Noise (Part 2)

Joshua 1:7, 8 "Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go." 

God gives us some key precepts that we can apply in making the transition from our situation to our destinations without the interference of noise (distractions) preventing us from getting there.

1-God warns His people of he danger of becoming distracted or overtaken by the noise.

God warns them not to take their focus off of His Word and become distracted by what's going on around them. You will generally encounter noise/distractions when you are getting close to achieving something that will take you to the next level in your life. This happens almost every time in your spiritual development. To get to the next mountain you have to walk through a valley. Remember it's in the valley that "He restores your soul!"

2- Noise/Distractions are designed to take your focus off of your future and cause you to become fixated and stuck in your present situation.

Some of the most dangerous distractions are those that don't make a lot of noise, but creep in while we're at ease. The apparent ease that we enjoy often causes us to forget about the work that still must be done in order for God's promises to manifest in our lives.

A season of calm can cause the most diligent of us to become slack in the very thing that got us headed in the right direction. The enemy knows we pray more fervently and are more diligent in our efforts to be delivered, when we're in trouble then when we're at ease. Therefore, he instigates a season of "trouble free living", hoping that we will take our focus off of destroying his work, slowing being lulled asleep. Once at ease, we often don't discern his activity in our lives and slowly find ourselves struggling with the same things we once overcame. Nothing is truly free unless it comes from God. There is always a cost to be paid, even to what appears to be peace.

It's when we are at ease we allow God to slip into the background of our lives and we slowly drift away from His purpose and plan for our lives. If the truth were told, that is the reason many of us are in the situations we're in now. This is why we must stay focused on where we are going and what we are trying to accomplish. Don't let the noise overtake you.

3-Distractions also feed of our doubts and fears.

Matthew 14:25-31 "And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

When Peter began to walk on the water, he did not sink because he couldn't finish what he began to do. He sank because he became distracted and fearful of what was going on around him. As he stepped out and did
the impossible, the Bible says that the storm around him became more fierce. This is a primary mode of operation of the enemy. If he can't stop you then he will try to distract you with a stormy noise. You must be determined to finish what you've begun and be ready to face the distractions that will arise.

Your success will be found in your ability to keep your focus on what is ahead of you and not be distracted by what is going on around you. Distractions are not always giants or storms, but can also be found a season of apparent ease. The most dangerous enemy you can face, is an enemy that has not been detected because of the noise.  In those times of need remember the Bible promises in Isaiah 26:3 NKJV, "He will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him, because he trusts in Him." 

Noise (Part 1)

Nehemiah 1:1-11 "The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.  And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer."

How easily we can be distracted by the noise of many things, whether in our relationship with others or with the Lord. It's that noise that restricts revival, circumvents creativity, and cause confusion in the lives of believers. That noise or spiritual distraction can be anything that hinders us from receiving from God or doing our called work for Him.

Jesus told His followers that spiritual distraction begins with hearts that have grown dull, ears that are hard of hearing, and eyes that are closed:

Matthew 13:15 "For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."

Using the illustration of a farmer scattering seed, Jesus compared the seed that fell among thorns to a person who hears God’s Word but whose heart is focused on other things:

Matthew 13:22 “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."

There is great value in having times throughout each day when we turn off the noise that distracts our mind, heart, and focus on the Lord.

When Nehemiah was cupbearer to the king, his heart was deeply stirred over the situation of the Israelites back home and the condition of their city. With the king’s permission, he set out to rebuild Jerusalem. He encountered numerous obstacles along the way, but refused to let them distract him from the job at hand.

When Nehemiah cried out in prayer about his people and homeland , the Lord showed him exactly what to do. Then God caused the king to be favorably disposed toward the request and to provide everything needed. When we know we are right where God wants us to be, He will give us the confidence to move through trials without being sidetracked. He will block out the noise so we can hear His voice alone.

Nehemiah knew that the Lord’s priority for him was to rebuild the city and he had to keep his focus on it. God also has planned things for us to do, and His work is always of great value, no matter how small it seems to us. We must block out any interference that would hinder us from doing what He desires.

Following every crisis he faced, Nehemiah returned to the task at hand. By keeping the Lord’s goal in mind, he was able to stay on track to get the job done. We’ll be able to stay in our God-appointed place, carry out each step, and remain on course if we don't let the noise turn us from God's call on our lives.

There will always be those who seek to interrupt our work, divert our attention, or attack us personally. They make so much noise it's hard to stayed tuned into what God has called you to do and be. With the Lord’s help, Nehemiah recognized whom to listen to and whom to ignore. Think about people and situations that are likely to distract you. Being aware of their potential to get you off track can help you stay focused.

Noise makers cause a lot of difficulty, but their main purpose of distraction cannot stop the power of God. Jerusalem was rebuilt because Nehemiah kept his focus. With the help of the Holy Spirit so can you!

Purpose and Plan (Part 6)

Philippians 2:13 "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do His good pleasure."  

