occasional preacher to keep the church motivated.

Pastor/Shepherd – the feeding pastor that cares for the sheep and makes disciples. Baby dedications, hospital visitation, weddings, funerals, most of the Sunday preaching.

Teacher – the training pastor who maintains the Christian education process and elevates the Bible teaching culture of the church.

 

  1. Timothy was appointed by the apostle Paul as the presiding or lead pastor (bishop) of the church at Ephesus. Paul’s instruction to Timothy helps us understand the responsibilities of the role of the pastor.

2 Timothy 2:1-5 NKJV “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

There were seven churches founded by the Apostle Paul in Asia Minor which is today modern Turkey. Asia Minor referred to the Roman province of Asia, not the entire continent. These seven major churches of Early Christianity, are mentioned in the New Testament Book of Revelation. In Revelation, on the Greek island of PatmosJesus Christ instructs his servant John of Patmos, through an angelic intermediary, to: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

Map of Turkey

Map, Turkey

Map of Ephesus

Map, Ephesus

 

 

2  Timothy 2:1-5 gives us 4 parts of a modern pastors calling.

A. Gravity of a pastors calling –

NKJV “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom”

MESSAGE “I can’t impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule”

B. Focus of a pastors calling –

NKJV “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”

MESSAGE “so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple.”

Acts 6:2-4 NLT “So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”

Acts 6:7 NLT “So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.”

C. Challenge of a pastors calling –

NKJV “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

MESSAGE “You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages.”

D. Secret of a pastors calling –

NKJV “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry”

MESSAGE “But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.”

 

  1. The role of the modern shepherd/pastor is to follow the example of the original Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who laid down His life to protect the flock (the church). Jesus said He was the gate to the sheep, and that only the shepherd of the sheep can use the gate to gain access to the flock. This is the protective role of the pastor.

John 10:11-14 “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant,so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.”

 

  1. God wants every one of us to recognize our need of being a part of a “flock” (local church), and having a divinely called shepherd/pastor that leads us. If we can accept the role of our pastor as God’s shepherd, then we can go in through the gate and be a part of the flock.

Acts 2:47b NKJV “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

 

  1. How can a congregation help their pastor be successful? I will answer this in detail next week in Part Two, but here is something to wet your appetite.

Facebook Post from Nov 14: If you have a great pastor, don’t be a mediocre supporter. Be an Aaron/Hur that lifts their hands and helps them win the battle. Don’t be a begrudging follower. Get vocal and get loud. The pastors need to hear from you, but so do others.

A real pastor is like a fireman or a policeman in that they put their lives on the line every day for you and your church. They spend their lives to make yours better. The Bible says they should be esteemed highly for their works sake. Do you esteem your pastor highly? There are always critics, but what about the silent majority that are grateful for the gift God has given them, but maybe just forgot to let them and others know how you really feel?

Post below how you have encouraged your pastor(s) lately, or how you plan to do so tomorrow, and the week ahead. I promise it doesn’t take much to make a big difference.

This is not about me. I am a pastor, but I am also called to care for pastors. This is about the 1,500 pastors that leave the ministry every month because they did not feel the support of those they were called to serve. In my heart I feel there are way too many underappreciated pastors that are doing a really good job in a very difficult world, but may be discouraged and even thinking about starting over somewhere else. Don’t let your church be guilty of letting your pastor believe the lies of the enemy.

Pastors are not indestructible superheros…just redeemed people who surrendered to the call to serve God’s people. Help them blossom by starting a culture of honor in your church. Don’t wait another day. Start tomorrow.

God bless you.

A TIME FOR EVERYTHING #3, A TIME FOR NECESSARY ENDINGS

2015-11-24 3 Endings copyWEBnew

A TIME FOR NECESSARY ENDINGS

Aloha!

Ecclesiastes 3:2  “A time to die.”

“We all have moments in our lives when we sense God calling us to leave something behind in order to lay hold of the something new God has for us.”

It’s beautiful to watch a Hawaiian sunset!  The sun is high in the sky and so bright you can hardly look at it.  As it goes down slowly disappearing into the ocean, the sky fills with cotton candy colors that soon become incredibly vibrant!  With the sun gone, the once bright sky, changes to darkness.  The setting sun marks the end of the day.

