The Cost of Discipleship - "How We Should Then Live" - Part 4 - Intentionally

“And let fall some handfuls on purpose.” (Ruth 2:16) One of my favorite radio programs is, “Intentional Living,” on Bott Radio Network. It is a teaching program with a different twist. A trained, Christian psychologist is the host and concentrates on a central topic for the day, all designed to teach how living intentionally as a way of life is the only way for a Christian to be an over-comer in this troubled world. He talks with people calling in with either a problem or how they solved their problem by being intentional in solving their problem. Webster defines intention as, “determining to act in a certain way, to voluntarily act with purpose.” To act intentionally is to act with the will. Many people, even Christians, don’t seem to know their purpose in life so how can they live intentionally to fulfill their purpose. The Westminster Shorter Catechism says our purpose is “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” We as Christians must live intentionally in thought, word and deed to glorify God and by so doing we will enjoy Him forever. The wisest man to ever live said in Proverbs 23:7, “As a man thinks, so is he,” – in other words, we become what we think about. An old adage says, “Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character.” So what our character has become all started with our thought-life. Have we been intentional in thinking on those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, kind, virtuous and excellent, (Phil.4:8)? Our intentionality in our thoughts determines the way we will act. “Even a child is known by his acts, whether or not they are pure and right” (Prov.20:11). Whether our acts are pure and right, or not, will display what kind of thoughts we have been thinking. Repeated acts in the same direction build a habit that will develop our character. How are you known? What about being intentional with our words? In James 3: 8-11 it talks about the words that comes out of our mouth – blessings and cursings – “this ought not to be.” Our words will eventually show our true self. Verse 8 says the tongue can’t be tamed – whatever is in our thoughts will eventually come out our mouths. It is impossible to consistently speak evil and unkind words and have pure and righteous thoughts and do kind and righteous deeds (vs.11-12). Someone has said, “Preach the gospel and when necessary use words.” I have also heard the saying, “Your actions speak so loud that I can’t hear what you are saying.” So we must have a daily check on our intentionality in our thoughts, words and deeds. We must live with a purpose to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Boaz left “handfuls on purpose” for Ruth (Ruth 2:16). Boaz purposed and lived with intentionality and was a picture of Christ when he acted “on purpose” with kindness, beneficence, hospitality and he became a kinsman redeemer and husband to Ruth. Because of Boaz’s intentionality his and Ruth’s lives turned into a beautiful love story. Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the king’s food and drink. God honored his intentionality with knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, also, gave him understanding in all kinds of visions and dreams and favor with the king (Daniel 1:8). One of Jesus’ purposes was to “undo the works of the devil” (I Jn.3:8). Another of His purposes was to give us abundant life (Jn.10:10). Jesus' every deed was done with intentionality. The Father has purposes for each of us, “welfare and peace, not for evil, and hope in our final outcome” (Jer.29:11). We should find those purposes and intentionally pursue them. If we truly want to “glorify” God in our lives we must determine to live intentionally for God. That is the only way to glorify God and to forever enjoy Him, and life! It costs us to be a Disciple of Christ. It cost us everything – our will, our plans, our dreams, our talents, our hopes – our complete dying to self and submitting our all to Christ and to walk intentionally in the plans and toward the goal He has set for us. The only way to be happy is to trust His purpose and intentionally obey. (Three years ago I wrote a blog on “Intentional Living,” from which I used a lot of the material in this teaching.)

