The Apostle Paul
| He was a Pharisee; he was trained and grew up under the influence of the most prominent law teacher in his time named Gamaliel. (Acts 22:3) But after the Apostle Paul got saved and was converted near Damascus, since then, his goal was to be like the Lord Jesus Christ.
· He said this, “I have suffered the loss of all things and count them but dung that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:8). · And so after living by this goal in his life he said this, “BUT I HAVE ALL, AND ABOUND, I AM FULL…!” (Philippians 4:18) · He also said this, “…as having nothing and yet POSSESING ALL THINGS…” (II Corinthians 6:10). · Moreover he said this, “I think myself HAPPY…” (Acts 26:2). · Near the end of his life he said this, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, and I have kept the faith!” (II Timothy 4:7)
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Below I’ve included a devotion by David Wilkerson, entitled: Where are the Timothys?
As I read it, it became very clear to me that there aren’t very many like Paul today, that’s for sure.
This is not only a problem in the church, but it is also a very serious problem in our government as well.
We have way too many Indians; where nobody wants to serve anymore, and everyone wants to be a chief!
In many churches today, the position of Pastor has become more like that of a CEO of a corporation, where they see themselves as being served; where the goal is more to insulated themselves from their sheep, by middle management staff, rather than to serve them.
How different is that from the example that Jesus gave, who was God incarnate, and yet humbled Himself to perform the lowliest job possible, which was to washed the feet of His disciples, and then how about when He told them, “…to go and do likewise;” or how about when He said, “The greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven would be the least.”
In fact the very word that is used in the New Testament for Minister, (diakoneo, in Greek) means to serve,orwait upon.
This sort of problem also exists in our government today, as well, where the term “Public Service” has become an oxymoron.
It is more than obvious that so many of our politicians today see themselves as anything but servants; but rather, more times than not today, these political positions, within our government, have become more about personal greed and lust for more power and influence, where it’s more about advancing one’s career and position, rather than it is to do what’s right, and best for the general public.
This is what is confusing to me… this behavior that is so prevalent in the world is normal… is it not?
Not only that, but most of us would be right there with them, if it had not been for us having had our lives changed through the re-birth experience, the influence of the Bible, in our lives; and the influence of the Holy Spirit; and our relationship with Jesus Christ!
Compare this behavior, which is prevalent today in both the church at large, and also in government, with that of Jesus:
Philippians 2:5-8
The Humbled and Exalted Christ
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
We are in the world, we live here, but for sure we are not to be of the world; and we are actually called to be much different from the world.
It is the church that should be at the forefront and avant-garde of every culture and society, and it should be the world who is following us!!!
That was always Jesus plan, and that was what the preaching of the Gospel of Heaven is all about, where we are to be implementing, in the earth, the will and Kingdom of God, as it is in heaven!
The thing I don’t understand is how did the church ever feel they could have anything different, after having abdicated their position and responsibly, in government, to unbelievers?
How is it that we expected an unbeliever, who doesn’t know God, has never had an encounter with God, and nor has he had a relationship with God, how is it that we thought we would get anything different, from these people, than what we are getting… which is they are taking our nation to hell in a hand basket?
I mean duhh… what else did we expect would happen?
You know, come to think of it, this is the natural state of for all of us outside of Christ… is it not?
In fact, this is the natural state of man, in general, outside of God, where we are always dealing with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life… where practically everything we do, is all about wanting and getting our own way; wanting everything we can get for ourselves, in terms of money, power, and position; and always wanting to appear, in the eyes of men, as being someone who is important… all of these things are of the flesh, and they have nothing to do with our being Christ like, or about our serving the Father.
This is what you expect in the world; but certainly this is not to be in the church!
That’s why God has called the church to be the head, and not the tail in society; and that’s why our real ministry is to be out in the marketplace, with all signs, wonders, and miracles accompanying our preaching of the Gospel, and not just left to be inside the four walls of a building once or twice a week.
In the following video clip, I’d like you to listen to a man talk about what I believe has been God’s plan all along; and this is something I believe that the Holy Spirit is bringing about in our day and time… check it out!
The Seven Mountains Mandate
This is our only hope, and without this happening, as part of, and along side of a Spiritual Awakening and Revival, in our land, then I don’t see how our nation can last much longer… going in the direction we are going!
Pray folks, watch and pray that this will happen, and that we can put our nation back on track with God again.
Shalom,
Skip Barland
—–Original Message—–
From: DAVID WILKERSON TODAY [mailto:no-reply@lists.worldchallenge.org]
Sent: Friday, May 21, 2010 11:57 AM
To: devotions-en@lists.worldchallenge.org
Subject: WHERE ARE THE TIMOTHYS?
It was to the Philippian Christians that Paul first introduced the truth, “Let the mind of Christ be in you.” Paul wrote this message to them while he was imprisoned in Rome. It was from a jail cell that Paul declared he had the mind of Christ, casting aside his reputation to become a servant of Jesus and his church. Now he wrote, “I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state” (Philippians 2:19). This is the thinking, the outworking, of the mind of Christ. Think about it: Here was a pastor, sitting in jail, yet he wasn’t thinking of his own comfort, his own hard situation. He was concerned only about the spiritual and physical condition of his people. And he told his sheep, “My comfort will come only when I know you’re doing well, in spirit and body. So I’m sending Timothy to check up on you, in my behalf.” Then Paul makes this alarming statement: “For I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state” (2:20). What a sad statement! As Paul wrote this, the church around him in Rome was growing and being blessed. Clearly, there were godly leaders in the Roman church. But, Paul says, “I have no man who shares with me the mind of Christ.” Why was this so? “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s” (2:21). Evidently, there was no leader in Rome with a servant’s heart—no one who had cast aside reputation and become a living sacrifice. Instead, everyone was set on pursuing his own interests. None had the mind of Christ. Paul could trust no one to go to Philippi to be a true servant to that body of believers. Paul’s words here cannot be softened: “Everybody’s out for himself. These ministers seek only to benefit themselves. That’s why there’s nobody here I can trust to naturally care for your needs and hurts, except Timothy.” Our prayer should be: “Lord, I don’t want to be focused only on myself in a world that’s spinning out of control. I don’t want to be concerned about my own future. I know you hold my path in your hands. Please, Lord, give me your mind, your thinking, your concerns. I want to have your servant’s heart.” Amen. |
SB SALT AND LIGHT MINISTRIES 