One of the things that in the last 2 decades has become widely preached is the idea that as Christian men, we must love our families. Awesome. Love them above work. Love them above others. Love them over ministry, church, … Continue reading
Historians have published studies and preachers have shouted revelations regarding the economic status of Jesus of Nazareth. I can see both sides, really. I can see some Bible evidence of Jesus being either richer than me and my family, or poorer than me and my family. (I’m probably richer than 75% of the world’s people, anyway.)
I was discussing this with my close friend and peer when he [by inspiration of the Holy Spirit I conclude] said basically this:
“Talk to me about my attraction to my wife in relation to Jesus…[awkward silence]…Jesus has very little to do with how much I am or am not attracted to her. If people tend to prosper, there’s no inherent curse. If people tend not to prosper, there’s no curse there either.”
HIS FATHER ALWAYS PROVIDED FOR HIM
Here are some ideas to consider: Jesus asked Judas to go rent the banquet hall for the last supper, which required money. Jesus did NOT rent the unbroken colt to ride into Jerusalem, it was donated. Jesus did NOT have the coin on Him to pay state taxes, so He sent Peter to go grab it out of a fish. 3 women in Luke 8:2,3 were donating to Jesus and supporting them by their own means. Jesus did NOT spend money to hire a caterer to feed the thousands, he supernaturally multiplied the food – it was glorious and free. Sometimes Jesus had the dough, sometimes He didn’t. Regardless, His Father always provided for Him.
PROSPERITY DOESN’T EQUAL SPIRITUALITY
I don’t think that this statement is hard to swallow – so why are so many preachers pushing us to prosper? I know people who can get, earn, save and invest money with the best of them, but have no heart for Jesus at all.
POVERTY DOESN’T EQUAL SPIRITUALITY, EITHER
If you are claiming that Jesus was poor, you might be using it to justify your laziness. If you believe Jesus was poor, you might be trying to find solace for your lack of education or generosity.
Some people just have a good sense of economics, some don’t. Some are well educated in finance, others aren’t…but I think we can all take refuge in the fact that our Father will always provide for us. Jesus calls us to be in the world and it’s economics, but not of the world and it’s economics. Our calling is above money, to let it serve God’s Kingdom, not tether us. When Jesus didn’t have the money to pay for a caterer, people still got fed.
Jesus loves and died for the kinds of people who aspire to riches and who are content with poverty – both are equally the object of His love and passion.
I’m not sure Jesus set out to give us hints on how to get more money. I think Jesus set out to redeem mankind to His Father – the currency He DID want to gather was the souls of men deposited in the vaults of eternity.
“Without music, life would be an error…the German imagines even God singing songs.” Friedrich Nietzsche
Perhaps God is singing songs…if so, we need to hear His songs before we ask him to listen to ours.
Music in itself is complete, albeit never-ending. There will never be a shortage thereof. Add music to anything, and it seems to complete it. Movies, talks, sermons, skate videos, etc.
…but the music falls short. It is a wonderful, mysterious tool, but it has not the power to change anybody for eternity. As a younger, visionary worship leader, I would pray and imagine the notes coming from my voice and instrument and entering people’s ears and hearts and transforming them into better people. Luckily, I shared that with no-one until now.
The Holy Spirit Comes Before the Music
“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.”
Being filled comes before the music.
Our heart’s song is a result of the Spirit’s inspiration. Our music is unable to inspire the Spirit.
Like I said, music has no eternal power in itself. We cannot expect to sing ourselves into being more devoted followers of Christ. We cannot just put in a worship CD and expect to start feeling saved again. We cannot jump at worship time and expect to sing our way into being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Music is not a manipulator. It doesn’t move God. A desperate and welcoming heart of faith and hunger moves God. God fills us. We are moved to make music.
If you are a worship-leader, you will be tempted to bypass the filling of the Spirit, the inspiration, the encounter and substitute the music in it’s stead.
The best song service you’ll ever lead is one that is pre-inspired by the Holy Spirit.
The worst song service you’ll ever lead is one that is used to try and move God.
It’s foolish and proud to think that we worship leaders and our music alone can change people. It’s foolish to think our songs can change people.
Don’t get me wrong. Spirit inspired songs and music do help people get their hearts positioned and eyes set on God’s greatness – but without it first being inspired, it’s a sinfully proud exercise in futility that makes music an idol and a religious token. Without the Holy Spirit, the music falls short. Perhaps God is singing songs…if so, we need to hear His songs before we ask him to listen to ours.
If I were a better writer, this post would be more lengthy. 5th grade is where it all started for me, I think. My family started to get settled into a church in Kokomo the same year I started public school in … Continue reading
Slow-Motion gives our minds tiiiiiiiiiiime to examine the details. Mark 1:41 [Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”] 2 facets here: a movement of compassion, then a … Continue reading
This is a repost from a blog called “Generosity Matters”. http://www.rustylewis.net/blog/vision-ownership-accelerates-generosity-07282011 Thu, 07/28/2011 The importance of people understanding your ministry vision and mission can never be understated. Prior to asking for any kind of support (prayer support, volunteer support, financial … Continue reading
So, in my infinite nerdery, I’ve become somewhat fond of knives – not scissors or steak knives, but the kind of knives that make you want to forage for food and survive all on your own. The kind of knives … Continue reading
I heard a Mark Driscoll teaching today out of Luke’s Gospel referring to Jesus’ perpetual battle with healing on the sabbath and the religious questioning he was met with. A particular quote gleamed from the scriptures was this, “Religious people … Continue reading
A simple quote I heard yesterday and wanted to pass on to you: “Prayer should be substantial and not symbolic” Substantial meaning, “OF CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE OR VALUE”. Symbolic meaning, “SIGNIFICANT ONLY REGARDING OF IMPLICATIONS AND REPRESENTATIONS”. How often do my … Continue reading
This is a repost I found from this link: http://www.davidsantistevan.com/2011/05/fake-worship-leader/ The last thing you probably want is to be a fake worship leader. But it’s easy to do. Sin lurks right around the corner. Your flesh longs for adoration. It … Continue reading
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Tim Edwards 