Spiritual Lethargy by Henry Blackaby

Leaders are generally driven people. Their role is to ensure things get done. Their enthusiasm to make things happen will tempt them to forgo the "passive" pursuit of spending time with God.

Most spiritual leaders would list their relationship with God as number one on their priority list. At least that is where they know it should be. Yet with so many tasks to undertake and people to motivate, they inadvertently relegate their spiritual life to a place of unimportance in their schedule.

Before an important meeting, it may seem more expedient to review their presentation than to make sure their heart is right before God. Lengthy reports requiring extensive reading may compel leaders to forgo reading their Bible "just this once."

Christian ministers are no less susceptible to this mind-set. They are busy people, too. The danger for them to neglect their time with God is more subtle because their Bibles are open so often for sermon preparation, counseling, and other religious work.

If they aren't careful, they'll view their Bibles as a tool for work rather than as the living Word of God. They'll begin substituting their public prayer life for their personal conversations with God. They'll be tempted to function on yesterday's walk with God.

Leaders who allow their daily commitments to crowd out their devotional life are severing their lifeline. No matter how much they accomplish, they will pay a price. Those they lead may get their best efforts but will miss the benefit of God working through their leader.

The leader will not become the husband wife parent son daughter friend God wants them to be. Their accomplishments will be, as the writer of Ecclesiastes says, "a pursuit of the wind" (Eccles. 1:14). Spiritual leaders are not haphazard people.

Just as they plan thoroughly for important meetings, they must also carefully schedule substantial time for listening to their Creator. First, they should consider how much time they set aside to spend with God. Is it enough? Is it rushed? Does that time slot face too many intrusions?

Would a different time or setting be more conducive to quiet Bible study, reflection, and prayer? Would a varied approach to studying God's Word be beneficial? Perhaps a different Bible translation would give familiar verses a fresh sound and an added perspective.

Perhaps the leader needs to use a devotional tool that will open up the Scriptures in new ways. Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest has been a favorite among spiritual leaders for many years.

We have written two daily devotionals, Experiencing God Day-by-Day and Discovering God's Daily Agenda, which many have found helpful.30 If they do not already do so, leaders should begin using a journal to record their daily spiritual pilgrimage.

There is no substitute for an unhurried time with God. Besides the immeasurable intrinsic value of knowing God personally, a strong relationship with God holds numerous advantages for leaders.

They clearly know when God is speaking to them. When they begin to develop unhealthy habits, God redirects them, and his Spirit speaks forcefully to them to realign their priorities.

God guides them through important decisions. Amid criticism and pressure to conform to worldly standards, God provides inner strength and resolve that enables them to stand firm in their convictions.

Through a strong relationship with almighty God, leaders are strengthened, encouraged, convicted, and guided by God's Spirit so their efforts are not in vain.

The General Gifts and Definitions

I am listing the 21 gifts of the Holy Spirit. I encourage you to pray for these gifts and see how God will use you in your church.

A. Prophecy - Strong’s #4394 – Romans 12:6, 1 Cor. 12:10, Ephesians 4:11

The gift of prophecy is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to receive and communicate an immediate message of God to His people through a divinely anointed utterance. There may be a element of the future, but not necessarily. This is primarily exercised through the teaching ministry.

B. Pastors / Pastor Teacher - Strong’s # 4166 - Ephesians 4:11

The gift of pastor is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to provide spiritual care and nourishment of a group of believers or congregation.

C. Teaching - Strong’s # 1321 - Romans 12:7, 1 Cor. 12:28, Ephesians 4:11

The gift of teaching is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to communicate clearly and apply effectively the truth of God's Word in such a way that others will learn.

D. Word of Wisdom - Strong’s # 4678 - 1 Corinthians 12:8

The gift of the word of wisdom is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to know the mind of the Holy Spirit in such a way as to receive insight into how given knowledge may best be applied to specific needs arising in the body of Christ.

E. Word of Knowledge - Strong’s # 1108 - 1 Corinthians 12:8

The gift of the word of knowledge is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to receive divinely given facts or knowledge in the mind of God which are pertinent to the growth and well being of the body of Christ.