Tomorrow the sun will rise again and we will begin a new day.

Life is full of change.  Similarly to the changing seasons, life also changes.  It’s necessary and good, yet there’s something inside us that wants to hold on to the familiar.  We need to let go and trust God as we reach forward to what’s ahead.

Sometimes an ending may be a job change.  You may need to move locations or do a different job.  We’ve lived in the suburbs, in the country, and now live on an island.  Each move wasn’t always easy.

Letting go of the familiar can be challenging, but is necessary in transitioning to what’s next.

There are other endings in our lives.  We may need to forgive others for wrongs done in the past.  We may have some bad habits that need to come to an end. As we let these things come to an end, we will find freedom in the Lord!

The disciples had to leave what was familiar in order to fully follow Jesus.  Levi, known as Matthew, had a good job and a very good income.  He was a tax collector.  He responded to the call of the Lord on his life in a very positive way.  Luke 5:27-28 “After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.”

It takes both hands to fully apprehend the Lord:  You can’t have one hand holding on to the familiar and one on the Lord. Let go of what’s holding you back, and let God have His way in your life.  God’s grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Song:  “Your grace still amazes me” Phillips, Craig, and Dean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXVUYC_ykwE

“Times of Refreshing,” BLOG:  georgewblack.com

Mahalo,

Cindy Bice

Cindy Black Bice, Aloha Garden Bible Study

“TIMES OF REFRESHING” Garden Bible Study in Hawaii

Please contact me via my Facebook for more information:

www.facebook.com/cindy.b.bice

THANKS-GIVING SUNDAY – BE THE ONE!

One Came Back To Thank Jesus

THANKS-GIVING SUNDAY – BE THE ONE!

11-22-15

Pastor George W. Black

Confession: I am a victorious believer, redeemed by the Lord, washed from my sins in the blood of Jesus my Savior, saved by grace through faith, filled with the powerful Holy Spirit, poised for God’s eternal purposes, and boldly sharing the joy of God’s love, with my world.

I am a faith walking, Word talking, over-comer in this life. I am a Victor, not a victim. I can do, all things through Christ. Today, my mind is open and alert, and my heart is good soil, for the seed of God’s Word.  I will be a diligent disciple, to apply its’ truths, for from this day forward, by the miracle of spiritual growth, I will never, ever, be the same again.

 

Opening Scripture:

(Luke 17:11-19 NKJV)  “Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. {12} Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. {13} And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” {14} So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.

{15} And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, {16} and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. {17} So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? {18} “Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” {19} And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.””

 

  1. Radical Gratitude is Being The One who thanks Jesus in all things. Developing the habit of constantly whispering thanks to him—no matter the situation—is a mustard seed of life-changing power.

Psa 30:11-12 NKJV  “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, {12} To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”

 

  1. Everywhere we go, and everything we do, followers of Jesus have the opportunity in life’s crowded and difficult moments to be the fragrance of Christ. Radical Gratitude – Be The One!

John 12:3 NKJV  “Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.”

2 Cor 2:14-15 NKJV  “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. {15} For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”

 

  1. Radical Gratitude is a key to praise, and praise can open doors that nothing else can. Be The One!

Psa 100:4 NKJV  “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”

Heb 13:15 NKJV  “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”

 

  1. Radical Gratitude brings joy to the heart, and fills our lives with a positive atmosphere. Be The One!

Prov 15:13 NKJV  “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”

Prov 17:22 NKJV  “A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.”

 

  1. Radical Gratitude is an expression of trusting God that He is in control of all the elements of your life. Be The One!

Heb 13:5-6 NLT  “Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.” {6} That is why we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?””

 

  1. Radical Gratitude is an expression of a God centered life, and an important part of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Be The One!

Eph 5:17-20 NKJV  “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. {18} And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, {19} speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, {20} giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Watch Thoughtful Video: THANKSGIVING CHAIR

Watch Musci Video: TAKE A LITTLE TIME, by Andre’ Crouch

A TIME FOR EVERYTHING #2, A TIME FOR NEW BEGINNINGS

2015-11-17 2 New Beginnings

A TIME FOR NEW BEGINNINGS

Aloha!

