The following blog references a well written article by Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D.
Are There Modern Day Apostles andChristian Prophets Today?
Please take the time to read this concise biblical summary on the topic of Apostles and Proohets before commenting on my blog - many thanks to you as well as to Pastor Jim.
- Dave
Not too many weeks ago, I suffered through a Sunday morning service (as we all have occationally). My spirit was not at rest as I heard the pastor state his views on apostles and prophets, and clearly state that there was no biblical purpose in our day for the role of apostles, and the role itself was no longer needed (as it's authenticity was reduced to little more than one who actually witnesed the life incarnate of Jesus our Lord).
In fairness to him (and I do have a sincere love for this pastor), he is not alone in this mind set, and there are many who share in similar biblical interpretations in my close circle of influence - so I am treading on thin ice here. To further understand this teaching, here is a well written article offered by the Chrstian Research Group (<---click there to read) that explains these teachings (please pray for Godly wisdom before reading).
Although these arguements are compelling, they are biblically weak, and worse than that, they are counter-productive to the Spirit of love, and to building unity in the body of Christ. The Apostles and Prophets have many roles (and burdens to bear). We not only need to recognize these people, but we are commanded to refer to prophets as prophets, respecting their ministry role (notice I didn't say office) in the body of Christ. So, how much more so, should we also do this for Apostles?
The burden is upon us to recognize those who are called into these roles, and speak these roles into their lives and into their ministries as a body of beleivers. Do we do this? Only if we want someone to put a straight jacket on us! We have become shy, keeping our faith to ourselves, not bucking the system, and not encouraging those who have been called to love and to minister into the leadership of our body.
My hope is that you will remain open to the notion that these ministries are of today. I see revival - I can almost taste it. But will God bring revival to those who reject the prophets and apostles of our day? Do we really want to count on God to meet us, as he did Paul, while persecuting the church?
Blessings!
- Dave
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
I received this on Monday from Pastor Carl Willis within 24 hours following the article written below it. Carl and I had not communicated prior to this - this letter was forwarded to me by a mutual friend. I have reprinted it with his permission.
Blessings!
- Dave
--- On Sun, 2/22/09, Carl Willis wrote:
From: Carl Willis : Monday Morning Encouragement
Good morning! This morning as I write to you, I have felt that I needed to address those of you who feel stuck in a rut. Think about the way many of us describe our days and our work: "The daily grind," "the rat race," and "keeping your head above water." For many people the call of their life has become a burden and has lost its joy.
The longer I walk with God, the more I see that often times He puts me in a holding pattern. It is important to remember that God sees everything. His vision is not limited to here and now. We on the other hand can only see here and now and what is behind us. The Bible gives us many great truths about waiting upon the Lord. Today I wanted to focus in on this verse from Isaiah:
Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Wow...what a great promise! This verse certainly sounds good, but how does this really work? I want to paraphrase for you an email story I received several years ago that I think sums this one up very well.
God appeared to a man one night in a vision. During this vision Jesus told the man that everyday, all day long, He wanted the man to push on a large boulder in front of his home. In obedience the man went out every day and pushed against this large boulder. Hours upon hours he spent pushing against this boulder and in all types of weather.
After a number of years, Satan paid the man a visit. "You fool!", Satan said, "You have been pushing this boulder for years and it still hasn't moved. You've wasted your time, God has forgotten you!"
The man began to reflect on all Satan had said. He became dejected, because he had invested so many years of his life into pushing against this boulder, but truthfully, the boulder had never moved. So he began to cry out, "Lord why are you ignoring me?" "Why have you abandoned me?" "Why have allowed me to be in this position?"
That night God appeared to the man once again. As the man began to complain about his situation, Jesus stopped him. "Look at your legs," God said, "See how muscular they have become. Look at your back, the broadness of your shoulders. Look at your arms how well defined and strong they are." God then told him, "If you will remember, I never called you to move the boulder, I simply called you to push against it. By your obedience you have become
stronger and more developed. I am the one who moves the boulders." At that, God removed the boulder from this man's life.
Why has God allowed you to remain in your situation? Maybe he has allowed finances to be tight, to make you a better manager of resources. Maybe he has allowed that bothersome individual to remain in your life to instill patience. Maybe he has allowed you to stay in that job to build endurance.
Eagles don't immediately fly they have to strengthen their wings. If you find yourself in a holding pattern today, instead of asking God to remove you from the situation, ask Him to teach you through the situation. Ultimately God will take you through or He will cause you to rise above...but you must be willing to wait patiently upon Him and His perfect timing.
May God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Carl Willis
Simplicity Church Network
www.simplicitynet.org
Blessings!
- Dave
--- On Sun, 2/22/09, Carl Willis wrote:
From: Carl Willis : Monday Morning Encouragement
Good morning! This morning as I write to you, I have felt that I needed to address those of you who feel stuck in a rut. Think about the way many of us describe our days and our work: "The daily grind," "the rat race," and "keeping your head above water." For many people the call of their life has become a burden and has lost its joy.
