By Steve Johnson
In any ministry where we are faced with an obstacle which we cannot overcome, it is possible that the obstacle is actually a point over which no man can ever truly help. In fact, sometimes God allows us to reach these points to teach us to rely on him. At these points human wisdom is never enough, we need the word of God. God will give us wisdom and will show us how the ministry needs to be carried out. Another reason God might allow these points to occur in our lives is to get our attention and to work in us. You must understand that God is in control and there is a reason why you are where you are, therefore you need the specific word of God for that point in your life.
The Bible says 'the entrance of your word brings light'; therefore if we don't understand the Word, we will remain in darkness. In the Old Testament, the Lord told the Israelites to collect manna daily, and we know that manna symbolises His word. In the same way, God teaches us to receive His word daily. To hear from God you need to be in communion with Him so you see the whole ministry relies on our personal relationship with God. In the book of Hebrews it says that without faith it is impossible to please God. A lack of faith is seen in a lack of reliance on His word
An unhealthy relationship with God is marked by the lack of faith. A few of the Israelites did not listen to God so they didn't have faith in God to give manna the second day – so they collected more of it only to find that the second day it was all rotten. If what we do does not rely on faith, what we do becomes rotten and dies in our hand and has no life in it.
God teaches us to rely on Him because he is the source of light. Jesus said that man will live not by bread alone but by every word that comes out of God's mouth. So everything relies on our relationship with God, a daily submission to Him – the proof for this will be that we will want to hear his word daily and that we will put it into practice.
In the book of Joshua chapter 1, God says 'this book of law shall not depart from your mouth, but meditate in it day and night THEN (and this is the important word) you will have success.' This promise is conditional: if we rely on His word then we will succeed. Now all it's up to you – if you agree, you will put into practice the word of God. It is not enough to be a hearer of the word any more than it is enough to taste the food. Only when food is digested it gives you energy, and the same is with the word of God – it will produce spiritual energy in you when you digest it. When it goes from your brain into your heart , when you are convinced by it in such a way that it lives in you.
Go back to the issue of the manna. Manna in Hebrew means literally 'what is it'. You could also get oil from it so the scripture tells us. So it is with the word of God. While I encourage an academic understanding, nevertheless no seminary nor bible college can unlock for you the hidden treasures contained within the word. Most of the hidden treasures are to us a case of 'what is it?'. It is as we receive the word of God by faith the understanding comes. {not the other way round. Intellectuals among you take note. God's ways are not mans ways}. This manna of God's word also contains 'oil'. Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Now pay careful attention to this. God never speaks His word without the power to bring it to pass! He is not Pharaoh! God doesn't send you out to make bricks without straw! God's word makes the impossible possible. It makes a virgin pregnant and parts the waters of a sea. It can bring supernatural healing and formed even the world around us. That is the power of God's word. God forbid that we should be all word and no power! When God speaks to you from heaven through the scriptures be assured that He speaks in Holy Spirit power. If you will digest the word, If you will receive it by faith, if you will let it live within you then the oil of the Holy Spirit will flow and the power to bring God's word to pass will be released. A failure to live this way, I believe, is a major cause of failing ministries. People try to operate in their own wisdom and their own strength. Have you not read what the scriptures say, 'unless the Lord build the house they labour in vain that build it?'
So what do we do when things are not moving forward? You need a word from God and you need God's word empowered by the Spirit every day. God's word will do immeasurably more than you can ask or think. God's word will correct you, will rebuke you, will teach you, will direct your paths and illuminate your way through the darkness. Though the darkness be great and thick darkness cover the earth His children will walk as in the noon day sun.
God's word has the power to change and transform your life. It contains within it the power to bring it to pass when received by faith {That is when a person receives it with the express intent of putting into practice whatever God tells them.}
The oil of the Holy Spirit is released through {The manna} the word from heaven. If you operate in your own power you will fail. You must learn to go out daily and collect the manna {The word of God} that the Lord has for you. King David once said 'I have never seen the righteous begging {or lacking} bread. A spiritually starving and malnourished Christian is not the result of a stingy Father. He has manna {The word} for you every day but it's down to you. If you learn to receive the word of God for your life every day. it will change the way you live. It will transform your ministry. It will change your life forever.
Shalom...steve johnson
No comments:
Post a Comment