Arguing For God

Job 13:7-8 - “Will you speak what is unjust for God, and speak what is deceitful for Him? Will you show partiality for Him? Will you contend for God?"

Often, the greatest understanding that we are speaking for God is when we are saying nothing. To attempt to explain ourselves can often lead to "pearls before swine," and further misunderstanding of God's intent (Matthew 7:6). To defend God and what He is doing in our lives is often a fruitless endeavor. If the Lord decides to give understanding to those who misunderstand, that is His business. Until then, we should wait on the Lord and allow Him to do His desire (Psalm 27:14).

Has someone falsely accused you? The human tendency is to go to this person and attempt to explain oneself. However, did the Lord Jesus ever do similarly? His position was that of the Father's. He would not speak or act without His permission. Too often we set out to make things right and abort what God is trying to do in someone else's life. When and if they are ready to hear, He will orchestrate their epiphany with or without our involvement.

Obedient Listening

Genesis 22:3 - "So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him."

Our previous days of listening to the voice of God will result in that one day of obedience that will make us the men and women of God that He desires. Abraham had grown so accustomed to hearing God's voice that it was without debate when He declared that the patriarch was to sacrifice his own son. Those who have not allowed themselves to be trained by God's voice might have said, in similar circumstances, that it was a demon speaking! Immature believers can easily make the mistake of rebuking God when they believe what they are hearing can't be from God!

When we get to the place of hearing God's voice regularly, the "So" or the "Therefore" of the early morning's obedience will be something as natural as breathing. "So" we will rise early to complete whatever it is the Lord would have us do, no matter how unreasonable it may sound. When we pray for divine encounters and appointments, we had best be ready for something way out of our comfort zone as God sees what we are made of.

God's Word and Touch

Daniel 8:18 - "Now while he was talking with me, I sank into a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me and made me stand upright."

When we are truly hearing from God, his words will always give us great rest and peace. When the risen Lord appeared to his disciples, He spoke peace to them. There is always great comfort when God speaks to our soul His rest.

However, when he touches us then we have a responsibility to act. Then we must stand up for Jesus and do what he commands us to do. Obedience will always result in holiness and uprightness. This is our great commission to carry forth God's desires.

Joy in Asking

John 16:24 - "Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full."

Not only is there authority in the name of Jesus, but there is tremendous awareness regarding how to use it. God's authority and power is born in obedience and humility that is guided by wisdom. To assume we can ask for something in the name of Jesus merely because we have heard another claim a promise of God is presumptive. When we are truly baptized in the name of Jesus, there will be no second-guessing if God desires something to occur. It will become to us the mind of Christ that controls the outcome.

Immature Christians "name and claim" promises in the name of Jesus. However, there is such thing as the timing of God and praying in the Spirit which confirms we are in the name of Jesus. Much is spoken regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, if we are in the name of Jesus, the Holy Spirit will confirm both His presence and Jesus' with joy inexpressible.

Loving Perfectly

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."

Most would say this is an impossible commandment of the Lord. One might ask what is the feasibility of loving God in the fullness of expression as He commands? Perfect love only comes through the empowerment of Jesus Christ within. Only He can create a perfect love within that matures into this "fullness of expression."

Perfect charity is only possible through the love of God that has been poured out in the heart of every believer (Romans 5:5). Only through the Holy Spirit and His zeal for the Son and the Father can we experience a perfect love that is passionate for God and likewise for those with whom He loves.

Beloved, while perfect hearts of love are far beyond our capabilities, they are always an ever present reality if we will but yield ourselves to His loving Spirit.

Praying in the Spirit

Jude 1:20-21 - "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life."

I will not argue whether or not this verse speaks of praying in tongues as many Pentecostals and Charismatics believe when Jude tells his readers to "pray in the Spirit." However, I do know it is entirely possible to pray with one's mind and not the Spirit of God. This can easily be done when the Spirit of wisdom and revelation sent from God is not guiding our prayers. What happens, as a result, is it becomes religion and mechanical without faith. Consequently, our love dries up for others because love is not sympathetically given for others by God, but is divinely implanted for the purpose of godly intercession.

Romans 5:5 tells us the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts. If we are not experiencing a deep love for mankind in our inner man, it might be good to examine whether we have been praying with our minds out of obligation, or praying in the Spirit out of God's necessity. If we have lost the burden of prayer, we must ask God for it who will faithfully give us the spirit of prayer for those who desperately need it.

A Laid Down Life

John 10:17 - "For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again."

God has always and will unfailingly love us. However, His delight is manifested when we lay down our lives for one another. Why should we believe as disciples of Jesus that God would expect any less from us? The phone may ring at 3 a.m. and someone may need to get together for a cup of coffee to pour their heart out. Or, the person upstairs in the building we live in may need some help to move some furniture. How will we respond? Are we ready to lay down our lives no matter what the circumstance?

While these are notable acts of kindness, God the Father desires a much greater love than this. He desires that we love not the world, but passionately lay our lives down for Him and all He is. It means giving our heart only to Him and to no other. When we do this, then the random acts of kindness will be rivers that naturally flow from us. Are we ready to go on in God? This, my friends, is the key to abiding in Christ and experiencing the peace and joy of the Father.