Answers for Today, June 2, 2011, originally written 1-14-09
Names and Addresses
Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” Acts 9:10-16
Saul, the fire-breathing persecutor, abruptly meets his match on the road to Damascus. Most of the time, Jesus uses the gentle approach, and other people; for Saul, He makes an exception! This disciple He calls personally, and audibly. Add to that knocking Saul down, blinding him for three days, rebuking him from the sky, then giving him a vision with details like the name of the man who will come to help Saul and what he will do when he gets there. There’s not a lot left to chance—or free will, for that matter! It’s just a reminder that God can do anything He wants, with or without our help, though He often lets us play a part as a favor to us.
It certainly didn’t feel like a favor to Ananias when he got the vision, which he would have interpreted as just a nightmare, had God not been dropping names and addresses. “By the way, I told Saul you were coming. Yes, this is the same one you’ve heard about, but it’s O.K., now—in the past three days he’s changed his mind about a lot of things! I’ve picked him to carry my name to the Gentiles. So, go over to Straight Street, to Judas’ house, and you’ll find him there. He’s praying, and I told him in a vision that it would be a man named Ananias who would lay hands on him and give him back his sight. Any questions? Good. Have fun!”
Wouldn’t you know it? It worked out precisely as God had said—all of it.
The Christian life is only boring for those who haven’t tried much of it. For those like Ananias, disciples so faithful, daring and obedient that God can tell someone they’re coming before He even informs the disciple, there’s always a thrill around the next corner.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: Do you know where the fun is in discipleship? Obedience.
Answers for Today, June 3, 2011, originally written 1-14-09
The Scariest, Best Night of His Life
Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. Acts 9:10-19
As nation after nation was opened to the Gospel through Saul of Tarsus, and a great portion of the New Testament was written by the same man, who again and again told of his conversion, including the name of the man God sent to him, Ananias the disciple must have felt a huge sense of satisfaction. Pinpoint obedience. It had started out as the scariest night of his life. Now it was his favorite memory.
Obedience is like that. Discipleship is like that. Christianity is supposed to be like that, if we don’t settle for the domesticated version which would have us roll over and go back to sleep, even after a vision so clear we got names, addresses and a check-list. I wonder what we miss. We could be daring disciples, too. It all just starts with obedience. We don’t even have to come up with our own adventures! Just listen, and obey. You’ll not be disappointed. Or bored.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: The Lord has great adventures in store for all listening disciples.
Answers for Today, June 6, 2011
Great Gifts from God
House and wealth are inherited from fathers,
but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Proverbs 19:14
It’s not hard to relate to this verse, for me! I have the great fortune to still have both of my parents living, while at the same time their philosophy has been extreme generosity to their entire family while they’re still living. They’ve not waited for an “inheritance” situation to kick in, but have insisted on blessing their loved ones at every opportunity, nor do they take “No” for an answer. The fact that they have worked hard and been frugal their whole lives has enabled them to provide for themselves in retirement, and even have something left over to give to their loved ones. It has been a noble example, not lost on their children.
The best inheritance of all, though, we have already received from them: A beautiful, solid, unmarred Christian example in both of them; a legendary devotion to one another which has spanned over 60 years of marriage; a commitment to character, in themselves and in their children; a faith in Jesus which has been beautiful to observe every day of our lives and which proved irresistibly contagious for every one of their four children. I could spend many pages describing what I’ve been given, and the love and gratitude I feel toward my parents. They are an amazing blessing! But I haven’t gotten to the second part of this verse, yet.
My Mom told me that she prayed for my wife before I was even born! I sent up a few thousand prayers of my own in that regard, particularly after I left college and seminary, wifeless, and planted a church in Alaska, solo.
God answered all of our prayers. The story of how He did it is so crazy and so “God”! There is no way to tell the story without frequently including and honoring the God who gave me the best gift I’ve ever received, apart from Jesus!
“A prudent wife.” It doesn’t sound very romantic, but Man, is it a blessing from God to have one! The dictionary definition points toward wisdom, frugality, skill in managing practical affairs. That’s my lady! She is prudent, pretty, and so much more. There is no way to describe the joy she has brought into my life, for 26 years. One of the best proofs I’ll ever have that God loves me is over at the school, teaching kindergarten on two hours’ sleep, and she won’t even be grouchy. I love her, and I love the God who gave her to me. And I just realized that it was 30 years ago, today, that I told Jesus I was willing to serve Him, alone. Hmm.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: Why would anyone not want to serve God?!
