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Application About More Than Mere External Conformity?

Posted on November 6, 2024 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Whether you preach, teach, or disciple others one-on-one, remember that application is important to God. As a teacher training worksheet says, Application is God’s Idea, Not Merely a Good Idea. Read Matthew 7:24-25, James 1:25 and 2:17.
Guard Your Heart, Internal Change Not mere Application
But, God’s Word also says, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” While application is important, we must put more emphasis on what’s happening in the heart “for everything you do flows from it” (Prov. 4:23).

Mere External Conformity versus Internal Change

If we’re satisfied with mere external conformity, we could be building a church full of hypocrites. We could find ourselves with a group who are quick to give up when the going gets tough because their hearts aren’t in it. How is that honoring to God? How is that a testimony to the world around us?

God cares about the motives behind what we do (Prov. 16:2), what’s in our heart. It’s not just about saying or doing the right things. It’s about doing them for the right reasons, and that’s a matter of the heart.

God cares about our attitudes, not just our actions. We’re “made new in the attitude of our minds” in Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:23). How we respond to life and treat others changes when we’ve been internally transformed.

Internal Change Leads to Application

When our whole heart is given over to God, we will do what we’re supposed to do. That’s why we find verses like the following:

“love the Lord with all your heart …” (Matt. 22:37)
“trust in the Lord with all your heart …” (Prov. 3:5)
“keep your precepts with all my heart …” (Ps. 119:69)

When we change from the inside out, we tend to do what we should do. Obedience to God’s Word flows from a heart in tune with Him. When we keep His commandments because we love Him, “his commands are not burdensome” (1 Jn. 5:3). We want to please Him. We want to align with Him. Our perspective about the Christian life changes when we’ve been internally changed. We find that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matt. 11:30).

Where to Find Guidance

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

We all need help to be wise and discerning. We all need guidance to be victorious. Getting guidance is biblical.

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. (Prov. 1:5)

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure. (Prov. 11:14)

Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance. (Prov. 20:18)

For waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers. (Prov. 24:6)

God-Established Means to Guide Us

In a previous post we noted that it only makes sense to turn to God first for guidance. That, however, doesn’t mean we can never look elsewhere for guidance. What we must learn, however, is that they must be God-established means for wisdom and discernment such as the following:

Instruction of God’s Word – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Ps. 119:105)

If we need guidance, the best place to begin is by taking heed to what God has already made clear in His Word.

Integrity in Our Heart – The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. (Prov. 11:3)

When we focus on who we should be in Christ, we will tend to do what we should do. We will be guided by His righteousness and truth.

Advice of Other People – Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. (Prov. 15:22)

We must be cautioned, however, that not everyone will prove to be a good source of guidance. Some could lead us astray. These are people who don’t practice what they teach others to do (Rom. 2:19-21). They may even have worse problems than us yet act like they have it altogether so we trust them (Matt. 23:24). Jesus said, “Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (Matt. 15:14)

The Bottom Line in Seeking Guidance

We should seek God first with all of our heart . If still unsure about what to do, we might ask other believers who are wise and filled with integrity for help sorting things out. However, we must always weigh what they say against God and His Word. God’s ways will never violate His righteous character and the truth of His Word.

Guidance for the Specifics?

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

As Christians we may seek guidance to know God’s will for specifics in our lives. While that may be important, let’s also look at the bigger picture of where God wants to guide us:

in paths of righteousness (Ps. 23:3)
in His truth (Ps. 25:5)
in what is right (Ps. 25:9)

When led in the above directions, the particulars often fall into place.