God works in the life of believers to accomplish His purposes. To "do His good pleasure" means He is working in you to accomplish His purpose  and plan in your life. This includes salvation, infilling of the Holy Spirit, using you in ministry to others, and continuously conforming you to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. He also works through your life to accomplish His purposes:

Romans 6:13 "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."

When you yield yourself to become "instruments of righteousness unto God" it means you bring your life and ministry in harmony with His purpose and plans. By doing this, you become instruments through which He can work:

2 Corinthians 5:20 "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ..."

2 Corinthians 6:1 "We then, as workers together with Him..."

If God does not work in and through you, all your work is in vain:

Psalms 127:1 "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that built it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."

Your ministry will not succeed unless it is built upon the eternal purposes of God, rather than man:

Acts 5:38, 39 NIV "...For if their purpose or activity is of human  origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men.  You will only find yourselves fighting against God."From  the beginning, God's purpose has not changed. He has had many varied plans related to this purpose, but His purpose remains the same.

God has revealed His specific purpose in His written Word. He has also revealed  His general plan that the Church be the instrument through which He works to accomplish His purpose.

But as a believer you must make specific, detailed plans if you are to accomplish His will. That is where planning and management by objectives fits in. You must discover your  specific purpose within God's great purpose. Then you must make ministry plans in harmony with this purpose.  

Purpose and Plan (Part 5)

The Holy Spirit is also part of God's plan.  After Jesus returned to Heaven, a special power was given in an outpouring of the Holy Spirit described in Acts 2. This experience is called the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The power of the Holy Spirit was given to accomplish God's purpose in the world:

Acts 1:8 "But yet shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is so important in accomplishing God's purpose and plan. Holy Spirit power is essential in accomplishing God's plan of spiritual growth and the spreading of the Gospel throughout the world.

In addition to power, the Holy Spirit provides guidance and direction to believers to enable them to fulfill God's purpose and plan.  Because the Holy Spirit knows the will of God, and because He searches and understands the spirit of man, He serves as the link between you and God to help you achieve God's purpose and plan:

Romans 8:27 "And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh  intercession for the saints according to the will of God."  

The Holy Spirit works in partnership with you in accomplishing God's purpose and plan.  As you speak God's Words, He anoints you and convicts unbelievers of sin, leading them to accept the Gospel according to John 16:7-11.

The power of the Holy Spirit was given to all born-again believers who seek his infilling.  All true believers are part of the Church, which is now the instrument through which God works to accomplish His purpose and plans:

Ephesians 3:9, 10 "And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent [this means it is God's purpose] that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God [God's plan and purpose]."

Purpose and Plan (Part 4)

God not only has an established purpose, He makes and implements plans to achieve that purpose. God uses individuals, nations, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and the Church as part of His plan. 

From the beginning of time as we now know it, God has worked through individuals to accomplish His purpose. The Bible is filled with stories of how God used different men and women.

In Old Testament times God raised up great leaders like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, and Moses.  He also anointed prophets, kings, and judges to accomplish His purposes.  In New Testament times, God used individuals like John the Baptist, the disciples of Jesus, Paul, Timothy, Barnabas and many others.

God even took sinful men who would not conform to His plan and reversed their evil plans to accomplish His purposes.  God did not cause their sinful actions, but He worked through them and in spite of them to achieve His plan. For example, God said of the wicked Pharaoh in Egypt: 

Exodus 9:16 "And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth."

Life, as well as ministry, is tied to God's purpose. When purpose is completed, life on this earth ends:

Acts 13:36 "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers..."

In Old Testament times God raised up the nation of Israel to accomplish  His  purpose and plan in the world. As a nation, the purpose of Israel was to reveal God's plan to the heathen nations of the world.  Repeatedly, they failed in this responsibility.

Because of this, judgment came upon Israel through the heathen nations which lived around them.  God was so determined to accomplish His plan that He even worked through the evil acts of these sinful nations.  God did not approve of their actions, but He worked through and in spite of them.

For many years, part of God's plan remained a mystery. Early in history, God promised a Savior through which forgiveness from sin would be available to all mankind.

The promise was first given to Adam and Eve after their sin in the Garden of Eden.  God said:   Genesis 3:15 "And I will put enmity  between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."

This was the beginning of many promises of a Savior. For a long time God did not reveal the details of how He would accomplish this plan.  It was a great mystery.

Later, in the time of the Old Testament prophets, God shared more details of His plan.  In New Testament times, these details were fulfilled when God sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for the sins of all mankind.

No longer was God's plan a mystery. His plan and purpose was revealed openly in Jesus Christ:

Ephesian 1:9, 10 "Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself; That in the dispensation of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are on earth, even in Him."

From childhood, Jesus knew God's purpose was to provide salvation for all mankind and restore all men and nations into fellowship with Him.

Jesus lived His life on earth to accomplish God's purposes.  Even as a child, Jesus was concerned not with His own plans and purposes, but with those of God the Father:

Luke 2:49 "And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought me?  wist  ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"

The life and ministry of Jesus focused on the purpose of God.  Every plan, every decision, every act of ministry focused on that purpose:

Luke 4:18, 19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  the poor, He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach  deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord."
      
