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In the group on Wednesday evening that is studying God’s Plan for His Disciples, we had a great discussion on conversations we have with persons who are either unsaved or untaught in the Scriptures. How do we handle situations where the other person refuses the gospel or becomes argumentative about the truth of Scripture?
There are a couple of key Scriptures that help us in our approach to such persons. “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand thembecause they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Arguments and methods of persuasion will never produce understanding and their acceptance of the gospel or truth. Some people like an argument, but Paul advised Timothy of the following; “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil” (2 Timothy 2:24). This is where discernment is needed. Is the other person teachable? If we are, “speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the Head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). Spiritual growth is the goal. Not winning an argument. In this way, God will receive the glory for what is accomplished, not us. That is His way!
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Jeremiah is my next scheduled book to read in my devotional time with the Lord. As always, the Word of God impacts me each reading with fresh insights and powerful applications that fit the times we live in. Here are my impressions from reading the first chapter.
God validates His call on Jeremiah through pointing to His foreknowledge of Jeremiah and forming him in the womb. That alone should silence any objections to God’s call. But Jeremiah insists that his age (youth) disqualified him from this position and that he could not speak well (1:6). Does God make mistakes?? More than God’s choice, He promised Jeremiah that He would put the right and specific words in Jeremiah’s mouth that he will speak (1:9) to fulfill His call. What a powerful confidence that gives! As I read the latter half of the chapter, I noticed the unique way God prepares a prophet like Jeremiah. It is not just the mission that God is concern about (1:10) but the character of the prophet who will carry out the mission. Part of that preparation was testing Jeremiah’s ability to recognize things for what they are and discern their condition. If God is going to use us, we must be willing to let Him refine our spiritual abilities so we are effective in the work we are assigned to do and that include keen spiritual discernment. There is not one of us in the body of Christ that God does not want to use (see Ephesians 4:11-16). He has placed the Holy Spirit in us for this preparation process. The question is whether we are yielding to His work in us or resisting and ignoring the divine call? “FAITH IS THE OPEN HAND
THAT RECEIVES THE FULNESS OF GOD’S GRACE” Sinclair Ferguson Text messages can be very ordinary and not worth passing on to our reading audience, while others are very meaningful. Before you read the following message from our partner in Nepal, take into consideration that in the last couple years, after going through our initial training, this brother has traveled over dangerous mountain roads, in very wet weather, all at his own expense, to train groups and churches in many places across this mountainous land.
“Last day class was very good. I am amazed. It is miracle that the students are taking so much interest in God’s Plan for His Disciples (Nepali). There was a lot of discussion and interaction between the students, and we learned together in the class. The atmosphere of the class was so interesting and blessed that we went half an hour over our time. Even if there were no lights (without electricity), everyone was talkingabout what they were learning and wanted to share it with others.” How I wish we could import this eagerness to learn the principles of God’s Word and give it to complacent believers here in America. It is not because of us, nor can their passion for God’s Word be mimicked or copied. It is the Spirit working in hearts, planting a desire and hunger in them for living truth. Do you want this truth? “You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). I have been observing the characteristics of revival through Nehemiah 8. The setting is the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem so God’s purpose for His people would be seen again by other nations. Revival is often a hot topic when things are not going well in the church or denomination we attend or when a nation is in decline. For that reason, I want to point out some valuable lessons we can learn from Israel at this juncture in their history.
We might think that revival must begin with the leaders. Notice in verse 1; “And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel.” (Nehemiah 8:1). The people took the initiative in wanting to know what God’s Word said. Note that neither Nehemiah nor Ezra command that this movement take place. It springs out of the heart of the people. In verse 2, it was “both men and women and all who could understand what they heard.” No one is excluded! In the light of this, do you think revival is needed in our day? God does not bring revival to nations! He brings revival to His people so they will be a witness and influence for good in nations. Come back to our next blog tomorrow for more on this important topic. We received a long report from a partner in South Asia who has taken what he learned from the GPHD and GPHC training and is now teaching others to value God’s word and practice it. The following is a few excerpts from his report. May it bless you as it did us.
