A Minister’s Daily Delight

Mt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
1Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you

Introduction:


Every time God will going to judge a nation or anybody He used an able spokesman. Just like in the days of Noah or in the case of Jeremiah and even in other time of the prophet.


-We are in the last days and it means the coming judgment is near, and who is God’s able spokesman of today? Or God’s mouthpiece or even God’s modern day prophet? Whether you like it or not it is you – soulwinner


Now it is not an easy task. I do believe that it is the hardest and toilsome task to do in this whole planet earth. This is the highest calling.


The Bible says that we an ambassadors for Christ, a royal priesthood, a soldier, a sower, a fisherman, a labourer, a servants, etc.


I. COME
Mt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

All of us experience weariness especially if you labour for God. God is calling us labourers.. 1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God:. Being a labourer is not an easy job. It means hard work, toiling and tiring work and we of course experience to be weary. And here in the passage God has a personal invitation not to all people but to His labourers.


Isa 40:30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:


It means it is normal to get weary. But the good news is that God has a solution. Come unto Him.


Come unto Him and pray. Come unto Him and read your Bible.


Maybe you live with a sinful lifestyle – no power.


Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.


1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


Most of the time the weariness and heaviness that we felt towards the ministry is because we are not really in the center of God’s will – that’s why God has a personal invitation to all of us – just come unto Him.

II. CALL

Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

If we are going to analyze the verse, this verse was really a promise to his weary servant Jeremiah. (see v.1&2)


God promise a second visit and He promise an answer to our prayer.


I personally call prayer as my oasis in the wilderness…
(Explain an oasis in the wilderness…)


D. E. Hoste, the man who took over for Hudson Taylor, wrote a book titled Behind the Ranges. He was trying to analyze why the people with whom he lived and worked were not doing very well. But the people in the other village across the ranges were doing great! He visited them only now and then, but they were always doing fine, so he began to ask the Lord what was going on. How could those across the ranges be doing better than those with whom he lived and worked? The Lord showed Host the answer. Although he was spending much time counseling, preaching, and teaching with those whom he lived, he spent much more time in prayer for those across the ranges. He concluded that there are four basic elements in making disciples: 1. Prayer 2. Prayer 3. Prayer 4. the Word of God in that order and in about that proportion.


III. COMMIT
Pr 16:3 ¶ Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

The word commit means to deposit. Just like in the bank if you deposit something, someday you can withdraw something. What are the things that we need to deposit into God’s bank – our works and what will happen – thy thoughs shall be established…
Let us be reminded that we are not doing any man’s work or any personal work. This is God work. We need to do it God’s way and we can only be sure that it is really God that is working if we commit our works to Him.


God must be magnify and glorify in all our works and labour. Not unto us but God must be seen.


It is God who saves man, it is God who can only and truly regenerate man. It is God also who gives an increase.


We are perplexed and troubled sometimes because we thought it is our work. No, we cannot do God’s work because it is God’s work.


Let God do His work. I am just His tool – a poor instrument and unless God do His work cannot accomplished anything. For without me ye can do nothing…


IV. CAST
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you

Maybe some here have some cares. Financial, family, ministry, interpersonal, other pressure, love life, etc.


And the devil use these things in order to make you ineffective in your area or other ministry.


But this morning God has a promise for you. 1 Peter. 5:7


to cast means to throw away. Just like a fisherman casting his net. The fisherman after casting his net does not swim to catch fish but he let the fish come into his net and afterward he get the net.


Do you have any care this morning? The Bible says throw it away to God – and God will replace it with a blessings – great and abundant fishes…


Conclusion:

Are you weary or heavy hearted – Remember to drink C4 the spiritual drink of the weary minister’s of God…
COME
CALL
COMMIT
CAST

Put Off Thy Shoes

Exodus 3:5 "And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. " 

What God wants us to see and know when He ask us to involve in His work?

I. HOLINESS OF GOD
Put off thy shoes. The shoes represent the dirtiest apparel of man especially during those times wherein the road is not yet cemented and their means of travel is mostly by walking.

When God said put off thy shoes, He simply means put off those dirt from your body or God wants to see His servants holy and clean.

