Leaving The Job Unfinished

"Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD." 2 Kings 15:35

Although Jotham's official reign lasted twenty-five years, he actually governed longer. When his father, Uzziah, was forced into quarantine because of leprosy, Jotham performed the day-to-day functions of the crown.

Much good can be said of Jotham's time as king of Judah, but he failed in a most important area: He didn't destroy the high places of idol worship, although leaving them clearly violated the first commandment (Ex. 20:3). Apparently, Jotham preferred to build. He added to the architecture surrounding the temple. He constructed cities, forts, and towers around Jerusalem. But his failure to remove the pagan worship places undermined the good that he did. The consequences were apparent in the life of his son Ahaz, who became one of Judah's most wicked rulers.

Like Jotham, we may live basically good lives and yet miss doing what is most important. A lifetime of doing good is not enough if we make the crucial mistake of not following God with all our hearts. God sometimes requires that certain habits or influences be removed from our lives. Our lives only have room for one god. A true follower of God puts Him first in all areas of life.

Our obedience to God is sometimes measured by what we don't do.

Training A Leader

"And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses." Numbers 27:23

Regardless of what some people claim, leaders are made, not born. Gifted individuals must have training, hands-on experience, and good role models if they are ever going to realize their leadership potential. Joshua got it all.

He had led the attack on the Amalekites. He had accompanied Moses (at least halfway up the mountain) when God issued the Law on Mount Sinai. He had been at the tent of meeting when God spoke to Moses face-to-face. He had been one of the twelve men sent to spy out the land of Canaan. All in all, his was an impressive resume.

But perhaps the most valuable aspect of Joshua's leadership preparation was the privilege he had of observing Moses in action. As his personal aide, he got to watch him deal with jealous and rebellious and stubborn people. He saw how Moses handled national crises and smaller administrative nightmares. Most important of all, Joshua got an insider's look at Moses' intimate relationship with God.

In fact, the Bible frequently features this kind of leadership mentoring program. Elisha had Elijah. The disciples had Jesus. Timothy had Paul. Do you have an older, wiser role model to whom you can look? That is how the Lord situates people in His churches; to provide a model to follow in order for the next generation to successfully carry out the Lord's will. Follow the Moses God has placed in your church. Then ask God to help you become a Joshua.

Before one can be a leader, one has to be a follower. Spiritual leadership is God-given.

A Warning to Believers

Oprah Winfrey has begun promoting a year-long course entitled, "The New Age Christ." Her text for the course is a book entitled A Course in Miracles. Below are a few quotations taken from this book:

"There is no sin."
"A slain Christ has no meaning."
"The journey to the cross should be the last useless journey."
"Do not make the pathetic error of clinging to the old rugged cross."
"The name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol. It is a symbol that is safely used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods to which you pray."

It is no surprise that many Hollywood figures are going full-bore into new age psychology and teaching . And it is no surprise that many of them believe in reincarnation and other such eastern philosophy.

The fact is that if "there is no sin," then there is the removal of the eternal absolutes of the Word of God and a removal of the accountability factor that is so clearly found in His Word.

If "there is no sin," then we need no Saviour. If there is no Saviour, then we have no purpose for living our lives!

I am so thankful that Jesus Christ shed his blood and rose again so that we might have redemption for our sins. In these last days of false teaching, along with the promotion of new age philosophy, may we each be ready to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

More practical thoughts on Elijah

The “Elijah complex” can rob you of power and joy, so beware! Elijah went from victory to defeat because he started walking by sight and not by faith (19:3). He believed the queen’s words but not God’s word, and he forgot how God had cared for him for three and a half years. Fear replaced faith, and he ran for his life.
He became concerned about saving himself rather than giving himself (Mark 8:34–38; John 12:23–28). Note the sequence (chp. 19): “thy life” (v. 2), “his life” (v. 3), “my life” (v. 4). If he had said, “Take my life,” as an act of surrender to God, the Lord would have worked mightily; but his “Take my life” was a confession of pride and defeat. Beware when you think you are the only faithful one left!
God taught Elijah that He does not always work in the dramatic big events, like the contest on Mount Carmel, but that He works by means of a “still small voice,” ministries that are neither big nor loud. Elijah was not forsaken, for God was with him. He was not alone. Seven thousand people had not bowed to Baal. His work would go on. You see, God had a young man ready to take his place.
We need to obey these words: “Be not afraid; only believe” (Mark 5:36).