Cost of Discipleship - The Discipline of knowing How We Should Then Live - Introduction

Introduction Our world today, as we know it, is in such a chaotic and ungodly mess, and as someone said, “Going to hell in a hand basket.” A few Christian leaders have been bold enough to speak out and willing to lay the blame at the foot of Church. This is very sad but true, that the western Church has become “lukewarm” in its faith and zeal for Christ and doesn’t seek out the “down and outer,” but seeks out only the “up and outer” to witness to and befriend. It is neither “hot nor cold,” thinks it is rich and doesn’t need anything; not knowing that true riches is a zealous, genuine faith that has been tested by God’s fire of discipline, which results in being clothed with His “Robe of Righteous” (Rev.3:14-22). They plan social programs to draw in the crowd instead of planning days set aside for prayer, fasting, repenting and for revival, renewal and a fresh filling and anointing of the Holy Spirit. How sad, even when these rare times are planned very few will take part – they are too busy or unconcerned. Are we part of the real Church or the Laodicean church? The contemporary Church here in America so often compromise God’s principles and is willing to “go along to get along,” and is willing to overlook, excuse, and even sometimes condone blatant sins, instead of confronting and calling them out and practicing the discipline of Matthew 18. The western Church has lost its broken heart for the lost. It’s “heart” has become hard by refusing to “hear what the Spirit has said, and is saying to the Church, and repent,” (Rev.2:7, 11, 17, 29; ch.3:6, 13, 22). It is too busy to meet together and pray. It has become too full of pride to repent, even when God has told us, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, pray, seek My face and turn from their wicked way, then I will hear them from heaven, forgive their sins and heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14). In our pride we would probably say we have no wicked ways – what about our spiritual adulterous affair with the world? I believe the most grievous sin to God is the Christian’s idolatry. We love the world and the things of the world. We bow at the altar of fame, fortune and approval that the world offers, if we would follow them. There is nothing wrong with fame, fortune or approval unless it is the world’s we are seeking, and compromising our godly standard to get them – check your priorities. The first Psalm says we will be blessed if we don’t “walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way with sinners and sit in the seat of the scornful. But our delight will be in the Law of the Lord.” This is how we should live. It is no wonder our families, our churches, our government and our nation are in such disrepair, and even destroyed, in some cases. It is because the Church has permitted Satan to “steal, kill and destroy” our devotion to God and for His rightful and essential priority of first place in our lives. Satan wants to “steal” our testimony to the world by subtly persuading us to become Pharisees (hypocrites), claiming to be “Christian,” but living just like the world. There’s an old saying that speaks to this which says, “Your actions speak so loud that I can’t hear what you are saying.” The world may not recognize it, but it is hungry for Truth, for meaning to life, for joy, peace and hope. They don’t realize it but they are looking for Jesus. The true Church of Jesus Christ, the alive, moving, righteous Church has the only answer to the needs of this crying world. If this “sleeping Giant” would only wake up, shake itself, eat the Word, drink the “new wine,” and go forth revitalized and restored to newness of life, and have a new zeal to tell the world that Jesus is the only answer to their hunger and thirst, by living a faith-filled, overcoming, loving lifestyle before them, and as Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words”. John wrote, “Let us not love in Word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (I Jn.3:18). This is how we should live! In light of all of the “mess” in the world, Francis Schaeffer” wrote a book with the answers to, How Then Should We Live? (The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture.) His brief answer is: “By the divine power that is within us.” The Word of God, II Peter:1:3 says, “His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that are requisite and suited to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him Who called us by and to his own glory and excellence.” My version is that God’s power (the Holy Spirit living within all believers) has given us all things we need to walk a godly life through the knowledge of Him Who has called us to His excellence. Jude 1:24 reiterates this thought, “He is able to keep us from falling and present us blameless in triumphal joy before the presence of His glory with unspeakable delight.” The Holy Spirit that lives within all believers gives us the power and ability to live triumphantly. The key to be able to live this triumphant life is to “be” and continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to submit to his teaching and leadership and eat, digest and disseminate God’s Word which tells us “how we should then live.”

The Discipline of Knowing How We Should Then Live - Part 2 - By Walking In The Spirit