The work of God requires holiness - 1Pe 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

The word be ye holy for I am Holy was mentioned many times in the Bible, In the book of Leviticus alone, this phrase was mentioned more than 10 times (ex. Lev. 11:44-45, Lev. 19:2; Lev. 20:7; Lev. 20:26; etc.)

God wants holiness in our life – shoes represents sinfulness as we walk in this world. God wants to put it off. Because God hates sin!

God’s greatest attribute is holiness - It is what Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joshua and other Bible character saw when God manifested in their life and called them to His works. see Isaiah 6:3-5; Joshua 5;15, etc.

The basic meaning of holy is to be set apart for God’s purposes. A holy person is a person who has become God’s possession.

A holy person transform and conform to the image of Christ, but to the unholy, Christ is but a name which he can use as a tool to accomplish his own ends and establish his own glory among men.

2Ti 2:19-21 "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, havi ng this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. "

II. HARMLESSNESS OF THE WORK OF GOD
Harmless means: 1. not dangerous: not likely to cause damage or injury 2. unobjectionable: not likely to cause offense or upset

Shoes is our natural protection of our feet. Protection against dirt, rocks, hard soils and object, thorns, slippery, etc.

Having no shoes means you are not protected when traveling. Take note that in those times they travel by feet.

When God said take off thy shoes… God simply said walk with me, involved in my work and I will be the one to protect.

Isa 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD

Ps 91:9-11 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

Moses himself experienced God’s protection in his entire life-beginning from his birth when God protected him from killing of Pharaoh and God even buried him in his death because satan wants to stole his body.

God simply said to Moses, Take off thy shoes… I will be the one to protect you. The world and the system of this world cannot protect you. UN cannot protect you, SSS cannot protect you, Medicare cannot protect you, PhilHeath cannot, Philamlife cannot, your shoes cannot, your father in law cannot, Pharaoh cannot and they cannot hurt you either.

Why? Because the safest place is inside the will of God
God wants us to see and know that nobody can harm us or hurt us when He ask us to involve in his work. Yes, sometimes some people will try to hurt but God always take good care of them.

It is God who calls, it is God who promise, it is also God who protects.
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward

Egypt has treasures, in fact at that time Egypt was the richest nation in the whole world.


III. HUMILITY OF THE SERVANT OF GOD
Putting off the shoe was then what putting off the hat is now, a token of respect and submission.
God does not want to use a proud person for God always exalts the humble.

Note the word content in ch.2 v.21 - Moses life though exuberant in the beginning at Pharoah's palace, found himself in the lowest form of a work as a shephered. But still he live a life of contentment.

He was keeping the flock (tending sheep) near mount Horeb, Ex 3:1. This was a poor employment for a man of his parts and education, yet he rests satisfied with it, and thus learns meekness and contentment to a high degree, for which he is more celebrated in sacred writ than for all his other learning.

Exaltation and promotion always comes from God – Ps. 75:6. If we check our Bible it comes through humility see 1 Pet. 5:6; James 4:10;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are

Conclusion:

What God wants us to see and know when He ask us to involve in His work?

1. Holiness of God
2. Harmlessness of the work of God
3. Humility of the servant of God

Smooth Stones Out of the Brook

Text: 1Samuel 17:38-40;48-50 c.v.40


"And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine."



Introduction:

Today we will speak about the smooth stones out of the brook. It seems to us that this is insignificant and an unworthy topic. But many little, base and insignificant things bring precious gems if carefully attended. God does not forget little things.


Zec 4:10 For who hath despised the day of small things? (for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth)
Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting
1Sa 15:17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
It was a little maid that gave hope to the great & valiant but leprous man called Naaman.


It was a little boy with 5 bread & 2 small fishes that fed 5 thousand men beside women and children in the earthly ministry of Christ.


There are several truths and principles (precious gems out of the Word of God) that we can learn out of that small, little and somewhat insignificant thing.


I. God Does Not Necessarily Use Great And Mighty To Kill A Giant.

Of course we know that David, the little boy killed the giant Goliath, but what David used in killing that Goliath give as an interest though somewhat insignificant.