PBI From the Prophets - Elijah (Part 1)

Practical lessons from the prophet Elijah:

1. All life is surrounded by spiritual forces.

2. Prevailing prayer settles issues.

3. National righteousness is more important than national power.

4. No man who stands for right stands alone.

5. God does not discard us when we run away but He finds a way to revitalize and use us.

6. Sufficient physical rest and nourishment are required if we are to know, understand, and do God's will.

7. One Spirit-filled man can make a difference in a nation.

8. "Vales of trouble are separated from mountains of triumph by a few moments of prayer."

9. One is fitted for his life work by seasons of quiet meditation and waiting on God.

PBI From the Prophets - Samuel

Practical lessons of pertinent value from the prophet Samuel:

1. What a work one man can do when God controls and directs him!

2. Personal piety can never be a substitute for parental discipline (Eli).

3. It is good to listen for the voice of God (1 Sam 3) - God's Word.

4. It is just as essential to answer when He calls.

5. Obedience is better than sacrifice - but don't forget to sacrifice.

6. The value of early godly training in a godly home.

7. The happy state of the man who has lived a life above reproach.

8. God is never satisfied with partial obedience.

9. A true servant of God may be called upon to train a younger man who will overshadow him in the estimation of people.

10. It is not necessary for one to withdraw from political life in order to exert spiritual leadership.

11. Compromise with evil is expensive and deadly.

12. God can only use men who are willing to be used and only so far as they will let Him use them.

13. A child has no trouble learning the voice of God when he has been conceived in prayer and reared in the house of God.

PBI From the Prophets - Moses (cont.)

Insights from Moses continued:

10. Confidence and power come through experience and victory.

11. We are hardened for hardships by hard work.

12. The value of patience and perseverance.

13. Unbelief in God's appointed leader brings reproach on God.

14. We see ourselves as God sees us only after time spent alone with Him.

15. When God commands us to go forward He will lead the way.

16. Unselfishness is one of the chief marks of a great man (Deut. 9:18-20, 25-29).

17. A successful leader must love his people so much that he is willing to die for them.

18. God may take many years to prepare His chosen leader for a great task.

19. The importance of keeping alive the hope that "the bush will burn" for us. A great experience may be only a short way ahead.

PBI From the Prophets - Intro & Moses

It has been a while since I've posted on the PBI blog. However, a study of some of the Old Testament prophets has yielded some practical insights that I would like to begin sharing.
In order to fully grasp some of these insights, it would be helpful to overview the books which pertain to the prophets under consideration. Warren Weirsbe's concise commentaries would be an excellent source to gain this overview. Of course, your King James Bible would be the best source of information. I hope these insights will be as much of a blessing to you as they have been to me.

Moses:

1. The value of early religious training in the home (Ex. 2:7-10; Deut. 6:6-9; Ecc. 12:1).

2. Necessary qualifications for leadership.

3. The futility of trying to run ahead of God (Ex. 2:11-15).

4. The extraordinary power of intercessory prayer (Ex. 32:9-14, 31, 32; 34:9; Num. 11:2; 12:13; 14:11-24; Deut. 9:12-20, 25-30).

5. Excuses anger God (Ex. 4:13, 14).

6. Men whom God places in positions of authority are held to a strict account.

7. A heavenly light shines through the face of one who has been alone with God.

8. The penalty for disobedience and loss of temper is severe (Num. 20:12; 27:14).

9. When God calls a man He proceeds to qualify him.

(to be continued)

Why Have Standards For Church Workers? (Part 5)

HIGH STANDARDS ARE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN THE CHURCH'S GOOD REPUTATION.