Answers for Today, June 7, 2011, originally written 1-15-09
Stewards of God’s Grace
And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. Acts 9:26-31
It’s so nice to know that persecution is not always required before the Church will grow! Here, the Church was multiplying, while living in peace. I’d like to see a time like that! I’d love to see the Church in America growing like crazy, showing grace and compassion to the outside world, and particularly to the recently converted, and not having to endure bitter persecution at the same time. My second choice would be to see the Church multiplying, despite persecution. I don’t want persecution, but the Church desperately needs to grow, whatever it takes. If we could have revival without extreme hardship, it would be so great! But if the only way we can experience salvation for these lost generations is through trials, I would rather have the trials than to see people wind up in hell.
The conversion of Saul represented an epic event. It shook up the religious establishment, to lose their number one zealot to the opposition, it shook up the Church, to be confronted with the transformational power of their Savior again and to have their grace tested in such a way, and it provided the Church with some breathing room, to have her chief persecutor now become one of her key spokesmen. They put their peace to good use. I wish we would do the same.
There’s a phrase I came across in 1 Peter 4:10: “good stewards of God’s varied grace.” To me, that means we are entrusted with God’s grace in much the same way we are entrusted with financial resources or talents. We are placed in the position of being “dispensers” of God’s grace, and we need not be stingy with it—there’s plenty! The story of Saul is an episode which highlights God’s grace, flowing through the lives of disciples. He would do it through us, too.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: We are to be stewards and channels of God’s grace.
Answers for Today, June 8, 2011, originally written 1-15-09
Getting Grace on Them
It was a powerful encounter with Jesus Himself which brought Saul to a spiritual crisis, but prior to this and subsequent to it were encounters with God’s grace, exemplified in the lives of disciples. First was Stephen. How would a person holding the coats of the executioners not be moved, then haunted, by the plaintive words of a young man being killed for being good: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60)? Such grace!
Then, there was the disciple sent to Saul to help him regain his sight. A person who had systematically destroyed families for the crime of loving Jesus would, I think, have expected a different reception from one of their group, now that he was helpless and blind. Saul had dragged parents away from their children and thrown them in prison for refusing to deny Christ. What are the first words he hears from a Christian, a complete stranger? “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus... sent me...” Brother Saul? Already? No test, no Inquisition? Talk about acceptance! That’s what it looks like to be a good steward of God’s grace. We do it best when we apply it liberally, letting it splash onto the bystanders. Ananias was a good steward of God’s grace.
Another gracious person God put in Saul’s life was Barnabas. Barnabas, whose nickname meant “Son of Encouragement”, became so many things to Saul. He was an advocate, when no one else was willing to take the chance on him. Barnabas vouched for Saul’s authenticity when others thought he was faking his conversion. Barnabas accompanied Saul (now called Paul) on his first missionary journey. They endured a myriad of trials, together. Barnabas proved such a loyal friend that he was even willing to sever his partnership with Paul in order to try to redeem his nephew, John Mark, when the two missionaries disagreed over whether to take another chance on him. Barnabas sidelined his own career to restore Mark’s ministry. The first of the Gospels written is because someone was such a careful steward of God’s grace!
How are we doing in this area? When the world peeks through the hole in the church door, are they seeing grace, inside? If they become converted, is God’s grace the first thing they’ll bump into, when they encounter the Church? Last of all, does the unconverted world around us get any grace on them when they rub up against us? They should. We’re supposed to be good stewards of it.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: When the world rubs against us, they should get grace on them.
Answers for Today, June 10, 2011, originally written 11-07-06
What Game are we Playing?
Chess and basketball are two games with few similarities. The goal in each game is “to win,” but getting there is quite different. A height advantage is a big deal in basketball; in chess, not so much. In one game, to win is to leap and stuff a ball through a rim ten feet off the ground; in the other, sliding a tiny plastic piece five inches across a board results in a groan of defeat from the opponent. What if the players were confused as to which game they were playing? I doubt if pawns dribble well. Or chess players, either.
How many of us don’t know what game we’re playing? Pastors get hit with it a lot: “Your job is to do something great for God. Build the biggest, best church in the community as a witness to His power!” Umm. Was that the calling we received from the Lord, or have some manmade things been tossed into the mix, much of the time? All the big, hairy ideas in the Bible came from God, I believe—at least the ones that worked.