The longer I walk with God, the more I see that often times He puts me in a holding pattern. It is important to remember that God sees everything. His vision is not limited to here and now. We on the other hand can only see here and now and what is behind us. The Bible gives us many great truths about waiting upon the Lord. Today I wanted to focus in on this verse from Isaiah:
Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Wow...what a great promise! This verse certainly sounds good, but how does this really work? I want to paraphrase for you an email story I received several years ago that I think sums this one up very well.
God appeared to a man one night in a vision. During this vision Jesus told the man that everyday, all day long, He wanted the man to push on a large boulder in front of his home. In obedience the man went out every day and pushed against this large boulder. Hours upon hours he spent pushing against this boulder and in all types of weather.
After a number of years, Satan paid the man a visit. "You fool!", Satan said, "You have been pushing this boulder for years and it still hasn't moved. You've wasted your time, God has forgotten you!"
The man began to reflect on all Satan had said. He became dejected, because he had invested so many years of his life into pushing against this boulder, but truthfully, the boulder had never moved. So he began to cry out, "Lord why are you ignoring me?" "Why have you abandoned me?" "Why have allowed me to be in this position?"
That night God appeared to the man once again. As the man began to complain about his situation, Jesus stopped him. "Look at your legs," God said, "See how muscular they have become. Look at your back, the broadness of your shoulders. Look at your arms how well defined and strong they are." God then told him, "If you will remember, I never called you to move the boulder, I simply called you to push against it. By your obedience you have become
stronger and more developed. I am the one who moves the boulders." At that, God removed the boulder from this man's life.
Why has God allowed you to remain in your situation? Maybe he has allowed finances to be tight, to make you a better manager of resources. Maybe he has allowed that bothersome individual to remain in your life to instill patience. Maybe he has allowed you to stay in that job to build endurance.
Eagles don't immediately fly they have to strengthen their wings. If you find yourself in a holding pattern today, instead of asking God to remove you from the situation, ask Him to teach you through the situation. Ultimately God will take you through or He will cause you to rise above...but you must be willing to wait patiently upon Him and His perfect timing.
May God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Carl Willis
Simplicity Church Network
www.simplicitynet.org
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Today is Sunday (2/22/09). Its been a long while since I have written in this blog. The Lord has been saying "wait, wait, wait upon Me".
I'm not writing because of my gifts (sometimes I feel like my prophetic pen has turned into a pathetic pen), or my desire to do something. I am writing to talk about waiting, perhaps even complain about it... but I want to please the Lord, and when fresh manna is falling from the sky, why then, should I be ungrateful? My basic human needs are being met.
Many of you reading this may also sense what I feel. Huge struggles on many fronts - yet a sustaining inner power that serves to hold us in the center of the refiner's fire. Ahhh... transformation is easy, right?
God must need an extremely (inwardly) strong army soon. He has called me into a specific ministry, but won't let me engage myself in it - one has to wonder about this. I found myself questioning my motives, my purity, my heart's desires, my limitations. I keep arriving at the same conclusions... it's timing, only timing. This time, it's time to wait.
Soon God will point His finger at those of us who are waiting, and the work will begin. Am I ready? Are you ready? Ready for what? Hmmmm....
I stand with those who are waiting. I wait with you. We are being held back together for a great release of the Holy One - can we do it? Can we wait? What will God do? Why is He being so stealthy? How will we be utilized?
I hope this article resonates with someone else who needs understanding in this hour of waiting. I simply needed to call attention to it for reasons (or people) unknown to me.
Blessings!
- Dave
I'm not writing because of my gifts (sometimes I feel like my prophetic pen has turned into a pathetic pen), or my desire to do something. I am writing to talk about waiting, perhaps even complain about it... but I want to please the Lord, and when fresh manna is falling from the sky, why then, should I be ungrateful? My basic human needs are being met.
Many of you reading this may also sense what I feel. Huge struggles on many fronts - yet a sustaining inner power that serves to hold us in the center of the refiner's fire. Ahhh... transformation is easy, right?
God must need an extremely (inwardly) strong army soon. He has called me into a specific ministry, but won't let me engage myself in it - one has to wonder about this. I found myself questioning my motives, my purity, my heart's desires, my limitations. I keep arriving at the same conclusions... it's timing, only timing. This time, it's time to wait.
Soon God will point His finger at those of us who are waiting, and the work will begin. Am I ready? Are you ready? Ready for what? Hmmmm....
I stand with those who are waiting. I wait with you. We are being held back together for a great release of the Holy One - can we do it? Can we wait? What will God do? Why is He being so stealthy? How will we be utilized?
I hope this article resonates with someone else who needs understanding in this hour of waiting. I simply needed to call attention to it for reasons (or people) unknown to me.
Blessings!
- Dave
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