Ecclesiastes 3:2  “A time to be born.”

God loves us too much to leave us where we are.  He never changes, but we do.  First there’s new life in Him.  John 3:6, 7 “You must be born again.”

Once we have new life in Him, it’s too wonderful to keep to ourselves, we need to share it with others.  We live in a lost and dying world who is in need of a living Savior.  Got Jesus?  Pass it on!

You don’t have to be a preacher to share your testimony with others.  What have you done “new” lately?  You can share the love of God many different ways!

Doing something new may result from the Lord doing something new inside of us.  It can also happen when a need presents itself.  Our doing something new results from our responding to Him.

Our Outreach Minister provided a wonderful opportunity for our church family where everyone could be a part.  She had a great idea, made a plan, and then did it! We set up tents to provide shade, tables for food, and inflatables for jumping fun for big and little kids, face painting, and many other interactive games.  It took one leader who planned it with a support team, as well as her whole family, that helped pull it off. We had a great day sharing Jesus in a fun way with the community in a beautiful park here in Hawaii.

My husband was unable to attend a mission trip to India where he was to be one of the speakers.  The information he’d planned to share with them was very important in helping them.  Desiring to share this information with them resulted in his writing a book, printing it, and shipping it.

Doing something for the first time is setting ourselves up for stress and anxiety.  Keep trying and don’t give up!  Persevere until you succeed.  It’s never easy trying something new.  My husband was faced with this situation and challenged to do something he’d never done before which was to write a book.  Through trials, errors and lots of prayers, the outcome was his first book was a success! His book helped India and many other people.

Our church needed a Ladies Bible Teacher.  Whoever would have thought I’d be doing a weekly on-line Bible Study that goes not only to our church ladies, but at the touch of the “send” key, it goes to many across the states as well as to other countries.  I’m humbled and blessed for the opportunity to share Jesus from this platform.

Although I’d never been a ladies Bible Teacher before, I prayerfully did something new and stepped out to meet a need in our church and I have been incredibly blessed!  It takes time and effort.  After finishing one devotion, I begin the next prayerfully seeking God and asking Him what He would have me to share in the email, picture, and song.  My focus is not the study or e-mail, but in sharing encouraging Hope in Jesus!

Step out of your comfort zone and let’s be about our Father’s business!  Ideas are limitless!  Doing something new isn’t easy.  God’s grace is sufficient and He is with you.  What desire is God placing in your heart?  What is He doing new in your life?

We’re all called to share the Good News.  It’s wonderful to have many avenues to do it!

Song: Casting Crowns- “Until The Whole World Hears” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7qi2KlUffs

Mahalo,

Cindy Bice

Cindy Black Bice, Aloha Garden Bible Study

“TIMES OF REFRESHING” Garden Bible Study in Hawaii

Please contact me via my Facebook for more information:

www.facebook.com/cindy.b.bice

TIMOTHY, PROFILE IN COURAGE

TIMOTHY, PROFILE IN COURAGE

11-8-15

Pastor George W. Black

 

Confession: I am a victorious believer, redeemed by the Lord, washed from my sins in the blood of Jesus my Savior, saved by grace through faith, filled with the powerful Holy Spirit, poised for God’s eternal purposes, and boldly sharing the joy of God’s love, with my world.

I am a faith walking, Word talking, over-comer in this life. I am a Victor, not a victim. I can do, all things through Christ. Today, my mind is open and alert, and my heart is good soil, for the seed of God’s Word.  I will be a diligent disciple, to apply its’ truths, for from this day forward, by the miracle of spiritual growth, I will never, ever, be the same again.

 

Opening Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:2 NKJV “To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”

 

Tmothy’s name means “honoring God.”

His name is mention 25 times in the NT, which is extraordinary.

Paul put Timothy in charge of the church at Ephesus in 65 AD. He is the perfect selection for this assignment as his dad was Greek and therefore a Gentile, and his mother was Jewish Christian. The Ephesian church is one of the gentile churches in Asia Minor, now known as Turkey. As the overseer for the church he was known as a Bishop.

