As we are seeking God for his equipping in the various places we find ourselves? I want to encourage us all in our pursuit of being filled with the Holy Spirit to have the power from above rather than just human power in demonstrating God’s love.
Eph 5:15-18
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.
It is my belief that the local church by in large is in the shape it is in, whether hot or cold, strong or weak, based predominantly on our spiritual gas tank level. Paul understood that in order to reach the world for Christ we must have healthy believers, in order to have healthy churches, and thus fulfill the great commission. The believers within the church must regularly pursue being filled with the Holy Spirit. Filled with the presence of God so it affects who we are, thus it will affect what we do.
It has been my own experience through the years, that to the degree I seek the presence of God in my life, I am able to have the power of God to accomplish God’s will for my life, and effect the world around me for good. To the degree I become convinced I know enough to handle life on my own, and at some point give God a report, to that extent I am a failure and don’t know it. Life has a way of fooling us because we end up living on the last encounter with God and are moving forward by “Momentum” rather than God’s power.
The Christian life, for those of us who are in the later half of life, is often compromised being captivated by religious works of some kind rather than pursuing God intimately. We assume upon God, that because we believe we “Have” the Holy Spirit we don’t need to pursue him. Somehow we have equated doing God’s work with pleasing the Father.
It is so easy for those of us who have sacrificed to serve over the years, to fall into the trap of thinking God loves our labour more than us. Remember the prodigal son story, and the wrong thinking of the older son. He forgot relationship and embraced labour, thus become angry and bitter all the while justifying himself with his father.
Pastor Glenn turned me onto a new book that speaks to this very point. The book is called, “River Dwellers” by Rob Reimer. Let me give a quote from the book.
“E.M. Bounds said, “Men are God’s method. The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men who the Holy Spirit can use – men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Spirit does not come on machinery but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men – men of prayer.”
As we pursue what we believe is God’s heart for our cities by laboring in our different responsibilities, let us never forget what God is ultimately after from us and others. “Relationship”, that is more than labour, but an intimacy that is both refreshing and equipping.
Hope this encourages you to love “Dad” as he deserves to be loved and we so desperately need.
Pastor Dale
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