True Servanthood: Mary not Martha

  I believe servant leadership is living like Christ—obeying only the will of our Father. It is not attempting to fulfill everyone’s expectation, whim or request in an effort to be a slave. We are slaves of Christ alone, not man. I believe the most basic thing a minister can do to cultivate the qualities of servant leadership involves two sides of the same coin: one abide in a life of worship of Christ, resting in His vine and easy yoke (be a Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet & not a Martha running around in one’s own strength to win the world for Christ), and obeying Christ

Don't Boast about Tomorrow

Boast not thyself of to morrow

Prov 27:1 (KJV)

    The only preparation for the morrow is the right use of to-day. The stone in the hands of the builder must be put in its place and fitted to receive another. The morrow comes for naught, if to-day is not heeded. Neglect not the call that comes to thee this day, for such neglect is nothing else than boasting thyself of to-morrow. –G. Bowen

Are you a Living Sub-stone?

What mean these stones?

Josh 4:21 (KJV)

Ye also as lively stones

1 Peter 2:5 (KJV)

   There should be something so remarkable, so peculiar about the live and conversation of a Christian that men should be compelled to ask, “What does this mean?” . . . . Is there anything in your character, words, and habits of life so different from the world around you that men are involuntarily compelled to ask themselves or others, “What does this mean?” Not that there is to be a forced singularity, a peculiarity for the sake of being peculiar; that were merely to copy the pharisaism of ancient days. . . . Oh, that we might realize that this is the purpose for which God sends us into the world, as He sent His only begotten Son!—S.A. Blackwood

Get away from People and Gathered to People

Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house

Gen 12:1 (KJV)

Abraham gave up the ghost…and was gathered to his people.

Gen 25:8 (KJV)

    After all communion we dwell upon islands, dotted over a great archipelago, each upon his little rock with the sea dashing between us; but the time comes when, if our hearts are set upon that great Lord whose presence makes us one, there shall be no more sea and all the isolated rocks shall be parts of a great continent . . . If we cultivate that sense of detachment from the present and of having our true affinities in the unseen, if we dwell here as strangers because our citizenship is in heaven, then death will not drag us away from our associates nor hunt us into a lonely land, but will bring us where closer bonds shall knit the “sweet societies” together, and the sheep shall couch close by one another because all gathered round the one Shepherd. Then many a tie shall be re-woven, and the solitary wanderer meet again the dear one whom he had “loved long singe and lost awhile.” –Alex. McLaren

If you're here, you have work to do

 

The very fact of a Christian being here, and not in heaven,

is a proof that some work awaits him.

–William Arnot

 

Being Christ-ian means giving up our

 

You can't be Christ-ian without giving up your independence, your pride, your selfishness - in other words, your will has to be totally surrendered.

How Maturity Develops

 

Maturity comes through times of testing (hardship, brokenness, assault, disaster).

How to learn obedience...and how to pray for your enemies

Obedience is truly learned (and tested!) in suffering and persecution. Pray for your enemies and those who persecute you—love them.

Billy Graham

“All transgression begins with sinful thinking. You who have come to Christ for a pure heart, guard against the pictures of lewdness and sensuality which Satan flashes upon the screen of your imaginations, select with care the books you read, choose discerningly the kind of entertainment you attend, the kind of associates with whom you mingle, and the kind of environment in which you place yourself. You should no more allow sinful imaginations to accumulate in your mind and soul than you would let garbage collect in your living room.”—Billy Graham

Laying Down your Peace?

“People who lay down their peace often have stopped praying with thanksgiving and praise. Followers of Jesus need a vibrant prayer life. As the gospel song says, They need to ‘stay in touch with God.’ They must avoid talking with God only about what they think they need, and regularly live with a thankful heart—giving thanks always in all circumstances for all things.” –Charles Stanley

What determines your Spiritual Life?

The vigour of our spiritual life will be in exact proportion to the place held by the Bible in our life and thoughts.

George Müller

Believe and Practice? Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Though we claim to believe the whole of Scripture, in practice we frequently deny much of it by ignoring it.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

A Talker? It Leads to Poverty

 

 

 

 

Mere Talk only Leads to Poverty

 

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips

tendeth only to penury (This means poverty).

Prov 14:23 (KJV), parenthesis added

 

   There is a great disconnect in America today between talking and actually doing something. The Proverb above is absolutely true—American’s like to sit and talk about everything. We watch talk shows that bear absolutely no fruit in our lives despite the many hundreds of hours that we have sacrificed to view them. We listen to radio programs and so on. Now, I am not saying that listening to someone or something is ever wrong. It can be very fruitful at times! However, what Americans need learn is to stop talking and start laboring.

    No longer are Americans known for being people who do something as our ancestors were. The Pilgrims, the Puritans, the Settlers of the West were people who worked hard. Today, we don’t see that very much. And in my generation it seems virtually non-existent.