“All of your teaching has strengthened our faith. It is good tool that you have given us and I am very thankful to you because it will bring a big revival for the people. I want to share that there were many brothers and sisters, who were blessed. There were many hurdles in their minds, but these hurdles have fall down. The same was true of us, but now we are being blessed. Thanks to Lord God for all these things (GPHD and GPHC) that are developing us in God’s Word because of you. You travel like Paul and set good example to others. These things of God helps us and you help us by walking with us. It is true that we are bound in traditional teachings and our youth are also bound in tradition by the Churches. They are not allowed to go out of the Church to witness. God’s Plan for His Church has caused many blessings for us in our group of 17-18 people. We are using GPHC, and many more people are joining us. I want to share that students from 14 -15 cities came to the camp. This is good step for people from all over our country can come and learn together. The youth were involved and took interest in each subject. It is so good that youth from different cities and cultures came and participated. When you hear their testimonies, then you know that how Lord is working.”  We are so encouraged by what is happening in India. Tim makes a comment that summarizes what we see from our perspective:
“This is so encouraging brother!!! I have ministered in India since 1996 and now, you and these leaders are doing in a very short time what I could never have done. This is truly an indigenous Spirit-led mission to reach all of India and beyond for our Father's glory. Thanks so much for the pictures. Rejoicing in Christ.” Though I have not been to India as many times as Tim, I share his excitement in what God is doing now. Many places where we have introduced God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) and God’s Plan for His Church(GPHC), there is usually an initial interest and excitement until God’s Word confronts tradition and the authority of Scripture and the Spirit requires changes they are not willing to make. This condition never forces us to give up or even lose heart. Think of the many times Jesus was rejected in 3 ½ years or the number of times the apostles were rejected, and the Spirit led them to the next place (Acts 13:46; Matthew 21:43). That is not the case with this new opportunity in India. At the same time, we must pray that cold water is not thrown on the spiritual fire that began and the initial fervor continues.  Those words are either comforting or they strike fear in the hearts, especially when they are spoken by the Lord Jesus. His “knowing” is not the knowledge we are familiar with which is limited and imperfect, but His knowledge is infinite and perfect. To five of the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus’ knowledge required a rebuke and warning that they must repent of their sins or face consequences.
Yet, there was one church that did not have a warning or call for repentance. Notice His words to the church in Philadelphia; “I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name” (Revelation 3:8). Even though they had “little power,” that did not prevent them from keeping, or should I say, holding on with a powerful grip the teaching of Jesus. This kind of power is not defined by outward ability but by inner commitment. Our day requires men and women who value the Word of God authored by the Holy Spirit who will not compromise or give up His truth in the face of cultural pressures. What is your stand.  We received information from our partner in S. E. Asia describing the progress of God’s work. It seems that the Lord is opening new doors to reach ethnic groups that have not been on their radar before. He starts with general comments (mostly unedited).
“Your prayers and help for me and our brothers in the ministry of GPHC has been over the past 10 years. I am so happy to have you with us in continual prayer for God to open the way for developing Timothy’s and train many brothers in Ethnic Minorities in our country. Children have not yet been exposed to the Gospel because they live in remote places. They live deep in the forests and high mountains, and the government pays little attention to them.” As we see in the Book of Acts, the Lord kept opening new opportunities so that the gospel went from Jerusalem to Rome in 25 years. Now, this new “frontier in the deep forest and high mountains” has open opportunities. Is this what Jesus said in Acts 1:8, “…and to the end of the earth”? We are praying for the Lord to give our brother clear direction and supply what is needed to reach these people. May the Church there and here catch the vision and stand with him in prayer.  As we receive reports from so many places from students who are doing their study of Scripture through God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) or God’s Plan for His Church (GPHC), we hear similar testimonies from every place. Here are a few examples of what they say.
This is a small sample of comments we receive. They remind me of David’s words, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105). They are the ultimate guide and wisdom. In Psalm 19, David declares that God’s Word is “perfect, sure, right, pure and clean enduring forever; they are true and righteous altogether” (19:7-9). What would you say God’s Word means to you? It would be a good exercise for you to write down what the Word of God has become to you. Some would give everything they have to receive a copy. We do all we can to make sure those we train have their of Bible. |
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