God Leads Us in Paths of Righteousness and Truth Because of Who He Is

God’s ways are always right and best, higher than ours (Isa. 55:11), because He is righteous and true. It therefore only makes sense that we line up with Him and His ways. When we cooperate with Him, we can’t go wrong in life. When we fail to follow His ways, somehow thinking we know better, we’re heading down the path of destruction (Prov. 14:12). But, the Lord “guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (Ps. 25:8-10)

The best thing we can do to get guidance in the specifics of our lives is to seek God first. Get to know Him better. When we make Him the priority in our lives rather than our accomplishments, careers, or even ministry, everything else tends to make more sense. — “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:33)

Why We Struggle to Accept Where God’s Guidance in the Specifics May Take Us

Sometimes we just need to head down the path of righteousness and truth and trust God for the rest. Think of Abram of the Old Testament. God told Him to leave His country and family for the unknown and God would bless him and all the peoples of the earth through him. Abram knew God enough to trust Him, so he “went, as the LORD had told him” (Gen. 12:1-4).

We may struggle to follow the paths of His righteousness and truth without some kind of sign, or tangible demonstration that something is of God. We do read of people in the Bible asking for a fleece and God responding. Yet, we can almost hear the disappointment in Jesus’ words, “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, … you will never believe.” (Jn. 4:48). How much better it is to believe without God having to prove Himself as seen in Jesus’ words to the disciples in John 20:29. — “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Perhaps our struggle, however, is more than insecurities, doubts, and fears. Maybe we fail to turn to Him first for guidance because we don’t want to take the higher road in certain situations. We somehow think we’d better off doing life our own way. We simply may not want to do what we think He’s going to ask of us. Or, we may have sin in our lives that we’re not ready to let go.

Maybe it’s time to pray, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24).

Find Yourself Making Excuses in Ministry?

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

God Makes All Grace Abound so No Excuses in Ministry If we find ourselves making excuses in ministry about why we didn’t do something or didn’t do a better job, we need to work through how this verse relates.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. (2 Cor. 9:8, NASB)

Principles from 2 Corinthians 9:8 that Apply to Ministry

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians about their ministry to the Macedonian church in 2 Corinthians 9. He told them that they needed to be prepared to follow through with their commitment and should do so generously and cheerfully. Though these verses refer to giving, we could apply the principles in 2 Corinthians 9:8 to any kind of ministry.

What God wills, He provides for. — “And God is ABLE to make”

God’s provision to do His will is complete, not just a trickle or portion of grace. — “ALL grace ABOUND to you”

God will always come through with the grace to do His will, no exceptions. — “so that in ALL things at ALL times”

Though God will give us everything essential for accomplishing His will, He may or may not give us excess. — “having ALL you NEED”

God’s objective in giving us grace to do His will isn’t that we keep His provision for ourselves but that we have in order to give. — “you will ABOUND in EVERY good work”

Do Some Soul Searching If You Find Yourself Making Excuses in Ministry

If we have problems following through on commitments, the problem is with us, not with God. Before making excuses for not doing ministry, or doing it well, let’s ask God to search our hearts (Ps. 139:23-24) as we seek to answer these questions.

Is this really God’s will?

Perhaps we’re struggling because we’re pursuing something that’s not truly God’s will. We may have good intentions but not God’s intentions. We may have good ideas but not God’s ideal. — Keep praying about it to make sure you’re on page with God.

Are my motives right?

Perhaps in the depths of our hearts, we want God’s grace so we’re blessed. While God does take care of us, ultimately He gives us His grace so we can serve others. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Pet. 4:10) — Learn to be generous and faithful with the little God gives. He could be waiting to give more until our motives are right.

Am I missing what God is actually doing?

Perhaps we’re putting expectations on God as to how He must operate and therefore don’t see what He’s putting into place for us. God provides for ministry in a variety of ways, not just monetarily. He might be providing but we don’t see it because we’re looking elsewhere. — Let God be God, and we won’t give up just because we don’t see it. God knows what’s truly needed to accomplish His will. He sees the big picture.

Maybe instead of making excuses in ministry, what we need is to ask God for a restart based on His abundant grace.

Church Leaders, Also Read: God’s Power for the Church: The Grace of God

Church Leaders, Be an Example of Servanthood

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Servanthood Follows Jesus' Example Church leaders, do you want your church body to engage in Body life, living out the one another passages of Scripture with everyone doing their parts? Do you want people to treat their spouses and families well? Do you want them to extend the love of Christ to people in the workplace? Do you want people to reach out with charity and kindness to those in need? Do you want people to work out conflict and find unity in the midst of diversity? — Then follow Jesus’ ways and be an example of servanthood.