    The Bible is very emphatic that hard work and diligence bring rewards. Here are a few:

Much food in tillage of the poor

Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is

 that is destroyed for want of judgment.

Prov 13:23 (KJV)

Know the state of thy flocks and herds

Be thou diligent to know the state of

thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

Prov 27:23 (KJV)

 

Lambs for clothing and goats for price of the field

The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.

27 And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food

of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

Prov 27:26-27 (KJV)

 

    These verses refer to animals and crops that are daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly tended to. Today, our average lifestyle in America means get up, eat, get a shower and go to work/school. There is not much routine that we must do to provide for ourselves and our families. We aren’t milking the cows and gathering the eggs, but spending fifteen seconds to get the milk and pour it on our cereal. Many then sit in offices all day—doing very little physically.

     This does not appear to line up with God’s plan. Despite modern conveniences, we still need to apply effort in our daily lives. Americans have one of the, if not the highest, standards of living in the world but without getting back to hard work it will ultimately crumble.

     During my time in an office environment, I was in and saw meetings take place far too often. We talked and talked and talked about the problem and solutions but so little was usually done. Months later, the same things would simply be repeated and action delayed once again. Some meetings can be fruitful if decisive action is taken, but mere talk (simply talking about the problem for the sake of talking), as the Bible says, leads to poverty. There is no productivity or great result. Paul warned us to avoid foolish controversies—I’ve been learning that a lot of conversations about politics and even doctrine is usually a foolish controversy. I think that Facebook posts and articles are more effective it seems to actually reaching people with truth in small snippets. Yet, a lot of Facebook “debates” need to be avoided. In other words, learn to detect when someone is genuinely asking a question and open to hear what God’s Word has to say and what the facts of history are and when they just want to argue. When people just want to argue refuse to waste time talking with them and move on. There may be some cases where God prompts us by His Holy Spirit to boldly confront the arrogant fool, but generally speaking, talking with a fool is a foolish controversy, mere talk that should be avoided.

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions,

 and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

Titus 3:9 (KJV)

 

          We need to be doing things. Too long in America, we stay children. The average man isn’t grown up by thirty years of age, maybe even older by now, in this country. Children do not need to just play and be entertained (although there is a proper place for that), they need to be growing up, given small responsibilities to prove faithful in, experimenting, and trying out entrepreneurial endeavors while kids. Lemonade stands, lawn maintenance, and garage sales teach lessons to kids that last a lifetime. And learning to be faithful in small, daily tasks and responsibilities teaches character that is rare to find today.

 

How can you labor? It is sure to bring a profit.

 

    Now, we will not gain financial rewards from all that we labor in, but we will profit in skills, relationships, and blessings. You can take God at His Word—All Labor Does Bring Profit!

 

 

Get the Full ebook here

 

 

Are we like the Early Church?

 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 2:42 (KJV)

Coveting Jesus Like Mary?

 

In Bible study this, this phrase was mentioned: "Mary was coveting Jesus but Marta was running around asking for help." That phrase was a little convicting to me, what about you? Our place is first and foremost at Jesus feet; if we're running around asking for help, are we missing the point like Martha?

 

Following God's Ways

“God knew that following His ways would create quietness, order, rest, and happiness. His wisdom is timeless. Grasp for things—a job, fame, or fortune—rather than concentrating on fulfilling your responsibilities will almost always end in a struggle.” Practical Happiness, p. 186 Bob Shultz

Consequences for how we Live

 

"...if we sow idleness, irresponsibility, or out-of-control behavior, we can expect to reap poverty, failure, and the effects of loose living. These are natural consequences of our behavior."

#Boundaries book by Cloud and Townsend

Gaurd Your Heart Against What Jesus Taught About Phariseeism

This content comes from our sub-ministry Advice for Young Ministers

LESSON 1

But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. 42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Luke 11:41-42 (KJV)

 

It is Right to Obey to the Last Letter, It is Wrong to Neglect Love and Justice

 

     The Pharisees’ error was not that they obeyed to the letter in tithing their smallest garden herbs. No, there error was that they neglected God’s judgment and love. They were hypocrites who loved themselves and created rules and followed teachers who said what their own itching ears wanted to hear. They followed the traditions of rabbis (of men) rather than God. In short, they justified their disobedience by creating a “way” that justified their actions, decisions, and lifestyle. They claimed holiness, but were far from holy.

      Little is said anymore about holiness and obeying even the least of the commands of the Word of God, yet Jesus said:

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 5:19 (KJV)

      But right after Jesus says that, the next verse in fact, he addresses the issue of phariseeism:

 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 5:20 (KJV)

 

      Earlier on Jesus said:

 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Matt 5:17-18 (KJV)

      Jesus is not saying to not obey the Word of God because he brought us grace through His death. No, Jesus is saying be faithful to the very last detail, but don’t neglect justice and the love of God. Keep your heart from phariseeism. Be attentive to the Lord and discerning by the Holy Spirit of God which raised Christ from the dead and lives within Christ’s disciples to see the love of God in people. Don’t discount the passionate heart of the new Christian who loves Christ and yet does not yet know His commands. Love the person and take time to teach them what Jesus taught (that = discipleship, Matt 28:19-20). Yet, also do not neglect justice. Paul taught very clearly that disorderly believers (2 Thess 3:6, 1 Cor 5) should be put out from the church if they did not repent after following Christ’s three time teaching (Matthew 18:15-35). Now, we are to forgive all men as Christ did; however, we are to hate the deeds of evil and to act justly as far as depends on us (Ex 18:21-23). Love God and do justice as well as being faithfully obedient in the littlest details.

