Descending Dove

The job/position of pastoring and teaching GOD's people, carry's an
enormous weight. Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my
brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
James 3:1

Gracious Father, guide my words, speaking the truth in love, may they truly
be a blessing to those reading this. I pray also that the eyes of your heart
may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which HE has
called you, the riches of HIS glorious inheritance in the saints, and HIS
incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working
of HIS mighty strength, which HE exerted in Christ when HE raised him
from the dead and seated HIM at HIS right hand in the heavenly realms, far
above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be
given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God
placed all things under HIS feet and appointed HIM to be head over
everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of HIM who fills
everything in every way. Eph 1:18-23

I gave a sermon the other day, and when I was finished and leaving the
place, GOD spoke this to me, 'What you spoke of
today, is Satan's greatest deception, and you are to title it that.' What I was
sermonizing was the disbelief in the Word of GOD, and the powerless
provisions it has for those who doubt. I am astonished that you are so
quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are
turning to a different gospel -- which is really no gospel at all. Evidently
some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the
gospel of Christ. Gal 1:6-7. They are expounding on the 'Gospel according to
Didymus.'

Fear not only disables us in our flesh, but coupled with doubts disables the
belief in the Word, thus rendering our faith powerless. I find only one place
in the Word where this is proven, 'And they took offense at him. But Jesus
said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet
without honor." And He did not do many miracles there because of their
lack of faith. Matt 13:57-58. Do we offend Jesus in our churches when we
deliver a watered down version of the Gospel, thus rendering Him, His
message, and His provisions ineffective and not whole? When Peter stepped
out of the boat at sea - he believed totally with all his heart, soul, mind, and
strength. He wasn't thinking about whether he could or couldn't 'walk on
water', he was but answering his master's call. He was standing in faith, as
was Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego believing that GOD would rescue
them from the firey furnance when they told Nebuchadnezzar, 'the God we
serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O
king.' Dan 3:17.

In one account after another Jesus healed: Peter's mother in law, the ten
lepers, the woman with the hemorrhage, the man with the shriveled hand;
caused the blind to see: the two blind men following Him, Bartimaeus of
Jericho, the man born blind; made the lame to walk: the paralytic carried by
his 4 friends, the invalid at the pool of Bethesda; set free the possessed:
Legion of the pigs, the boy with seizures; made the deaf to hear and the mute
to speak: man from Decapolis; raised the dead: the widow's son in Nain,
Jairus' daughter, Lazarus. The people were amazed when they saw the mute
speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing.
And they praised the God of Israel. Matt 15:31

I am amazed at the 'Gospel of Didymus' that comes forth from most
churches. The Gospel we preach should never for the lack of eternal power
nor everlasting love for His sheep be weak, fearful, or fruitless. For GOD did
not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of
self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our LORD, or ashamed
of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power
of GOD, who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of
anything we have done but because of HIS own purpose and grace. This
grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 2 Tim 1:7-9. It
must be GOD inspired, fresh, and alive.

When God calls us into service, He provides for our every sustenance,
training, and fortitude. I'm sorry, but I can't get my head around some one
becoming weary doing ministry when God has empowered and equipped
them, unless they are doing the work on their own strength. "When I sent
you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing,"they
answered. Luke 22:35. As you stand before your congregations and assemblies
be bold, be strong, rely on the LORD, stand as David did before Goliath,
fearless. Preach it with the conviction of faith Peter confessed knowing he
could 'walk' on water.

So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him
working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from
the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it
into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then
the word of the LORD came to me: "O house of Israel,
can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the
LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in
my hand, O house of Israel. Jer 18:3-6

"Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is
but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does
the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' Isa 45:9

When you pray giving your supplications and requests to
God, do you listen? He does, and then He replies.

Every high priest is selected from among men and is
appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to
offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently
with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since
he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to
offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of
the people. No one takes this honor upon himself; he
must be called by God, just as Aaron was. Heb 5:1-4

HE called you to this through our gospel, that you might
share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thes 2:14

How can you not feel, not know the full power and
goodness that HE has bestowed upon you as HIS called
and approved, HIS empowered and equipped, HIS
annointed and ordained?

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare
the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

His divine power has given us everything we need for life
and godliness through our knowledge of him who called
us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3

As you can see, the Word is NOT powerless nor void, and
for us to believe, anything other than that is satan's
greatest deception. Jesus said, "You of little faith, why
are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?
Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five
loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls
you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand,
and how many basketfuls you gathered? Matt 16:8-10, and
again, "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you
the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw
yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but
believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for
him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer,
believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11:22-24. One more time, "Consider how the lilies
grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even
Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is
here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how
much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And
do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not
worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such
things, and your Father knows that you need them. But
seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as
well. Luke 12:27-31

David was clothed in the armor of GOD when he went
out to face Goliath even though he himself was nearly
naked. But his 'Love the LORD your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your strength'
meant more than being the first commandment, it was
also his entreating GOD to provide for his every need,
protection, and to open the storehouse of heaven, to pour
out HIS abundant blessings for you from heaven.

Though we live in an era of dispensational grace, how can we stand before our assemblies and profess to teach something that is not active
and alive in our own lives or in our churches? We need to practice what we preach and teach about the Word, and live it in our daily lives.
The Word is the living-breathing active sharper than a double-edged sword truth bigger than life quintessential manifestation of GOD. We
need to focus our eyes upon the author and perfecter of our faith our Savior, like Peter as he stepped out of the boat, and keep them fixed
there; we need to keep our mind fixed on GOD, as David did in all of his trying times, and know that God will provide, protect, and care for
our every need. Then we need to preach and teach that, as it becomes a reality in our own lives, so that others can 'see' it in our actions and
deeds, and to encourage those given to our care in the ways we ourselves are walking, without any interest beyond ourselves other than that of
building up Kingdom people.
We need to step out of our boats, and though we walk in the valley of the shadow of death daily, even though we face 'giants' and 'mountains'
of concern and fear, we know with absolute certainty of confidence of what HE says is true, and without a shadow of doubt, we are the victors
- no matter how our circumstance or situation seems to appear - GOD is with us every step of the way, through thick and thin. Jesus' death
and resurrection is our power source and resolute of our resource base, indeed through Christ we can do all things.
So you pastors that are reading this page, Preach like there's no tomorrow, Preach as though your faithfuls lives depended upon it, Preach as
unto the LORD and as if no one else is looking or matters, Preach as HE has anoited you, and let your hearts dance with the joy of the LORD.
Lets us not forget Peter's appeal to us ....