I answered a call to follow Christ at the age of five; by age ten I was already sensing a ministry call from God. At age sixteen, I surrendered to what had become a very clear call to be a pastor. The call came from God; the rest, I made up myself. Through the years I constructed my own game, based on private ambitions and comfort level, the opinions of others, and the stated or perceived expectations of the people and organization served. The game was a mixture of trying to please God, myself and the people simultaneously, particularly in the areas which seemed to garner the most attention. I got pretty tired of the examples and escapades of mega-type guys doing “great things for God,” then having conferences about it.
My game was complicated, the results demoralizing. I changed the rules a lot, the only way I could occasionally win. Nobody cared. They had their own game. I often wondered about the game. Was it supposed to be about ministry? About me? About Him? All of the above? I saw people who didn’t even seem to love God who were “succeeding” in ministry. That didn’t seem right, but neither did awkward failure, re-labeled “faithfulness.” And if the theology was true which inferred that God could do anything, with or without me, why then should I devote my life to accomplishing stuff He could do more easily if I didn’t even show up?
A gradual realization brought relief: Sure, God didn’t need me, but He chose me to follow Him. Not only was that my calling; it was also the name of the game. Discipleship has always been quite simple. Jesus said it this way: “Follow me.”
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: Here’s the game: Follow Jesus.
Answers for Today, June 13, 2011, originally written 11-07-06
Ministry Games
The “game” of ministry is all about serving Jesus. That sounds right, feels right and is right; however, in the practical, day-to-day struggle of things like pastoral ministry, what one quickly finds is that spirituality is fine, so long as the needs of the people are met, pretty much on their terms. I can see their point. Why pay a guy to serve God, if he isn’t serving you? “Let him go pray or whatever, but let’s get someone who will run this church the way it needs to be run, which means meeting the needs of my family.” Who can blame someone for expecting service in exchange for a salary?
So, apart from the realities of church “ministry,” where the church has its own set of expectations which need to be met, exactly what has God called me to do? “Follow me.” Pretty basic. It’s one of those “Yes” or “No” propositions. Either I’m following Jesus or I’m not.
And comparisons to other disciples are stupid: “I’m following Jesus better than you.” Could it be part of God’s genius that He would give us a game where we can’t even figure out how we rank? Yes, that would be like Him, wouldn’t it? How many times did Jesus have to get after His disciples for jockeying for position in His Kingdom? If it didn’t work for the guys with apostle name tags, why would we think He would like it when we did it?
It’s not about who can build the biggest ministry in the shortest amount of time, or even who can out-spiritual everyone else in his class. It’s not an ecclesiastical version of “Survivor,” where we try to maintain doctrinal purity, plus enough popularity to not get voted off the island (or out of the church). So what kind of game is it, and how do we win?
Here’s the game: Follow Jesus.
That’s it. That’s the whole game, including the rules.
But how do we tell who’s winning?! Easy. Everyone who follows Jesus wins. Whoever doesn’t follow Jesus loses. I like this game.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: The game of “ministry”? Follow Jesus.
Answers for Today, June 14, 2011, originally written 11-07-06
Who’s on First?
When it comes to discipleship, how can we tell who’s ahead? First, second, third? That kind of stuff? Easy. The one who desires to be “great” gets to be the servant of all. I can show you the verses. This business of trying to be “best disciple” is like trying to divide a family up into “favorite child,” “second-favorite child,” and so forth; anyone dumb enough to try it would not find “winning” to be a rewarding experience.
God set it up this way on purpose. If we could ever just be satisfied to be in the family, without constantly jawing at each other over which one of us He likes (or should like) best! The reason we get so frustrated over the “game” of life is because it was never supposed to be a game in the first place, and God refuses to play, which means our game doesn’t count. The game is our invention, not God’s. Hallelujah! There’s no game. There’s just being part of His family, with no ranking system. Everyone in God’s family receives all the love they can handle, and there’s more where that came from.
I think what the Lord wants us to remember is that we are on the same team, in the same family, in the same army, and we face an enemy who is not playing games, and who is not firing blanks. This is not a drill.
