The stronghold of poverty has nothing to do with the prosperity of the people. Being rich or poor is a relative state based mostly on the condition of those around you. In America the poorest of the poor are much wealthier than the rich in some third world nations. Can Satan really have a stronghold that is based on the relative condition of the people around them? It doesn’t seem right.
I looked up the word poor and found two conditions to be prevalent. One condition was that of being low or without things. It was also referred to in a spiritual sense of one being low in spiritual strength.
This can be a good things as in Matthew 5:3 or a bad thing as in Revelation 3:17
There was also an indication of being poor that is to be without things needed.
The other condition of the poor was to be in want. As I looked up the word used for poverty in the scripture it denoted a state of being in want. (H4270) The lack of material things was a condition that scripture says Jesus took on so He could set us free and we could become rich spiritually (2Cor. 8:9). The idea of rich in this passage is to have the abundance to bring salvation to people.
Poverty as a stronghold is not about what material things we have. The stronghold of poverty is the condition of “want” that keeps us from moving forward or takes our focus off of Jesus and His kingdom work. When Satan can get us focusing on the lack of material things it creates a stronghold in our lives whereby he can begin to have influence over us. The way to oppose the stronghold of poverty is to realize that our riches are not material things but the abundance of spiritual power and blessings that allow us to bring salvation to many. The only way that Satan can build a stronghold in our lives through poverty is if he can let the lack of material things keep us from building the kingdom and bring the good news of salvation to many.
God’s promise to us is that He will supply all of our needs according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ. The work of spreading the good news and bringing salvation to many will never be stopped by the lack of material things unless we allow Satan to build that stronghold in our lives. It is the “want” that is the stronghold not the abundance or lack of possessions. When we are satisfied with our material things then the stronghold of Satan is demolished as we move forward with what we have, spreading the good news and bringing salvation to as many as God gives us the privilege.
The condition of being poor is not the stronghold. There are many things that Scripture tells us can lead to this condition. Since Jesus was poor and the apostles were poor we cannot assume that our lack of physical things is always a result of something being wrong with us. Here are some things that lead to being poor.
To be drunk and squander wealth
Proverbs 23:21 - For the drunkard and the glutton (one who squanders) shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe [a man] with rags.
Being unteachable
Proverbs 13:18 - Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
Following vain people (ethically worthless or void of the spirit)
Proverbs 28:19 - He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain [persons] shall have poverty enough.
Withholding for yourself
Proverbs 11:24 - There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.
All talk no action
Proverbs 14:23 - In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.
Being hasty
Proverbs 21:5 - The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.
Loving pleasure
Proverbs 21:17 - He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.
Oppressing the poor or giving to the rich
Proverbs 22:16 - He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
Ignoring the poor
Proverbs 28:27 - He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
In 2 Corinthians 8 Paul instructs the church about the reason for giving to other churches. There is interdependence indicated. The safeguard against poverty is to give to the poor so that at some other time they can give to you.
Another safeguard from poverty is to fear the Lord. This leads us to be satisfied with what we have.
Psalm 34:9 - O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for [there is] no want to them that fear him.
In order to break a stronghold it requires us to walk in the truth of Scripture that opposes the lie the stronghold is built upon. Obey the Lord and avoid the things that lead us to captivity.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
On Division and Its Roots
The root of division is identity. When we embrace our heritage or differences as identity we forsake our God given identity. Our Godly identity says that we are all brothers and sisters in the same battle against the same enemy with the same king and savior. Division builds the lies that highlight our differences. It takes the past and puts it in the present. It takes what has been done to us or our ancestors and it gives us the right or obligation to set things right for past injustices. Division sets us against each other.
Behind division you will always find lies. That is how Satan works. He implants lies and then watches them do the work. To defeat the lie we must embrace the truth and walk in it.
Here are a few lies that lead to division. I have chosen to address Racism, Politics, Denominations, and Geography. There are many other causes of division but this will get you started.
The lies behind racism-
My heritage is my identity.
The injustice of the past gives me a right to demand or enact retribution today.
The color of someone’s skin causes him or her to treat me differently because of the color of my skin.
The truth that sets us free from racism-
My ancestry gives me a heritage that I can embrace but does not define me.
All injustice is laid at the foot of the cross and is dealt with through Christ. Vengeance belongs to the Lord.
Satan and his followers cause all evil. He may work through people to cause it and the appearance of evil may be related to race. The truth is that Satan works through those he has under his influence. To perceive evil as being the result of race is to let Satan off the hook.
The lies behind political division-
The political system can solve our problems.
Our enemy is our political opponent.
It is my duty to be politically active as a means to bring about change.
The truth that sets us free from politics-
Christ is the only solution and He works through spiritual weapons.
