Dear friends,
I pray that you are well. As I have opportunity to meet people, I've found that if we get beyond surface conversation that they have a story. Too often, we never get to know people well enough to hear their story. Some have great stories of perseverance and encouragement, others have lives that have been continually marred by wrong choices, and some through no fault of their own have been ambushed with life's problems. There are so many people that are hurting. Some need help, but they all need hope. Hope comes from experience with the faithfulness and character of God. Some find themselves in situations where they don't know what to do. Even as Christians we find ourselves asking, "What do I do?" Today, I would like to offer a few thoughts on "what to do when, I don't know what to do."
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 4:13
It is easy enough to say that when you don't know what to do, stand! What does it mean to stand? This reference in Ephesians is a very familiar passage and gives keen insight to spiritual warfare. Many have gotten up for years and symbolically put their armor on. There is nothing wrong with that, it may well encourage some people's faith, but you really don't have to put on what you never took off. All of those things have to do with being in Christ. He is the truth; He is our righteousness; He is our peace; Faith comes by His spoken word; He is our salvation; the sword is His spoken word. We are in Christ. We see Moses could not view God's goodness (glory) except he be hidden in the cleft of the rock. That rock is Jesus. If we cannot handle even a glimpse of His glory in our flesh, neither can we withstand the full onslaught of the enemy except we be "in Christ".
In the passages of Ephesians 6:10-19 The word "stand" is used 3 times. We are not to run; we are not to fall; we are to stand. It is interesting that Paul describes us being all suited up in Christ (our armor) and what is the command? Stand. When people get suited up in armor, it is for going to war. Did Paul say go into battle? One might say no, but in verse 18, Paul says, "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit". Prayer is the battle.
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is pray. It seems that when in a crisis we tend to exhaust all human possibilities before we turn to God in prayer. Paul is saying that when the onslaught of the enemy comes, stand in Christ and pray in the Spirit not just in tongues, but all prayers. We are suited in Christ and Christ is in us and greater is He in us than he that is in the world. So when trouble comes knocking, let Jesus answer the door. So what do I do when I don't know what to do? First, I must stand. Do not back up or back down. Do not quit. Secondly, I must pray, but thirdly I must praise.
1. Stand
2. Pray
3. Praise
We looked briefly at the first two, now let's look at praise. I have written many times about 2 Chronicles 20 because it has been so meaningful in my life, but allow me to visit part of it again today.You know the story; three enemies were about to attack Judah.(Our enemies are three as well, the world, the flesh, and the devil.) There was no way they were prepared for such an attack. Jehoshaphat called a solemn assembly to fast and pray and seek the Lord. God responded by speaking through a prophet. I won't go into the whole prophetic word, just the first part of verse 17, "You will not need to fight in the battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, Who is with you O Judah and Jerusalem!"
The next day they sent the praisers out first and the Lord ambushed their enemies and a great victory was won against impossible odds. We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5 that it is the will of God for us to give thanks in everything and Ephesians 5:20 to be giving thanks always for all things to God the Father.
There may be someone in the pit of despair today. Self-pity will not deliver you. It will only get worse. There are times when a simple prayer of "help me" will be answered, but I have found for those who are walking in a measure of maturity, that God sometimes says, "Get up off the ground! Stand up and be who I called you to be." I remember a time a few years back when there were several situations working against me in my life. I became more and more discouraged until I was wallowing in self-pity. The Lord basically said,"Stop it, get up and fight. I began to pray and take authority over the things He had given me authority. I prayed His word and began to praise Him. Not only was there an immediate lift in my spirit, but the situations began to change. From time to time I have visited the valley of despair, but my visits have been fewer and shorter since I learned to stand. I have shared this before, but it applies "If you want to escape the low places enter into God's high praises." Stand and see the salvation of the Lord.
May the knowledge of God's love encourage your heart today. He is faithful. Don't give up or give in. You are sons and daughters of the king.