The Discipline of Knowing How We Should Then Live Part 2 – By Walking in the Spirit My prayer is that each of you who are reading or studying these writings will be committed to the Truth. The Word is the Truth and those who walk in that Truth will be disciplined by It – either being trained by It in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, word or deed), reproved by It, corrected of error by It, challenged by It, convicted of sin by It, comforted by It, or strengthened by It – and if you “hide” Its words in your heart and walk in them, It will accomplish all of the above disciplines, since all of the Words (the scriptures) were God breathed (given by His inspiration) by the Holy Spirit (II Tim.3:16). God’s Word shall not return to Him useless, but it shall accomplish that which He pleases and purposes, and it shall prosper in the thing for which He sent it (Isaiah 55:11). There was an old Chinese Christian man, by the name of, Watchmen Nee, who wrote a book called, “Walk, Stand and Sit.” Using the First Psalm he was encouraging and teaching how the Christian who wanted to “walk in the Spirit” by using his only offensive weapon, the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, could do so and be blessed by “not” walking in the flesh. The first verse reads, “Blessed is the man who walks and lives 'not' in the counsel of the ungodly (following their advice, their plans and purposes), “nor” stands (submissive and inactive) in the path where sinners walk, “nor” sits down to relax and rest where the scornful and mockers gather” (Amp). In verse two and three the Psalmist further tells us the “how tos” of the one who chooses to “walk in the spirit.” He delights in the Law of the Lord and he obediently walks in them; and on His Law he habitually meditates, ponders and studies by day and by night. This delighting in, meditating on and obeying God’s Word causes him to be like a tree firmly planted and tended by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not wither or fade; and everything he does shall prosper and come to maturity, because the Lord knows the way of those who are righteous and “walking in the Spirit.” God will cause that one who is wielding the Sword of the Spirit to rejoice in all things, whatever tribulation may come his way, because he is following this three-fold directive of how to walk, stand and sit triumphantly in the Spirit.” When we accepted Jesus as our Savior, we received the package deal – the whole ball of wax. We became a child of the Father God; Jesus became our Advocate to the Father, our elder brother and fellow heir; and the Holy Spirit came to live in us to comfort, teach, guide and lead us into all Truth. It easy to read what God’s Word says about how to “walk in the Spirit,”, but harder to appropriate that Truth, because we are constantly battling our flesh. “The flesh” is the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit. Our flesh is at war with our spirit – always wanting its way and pleasing itself; therefore, we must accept the sacrifice of Jesus, Who came in the guise of sinful flesh and since God condemned sin in the flesh, we must daily “put to death” (depriving it of its power) the things of the flesh, and be controlled by the Holy Spirit (Rom.8:3-4 Amp.). We can choose which god we follow – the god of this world or the Almighty, Infinite, Sovereign God. To “Walk in the Spirit” or to “walk in the flesh” is a choice. We must be intentional in every situation presented us. The Word of God gives us clear choices of how to “Walk in the Spirit.” II Cor. 4:2 admonishes us to renounce disgraceful ways of secret thoughts, feelings, desires and underhandedness and to deal craftily.” Ephesians 2:2 tells us that since we were made alive in Christ we should not walk in the old ways of following the course and fashion of this world when we were under the sway of the tendency of this present age and following the prince of the power of the air and under his control to cause us to be disobedient, rebellious, unbelieving and to go against the purposes of God. We are to “put off” all those ways and “put on” Christ and His ways (Eph.4:22-24). We should walk in the fear of the Lord (Acts 9:31). Galatians 5:16 tells us that “If we walk in the Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.” We are to walk in newness of life (Rom.6:4), remember, Christ made us a new creation, old things have passed away and everything has become new (II Cor.5:17) – new nature, new name, and new song - walk like it! Every morning before we start our day we should purpose to “walk in the Spirit.” So we intentionally put on the full armor of God (Eph.6:10-18), then stand against all the wiles of the flesh, the world and the devil, because our weapons of our warfare are not physical, but they are mighty before God to the destruction of strongholds (II Cor.10:4) So we must tighten the Belt of Truth, which protects our integrity. Think the Truth, speak the Truth, act in Truth and fight Satan with the Truth and He will flee from you (as Jesus did when He was tempted (Mt.4:1-11). If we are not walking with the Belt of Truth tightly fastened around us, our innermost being (our heart) is not protected. And the enemy can deceive us and lead us astray, and cause us to trip over his lies, fall into his pits of temptation, and ensnare us with the bonds of sin, and we in turn will then live a lie. So we