In verse 38-39 King Saul wants to wear his armour, helmet, coat and his sword but David did not used it instead he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, (v.40)


When David went back to the mountain probably because the brook is a river in the valley of mountains, he did not choose a lion or bear or any wild animal to accompany him against Goliath. He did neither chose a hard tree to be used as a rod or spear against Goliath but a smooth stones out of the brook – an unknown, insignificant, unseen things out of the great mountains.


1Cor. 1:26-28 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:


God did not choose philosophers, nor orators, nor statesmen, nor men of wealth and power, Not the mighty and noble, the famous in the world, the renown the Ayalas, the Cojuangcos, the Zobels to publish the gospel of grace and peace.


But God called the weak, base, little and somewhat insignificant people… But to those who are called and saved he is the wisdom of God, and the power of God.


But God seeth not as man seeth. He hath chosen the foolish things of the world, the weak things of the world, the base and despicable things of the world, men of low rank, of no liberal education, to be the preachers of the gospel and planters of the church. His thoughts are not as our thoughts, nor his ways as our ways. God is a better judge.


God knows what instruments and measures will best serve the purposes of his glory. David certainly knew what tools & instrument served him the best.


Jer. 9:23-24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.


Many great, rich & famous people that don’t understand the Word of God – and if you understand the Word of God, give glory to God even you think you are but little, despise or insignificant.


God wants to triumphs the foolishness of preaching over human wisdom.


Ps 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.



It is strange thing why God who is so mighty and so wise used those who cannot pronounced good, uneducated in world’s standards, weak in grammar, cannot construct a good sentence to spread the gospel. It is because God wants to beat down the pride and vanity of men.



Today if you think you are little, despise, small & insignificant – God wants to use you… but before that God wants to smoothes you.


II. God Smooth Those He Wants To Kill The Giants
God wants to cleanse us. To get rid of our rough edges. The weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.


God wants to use us but he needs to cleanse us first for God wants a clean vessel.


2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

We are liken into a clay in the potter’s hand -


God is in smoothing business


See the life of the ff. Bible characters:
Joseph – He was 17 yrs when God spoke to him in a dream that God will used him and he will become a great ruler…
David – Was also 17 years old when God asked Samuel to anoint him to be the next king of Israel…
John the Baptist – He was filled of the Spirit in his mother’s womb but still he undergone the smoothing process in the wilderness
Apostle Paul – He was about 30 years old when God called him to be the apostle to the Gentiles…


Jesus Christ our Lord – He was 12 years old when He said in Luke 2:49 …How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?


God does not want rough edges in our life - The weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.


Our God wants to smooths you because He wants to use you – Maybe to be an usher, choir member, sun sch. teacher, preacher, pastor, preacher’s wife, missionary evangelist, or just a simple giant killer.


Maybe God want to use you to build a great works for him but before that you need to undergo a process.


Challenge: If you want to be mightily used by God you need to live a life of a clean and a pure lifestyle. God’s number one attribute is still holiness.


Our God is a holy God and that holy God still hates sin. God wants to smooth and cleanse our immoral and dirty lifestyle, our pride, our covetousness, our envy, etc.


Until God not seen the image of Christ in our life, we cannot mightily used by Him.


1Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:


(The picture here is of an ancient goldsmith who puts his crude gold ore in a crucible, subjects it to intense heat, and thus liquefies the mass. The impurities rise to the surface and are skimmed off. When the metal worker is able to see the reflection of his face clearly mirrored in the surface of the liquid, he takes off the fire, for he knows that the contents are pure gold)


A silver or gold is tried with fire until the face of the goldsmith is seen clearly out of the melted elements. God does not want dirt and rough edges in our life. And most of the time the process is long and tedious.


Illustrate: The archer with a smooth arrow -stretching the bow to the limit.


God is not only smoothing us but sometimes He stretched us to the limit in order that when He pull us off we will hit the target – the perfect will of God.


III. God Smooth Us As We Stay In The Brook

The Brook – It is a river. A small streams in the valley.


How the stones in the brook become smooth?


We are smoothening as we apply the Word of God in the most difficult circumstances in our life.