How about if we channeled our competitive spirit into winning what is not a game at all, but a true battle over the souls of men, women and children? Many have a competitive nature. Surrendered to Him, God could use that spirit to rescue and protect people, while defeating the purposes of Satan. In other words, we are to beat the devil, not our teammates.
Obedience is key. The “Follow me” command of Jesus is unconditional. Christ offers no escape clause for missions which look too risky or difficult, or which don’t fit with the agenda of the soldier. The soldier has no other agenda than to obey orders from above. Likewise, the disciple of Christ Jesus. “Follow me” is one big order. It’s big enough to provide all the challenges we’ll ever want, and then some.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: The agenda of the disciple of Christ Jesus? “Follow me.”
Answers for Today, June 15, 2011, originally written 1-19-09
Powerful Love
Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner. Acts 9:32-43
Peter didn’t just stay in headquarters (Jerusalem) and wait for people to come to him; he did some traveling. One of the places he visited was Lydda. When he healed a man who had been paralyzed for eight years, all the residents of two towns turned to the Lord. This is power evangelism! First, meet the needs only God can meet, with miraculous power. Then, people want to embrace Jesus. Why are we always doing it the opposite way? “You need Jesus. He died for your sins. You need to be sorry for your sins, and accept Him. Then start to live like we do.” Meanwhile, the people are still paralyzed, hungry, sick, etc., and the only message they’re getting from our well-meaning plea is that we think we’re better than they are. And why, when I went to the flooded property of an evangelical church member, yesterday, did I find the Mormons there and no one else? Her entire business and home had been turned into a disaster area; I didn’t know if she had been contacted by her own church. The Latter Day Saints were outside, en mass, in rubber boots, hauling out smelly garbage. Their efforts were appreciated. Those who drive by and are glad it wasn’t them, not so much.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: Let’s offer God’s power and love to the world, not sympathy.
Answers for Today, June 16, 2011, originally written 1-19-09
Leading with Love
The Church in Joppa took a real hit when Dorcas died. Highly respected as a woman “full of good works, and acts of charity,” that lifestyle was more revered in those days than now, when anyone not holding a microphone or a book contract isn’t likely to be overly noticed in the Church. Dorcas was the worker bee type, churning out articles of clothing for people behind the scenes as a ministry, in an era when clothes were scarce and valuable. Her love came through her labor, much as Mother Teresa reached out to the discarded and lonely in Calcutta, and captured the attention of the world without seeking it. This is what it is to lead with love. It can be done in a great variety of ways, with one unifying characteristic: None of them are self-seeking.
How do we lead with love? We just take whatever tools and gifts the good Lord has entrusted to us, find someone to serve, and serve them, without expecting anything in return. That’s it. It’s none too complicated, yet far too uncommon. Dorcas loved with a needle and thread; Peter loved by telling people all about Jesus and doing powerful works in His name; the disciples at Joppa loved by calling 911 (sending for Peter), instead of being too proud or faithless to ask for help. Because everyone did their part, not only did Dorcas regain her seamstress ministry; many believed in Jesus! The Early Church was leading in love, accompanied by power. The end result was large-scale evangelism.
If the Church will just lead with love, we’ll do fine. The power of God is first of all, a display of mercy. This is not fire and signs, but healing and life. It’s followed by people flocking to Jesus. If we’re demonstrating the love of God, it often doesn’t even require a miracle, in order to result in spiritual transformation.
The Church needs to lead with love. Power would be O.K., but I think our tendency has been to misuse power whenever we’ve had it, anyway, and the world seems to mistrust Christians with power, even when genuine. Love is more effective. Lead with love, and anticipate God’s power showing up whenever needed.
We need to be what God has made us to be, and pursue what He has given us to do, unashamedly and with passion. Peter preached and healed, and didn’t let it go to his head. Dorcas was a “beaver” type of servant, who ministered through making clothes. The disciples at Joppa exercised their faith by sending for Peter, rather than planning a funeral.
Leading with love is how to utilize every spiritual gift, and touch every life.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: If the Church will lead with love, we’ll do just fine.
Archives
Servant Connection, P.O. Box 1747, Longview, WA 98632
Servant Connection is a 501(c)3 non-profit ministry dedicated to the spiritual transformation of America.
Donations are tax-deductible. Donations may now be made using PayPal at this site.
Contact Pastor Dave Ness, Servant Connection Founder, at connect@PrayingForAmerica.org
(360) 431-4245
|