In His love,
Herb Dean
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Escaping the Boundaries of Human Limitations
Dear friends,
I hope you are well this morning. I woke up this morning thinking about God's calling me into the ministry years ago. As a good many of you know, when God called me, I ran. I was a timid individual who found it difficult to stand before groups. I ,basically, told the Lord I could not do it and ran for ten years. As a broken man at the end of those ten years, "I heard the Lord say, you were right all along; you can't do it, but faithful am I Who calls Who will also do it." This morning as I thought on these things, I began to think about the response of those in scripture to the call of God on their lives. Some of their experiences were not that far removed from my own. I want to look at a few of those this morning. Maybe someone out there in cyberspace is wrestling with a call from God.
Too often we place limitations on our ability because we see the frailties of human flesh. What we don't realize is that when we place these limitations on ourselves we place them on God as well. One of the first verses I memorized when I was five or six years old was: I can do things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phil. 4:13. I could quote it, but it would be many years later before I would enter into the good of it. In fact, it brought me little comfort when God called me to preach. How many people have rejected the call of God because of their perceived limitations? Really, it comes down to a matter of faith. Can God do through me that which He has called me to do? If we reject the call of God, we reject His grace to be what He called us to be. Your limitations are not established by your inabilities, but by your rejection of God's ability. Neither is your potential limited by your inability. Your potential is found in God's ability. Let's look at some of the men God called in scripture. I want to look at not only their response, but God's response to them.
1. Moses- When God spoke to Moses out of the burning bush and told him he was going to pharaoh to deliver God's people, Moses' response was,"Who am I that I should go to pharaoh....?" Later in the conversation Moses says to the Lord,"O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." God's response,"Who made man's mouth? ...... Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore ,go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say." Moses, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send. He was still not convinced and angered the Lord. You can read the whole conversation in Exodus chapters 3 and 4. You can see the reluctance of one of God's choice servants.
2. Gideon- The angel of the Lord called him a mighty man of valor. At that moment he was hiding in winepress threshing wheat. Gideon's first response was to moan and groan about being forsaken by God. The angel gives him God's call and his response was,"O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."
3. Saul-Samuel prophesied that Saul was the desire of Israel. In other words, he was saying you are chosen to be king. Saul's response,"Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of Benjamin? Why then do you speak like this to me?"
Are you seeing a pattern? The children of Israel didn't enter the land because they saw themselves as grasshoppers in the sight of the people of Canaan. If our perception keeps us from the call of God, we have trusted only in the arm of the flesh.
4. Jeremiah- God's word to Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah's response, "Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth." God's response to Jeremiah, " Do not say, I am a youth, for you shall go to all whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
If anyone knows our ability, it is God, and yet He refuses to accept our excuses. He does not look at our strength; He looks at His own. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think according to the power working in us. Ephesians 3:19 What is that power working in us? It is the Holy Spirit Who raised Jesus Christ from the dead, the same Holy Spirit who was brooding over the face of the waters when God said let there be and there was. Is anything too hard for the Lord? Are you too hard a case for Him to use? Absolutely not! You can do all things through Christ Who is your strength. You've heard it said that God is not interested in our ability, but our availability. Paul said that when He was weak, then he was strong for His strength is perfected in our weakness. God has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. I believe that grace is not just unmerited favor, but it is God's ability. His grace is more than sufficient to enable us to do what He has called us to do. He delights in showing Himself strong in the lives of those who totally trust Him.
Friend, don't set your boundaries according to your ability. God wants to take you far beyond where you thought you could go. Don't limit God. Don't limit God in you. God can do whatever He wants to do and He can do it in you.
Be blessed,
Herb Dean
I hope you are well this morning. I woke up this morning thinking about God's calling me into the ministry years ago. As a good many of you know, when God called me, I ran. I was a timid individual who found it difficult to stand before groups. I ,basically, told the Lord I could not do it and ran for ten years. As a broken man at the end of those ten years, "I heard the Lord say, you were right all along; you can't do it, but faithful am I Who calls Who will also do it." This morning as I thought on these things, I began to think about the response of those in scripture to the call of God on their lives. Some of their experiences were not that far removed from my own. I want to look at a few of those this morning. Maybe someone out there in cyberspace is wrestling with a call from God.