In the NT the term “Bishop” is sometimes used interchangeably with the term “Elder” which means older, or mature. However the role of a Bishop became known as an overseer of more than one church or a group of churches by the end of the first century.

Ephesus is one of the seven churches referred to in the Book of Revelation, and is often considered the most advanced church in the New Testament because of Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians.

Before he became a Bishop, there was a process that required his personal profile to be one of courage. Many are called but few are chosen. What God asked of him was hard, but he said yes anyway.

The process begins in his childhood. Timothy was a native of Lystra in Lycaonia. When Paul and Barnabas first visited Lystra, Paul healed one crippled from birth, leading many of the inhabitants to accept his teaching. When he returned a few years later with Silas, Timothy was already a respected member of the Christian congregation, as were his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, both Jewish Christians. In 2 Timothy 1:5, his mother and grandmother are noted as eminent for their piety and faith. Because of this Timothy is said to have been acquainted with the Scriptures since childhood.

He became  Paul’s disciple, and later his constant companion and co-worker in preaching.  In the year 52, Paul and Silas took Timothy along with them on their journey to Macedonia.

 

When Paul went on to Athens, Silas and Timothy stayed for some time at Berea and Thessalonica before joining Paul at Corinth.[10]Timothy next appears in Acts during Paul’s stay in Ephesus (54-57), and in late 56 or early 57 Paul sent him to Macedonia with the aim that he would eventually arrive at Corinth. Timothy arrived at Corinth just after Paul’s epistle 1 Corinthians reached that city. The letter was not well received, and Timothy quickly returned to Ephesus to report this to Paul.

Timothy was with Paul in Corinth during the winter of 57-58 when Paul dispatched his Letter to the Romans. (Romans 16:21) According to Acts 20:3-6, Timothy was with Paul in Macedonia just before Passover 58; he left the city before Paul, going ahead of him to await Paul in Troas. (Acts 20:4-5) “That is the last mention of Timothy in Acts,” Raymond Brown notes.[11] In the year 64, Paul left St. Timothy at Ephesus, to govern that church.

His relationship with Paul was close. Paul entrusted him with missions of great importance. Timothy’s name appears as the co-author on 2 CorinthiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians, and Philemon. Paul wrote to the Philippians about Timothy, “I have no one like him.” (Philippians 2:19-23) When Paul was in prison and awaiting martyrdom, he summoned his faithful friend, Timothy, for a last farewell.

All of this means that this man’s level of commitment and courage had to be off the scale. Here are several Scripture’s that give us insight into Timothy’s profile of courage.

 

 

  1. A Fellow Worker – Dedicated to the work of God.

Romans 16:21 NKJV “Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.”

 

  1. Beloved and Faithful Son – Reminding other of Paul’s ways in Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:17 NKJV “For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.”

Spiritual DNA is important. We are not to be a hodge podge of different opinions and beliefs. A mixed multitude can never accomplish the will of God. Abraham went not to war except with 218 trained servants that were born in his own house. This is why stress learning the vision of this church. God doesn’t bring new people here to teach us, He brought you here to learn from us. He knew you needed what we have to offer, or He would not have brought you here.

When people remain disciples of other ministers rather than your own pastor, we have a mixed multitude, not an army. We all have something to contribute, but only after we have embraced the vision of this house.

Gen 11 is the story of the tower of Babel. God himself says nothing they imagine they can do will be withheld from them because they are one, and all have one language. Unity is when we are one with the vision God has given the Pastor for our church, and we all speak the same things about this one vision. If we can ever get to this place, nothing will be withheld from us.

Acts chapter 2 reminds us that when the 120 disciples were all in one place and one accord, just like Gen 11, the power and glory of God was poured out and the Early Church was birthed. It’s going to take this sacrificial unity for this to happen today, but it is possible.

In 2 Chron 5 the Bible says when the priests came out of the Holy Place, they did not keep to their divisions…I take that to mean their different opinions and doctrines, etc. No they came into holy, sacrificial unity by laying their opinions down, and the result was such unusual unity that a cloud of God’s glory filled the temple, and it was so thick and heavy that the priests could not stand to minister, for God was ministering Himself.