F. Exhortation - Strong’s # 3870 or 3874 - Romans 12:8

The gift of exhortation is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to minister words of comfort, edification, encouragement and counsel to other members of the body in such a way that they feel helped and healed.

G. Discerning of Spirits - Strong’s # 1253, 4151 - 1 Corinthians 12:10

The gift of discerning of spirits is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to know with assurance whether certain behavior purported to be of God is in reality divine, human, or satanic.

H. Giving - Strong’s # 3330 - Romans 12:8

The gift of giving is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to give to certain members of the body of Christ to contribute their material resources to the work of the Lord with liberality and cheerfulness.

I. Helps - Strong’s # 484 - 1 Corinthians 12:28

The gift of helps is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to invest the talents they have in the life and ministry of other members of the body, thus enabling those others to increase the effectiveness of their own spiritual gifts.

J. Mercy - Strong’s # 1653 - Romans 12:8

The gift of mercy is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to feel genuine empathy and compassion for individuals-both Christian and non-Christians who suffer distressing physical, mental or emotional problems and to translate that compassion into cheerfully done deeds which reflect Christ's love and alleviate the suffering.

K. Apostle (Missionary) - Strong’s # 652 - 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11

The apostle (missionary) is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to minister whatever other spiritual gifts they have in culture other than there own.

L. Evangelist - Strong’s # 2099 - Ephesians 4:11

The gift of evangelist is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to share the gospel with unbelievers in such a way that men and women come to saving faith in Christ.

N. Faith - Strong’s # 4102 - 1 Corinthians 12:9

The gift of faith is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to discern with extraordinary confidence the will and purposes of God for his work.

O. Leadership - Strong’s # 4291 - Romans 12:8

The gift of leadership is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to set goals in accordance with God's purposes for the future and to communicate these goals to others in such a way that they voluntarily and harmoniously work together to accomplish those goals for the glory of God.

P. Administration - Strong’s # 2941 - 1 Corinthians 12:28

The gift of administration is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to understand clearly the immediate and long-range goals of a particular unit of the body of Christ and to devise and execute plans for the accomplishment of those goals.

Q. Miracles - Strong’s # 1411 - 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28

The gift of miracles is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to perform supernatural acts that are perceived by the observers to have altered the ordinary course of nature.

R. Healing - Strong’s # 2386 - 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28

The gifts of healing is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to cure illness and restore health apart from the use of natural means.

S. Tongues - Strong’s # 1085 - 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28

The gift of tongues is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to pray, sing, or worship God in a language they have never learned through a divinely anointed utterance.

T. Interpretation of Tongues - Strong’s # 2058 - 1 Corinthians 12:10

The gift of interpretation of tongues is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to make known in the vernacular that which was spoken by one exercising the gift of tongues.

U. Ministry (Service) - Strong’s # 1248 - Romans 12:7

The gift of service is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to identify the unmet needs involved in a task related to God's work, and to make use of available resources to meet those needs and help accomplish the desired results.

V. Love – Strong’s # 26 - Romans 12:9, 1 Corinthians 13

The gift of love is given to the believer as a special love for others that only Christ can have. The word "charity," "charitably," or "in love." While the former introduces a declaration of the mode in which God's love has been manifested, the second introduces a statement of the identification of believers with God in character.

Norman Geisler on Evil

Evil is not something that has an existence all its own; rather, it is a corruption of that which already exists. 

Evil is the absence or privation of something good. 

Rot, for example, can exist only as long as the tree exists. Tooth decay can exist only as long as the tooth exists. 

Rust on a car and a decaying carcass illustrate the same point. Evil exists as a corruption of something good; it is a privation and does not have essence by itself. 

Norman Geisler tells us, “Evil is like a wound in an arm or moth-holes in a garment. It exists only in another but not in itself.”

The Attributes of God

A.W. Tozer writes that almost everything wrong with the society of his day was due to the fact that as a nation, we had been losing the knowledge of God.