The workers and teachers represent the congregation in the eyes of the church members and the community. The church as a whole will be judged by the lives of its workers. If the community observes Sunday School teachers and youth workers from the church dressed immodestly or involved in ungodly activities, it will assume that the church accepts this. And in one sense they are correct. Even though many times the community will see nothing wrong with these low standards, seeing that more than likely, their standards may be even lower; the church's reputation is stained. If the world doesn't recognize this, other sound Baptist churches will. Oh yes, the Lord recognizes it too. If a pastor does not maintain definite and high standards for all of the church workers, he is sending the message that these matters are not important. Hence, the community hears that message loud and clear, and the testimony of that church is hurt. Of course, these things are often done without the pastor's knowledge and against his will. Members need to respect the pastor's position on standards and follow his leadership, because "they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." (Hebrews 13:17b)

Why Have Standards For Church Workers? (Part 4)

HIGH STANDARDS ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THOSE WHO HAVE HIGH STANDARDS.

It is a tremendous frustration for a family to have high standards if workers in their church do not have the same kind of high standards. Likewise, if the church maintains high standards for its workers, it is a tremendous encouragement to the families who are striving to maintain good standards. It reinforces their position. Parental standards are undermined when churches allow workers with unbiblical standards to minister. The parents' job is made more difficult. This creates tremendous confusion and great potential for problems. The young people are tempted to fault their parents with being unreasonable legalists. The youth workers cannot back up the parents because they live contrary to godly standards. This makes them uncomfortable, so they are tempted to speak against those parents and label them as "legalistic," "self-righteous," "holier than thou," etc. The parents who have the higher standards can be seen as the "trouble makers" no matter how perfect their hearts are toward the Lord.

If the standards for the church are set low, it produces carnel Christians. The standards should be set at the higher, Biblical level for the purpose of discipling and bringing those with low standards up to a higher level.

Why Have Standards For Church Workers? (Part 3)

HIGH STANDARDS PROVIDE TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES.

New Christians are excited about their new found relationship with the Lord and with a Bible-believing Baptist church. Godly Sunday School teachers can take them aside and kindly explain some of the basics about godly standards. They may be a little embarrassed, but they will also be thankful that someone took the time to instruct them about right and wrong. They will learn to live by those Biblical standards that will challenge them and also provide a teaching opportunity to instruct them in holiness.

Selah... Do What?

The word “Selah” is used over 70 times in Psalms and three times in the Book of Habakkuk. From what I've studied, it seems that it is a musical interlude or transition. The Hebrew word for Selah is celah { seh’-law}; Strong's #5542. It means “to lift up.” The expression seems to mark a climax in the music in which the singers and musicians are to “lift up” their praise to God.

When I visited Peru several years ago, on a mission trip, one of the things I was amazed with was the singing in the churches we visited. When those people sang, they really sang out. They didn't yell, they "sang out." Oh how we need to lift up our voices of praise to the Lord. I don't think that means we need to "yell" when we sing. I've been in services where the people who were singing were literally yelling the words; as if God were hard of hearing. I've been singing for over 30 years. In all those years I've never seen the need to yell so the Lord can hear me. Some may think it is more spiritual; maybe they think it makes them look more spiritual. I'm not trying to be "overly" critical, but if the Lord has given someone the ability to sing, they need to be good stewards of that ability.

A few years ago my son had nodules on his vocal chords. We went to a specialist that taught him how to and how not to use his voice. Most people may not realize it, but you can actually abuse your vocal chords by talking too soft. Of course you can also damage your vocal chords by yelling. Isn't God's design of our bodies amazing!?

I guess what I'm getting at is that we need to lift up our voices to the Lord in a way that honors and glorifies Him. My thinking is instead of yelling to the Lord (or whispering for that matter), we should lift up our voices unto the Lord and PRAISE HIS NAME!!
"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;" Ephesians 5:19

Why Have Standards For Church Workers? (Part 2)

HIGH STANDARDS CHALLENGE CHRISTIANS TO HIGHER LIVING.