Comments about fathers and sons:

Paul and Timothy did not have the burden of dealing with the issues of nationally recognized speakers, who either intentionally or unintentionally draw disciples after themselves. But the consequence of this is we have many people in our churches today that not disciples of their pastors in the Biblical way, but they follow an image, an illusion, they follow a voice, but not a person. These pseudo disciples will never be called upon to submit to these national leaders personally, or work with them in ministry, or get to know them up close and personal, which creates an impossible comparison with the local pastor who can’t compete with a television persona. These pseudo disciples are filled with opinions, but none of them are sons, to anyone. We all need to be sons.

 

3. Paul said you have not many fathers…

1 Corinthians 4:14-16 NKJV “I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.”
We know we are a son when we have a spiritual father that can correct us. If a spiritual father corrects us and we resent it then maybe we are not a son. If a stranger corrects us we may resent it, but if our real father corrects us we respect it, because we know he loves us and he is watching for our soul, and it is for our learning.

We cannot make someone a son or daughter. You are either a son or daughter or not, because it is your choice. A father may chose you but you must also chose them.

The problem in American culture is no one wants to be a  son or daughter. Instead we want to be equals with everyone. But this is a perversion of the natural order. We always respect our natural parents as fathers and mothers as long as they are living. But we do not welcome and respect spiritual parents without a conscious decision, because it is not our culture. However the American culture is not a Biblical culture. We must understand so many things in our culture that we consider to be our rights, are not in the Kingdom culture. If we were living in Jesus’ day we would quickly find out that kingdom culture and American culture are enemies.

 

4. John told us there are basically three divisions to the Body of Christ, Fathers, Young Men or Sons, and Children. Everyone wants to be Father, but they cannot until they have first become a son.

1 John 2:12-14 NKJV I write to you, little children,
Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.
13 I write to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
Because you have overcome the wicked one.
I write to you, little children,
Because you have known the Father.
14 I have written to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,
And you have overcome the wicked one.”
The NT word Elder means older, mature, as in fathers. A kingdom culture teaches us to respect our elders, that we are not their equals and that we can never be their equals anymore than a child can equal their parents. We may one day become an elder ourselves, but we will always be subordinate to those who have gone before us. This does not mean we can’t achieve what our fathers have achieved or even exceed it. Every father wants their children to do better and achieve more than they have. But you cannot ever be their same age at the same time with someone who is 30 years older than you. You cannot ever be their equal, and it is a perversion to want to.

 

5. Timothy became Paul’s son in the faith because he humbled himself, refused to be a mixed multitude or a man of many opinions.

He became a son or disciple or “Timothy” to Paul because he chose to…this is a true profile in courage. If he had not, he could not have entered the destiny that Paul’s life opened the door to. He would never have been the Bishop of Ephesus or helped co-write six books of the New Testament, with another two addressed to him.

John 15:13 NKJV “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

 

6. Brother and Minister of God, and our Fellow Laborer in the Gospel – Encourager who strengthened the work of God

1 Thessalonians 3:1-3 NKJV “Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.”

 

7. No one Like-Minded – Sincere care for the work of God with no thought of personal ego or gain.

Phillipians 2:19-21 NKJV “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.”

 

8. Imprisoned For His Faith, later giving all in Martyrdom.

Heb 13:22-23 NKJV “And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.”

That Timothy was jailed at least once during the period of the writing of the New Testament is implied by the writer of Hebrews mentioning Timothy’s release at the end of the epistle. The apocryphal Acts of Timothy states that in the year 97, the 80-year-old bishop tried to halt a procession in honor of the goddess Diana by preaching the gospel. The angry pagans beat him, dragged him through the streets, and stoned him to death.

Timothy’s profile in courage is a reminder that Christianity is not meant to be easy or safe. It is meant to be the greatest commitment and adventure of our lives. It become boring when we don’t give it our all.

Would you let Christ write a profile of courage for your life. Will you take up your cross?

A TIME FOR EVERYTHING #1, DISCOVERING THE BEAUTIFUL RYTHYMS OF LIFE

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DISCOVERING THE BEAUTIFUL RYTHYMS OF LIFE

Aloha!