 

LIVE UP TO WHAT THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WORD THAT YOU HAVE ATTAINED

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Phil 3:15-16 (KJV)

Our Resource: Important Words for Young (and Old) Ministers   (just incidentally we give this away for free as an ebook if you sign up for our monthly devotional email here)

 

Is there a College Path which will Prepare me and Fit into what the Lord is Calling me to do?

This content comes from our sub-ministry A Different Approach to College

 

    I first heard of CollegePlus! (CP) during my Junior year of High School at the CHEF Homeschool conference in St. Louis, MO. Woody Robinson’s talks on Education the Founding Fathers Way and A Bachelor Degree by 18 instantly sparked my interest and I wanted to start the program. However, my parents wanted me to continue High School and, honoring them, I did. Hence, I struggled when the time came to choose a college. I wanted to do CP but my parents weren’t too hip on the idea. So what should I do? I did what I knew I needed to do: I prayed and submitted to God’s will. If He wanted me to go to CP He was going to have to move on my parents hearts to make it a reality. I wanted my parents blessing on my education, and not just do what my own wisdom told me to do. So I waited on the Lord . .  .

    Over the course of Senior year of High School, I was restless and discontented with the idea of going to a brick and mortar school. Moving away didn’t seem like the right fit for where God had called me in ministry and I had a deep desire to live in my hometown of Hillsboro or at least nearby. I also wanted a low cost to be the best steward of my resources. The timing of moving away to enter college made me nervous, and why should I trade the life I had some balance in for a party zone? In addition, I knew that I would have to leave my deep friendships, my beloved church, and my mentors to work, keep up with my studies, and build a new life. Thus, I sought the counsel of many and prayed without getting any peace. One of my counselors encouraged me to analyze the pros and cons of my options so I devised multiple scenarios of moving away: to a school hours away from my home, schools in St. Louis, and the local community college. I even considered driving back and forth 45 minutes each way to go to school and work afterward.  Nevertheless all these possibilities made me come face to face with the inefficiency, high cost, physical drain, and lack of flexibility of a brick and mortar school.

   Long story short, my parents came on board with me on CP as the school option this past April as we spent a day together talking about my plans for the summer. My prayers had been answered! I left that meeting with some peace and spent this past summer after graduating High School running my own lawn care, pressure washing, and odd job business, as well as, enrolling in the program I have dreamed of!

   Now that I’ve started . . . .

   I have been doing Life Purpose Planning; I have found that all my considerations, goals, and ministry calling are merging into one stream with many different streamlets. It is exciting to be able to continue my own business, internships, and ministry training on my schedule—shifting my study time around when needed—and being able to pursue my life dream of mentoring a generation of young men and begin to preach and teach the Word to the Church in America.

   As a homeschooler, I love teaching myself and studying material instead of sitting in the classroom wasting precious time. I’m on my path to a Communications degree which I’m already putting to use writing books and building a ministry! Internships and practical experience are around the corner! The expectation of being a licensed minister in a few years and the possibility of pursing a Masters in Biblical Studies to teach Bible at the college level are on the horizon!

   Only a few weeks into the program, I’m excitedly sharing CP with people. Just last week at a writing conference, I shared the CP program and my passion surrounding it with an education official as she listened in wonder and expressed an interest in helping the public schools she works with to incorporate some of it. And right after I enrolled, I shared with several friends and one got really, really passionate about being able to do what I was sharing.

   If you are reading this and want flexibility and freedom to follow the unique path and purpose that you feel God is calling you to, prayerfully consider CollegePlus! You can get your degree done faster, for less money, and get a better education with all the internships and real life experience you can have in a couple of years.

God bless, and study hard!

Ryan Marks

Minister, Student, Writer, Entrepreneur

www.focusingonthemarkministries.com 

==the summer of 2012

Find out more about CollegePlus Here

 

Our Resource: Standing for the Christian Faith in College

 

Final Thoughts from JC Ryle

    These following notes from JC Ryle's book Thoughts for Young Men are valuable for all of us to take a look at.

 

Special Rules
1. resolve by God's grace to break off from EVERY small sin
2. Resolve with God's help to shun what will give an occasion to sin 3. Resolve to never forget the eye of God‐‐He sees everything
4. be diligent in living out (the proactive) your faith in Christianity
5. Resolve that wherever you are, that you pray