Too often we place limitations on our ability because we see the frailties of human flesh. What we don't realize is that when we place these limitations on ourselves we place them on God as well. One of the first verses I memorized when I was five or six years old was: I can do things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phil. 4:13. I could quote it, but it would be many years later before I would enter into the good of it. In fact, it brought me little comfort when God called me to preach. How many people have rejected the call of God because of their perceived limitations? Really, it comes down to a matter of faith. Can God do through me that which He has called me to do? If we reject the call of God, we reject His grace to be what He called us to be. Your limitations are not established by your inabilities, but by your rejection of God's ability. Neither is your potential limited by your inability. Your potential is found in God's ability. Let's look at some of the men God called in scripture. I want to look at not only their response, but God's response to them.
1. Moses- When God spoke to Moses out of the burning bush and told him he was going to pharaoh to deliver God's people, Moses' response was,"Who am I that I should go to pharaoh....?" Later in the conversation Moses says to the Lord,"O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." God's response,"Who made man's mouth? ...... Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore ,go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say." Moses, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send. He was still not convinced and angered the Lord. You can read the whole conversation in Exodus chapters 3 and 4. You can see the reluctance of one of God's choice servants.
2. Gideon- The angel of the Lord called him a mighty man of valor. At that moment he was hiding in winepress threshing wheat. Gideon's first response was to moan and groan about being forsaken by God. The angel gives him God's call and his response was,"O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."
3. Saul-Samuel prophesied that Saul was the desire of Israel. In other words, he was saying you are chosen to be king. Saul's response,"Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of Benjamin? Why then do you speak like this to me?"
Are you seeing a pattern? The children of Israel didn't enter the land because they saw themselves as grasshoppers in the sight of the people of Canaan. If our perception keeps us from the call of God, we have trusted only in the arm of the flesh.
4. Jeremiah- God's word to Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah's response, "Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth." God's response to Jeremiah, " Do not say, I am a youth, for you shall go to all whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
If anyone knows our ability, it is God, and yet He refuses to accept our excuses. He does not look at our strength; He looks at His own. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think according to the power working in us. Ephesians 3:19 What is that power working in us? It is the Holy Spirit Who raised Jesus Christ from the dead, the same Holy Spirit who was brooding over the face of the waters when God said let there be and there was. Is anything too hard for the Lord? Are you too hard a case for Him to use? Absolutely not! You can do all things through Christ Who is your strength. You've heard it said that God is not interested in our ability, but our availability. Paul said that when He was weak, then he was strong for His strength is perfected in our weakness. God has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. I believe that grace is not just unmerited favor, but it is God's ability. His grace is more than sufficient to enable us to do what He has called us to do. He delights in showing Himself strong in the lives of those who totally trust Him.
Friend, don't set your boundaries according to your ability. God wants to take you far beyond where you thought you could go. Don't limit God. Don't limit God in you. God can do whatever He wants to do and He can do it in you.
Be blessed,
Herb Dean
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Be Not Weary In Well Doing
Dear friends,
I pray you are walking in God's blessing. Have you ever felt like giving up? If you are like myself, you have.
As a pastor I went through a time where every Monday morning I was ready to resign. I am reminded of the cartoon where a woman is standing over someone in bed who has a sheet pulled over his head. The person in bed keeps crying, "I don't want to go to church!" The woman responds, "You have to go, you're the pastor." There can be difficult seasons in our lives where we just don't feel we can continue to go on. I want to encourage you today, that there is a harvest coming. Don't give up!
I usually post a verse each day on facebook and this morning I posted Galatians 6:9, " And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not faint. Then as I was reading my e-mail a minister who sends out a word for today used that same verse. I heard the Lord say this morning as I was praying,"with persistence comes reward." We have talked about it before, but all the promises to the churches in Revelation were to those who overcame. Let's look again at some who persevered until they reaped.