He stated that almost all of life's problems and their solutions are theological. The person who comes to a right belief about God will relieve himself of many other problems in life. The person who has a wrong concept about God will add many other problems to his life.

There is hardly a problem in society that can't be traced back to faulty ideas about God. It is impossible for an individual to keep their moral practices sound or a society to keep their values right when their ideas about God are inadequate or erroneous.

Tozer reasoned that if this decline of the knowledge of God brought on many of our troubles, then the rediscovery of the knowledge of God would go a long way toward curing them.

Romans 1:20 - For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

If we would bring back true spiritual power to our lives and health to our nation, we must think about God as He really is - not as we assume He is.

Tozer believed that one of the most important responsibilities for the Church, was to purify our concept of God until it is once more true and accurate and worthy of God.

Where have I been?

Sorry I have been preparing for my last class that I teach. I had to cover 3 chapters in the Book of Romans.

Are we a Priest or a Prophet?

A. A priest is a religious person.
         1. Church is their fashion statement.
         2. Knows when to say the right religious words.
         3. Only opens their bible at church.
         4. Only thinks what others think about them.
         5. Looks to be praised or served.
B. The prophet is a true Christian.
         1. Looks to pray for others.
         2. Looks to meet the needs of others.
         3. Looks to hear what God’s word will personally.
         4. Knows the times and season which they are living in.
         5. Cares for the world that is dying without Christ.

Colossians 1:9-10 - For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of Hiswill in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

“THE CALLING OF THE SERVANT”

Acts 6:3 - Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

There have been so many Christians over the years that have obeyed the call to ministry and by the grace of God have gone out to start a fellowship and have created a church from the fellowship. And through this, church is now looking to rise up leaders to serve in the church to guild and direct other young servants to grow and serve in the ministry.

            

But the biggest danger today in the ministry is that the qualifications for ministry are not being followed by a lot of churches. Don’t get me wrong; there are a lot of young godly men that the Lord is raising up. But I am talking about the church that is in such a hurry to just fill the needs of ministry that these churches rush to pick unqualified people to do the work of the Lord in the church.

            

And in the rush to fill these needs, the church is not meeting God’s qualifications to ministry and then the church ends up with divisions and controversies that it can cost the integrity of the ministry. But we must remember is that the ministry must follow God’s word and allow the Lord to rise up the right people.

            

So the questions are, what are the guidelines that the church should follow to raise up godly men and women? And what should the leaders look for when wanting to raise up the right person in the ministry?

            

In the Book of Acts chapter 6, God gave us some biblical guidelines to what leaders were to look for when raising up godly people for the work of the ministry.

1. A man of a good reputation - What this means is that for a person to have a good reputation, you need to be going to the church for a while. I have always believed that any person wanting to get involved in ministry had to be going to the church for at lest 6 months and be going to at lest 2 services per week and coming consistently.

In 1 Timothy 3:10 - And let these also first be tested; this is what God wants to see in us, when tested, do we lose heart and run, or do we wait on the Lord?

This will allow the person who is coming to church to get a vision to the philosophy of ministry in the church and allow the Lord to fully use them.

2. Full of the Holy Spirit - First it is a person that shows the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives (Galatians 5:22-25).

This walk is what a pastor or leader wants to see consistently in the life of the believer. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that allows the person to be waiting upon the Lord. In Romans 12:1-2 - Paul wrote that the life of the believer is to be a living sacrifice and to have our minds transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

But also by the work of the Holy Spirit, is the understanding that the call to ministry is to be a servant (John 16:13-14). So many want to lead, but the call to ministry is to serve.

3. Wisdom - The word wisdom means “having the knowledge of how to regulate one’s relationship with God.” This wisdom comes from fellowship with God through the word of God.

 In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Paul writing to young Timothy and to us is that it is His word that transforms us for every good work. In Hebrews 5:14 the word says that the Christian that is mature in the word of God will have the discernment to know the good from the evil.

I pray that as we all press toward the goal (Philippians 3:14-16) and that the Lord will continue to guild you and show you all that He has for you and to continue to use your life for His glory till we all are received up in glory.