"Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they look for the Lord's support and say, 'Is not the Lord among us? No disaster will come upon us.'" (Micah 3:11, NIV) The Living Bible says, "....you leaders who take bribes; you priests and prophets who won't preach and prophesy until you're paid. (And yet you fawn upon the Lord and say, 'All is well-- the Lord is here among us. No harm can come to us.')"
It is always an interesting observation when I go through the Bible, just how nothing in human nature has changed for thousands of years, and, how the Word of God is right up-to-date, e.g., leaders leading for money, fivefold ministries taking preaching and teaching engagements, "for a price," and prophets prophesying things which will be sure to get them asked back. I had a financial secretary of a relatively large congregation tell me that some of the "big name" speakers which they have come in to speak demand certain hotel accommodations, e.g., the hot tub has to be just a certain temperature. While there was at first some "shock," it didn't take me long to really not be surprised.
But the question which came to me today was, "What do you have to have before you obey?" There was a solo one of our seminarians did in one of our choir tours which had the line, "I want you to use me Lord------- but not just now." The song goes on through the various stages of life. Just to give a few-- "As soon as I've paid the mortgage-- as soon as the kids are grown--- as soon as I draw my pension-- but not just now." The last was, "just as soon as I am------- dead." How many "just-as-soon-as-I" are in us today?
While we can look with disgust on "preachers for hire," or the "just-as-soon-as" guy, there is a daily call to walk in obedience in Jesus Christ. Sometimes the call seems "big," sometimes "small." But none are optional. Have you ever noticed that when the "big" things come along how much more we tend to give ourselves to them. But when some lonely soul in the store just needs the Life of Jesus manifest to them as in Matthew 20:32, "What do you want me to do for you to do for you?" we miss that "assignment."
The favor, or we could say approval of the Lord Jesus is upon those who obey, not those who are highly esteemed among men, those whose gifts have earned them a lot of money, asked to do "great things," or are in great demand by the majority. After all, whom are we serving? Whose "favor" and approval are we living for? Most of the years in Jesus' sojourn in the flesh before His death and resurrection were filled with the "little" things of life.
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Your continual Words which keep me continually in You. Amen.
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* News, Commentary: jhs58.blogspot.com
* Berlin/Bosnia Mission: May 1-20
It is always an interesting observation when I go through the Bible, just how nothing in human nature has changed for thousands of years, and, how the Word of God is right up-to-date, e.g., leaders leading for money, fivefold ministries taking preaching and teaching engagements, "for a price," and prophets prophesying things which will be sure to get them asked back. I had a financial secretary of a relatively large congregation tell me that some of the "big name" speakers which they have come in to speak demand certain hotel accommodations, e.g., the hot tub has to be just a certain temperature. While there was at first some "shock," it didn't take me long to really not be surprised.
But the question which came to me today was, "What do you have to have before you obey?" There was a solo one of our seminarians did in one of our choir tours which had the line, "I want you to use me Lord------- but not just now." The song goes on through the various stages of life. Just to give a few-- "As soon as I've paid the mortgage-- as soon as the kids are grown--- as soon as I draw my pension-- but not just now." The last was, "just as soon as I am------- dead." How many "just-as-soon-as-I" are in us today?
While we can look with disgust on "preachers for hire," or the "just-as-soon-as" guy, there is a daily call to walk in obedience in Jesus Christ. Sometimes the call seems "big," sometimes "small." But none are optional. Have you ever noticed that when the "big" things come along how much more we tend to give ourselves to them. But when some lonely soul in the store just needs the Life of Jesus manifest to them as in Matthew 20:32, "What do you want me to do for you to do for you?" we miss that "assignment."
The favor, or we could say approval of the Lord Jesus is upon those who obey, not those who are highly esteemed among men, those whose gifts have earned them a lot of money, asked to do "great things," or are in great demand by the majority. After all, whom are we serving? Whose "favor" and approval are we living for? Most of the years in Jesus' sojourn in the flesh before His death and resurrection were filled with the "little" things of life.
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Your continual Words which keep me continually in You. Amen.
**********************
* News, Commentary: jhs58.blogspot.com
* Berlin/Bosnia Mission: May 1-20
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