Jesus also commissioned His followers, which includes all true believers, to fulfill God's purposes: 

Matthew 28:19, 20 "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

Purpose and Plan (Part 3)

All of God's preparations for you have been focused on His purpose. It is not a vague purpose or a "hoped for" purpose.  He is working for a specific, settled purpose in your life.  The purpose of God is clearly communicated in His Word.  Perhaps one of the best summaries of His purpose is given in the book of Ephesians. 

Here is God's "statement of purpose":  

Ephesians 3:11 "According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord..."

Ephesians 3:9, 10 "Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself; That in the dispensation of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are on earth, even in Him."

Yes, God wants to bring all men into right spiritual relationship with Himself:

2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance,"

God's purpose is that all people experience forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ, be brought into right relationship with Him, and become part of the Kingdom of God as explained in John 3. God prepares men and women and uses them to accomplish this purpose. God especially anoints and uses those who bring their own life purpose and ministry plans in harmony with His purpose and plans.  If you do not understand God's purpose, your life and ministry will not be in harmony with His plan.

For example, when Jesus revealed to His disciples that He would suffer and die, Peter rebuked Him. Peter did not yet understand God's purpose.  Because of this, He was not in harmony with God's plan.  Jesus rebuked him and said:

Mark 8:33 "...Get thee behind me, Satan; for thou savorest [understand] not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men."

King David was a man who was in harmony with God's purpose:

Acts 13:36 "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption."

The Bible assures that God's purposes will be accomplished:

Isaiah 14:24 "The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand."

Verses 26, 27 "This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. For the Lord of hosts hath purposed and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?"
 

Purpose and Plan (Part 2)

As you organize or make plans to fulfill your purpose in ministry, you will face opposition from some members of your church.  These are some common reasons why people resist planning and management in ministry:   

-Some people do not plan and manage wisely because they do not know how to do it.
Understanding your purpose and having a plan will not only benefit your ministry but it will also equip you to help others in this area. When people do not understand God's purpose or their specific purpose within God's plan, it is difficult to set the course for your future. You must first know your purpose when you make plans to accomplish something.  When you understand your goals, you will be able to communicate them to others and help them recognize their part in God's plan for their future and your church.
 
-Some people  believe planning is not Biblical. 
The Bible is filled with men and women who made plans under the direction of God.  God is a God of purpose and direction.  He has used individuals, nations, Israel, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Church in His plan.  His purpose was established from the beginning of time, and He is still working out His plan in the world today.

-Some people believe planning and organization hinder the freedom of the Holy Spirit.
This is not true.  After the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit recorded in Acts 2, it is only a short time later that planning and organization under the direction of the Spirit begins in Acts 6. 

The discipline of organized planning in ministry in no way restricts the freedom of the Holy Spirit.  It makes you even more sensitive to the direction of the Lord because you make a conscious decision to seek His purpose and plans. Planning can be a form of worship, a time during which you reflect on God's purpose and plans and open your spirit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit searches your heart and spirit, and because He has the mind of God, He reveals God's plans and purposes to you.  When you pray, study God's Word, and plan under the inspiration of the  Holy Spirit because  planning is a spiritual activity.  It does not hinder the working of the Holy Spirit. 

One good example of this is the story of Joshua at Ai in Joshua 8.  Joshua had a plan in Verse 4, but it did not hinder God's miraculous working in Verse 18. Both natural planning and supernatural events worked together in harmony.

Anytime you try to do anything different, you will encounter opposition of those bound in tradition.  They do not want to change.  They have done things a certain way for many  years and it has become a tradition.  Jesus had this same problem with the Scribes and Pharisees.

Sometimes you can lead these "traditional" people into positive change. Other times you may not be able to "put the new wine in old wineskins,” as Jesus described it.  Then it is necessary to raise up new believers who are willing to enter into God's plan.

It does not mean the people bound by tradition are not saved or a part of the Body of Christ.  They are our brothers and sisters in the Lord, and we should love them and help them as much as they permit. But they have chosen to cling to traditions of men rather than moving ahead to accomplish new things under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus and Paul both ministered in the  temple and the synagogues as far as  they were permitted. These were the "traditional" houses of worship at the time.  But because of rejection due to tradition, they were forced to take their message to new believers who were more open to receive the message.

Planning deals with the future.  Some people fear the future and do not like to think about it or plan for it.  But you do not have to fear because God controls the future. He already knows the plans He has for you.  All you are doing in planning is asking God to reveal His plans to you.

Jeremiah 29:11 TLB "For I know the plans I have for you.  Says the Lord, they are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Some people do not plan and organize because it takes time and it is hard work. They are slothful. Slothfulness is unconcern and laziness.  The field work of the slothful is described in Proverbs 24:30-34.  It does not bring forth spiritual harvest and growth.

The unfaithful steward in Matthew 25:14-30 feared failure, so he did not even try to use what he had been given by his master.

The Biblical record is filled with stories of great men and women of God who failed, but went on to become successful for God because they did not stop trying.

Actually, when you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!