We are not smoothen in our most happy and joyful events but rather in much tribulations, trials and troubles, in pressures, persecutions and problems, in sufferings, sadness & sorrow, in discouragement, distress and drudgery.


The stream in the valley represents pressures in the lowest part of our life. The water in the brook represents the Word of God that makes us smooth.


Smooth stones are found in flowing water not in stagnant water.


We need the Word of God to smooth us. But the Word Of God must be applied.


The stone smoothen in the brook because of the flowing water. The Word of God must flow through us. It must be seen in our lives.


The Word of God must not only receive, it must be applied and seen in our lives.


When is the Word of God best applicable? During the time of great difficulty.


When is the joy unspeakable and full of glory (1Pet. 1:8) best seen in our lives? When we are distress and discourage. When is that peace that passeth all understanding (Phil. 4:7) best applied in our lives? When we are pressured. When can we best apply Phil. 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” How about James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”


Many active Christians quit during the time of great discouragement and pressure. They say “God understand my situation – ” The Word of God must not only heard it must be seen and applied in our lives.


It’s good to hear the Word of God… but if it is not apply – it will just hardened us. It must not stay, we need to teach the Word of God – let others see Jesus in us.


The world needs the truth in us. Somebody must hear and see the truth in us.


It is how God smoothen us – when the Word of God flows in our lives by applying and teaching it especially during the time of great trials and difficulty.


Conclusion:
Three principles that we can used in our topic smooth stones out of the brook.
1. God does not Necessarily use Great and Mighty to Kill a Giant.
2. God Smooth Those He Wants to Kill the Giants
3. God Smooth Us as we Stay in the Brook

Dwelling in the Secret Place

Text: Psalm 91:1-16

Ps 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.


The secret of a growing, victorious, joyful Christians is in their secret place. Some refer to it as their quiet time. Our performance in the years to come depends on how well we guarded our quiet time. Somebody says that the first step of backsliding is in not having or maintaining a quiet time.


What happen when we dwell in the secret place?


I. TRUST is developed v.2, 4a

A great truth laid down in general, that all those who live a life of communion with God are constantly safe under his protection, and may therefore preserve a holy serenity and security of mind at all times.


He that dwells, that sits down, in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty; he that by faith chooses God for his guardian shall find all that in him which he needs or can desire. It is good to have a quiet spirit trusting God in all our cares. 1Pet. 5:7; Ps. 55:22.


II. TRUTH is revealed v.4b


Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). We can only know the truth if we meditate the Word of God for Jesus Himself is the Word of God (John 1:1,14).
The truth shall set you free – free from doubt, discouragement, fear, pride, strife, vain glory, etc.
Truth just like O.T. manna, it must be gotten on a daily basis as the Bible said in Matt 4:4 “…It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Some truths are easily forgotten, we need a daily reminder.


II. TERROR is taken v.5-12

Terrors talk about problems, hardships, trials and difficulties in life.


Feathers and wings in v.4 represent strong comfort against our enemies as we dwell in our secret place.


His truth shall be thy shield and buckler, a strong defence. God is willing to guard us as the bird is willing to guard her chicks.


IV. TEMPTATION is overcome v.13-14


Temptation says, `Do this pleasant thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is wrong.' Trial or proving says, `Do this right and noble thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is painful.' Everyday, Satan is tempting us to do wrong or go wrong. We need to pray everyday in our quiet time – lead us not into temptation.


Let us not think that we can overcome our fleshly nature. We cannot. That is God's business. He does it by letting us come to Him and seek His faithful help. He never refuses when asked. Temptation is overcome only if we dwell in him.


V. TRIUMPH will come v.15-16


Exaltation and promotion always comes from God– Ps. 75:6. It comes through humility - Pet. 5:6; James 4:10; But those who seek humility, who try to find humility for its own sake, will never find it. Because humility, like joy and like unity, is elusive when it is sought for its own sake. Humility is a by-product of a focus, off of ourselves and on to our Source. It comes automatically when we get our minds on Jesus Christ as we dwell in the secret place.


And when we start focusing our eyes on him, when we turn our eyes upon Jesus, and we look full in his wonderful face, then the things of this earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.