One person explained their personal experience this way: "As a new Christian I was happy to find a church which held forth high standards. It was an encouragement to me. I still smoked, had long hair, cussed a little, listened to rock music, went to indecent movies, etc., but I knew instinctively that the church is supposed to practice and preach holiness. I did not look for a church where the people lived like I did as a brand new Christian; I looked for a church where the people were striving to walk in Bible holiness. I was challenged to begin cleaning up my life because the workers in the church held forth a high standard before me. If that had not been the case, I could have been comfortable in my immature worldliness and it is possible that I would not have changed. The pastor challenged me from the pulpit and the workers challenged me with their lives. I also learned that the Bible School I wanted to attend did not allow worldly things, and I was challenged by this to raise my personal standards. I have never regretted this."

Today, though, churches are allowing the bogus and carnal cry of "legalism" to intimidate them into dropping their standards. As a result, new Christians are not challenged to live holier lives, to separate from the world. They can be comfortable with worldliness because that is what they see in some of the workers.

Why Have Standards For Church Workers? (Part 1)

HIGH STANDARDS RAISE AND MAINTAIN THE OVERALL STANDARDS OF A CHURCH.
God requires high standards for pastors and others involved in ministry because they are examples for the congregation and they represent the church in the eyes of people in the community (Titus 2:3,4; 1 Peter 5:3). If Sunday School teachers or Youth Ministry workers do not have high moral standards in their personal lives and homes, it brings down the standards of the entire congregation. The students who sit under the influence of these teachers are impressed more with their teacher's lives than with their words. The teacher might say it is important to be holy for the Lord, but this will sound hollow if that teacher is involved in carnal and worldly things and if they do not exemplify the things which are preached from the pulpit. Young people are already powerfully enticed by the world. If their teachers are worldly, they will be doubly encouraged to go in that direction and they will be even more worldly than their teachers. If the teachers watch PG-13 movies; the kids will watch R-rated ones. If the teachers wear skirts one inch above the knee, the kids will wear skirts two or three or four inches above the knee. A church absolutely must set forth and enforce the highest moral standards for its workers in order to raise and maintain the standards of the entire church.

Humanism Defined

Humanism Defined

Humanism's godless teachings are as follows:

1. Evolution: Man gradually emerged by chance from lower forms of life over millions of years.

2. Self Authority (Individual Autonomy): Man is his own authority and is not accountable to any higher power. This "self sufficiency" generates self-interest, self-gratification, self-indulgence, and self-righteousness.

3. Situation Ethics: There are no absolute rules by which to live. Thus, man is the final authority for his actions, based on existing circumstances.

4. Distorted Realism: All should be exposed to diverse "realistic" viewpoints, including emphasis on profanity, immorality, and perversions as acceptable modes of "self-expression." In practice this includes children of any age.

5. Sexual Permissiveness: All forms of sexual expression are acceptable. Public sex education is considered necessary provided it is taught without Christian morals.

6. Anti-Biblical Bias: Man creates God out of his own experiences.

7. Anti-Free Enterprise: Government ownership or control of the economy would replace private ownership of property and the free market economy. This economic "collectivism" is known as "Big Brother Government," "Cradle-to-Grave" welfare, or outright socialism.

8. One-World Government: "Global citizenship" would replace national self-determination.

9. Death Education: There is no hope of existence beyond the grave–no heaven or hell. Euthanasia and suicide are endorsed.

All nine of these points are in direct opposition to what the Word of God teaches. God's people must be aware of these beliefs and how they contradict Scripture. The world wants our children, and they will appeal to the sinful nature to draw well meaning people away from God. It is so important that God's people be activily involved in a true New Testament Baptist church that teaches God's Word as it is to people as they are, and to train Christians how to combat the Humanism that so pervades our society.

THE TRUTH ABOUT DEPRESSION

I. The depressed person must recognize their responsibility for depression.

A. From time to time all of us get down. (2Cor. 4:8)
1. But this is not depression.
2. Depression is ceasing to function in our daily chores and interests (giving up on responsibilities).
B. When we get down we do not need to be out.
C. Depression is when one is both down and out.