must know the Truth and the Truth will set us free (Jn.8:32). What is Truth? God’s Word is Truth. All of God’s Word is True, It is the Truth. It is not just moral guidelines, but more, it is eternal absolutes. Truth is our compass to points us in the right direction. At one time America and the western world were called “Christian.” But by our countries rejecting the Truth of God’s Word as the moral compass and spiritual Truth we should follow, we have fallen into the pit of moral tolerance – the new morality – situational ethics – whatever feels good, do it. It has become “politically correct” to be tolerant of anything, no matter how far askew from the Truth of God’s Word the situation might be. We need only to look around us at how moral Truth has, in the minds of people, been diluted and compromised. Of course Truth cannot really be diluted or compromised because the moment someone tries to compromise the Truth, it is no longer is Truth. Truth is pure and holy and cannot be changed nor can it be abolished. It does not wear out or become old fashioned. Psalm 100:5 says “His Truth endures to all generations.” If Christians aren’t willing to stand for the Truth, who will? If Christians aren’t willing to stand for the Truth now, when is the time? If Christians aren’t willing to stand for the Truth here in free America, where could we? Are you walking in the Truth? Are you standing for the Truth here and now (even sometimes alone)? To “walk in the Spirit” is to walk in Truth and completely yield and commit all that you are to Him. It is to “walk” intentionally, with God’s purpose before us (which is spelled out in His Word). Also to “walk in the Spirit” we put on the helmet of salvation. When we are saved God gives us the “mind of Christ.” To keep it pure and right we must fill our minds with the Word and the things of God. Philippians 4:8 says, “Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things and fix your minds on them” (Amp.). To “walk in the Spirit” we must be intentional in what we put in our minds. You have heard the old saying, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop,” this is true. Satan does his work starting in our minds, so we must “take every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ” (II Cor.10:5). Remember the old adage I have quoted many times, and I think it is appropriate here, also. Sow a thought, reap an act. Sow an act, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Next, we must put on the Breastplate of Righteousness (integrity). It covers and protects your heart and your right standing with God. There is an old gospel song which tells what righteousness is all about. It says, “Nothing between my soul and my Savior, So that His blessed face may be seen. Nothing preventing the least of His favor. Keep the way clear! Let nothing between” (Tindley). To keep the way clear no known sin against the Father goes unconfessed, because “when we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I Jn.1:9). Sin does not break our relationship with Christ but it does break our fellowship with Him. Confession restores our fellowship with Christ and keeps us in “good standing” with Him. Make sure you are prompt and ready to walk in Peace with everyone so they will listen to the “gospel” through your life of peace. “Preach the gospel and when necessary use words” (Francis of Assisi). Peace is not just the absence of turmoil but it is the rest of the spirit when there is turmoil all around. I read about an artist who won first prize for his painting entitled, “Peace.” It was a picture of a nest of baby birds and their mother located on a small ledge of a rock, which was a part of a massive boulder. Above and in front of the boulder was a cascading waterfall, but the birds felt secure hidden in the cleft of the rock. All around was possible disaster for them, but the mother had them hidden safely in her care. What a perfect picture of the peace we can have when we are hidden with Christ, although the world is chaotic all around us. In Him we can have perfect peace. Also, cover yourself completely with the Shield of Faith, because the enemy, Satan, will be shooting many and myriad flaming missiles of doubt, fear and temptation to destroy your testimony, your witnessing power, and your fellowship with Jesus. “Faith is the confirmation (the title deed) of the things we hope for, being the proof of things we do not see and the ” (Heb.11:1 Amp.). “We walk by faith not by sight” (II Corinthians 5:7), and “without faith it is impossible to please God”(Heb.11:6). And last of all, before, throughout and after the battle with the enemy, PRAY for yourself and for your fellow soldiers at all times, on every occasion, and with all manner of prayer (adoring & praising God for Who He is, confessing your sins, thanking God for what He has done and what He is going to do, and beseeching God in supplication for yours and others’ needs)! By daily putting on the full armor of God you can victoriously “walk in the Spirit.” “And above all these put on and walk in love, as Christ has loved us and gave Himself as an offering to God as a sweet smelling savor” (Colossians 3:14, Ephesians 4:2), . Love is the summon bonum – “the supreme good from which all others are derived.” If we walk in love (which is the Greatest Commandment), we will fulfill all other “walks” to which we are called. 3.

Who Is Like Jehovah?