“Every season of life provides an opportunity to learn something more about God.  Though we don’t always get to choose our season of life, we can always choose to call out to God and worship Him in the midst.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”

When I started reading this chapter, I thought of our ladies who live in Colorado and other states where the changing of the Seasons must be prolific.  You could take a snap shot of the same setting and each Season it would change drastically!

Do you have a favorite Season?  What comes to mind when you think of each Season?  Each Season has a natural purpose and you can apply them to your life as well.

We’re funny creatures: when it’s cold, we want it to warm up; when it’s hot, we want it to cool down!  God’s timing is perfect! We want Him to hurry up and get on to the next Season, but you can’t rush God!

Whichever season you find yourself in today, draw close to God.  Look at each season as a gift and begin to rejoice in the Lord.  Psalms 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Turn to God and not away from God in your Season.

Shortly after having my first baby I discovered I had a disease which affected my right lung.  I was very sick for the next two years.  Being a worshiper, it was a very challenging time and season in my life.  It was hard to breathe much less sing or talk.  I’d put on worship music and dance holding my baby and other times I’d just raise my hands and praise God from the depths of my soul.  When my organs were starting to shut down, I was told it would be fatal if I didn’t have surgery, so out came my right lung.   I remember my Pastor coming to encourage me and I shared Psalms 23 with him.  Even in facing death at a young age, I knew the Lord was with me.  Jesus faced the death of the cross, yet he arose triumphantly and victoriously.  My heart was comforted that in life or in death I’m victorious through Him!  I later sang “We Shall Behold Him,” at church and all glory goes to the Lord!

Acts 16 Paul and Silas didn’t complain when beaten and locked up.  They praised God and God miraculously delivered them by sending an earthquake to open the prison doors!

Song: “Eternity” by my brother in law and nephew, Andrew and John Eastmond https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7mIMb297Is

Mahalo,

Cindy Bice

Cindy Black Bice, Aloha Garden Bible Study

“TIMES OF REFRESHING” Garden Bible Study in Hawaii

Please contact me via my Facebook for more information:

www.facebook.com/cindy.b.bice

OVERCOMING WORRY #12, SEEK A RESOLUTION

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SEEK A RESOLUTION

Aloha!

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”  Corrie Ten Boom

This study devotional, “Overcoming Worry,” has been quite a journey!  We have learned how to overcome our fears and walk in the peace of God amidst uncertaintyOur confidence and hope is in the LordHe is our peace in every storm that we will ever face. It’s comforting to know that God is with us every day of our lives.

“The burdens that cause us to worry become heavier whenever we try to carry them alone.”

Sometimes you just don’t know what to do or which way to turn.  People become conditioned to the situations they’re in.  When that happens, you can’t see beyond where you are and find you’re stuck in a rut.  Insanity is doing the same thing expecting change.   It’s time to break out of the rut!

There needs to be a RESOLUTION.  Rather than wringing our hands worrying over everything, we need to make a resolution (a firm decision to do or not to do something; the action of solving a problem.)  1.  Make sure you have the FACTS.  2.  Have a correct PERSPECTIVE.   3.  Ask God for WISDOM.  4.  Make a PLAN.  5.  Find ENCOURAGEMENT.  6.  Control your THOUGHTS.  7.  Speak with a CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR.

Jacob was filled with worry after stealing his older brother’s birthright.  Knowing Esau wanted to kill him, Jacob ran away.  This seemed to be an irreconcilable problem.  Jacob turned to God in prayer and began to devise a plan to be reconciled with his brother.  After praying, he had his servants take livestock to Esau as a gift.  Esau’s heart was softened and Jacob won his favor.  Jacob must have been elated when Esau ran to him!  Esau embraced Jacob, kissed him, and wept.  Genesis 32

“When worry seeps into our lives, a resolution may seem impossible.  But God desires for us to live with joy and faith instead of worry and fear.”

Song:  “Voice of Truth” Casting Crowns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcuiuIwtpa4

Go to georgewblack.com to see my “Times of Refreshing,” BLOG 

Mahalo,

Cindy Bice

Cindy Black Bice, Aloha Garden Bible Study

“TIMES OF REFRESHING” Garden Bible Study in Hawaii

Please contact me via my Facebook for more information:

www.facebook.com/cindy.b.bice