Our enemy is Satan. He places uses politics to divide us as we embrace politics in the wrong way.
Politics are a governing tool that is always under God’s direction and control. We can be politically responsible without being politically active. To spend our time in political activism is to battle in the tools of the world not the Spirit. If we prayerfully consider issues and exercise our right to vote we can operate on a spiritual level above the divisiveness of politics.
The lies behind denominational division-
My denomination is theologically more accurate than others. The lie behind denominations is that we must define theology and practice in order to safeguard it from heresy.
The structure over my denomination is God’s design for His church.
Denominations are just unique expressions of God’s work
The truth that sets us free from denominationalism-
The Holy Spirit defines theology and not men who rule through denominations.
God’s design for His church is not expressed through man made structures and rules.
God will express Himself in unique ways through the pouring out of His Spirit on His people. We do not need man’s rules in order to have a unique expression of God.
The lies behind geographical division-
Where I live or grew up is in someway superior to other places.
People in other areas in someway mistreat where I live or grew up.
There are places that cannot be changed or redeemed
The truth that sets us free from geographical division -
God loves the whole world and all its inhabitants.
It is Satan who uses people to mistreat people. Where they are from or currently live is just another tool he uses to perpetuate division.
Christ died to redeem us from the curse. There is no geographical region that is beyond His redemptive work.
Apart from Christ and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit there can be no unity. When we embrace our identity in Christ we can overcome racism. When we rest in God’s sovereign rule we can overcome the division of politics. When we throw off the structures of man that have been placed over the church we can defeat denominationalism. When we look at the world as the place God loved so much that He gave His only son to die for it, then we can overcome geographical division. In the end it is the Rule and Presence of God in our lives that make unity possible. If we embrace anything else above that it may become a source of unholy division.
Behind division you will always find lies. That is how Satan works. He implants lies and then watches them do the work. To defeat the lie we must embrace the truth and walk in it.
Here are a few lies that lead to division. I have chosen to address Racism, Politics, Denominations, and Geography. There are many other causes of division but this will get you started.
The lies behind racism-
My heritage is my identity.
The injustice of the past gives me a right to demand or enact retribution today.
The color of someone’s skin causes him or her to treat me differently because of the color of my skin.
The truth that sets us free from racism-
My ancestry gives me a heritage that I can embrace but does not define me.
All injustice is laid at the foot of the cross and is dealt with through Christ. Vengeance belongs to the Lord.
Satan and his followers cause all evil. He may work through people to cause it and the appearance of evil may be related to race. The truth is that Satan works through those he has under his influence. To perceive evil as being the result of race is to let Satan off the hook.
The lies behind political division-
The political system can solve our problems.
Our enemy is our political opponent.
It is my duty to be politically active as a means to bring about change.
The truth that sets us free from politics-
Christ is the only solution and He works through spiritual weapons.
Our enemy is Satan. He places uses politics to divide us as we embrace politics in the wrong way.
Politics are a governing tool that is always under God’s direction and control. We can be politically responsible without being politically active. To spend our time in political activism is to battle in the tools of the world not the Spirit. If we prayerfully consider issues and exercise our right to vote we can operate on a spiritual level above the divisiveness of politics.
The lies behind denominational division-
My denomination is theologically more accurate than others. The lie behind denominations is that we must define theology and practice in order to safeguard it from heresy.
The structure over my denomination is God’s design for His church.
Denominations are just unique expressions of God’s work
The truth that sets us free from denominationalism-
The Holy Spirit defines theology and not men who rule through denominations.
God’s design for His church is not expressed through man made structures and rules.
God will express Himself in unique ways through the pouring out of His Spirit on His people. We do not need man’s rules in order to have a unique expression of God.
The lies behind geographical division-
Where I live or grew up is in someway superior to other places.
People in other areas in someway mistreat where I live or grew up.
There are places that cannot be changed or redeemed
The truth that sets us free from geographical division -
God loves the whole world and all its inhabitants.
It is Satan who uses people to mistreat people. Where they are from or currently live is just another tool he uses to perpetuate division.
Christ died to redeem us from the curse. There is no geographical region that is beyond His redemptive work.
Apart from Christ and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit there can be no unity. When we embrace our identity in Christ we can overcome racism. When we rest in God’s sovereign rule we can overcome the division of politics. When we throw off the structures of man that have been placed over the church we can defeat denominationalism. When we look at the world as the place God loved so much that He gave His only son to die for it, then we can overcome geographical division. In the end it is the Rule and Presence of God in our lives that make unity possible. If we embrace anything else above that it may become a source of unholy division.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
On Methods, Strategies, and Obedience
Scene 1
“Moses, go and smite the rock and water will come forth for my people.
Moses – Hits the rock and water comes forth for the people. A miracle and God was working to show Himself to his people.