“That they may know that You, Whose name alone is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:18) So many of the advertisements on television are of “comparison tests” trying to show their product is far superior in comparison with others like products. People who faithfully followed the radio and television super heroes, found them above comparison. In my childhood days it was “The Lone Ranger,” who was the only one who seemed to be able to rescue and overcome the villain. Then there was “The Shadow,” who was a very mysterious hero who moved unseen and with an all seeing eye. “The shadow knows” was the key phrase used to compare his knowledge to all others. He could disclose the knowledge of the guilty to solve the “case,” because he was unseen but could see all. In more recent times we have had Superman, who was a “mild mannered reporter,” but when trouble came he went into a phone booth (or whatever was convenient) and put on his Superman suit and cape, then he could “leap tall buildings with a single bound,” was “faster than a speeding bullet,” and “more powerful than a locomotive.” Then there was Batman, Wonder Woman, Mighty Mouse, and more even more recent that I don’t have room to name, but in comparison to all other humans, their attributes were supposed to prove them to be the greatest. Did you notice, all of these human “super heroes” have attributes that mere humans did not possess. Without using the word the writers were calling them “god.” In truth these attributes can only be attributed to Jehovah God. The Bible is the book that contains many “spine tingling” adventures that are true and not thought up in someone’s imagination. One such adventure is in I Kings the eighteenth chapter – this is a must read. This is the story of Elijah (a prophet of Jehovah God, the only true god) who challenged 850 prophets of King Ahab (450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the goddess Asherah). They were false gods, and God had already commanded them to “put away” all other gods. Both Baal and Asherah were counter-parts of the god and goddess of fertility – both of man and of crops. Thus their temples were donated to fertility rites, including prostitution. The King of Israel, Ahab, had led the people into pagan worship of these two gods. The first two Commandments, in Dueteronomy Five, show God’s hatred of idolatry in any way; either prioritizing anything before or along with Him to come into our affection; or have physical idols to which we bow down and worship!! By his victorious challenge Elijah, the one prophet of Jehovah God, the true god, proved so spectacularly that His God, Jehovah, was truly the “one and only God of gods and Lord of lords!” King Ahab’s heart was still too hard to acknowledge God as God, but when the people, who had been so deceived by the false prophets, saw the miraculous answer to a very short prayer they “fell on their faces and said, “The Lord is God. He is God! The Lord, He is God!” (v.39). Who is like Jehovah God? And remember Daniel’s deliverance from certain death in the lion’s den? After Daniel’s deliverance King Darius wrote to all peoples, nations and languages of his realm that dwelt upon the earth: May peace be multiplied to you! I make a decree that in all my royal dominion men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for He is the living God, enduring and steadfast forever, and His kingdom shall not be destroyed and His dominion shall be even to the end of the world. He is a Savior and Deliverer, and He works signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth --He Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions (Dan. 6:1-28 (Amp.)! Who is like Jehovah God? I say, like the author of Hebrews said in chapter 11:32-40, “What shall I say further? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by the help of faith subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promised blessings, closed the mouths of lions, extinguished the power of raging fire, escaped the devourings of the sword, out of frailty and weakness won strength and became stalwart, even mighty and resistless in battle, routing alien hosts. And all of these, though they won divine approval by means of their faith, did not receive the fulfillment of what was promised, because God had us in mind and had something better and greater in view for us, so that they these heroes and heroines of faith should not come to perfection apart from us before we could join them.” Who is like Jehovah God? What other god could compare? All other gods are temporal, earthly and it is completely foolish to consider any other as a god like our God! Besides Jehovah God, what other god can love with an everlasting, unconditional love? What other god has the power “to do abundantly above all we could ask or think, according to the power (our faith) that works in us?" What other god is with us, and will remain with us forever? What other god is all wise and knows all about us, yet loves us still? Who is like Jehovah? There is no one or nothing. I learned that there are millions of “gods” being worshiped in the world. Some are one aspect of one central god – like Brahman in the Hindu faith. But there is none like unto Jehovah God. He is the Lord of lords, the King of kings, the Almighty God, the Faithful God Who will never fail and the all and everlastingly loving God. Who can compare with Him? If your making resolutions here at the first of the year, I would challenge you to make a resolution to obey all the Ten Commandments, but especially the first two (Duet.5:7-10), and above all, obey the two Greatest Commandments (Matt.22:38-40) and you will fulfill all the rest. I would encourage and admonish you to make Jesus Christ, Jehovah God, your one and only god; make Him your top priority and your first love. Love, learn and obey His Word. Recognize Him and bow down (humble yourself) and worship Him for Who He is! He is all you need and all you have today and every day he gives you on this earth, and all you will need for eternity. He satisfies your every longing and fulfills your every dream! He is your Provider, your Protector, your Prince of Peace, your Advocate and Mediator, and your Friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is your Savior and your God! He Is Jehovah Kenneth Copeland He is Jehovah, God of creation, He is Jehovah, Lord God Almighty, The Balm of Gilead, the Rock of Ages, He is Jehovah, the God that healeth thee. Refrain Sing Alleluia, Sing Alleluia, Sing Alleluia, Sing Alleluia, He is Jehovah, the Lord God Almighty, He is Jehovah, the God that healeth thee. He is the Great I am, The God of Abraham, Jehovah Shalom, the God of Peace I am, The God of Israel, the Everlasting One, He is Jehovah, the God that healeth thee. He’s your Provider, Jehovah Jireh, God of Salvation, God of Messiah, He is Jehovah, the God that healeth thee! WHO IS LIKE JEHOVAH? Answer: NOTHING OR NO ONE!