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (1 Pet. 5:2-3)

Notice that we’re to be eager to serve, doing so willingly and authentically.

Ways Leaders Exemplify Servanthood

While serving can manifest itself in what we do, it also comes out in our attitudes and how we treat others.

Leaders have many opportunities to be a servant example by the way they treat those who criticize, falsely accuse, or betray them.
Leaders can exemplify being a servant in the way they deal with personality conflicts, differences of opinion, and philosophical challenges.
Leaders can model servanthood in their approach to people who seem unlovable, difficult, or hard to reach.
Leaders can demonstrate servanthood by respecting all people regardless of age, spiritual maturity, gender, type or position of ministry, etc.

In a world disillusioned and distrusting of people in leadership, someone who authentically leads in these ways as a servant, will tend to get people’s attention in a good way. This is the kind of leader who can make a real impact in people’s lives.

Also Read: Church Leadership Qualities: Be a Servant

Facing Issues?

Posted on September 25, 2024 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

We can face all sorts of issues at work, church, and in the home. Some may be the consequences of our own choices while other issues may be the result of what someone else did. Nonetheless, we may have to deal with the fallout, which can still be stressful and anxiety producing.

What to Do When Facing Issues

Cast All Anxiety on Him When Facing Issues
Let’s remember God’s ability and desire to help us and turn to Him first and foremost.

Here’s the reason:

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Pet. 5:7)

Notice the results when taking our issues to the Lord:

1) We find peace in the midst of our circumstances.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)

2) He makes a way for us to navigate whatever we’re facing.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5-6)

An Approach to Working Through Issues

The approach taken in a training resource for Bible teachers facing specific discipline issues could be helpful for other kinds of situations as well. For each of the 56 issues covered in that resource, teachers look at the challenge, cause, corrective and circumventive measures. Read on and you’ll see how this approach could apply to other types of issues. Remember to first and foremost turn to the Lord. Note how He needs to be part of each step to experience the above-mentioned results.

Challenge: What is really happening and what effects is it having?

This is a good starting point. We must be real. We can’t live in denial. Neither should we obsess or exaggerate what’s happening. Rather, let’s lay it out before the Lord, much like King Hezekiah did upon receiving a threatening letter from the enemy (2 Kings 19:14-19). Philippians 4:6-7 says “in everything” to present our requests to the Lord. That implies we get specific in laying it out before the Lord. ‘Here’s what’s happening. Here are the effects it’s having. We / I need your help, Lord.’

Cause: What brought on this issue?

Understanding why something has become an issue can help us know how to resolve it. As we lay out the issue before the Lord, we ask Him to show us what part we might have in the situation and what we should do about it. We can pray similar to the psalmist, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24)

Corrective Measure: Based on the cause, what steps should be taken?

We can’t merely sit around analyzing the situation. We must act before the problem worsens, but it needs to be the right steps. More problems have escalated out of control in the church, home, and workplace because the wrong corrective measures were taken. Though possibly filled with good intentions, people misunderstood the real issue or assumed they knew. Let’s be sure to ask God for help understanding. We have two means of obtaining the wisdom we need: 1) God’s Word because it “is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16-17); 2) Prayer because we have the promise that “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all” (James 1:5)

Circumventive Measure: How might this issue be prevented from becoming a problem?

Learning from what has happened helps prevent it from happening again. We should want to get beyond merely applying a temporary fix. Think of Jesus’ words to the woman caught in adultery. He extended forgiveness but also told her to “go now and leave your life of sin” (Jn. 8:11).

Obviously many issues require more than a straight line or 1-2-3-4 step approach. Application of the verses with which this post began must infiltrate every phase of working through issues. When we trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him in all our ways, He’ll give us peace as He straightens our path. Let’s not overestimate our own abilities to deal with life.