Scene 2
“Moses, go and speak to the rock and water will come forth for my people.
Moses – Hits the rock and water comes forth for the people. A miracle and God was working to show Himself to his people.
Many times I hear about how God is at work in a particular church or denomination. Many times the person is trying to defend some activity that I may have suggested is unbiblical. God is at work, they proclaim. He is using many methods and many strategies. The Implication is that if God is at work, how can it be so wrong?
Moses learned the hard way what difference a method or strategy can make. He did not follow God’s instruction. Cut to scene 3 and see that Moses did not enter the Promised Land as a result of his disobedience in scene 2.
The message I bring you today is that God is at work. He has worked in the past and He is working now. He works through His servants, or pagan kings like Cyrus, or without our participation. See Paul on the road to Damascus.
The question for a follower of Christ is not only one of methods and strategies. It is one of obedience.
God will work wherever He chooses. He will work in a corrupt church system or in the heart of a pagan king. He will work in the life of a man like King David, who He claimed was a man after His own heart, or He might just choose to work through me. The method and strategy is only an issue for those who claim Christ as their Lord.
If you work in corruption you cannot be obedient. You may see God’s power working before your very eyes but what are you going to miss as a result of disobedience? Moses missed entering the land.
As for me, I only point out error at the obedience of my Lord Jesus. He wants you to know it matters what method and strategy His followers use. He will not let your disobedience or mine prevent His work from being done. So don’t think He isn’t watching and waiting for His bride to throw off the shackles of man-made religion and structure, He is!
As for me I desire to obey. My daily struggle is to learn from Him and obey what I learn. I often feel like I am seeing a completely different religion in scripture than I see playing out in front of me in the American Church. It is not my concern how my message is received or how many choose to walk with me in their faith. My focus is on Christ, my obedience to His Spirit, and those who God has given me to disciple and care for. God is definitely at work in many methods, strategies, and structures today. The question I ask you is are you smiting the rock when you should be speaking to it? You will know soon enough if obedience matters. You don’t have to look very far in Scripture to see its importance.
Jesus says - If you love me, you will obey what I command
“Moses, go and smite the rock and water will come forth for my people.
Moses – Hits the rock and water comes forth for the people. A miracle and God was working to show Himself to his people.
Scene 2
“Moses, go and speak to the rock and water will come forth for my people.
Moses – Hits the rock and water comes forth for the people. A miracle and God was working to show Himself to his people.
Many times I hear about how God is at work in a particular church or denomination. Many times the person is trying to defend some activity that I may have suggested is unbiblical. God is at work, they proclaim. He is using many methods and many strategies. The Implication is that if God is at work, how can it be so wrong?
Moses learned the hard way what difference a method or strategy can make. He did not follow God’s instruction. Cut to scene 3 and see that Moses did not enter the Promised Land as a result of his disobedience in scene 2.
The message I bring you today is that God is at work. He has worked in the past and He is working now. He works through His servants, or pagan kings like Cyrus, or without our participation. See Paul on the road to Damascus.
The question for a follower of Christ is not only one of methods and strategies. It is one of obedience.
God will work wherever He chooses. He will work in a corrupt church system or in the heart of a pagan king. He will work in the life of a man like King David, who He claimed was a man after His own heart, or He might just choose to work through me. The method and strategy is only an issue for those who claim Christ as their Lord.
If you work in corruption you cannot be obedient. You may see God’s power working before your very eyes but what are you going to miss as a result of disobedience? Moses missed entering the land.
As for me, I only point out error at the obedience of my Lord Jesus. He wants you to know it matters what method and strategy His followers use. He will not let your disobedience or mine prevent His work from being done. So don’t think He isn’t watching and waiting for His bride to throw off the shackles of man-made religion and structure, He is!
As for me I desire to obey. My daily struggle is to learn from Him and obey what I learn. I often feel like I am seeing a completely different religion in scripture than I see playing out in front of me in the American Church. It is not my concern how my message is received or how many choose to walk with me in their faith. My focus is on Christ, my obedience to His Spirit, and those who God has given me to disciple and care for. God is definitely at work in many methods, strategies, and structures today. The question I ask you is are you smiting the rock when you should be speaking to it? You will know soon enough if obedience matters. You don’t have to look very far in Scripture to see its importance.
Jesus says - If you love me, you will obey what I command
Friday, August 12, 2011
Another Day in the Life
We decided to take the morning to walk the neighborhood and ask God what He is doing and how we can participate. It was a very refreshing time. The heat wave has broken and there was a cool breeze blowing. As we returned to the shop it was nearing lunchtime. We pulled out the BBQ grill and fired it up. We sat in the shade talking and cooking and greeting those that passed by.
