Let God Arise

King David was what could be called a waring king. He, like everyone else was not free from the struggles of life. However, one thing he did know that many believers fail to take advantage of, he knew where to turn to be strengthened and encouraged. He knew the source for overcoming the struggles of life. "I will love You, O Lord my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies." (Psalms 18:1-3) No matter what David faced, he knew that the Lord was always with him and would never leave him to fend for himself. Many of the Psalms that David wrote reflected his struggles, yet he still knew where his source of life came from.

On one occasion, at a young age, David face what we might consider a mountain in his life. This mountain had a name, Goliath. Goliath was a champion warrior of the Philistines who was of great stature. The Bible shows us that he was almost ten feet tall. He wore a helmet and his body armor weighed one hundred twenty five pounds. He also carried a spear with a iron spearhead that weighed fifteen pounds. The sight of Goliath and the threats that he made were enough to cause the army of Israel under King Saul to become dismayed and greatly afraid. David's father Jesse called for David to take some provisions to his others son's who were with the army. David met with his brothers, saw Goliath and took courage in the Lord. He was not about to sit by and allow Goliath bring reproach upon God's people. With five smooth stones in his shepherds bag and a sling he faced Goliath.

David was not facing Goliath alone, no, the Lord was with him. "Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands." (1 Samuel 17:45-47)

Every believer one time or another will face a situation that looks like a Goliath. The key to overcoming the Goliath is not to let worry, anxiety or fear have place because they compound the situation. Jesus tells us, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:34) We are not to worry because "...our heavenly Father knows that we have need..." (Matthew 6:32) The Apostle Paul tells us, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) Paul also tells us, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

Although David lived one thousand years before Christ appeared on earth and was under the Mosaic Law, he still exercised faith in God for everything. The conclusion of David's encounter with Goliath shows us that David did not wait for the battle to come to him but, "when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it." (1 Samuel 17:48-51)

Faith in God's ability is what put David over. The writer of Hebrews records, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) Without unwavering confidence in God, His Word, His wisdom, His ability and His promises it is impossible to please Him. The other way that we can say this is, God is not pleased with the person who has no confidence in Him; who doubts His Word, His ability and promises or does not believe that his ways are right.  Solomon tells us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." ( Proverbs 3:5-6) The Apostle Peter says it this way, "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." (1 Peter 5:7 AMP)

For many, faith seems to be somewhat obscure, unattainable and or limited to only a few believers. However, faith is quite simple. Also know that God has given it to every believer, "...God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3) That problem that most believers seem to experience, is they do not constantly feed on God's Word so their faith can grow. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17) For most, we feed our body multiple times each day for strength and nourishment but our recreated spirit is neglected because most believers do not feed on God's Word. This is one reason why so many believers have weak faith. Another problem is believers having a double confession. One confession is upon the absolute truth of God's Word and then when things do not immediately change, the confession turns the opposite way, refuting God's Word.

I want to encourage you that as we have seen, every believer has been given faith from God. Do not let discouragement try to over take you in the midst of what seems to be an insurmountable circumstance, instead, "...hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23) PTL   

What Group Are You Hangin' With?

As Jesus continues His teaching on true stewardship in Matthew Gospel after His encounter with "The Rich Young Ruler", we come to the Parable of the Landowner, Matthew 20:1-16. This parable reveals some very important foundational truths if believers are to be faithful and wise stewards of Christ.

We see that there are five groups of workers at different times of the day that the landowner employs to work in His field. How the various groups respond to the landowner before they go into the field to work is a key to understanding true stewardship. The first group who start work at 6 AM agree with the landowners terms of wages for their work, one denarius. However, looking at the groups that the landowner hired at 9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM and 5 PM we see that the landowner makes no promise of a set wage, but only that he would give them "whatever is right", yet they still go into the field and work. What we see here is that the first group of workers agree for a set wage for their labors and the other four groups of workers trust that the landowner will be fair in return for their labors. This is very important.

Finally the end of the day comes and the workers come in from the field to receive their wage. However, the landowner reverses the order in which he pays the workers starting from the last group hired to the first. The first group of worker see that the other groups receive the same pay, a denarius. They supposed that they would receive more because they worked longer. Seeing that they received the same, a denarius, they complain to the landowner. The landowner bring their attention to his faithfulness of him honoring his agreement with them. He also makes them aware that it is lawful to do what he wishes with his own things and then concludes with, "Or is your eye evil because I an good?"

The focus of this parable concerns how believers see and approach Jesus Christ. Do you suppose that your works should be rewarded? Do you become angry when another believer seems to be more blessed than you even when you have worked longer or harder? Why did the first group respond so negatively? They thought that their "Works" would make a way for the landowner to bless them, whereas the other four groups trusted the landowner and got to experience the landowners abundant "Grace".

Jesus concludes by saying, "For many are called, but few are chosen". It takes faith to walk as faithful and wise steward of Jesus Christ, because it's not about money or possessions, nor is it about how much money or possessions that we give or don't give, it's about our relationship with the landowner. So, what group are you honestly hangin' with?

Called to be HIS Stewards

The word Steward comes from the Greek word "oikonomos"; oikos meaning house or household and nemo meaning to arrange. So a steward is one who arranges the house or one who is a manager of a household or estate. Although a steward is given much authority and responsibility in a sense they are still limited. They do not own the people or any of the things that has been placed under their control. A steward is only to carry out the desires of the true owner.

In Luke 12:41-48 Jesus teaches the Parable of the Faithful Steward. In verses 42 - 44 Jesus hits some points that we need to consider because this parable implies that all believers are to see themselves as stewards. It also describes some of the attributes that surround true stewardship...

• A good steward is expected to be faithful and wise…
• The master places the steward as ruler over his household, people and possessions…
• The resources are to be used to care for the masters other servant’s…
• The master expects the steward to serve faithfully while he is away…
• There will be a reward, blessing, when the master returns because the steward was faithful…

To examine this a little further, Luke 16:1-13 we see the Parable of the Unjust Stewart. In this parable the rich man represents God and the steward a believer. Jesus reveals in this parable a steward who was wasting the owners goods and the repercussion that the steward would face due to his abuse of the rich man's possessions.

Let us not be naive when it comes to the possession that we have. We must understand...

• God owns all things. This includes the physical universe, all spiritual beings good and bad, all living things, all people and everything that people have including all the wealth hidden and revealed...
• We own nothing nor do angels, demons or the devil himself...
• We only have temporary possession and control of the things that God owns...
• God requires us to be responsible and account for how we handle His property that He has placed in our control...
• The idea of human ownership is a powerful deception that gives a false security...
• God’s system of stewardship is higher than the worlds...
• Entering into God’s system of stewardship requires faith...
• God’s resources are hidden in Christ but are available to all who desire to walk as faithful stewards...
• We are to be an extremely thankful people because Christ has paid for our indebtedness at Calvary...

If we are truly honest with ourselves in light of the parables that Jesus taught concerning stewardship, the problems that many believers face in this area are not about our lack of time, lack of possessions, or money. The problem stems from our attitudes towards these things.

Jesus shows us the radical nature of stewardship which comes down to this. We will not be successful in building or managing the things that Jesus has for believers if we have things in our lives that competes with our commitment and love for Him. We will be like salt without taste. Stewardship is a necessary component of building a life and ministry for Christ. Maybe it is time for the church in the USA to evaluate our priorities.