I want you to observe the contrast between the way that My Son judged and valued people, and the way that His disciples and others, who judged by human standards, may judge. Consider that when My Son departed from the region of the Galilee where He had encountered the persistent opposition of the scribes, the Pharisees, and the Herodians, that He seemingly withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon only to avoid further conflict and to obtain relief from its pressure. But consider that in that period of time that He was in the region the record shows that He only ministered to this one gentile woman, and as a result to her oppressed daughter. And you see from the record that the disciples considered her a nuisance, someone to be sent away, and even initially My Son seemed to indicate that she was unworthy of having her request fulfilled. But you see that He carefully explained to her the conditions of His call to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He did not simply send her away as the disciples plead with him to do, but He graciously explained to her the boundaries of His call that seemed to exclude her as one whose need He should meet. But you see how His resistance was met not only by her persistence, but by her humble response to the challenge that He had laid before her. And so it was that He commended her for her great faith and granted her request. And you see in this way not only the compassion of My Son, but the way He dealt with this woman so as to illicit the great faith that was in her heart. Do you recognize that when judged by human standards, this whole episode is quite amazing, for there is no record of any purpose greater than His response to this woman occurring in the course of His visit to this region? And so you see how My Son valued this woman, how caring and attentive He was to each individual; how willing He was to seemingly go out of His way just to meet with and bless one gentile woman whose need was great, but also whose faith was great. And you see what barriers, what natural barriers were overcome by My Son as He responded to the persistent faith of this gentile woman. Are you, in the way that you conduct yourselves, willing to be controlled by natural limitations and natural judgments, or are you willing to receive a heart of care and compassion that will draw you like My Son was drawn into strange and even remote places?
Tags: God's Compassion
My servant Peter declares that he has written this letter to exhort and testify to the true grace of God and to encourage the believers to stand firm in it. I want you to see from his words how that everyone in the body whether he is an elder or overseer, or younger person, whether he has the role of authority, or whether that person has no special label, that everyone, every single member is called to stand firm in My grace. That in doing so each is called to recognize the degree to which he is to depend upon and be responsible to fellow believers in the body. In this way the elders who are the leaders are called to serve the members of the body like a shepherd that is called to care for the sheep. And as such they are warned not to serve for personal gain and not to lord it over those to whom they are called to shepherd, but rather to set an example that they may follow. You can recognize from what you have experienced and what you are now experiencing how very important it is for leaders to have the right motive of heart in their serving. For if there is greed, selfish ambition, and imposition of the will of the leaders upon those whom they have been called to care for, then there will be no true shepherding, no genuine care of My flock. And the orientation of the leader will actually be towards himself, towards what he can gain, towards the concern for self advancement rather than towards the genuine care from the heart for those whom I have called him to shepherd. But you see that also the others who are to be cared for are called to have a submissive attitude towards those who have been called to lead them. Not only are they called to be properly related to leaders, but to one another. And in this respect they are not to strive, but to humble themselves under My mighty hand so that I might exalt them, instead of their trying to exalt themselves. And you see that My servant writes that exaltation comes not only when the person humbles himself, but also when he trusts My timing for him to be lifted up. As this is practically worked out there are two very important steps that need to be taken. The first is that all care, all anxiety, all that comes to distress the soul must be cast upon Me. One cannot truly walk in humility if he depends upon the arm of flesh, whether his own or that of someone else, to work out his cares and difficulties. And secondly that he must be aware of the intentions of the devil and of his efforts to devour. But with that awareness, he is also to recognize the authority given to him through faith to resist the evil one and to know that in whatever suffering he may experience in such a conflict I have given the sure promise that in the midst of it I will impart to those who truly look to Me sufficient grace to perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish the one who trusts in Me. Now can you not see how inter-dependent I intend My people to be upon one another? And if indeed each bears in his heart the proper attitude towards Me and towards one another, then each shall indeed bless those who are his fellow members in the body. And by standing firm in My true grace, you will also manifest My love towards one another and possess My peace no matter what may be the circumstances. I know that this is not something worked out without struggle, for here is mentioned the possibilities of pride, self interest, abuse of authority, unsubmissiveness, and with it all the efforts of the enemy to overcome the believers. But for those who truly choose to stand firm in My grace there is given, not only the desire to overcome all of these possible obstacles, but there is also given the joy of fulfilling that which My grace enables you to do. Will you in your hearts prize what My grace alone can bring about? If so, then more and more you will know the joy of seeing it fulfilled in your life.
Tags: Grace, Standing Firm
They never thought that it could happen. The people of Moab and their leaders felt secure in their wealth, in their pride and so they took security in those things which they had made and those customs which they had practiced. They worshipped idols, false gods, and the representation of demons. They heaped up earthly treasures. They sought influence and power and they scorned My people and on occasion attacked them. They paid little attention to the words of My prophet. And here you see their judgment, their end is foretold. But you may ask, “Father why this word to us today, for it happened long ago?” And shall I not ask you as you think of this question: “Do you think that it cannot happen again?” Do you think that My judgment cannot come swiftly and unexpectantly even as it did upon Moab? Does Moab only represent that ancient nation whose judgment you see described here in the words that I gave to My prophet? Does Moab not represent the spirit of pride, of idolatry, of rebellion against Me, of enmity towards My people, of the willingness to receive the benefits without recognizing and submitting to Me as their source? I would ask you, can you recognize in the spirit of Moab something other than that which existed long ago? Is there today that same spirit which shows complete pride, idolatry and enmity towards My people? Would you think that many would say, including those bound by that same spirit, that it is working today, even in ever increasing measure? And if so, would I not set a day and a time for judgment that will come suddenly, unexpectantly, in full measure of devastation that will leave those who have embraced the spirit of Moab as desolate and overwhelmed? And if you should find it difficult to believe this, what does that mean? Do you believe that I have changed My standard of measurement so that what Moab and other ungodly nations received in judgment would not then fall on those who manifest that same spirit today? And would you not, by doubting the sureness and the suddenness with which I will judge as indicating that you have come to believe that I have changed and My standard for righteousness and judgment have changed? Would you judge that I would not do again to those who manifest the spirit of Moab today what I did in former days and ancient times? Take consideration of these things when you observe the arrogance, the idolatry and the enmity against My people of those nations who today like Moab of old would say, “Who is to call us into question and judge us? Who indeed is able to compare with our wealth, with our might?” Shall not their judgment come as suddenly, as unexpectantly, as completely as awesomely as did that of Moab?
Tags: Judgment, Wicked Nations