A young man rode up on his bike and abruptly asked if we would give him a job. It wasn’t exactly a text book approach to applying for work. He was modestly dressed in shorts and a tank top. He still had his headphones in his ears when he asked. I told him to talk to Jason and asked him his age. He said he was 14. I admonished him for his approach and told him I would help him in any way I could but the first thing we were going to do was talk about his approach.
As Jason began to talk to boy his story began to unfold. His mom is unable to work due to illness. Her live in boyfriend is also unable to work due to a back injury. His sister just had a baby out of wedlock and also lives in the home. This boy was sent out into our neighborhood each day to find work to make money to take home to his family. He said he refused to sell drugs and was not about to quit school. After we told him how we could help and that we did not have the money to hire him right now, he rode off on his bike. He said I don’t have time to work unless I am getting paid because my family relies on me for support. At 14 years of age he is carrying the emotional and financial burden of his whole family.
As the meat on the grill was now ready we brought out a table and chairs and began to eat. Here comes our new friend again. We invite him to eat with us. He had never had a pork steak. As we talked he told us how some thug who told him he was going to rob him had just threatened him. He was able to ride away on his bike but that is why he came back. He came to us for safety. As we finished eating he asked us if we could come to his house and meet his family. We agreed to that and followed him home. Mark and Jason went to the door and met with his family. We offered to help them in any way we can. They are willing to work in anyway they are able but just don’t know what they can do in their situation. We have offered to train them to sew and to supply them with fabric and machines. As we head into the Christmas season we may be able to give them some work.
When I look at the situation that rode up on the bike yesterday I can see what God is doing in my midst. He has set us on a path with solutions to a problem that we didn’t even understand. We have what this family needs and they will fully understand that it is God that has provided it for them. How can anyone hope to minister in conditions like this without the ability to dig in on a deep level? We see many churches and well meaning Christians coming to our hood to hand out food and proclaim a Gospel that few of them live. This shallow approach to ministry causes more problems than it fixes.
We don’t need another youth center, back yard bible club, food hand out in the park, or another emotional plea from a microphone that tells people Satan has lost his grip on their neighborhood. Those who live in his grip know he is alive and well. We need more people that have met God face to face. We need people that have been radically transformed by that experience. We need those that are willing to give up everything in order to meet a young boy on a bike in the middle of their busy day and then go and do whatever it takes to show his family the love of Jesus.
A young man rode up on his bike and abruptly asked if we would give him a job. It wasn’t exactly a text book approach to applying for work. He was modestly dressed in shorts and a tank top. He still had his headphones in his ears when he asked. I told him to talk to Jason and asked him his age. He said he was 14. I admonished him for his approach and told him I would help him in any way I could but the first thing we were going to do was talk about his approach.
As Jason began to talk to boy his story began to unfold. His mom is unable to work due to illness. Her live in boyfriend is also unable to work due to a back injury. His sister just had a baby out of wedlock and also lives in the home. This boy was sent out into our neighborhood each day to find work to make money to take home to his family. He said he refused to sell drugs and was not about to quit school. After we told him how we could help and that we did not have the money to hire him right now, he rode off on his bike. He said I don’t have time to work unless I am getting paid because my family relies on me for support. At 14 years of age he is carrying the emotional and financial burden of his whole family.
As the meat on the grill was now ready we brought out a table and chairs and began to eat. Here comes our new friend again. We invite him to eat with us. He had never had a pork steak. As we talked he told us how some thug who told him he was going to rob him had just threatened him. He was able to ride away on his bike but that is why he came back. He came to us for safety. As we finished eating he asked us if we could come to his house and meet his family. We agreed to that and followed him home. Mark and Jason went to the door and met with his family. We offered to help them in any way we can. They are willing to work in anyway they are able but just don’t know what they can do in their situation. We have offered to train them to sew and to supply them with fabric and machines. As we head into the Christmas season we may be able to give them some work.
When I look at the situation that rode up on the bike yesterday I can see what God is doing in my midst. He has set us on a path with solutions to a problem that we didn’t even understand. We have what this family needs and they will fully understand that it is God that has provided it for them. How can anyone hope to minister in conditions like this without the ability to dig in on a deep level? We see many churches and well meaning Christians coming to our hood to hand out food and proclaim a Gospel that few of them live. This shallow approach to ministry causes more problems than it fixes.
We don’t need another youth center, back yard bible club, food hand out in the park, or another emotional plea from a microphone that tells people Satan has lost his grip on their neighborhood. Those who live in his grip know he is alive and well. We need more people that have met God face to face. We need people that have been radically transformed by that experience. We need those that are willing to give up everything in order to meet a young boy on a bike in the middle of their busy day and then go and do whatever it takes to show his family the love of Jesus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