II. Depression results from handling a down period sinfully.

A. We get down (blue, discouraged, etc.) for both sinful causes (guilt), and non-sinful causes (sickness, financial problems, etc.)
B. But when we give in to down feelings...
1. We let chores and interests slide;
2. We then “feel” even less like doing them and brood instead,
3. Thus increasing our guilt from failure to achieve,
4. And this makes us “feel” less like doing things, and we spiral downward into a depression.

III. Depressed people may spiral up out of depression.

A. By confession.
B. By doing chores and assuming responsibilities;
C. And by similarly dealing with any other matter of guilt/sin.

IV. People can stay out of depression.

A. By following God’s commands when down, rather than following their “feelings”;
B. By carefully scheduling and following the schedule no matter how they “feel”;
C. By avoiding pity parties and refusing to engage in brooding;
D. By repenting of any sin immediately;
E. By immediately straightening out any relationship to God or man that goes wrong;
F. And by changing all erroneous vocabulary (by which they convince themselves that “things are hopeless” or “I can’t take it any more,” etc.).

Guide for Overcoming Anxiety

You can be peaceful.—Philippians 4:6-9

1. Study the following verses and then write down everything they indicate about anxiety or worry. (Remember that the words "care" and "careful" are often synonyms for worry.)
Luke 10:38-42; Proverbs 28:1; Ezekiel 4:16, 17; Luke 8:14; Luke 21:34; Proverbs 15:15; Psalm 38:6; Genesis 45:3; I Samuel 28:20-23; II Thessalonians 1:7; Psalm 77:4, 8, 9.

2. If you did not do this when you studied the previously mentioned verses, go back over them and write down the effects of anxiety on the person who worries (e.g., the anxious person often becomes critical, a complainer, jealous, or envious, depressed, fearful, timid, insecure, etc.).

3. Study Philippians 4:6-9 and note God’s threefold program for overcoming worry.

a. Verse 6—To overcome worry God says I must PRAY PROPERLY. Note at least four or five facts about the kind of prayer that overcomes worry.

b. Verse 8—I must THINK PROPERLY. Note the kind of things you must think about if you are to become a peaceful person. Make a specific list of what some of these things are for you. Consider Romans 12:2; I Peter 3:14, 15; and Matthew 6:25-32. Plan specific things you can do to make sure you think properly. How can you change your negative, pessimistic thinking to Biblical thinking?

c. Verse 9—I must LIVE PROPERLY. Consider Proverbs 28:1 and Proverbs 1:33 and notice how anxiety is often connected with wrong living. Notice also the effect of fulfilling your God-given responsibilities. For example, some people are worried about losing their jobs because they are not fulfilling Colossians 3:22-24 or Ephesians 6:5-8. Some people are worried about finances because they are not good stewards of their finances. Look over your life and note where you are not fulfilling your God-given responsibilities. Then plan to make changes and focus on doing what God wants you to do today.

4. Think back over the past two weeks and reflect on those times when you were tempted to be anxious. Write down what you were doing at the time, what was happening, where you were, what you were thinking about, whom you were with, what was the time of day, what you did, what you would have done according to Philippians 4:6-9.

5. If you want to overcome anxiety and become a peaceful person, discipline yourself to put God’s threefold program (Phil. 4:6-9) for overcoming worry into practice, regardless of how you feel. If you are a Christian and do this consistently, you can and will overcome anxiety and become a peaceful person.

6. Write Philippians 4:6-9 out on a card and memorize it. Reflect on it and implement it regularly.

Welcome To PBI

Welcome to PBI (Practical, Biblical Insight)! I came up with this idea years ago and placed some practical, Biblical insights on my church web site. I thought I would implement this into a blog. Some of the content is based on principles that I was taught by my pastor(s), other content is gleaned from various sources, not necessarily original with me. I hope the posts are encouraging and helpful to those who read them.