1. Abraham was 75 when he was promised a son, 100 when he received the promise.
2. Jacob wrestled all night with the angel, part of which was probably in great pain because his hip had been disjointed, refusing to let go until he received a blessing.
3 Joseph was given a dream at 17. He went from the pit to the prison to the palace where he stood before pharaoh at age 30. He was probably 40 or more before he saw the fulfillment because it was in the third year of the famine that his family bowed before him.
4. David was anointed king of Israel as a teenager. He spent years fleeing for his life living in caves and Philistine territory and at his lowest point at Ziklag he was just a few days from becoming king of Judah. At age 40 he would reign over all Israel.
5. Ruth refused to leave her mother-in-law and go back to her land. She remained faithful to Naomi and was rewarded with a husband and though she was a Moabitess was included in the lineage of Christ.
In the parables of Christ, Jesus told about the unjust judge and the widow. The judge gave in because he knew the widow was persistent. Then there was the friend with a visitor late at night. He sought his neighbor for food, but his neighbor had gone to bed. Jesus said he would not rise and give him bread because he was a friend, but because of his persistence, he would rise and give him all he needed. Jesus said, "Men ought always to pray and not faint (lose heart). Luke 18:1 In Luke 11:9, Jesus says, " So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it will be opened to you. Ask, seek, and knock are present imperative in the Greek which means a continuous action. In other words ask and keep on asking; seek and keep on seeking; knock and keep on knocking. There are some who would say to ask more than one time is not faith. I say ask until you hear from God, because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the rhema (spoken word of God).
" I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth." Isaiah 62: 6,7 The Lord wants us to be persistent, unwavering. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Friend, don't give up. I could give you all the cliches like it's always darkest before the dawn, or breakthrough comes right before breakdown, but the truth is God has given us a promise, "with persistence comes reward." "For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of god, you may receive the promise." Hebrews 10:36
You might ask, "Haven't you written this same thing before?" I have written very similar teachings, but I have found I need to be reminded from time to time that my efforts are not in vain. There are some of you who have prayed and prayed; you have expended great energy for little results and you wonder at times, "Is it worth it?" or "Am I counting for anything in the kingdom?" You cannot measure results by what you see. Be faithful pilgrim, there is a harvest coming. Be encouraged today in His love.
Blessings,
Herb Dean
I pray you are walking in God's blessing. Have you ever felt like giving up? If you are like myself, you have.
As a pastor I went through a time where every Monday morning I was ready to resign. I am reminded of the cartoon where a woman is standing over someone in bed who has a sheet pulled over his head. The person in bed keeps crying, "I don't want to go to church!" The woman responds, "You have to go, you're the pastor." There can be difficult seasons in our lives where we just don't feel we can continue to go on. I want to encourage you today, that there is a harvest coming. Don't give up!
I usually post a verse each day on facebook and this morning I posted Galatians 6:9, " And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not faint. Then as I was reading my e-mail a minister who sends out a word for today used that same verse. I heard the Lord say this morning as I was praying,"with persistence comes reward." We have talked about it before, but all the promises to the churches in Revelation were to those who overcame. Let's look again at some who persevered until they reaped.
1. Abraham was 75 when he was promised a son, 100 when he received the promise.
2. Jacob wrestled all night with the angel, part of which was probably in great pain because his hip had been disjointed, refusing to let go until he received a blessing.
3 Joseph was given a dream at 17. He went from the pit to the prison to the palace where he stood before pharaoh at age 30. He was probably 40 or more before he saw the fulfillment because it was in the third year of the famine that his family bowed before him.
4. David was anointed king of Israel as a teenager. He spent years fleeing for his life living in caves and Philistine territory and at his lowest point at Ziklag he was just a few days from becoming king of Judah. At age 40 he would reign over all Israel.
5. Ruth refused to leave her mother-in-law and go back to her land. She remained faithful to Naomi and was rewarded with a husband and though she was a Moabitess was included in the lineage of Christ.
In the parables of Christ, Jesus told about the unjust judge and the widow. The judge gave in because he knew the widow was persistent. Then there was the friend with a visitor late at night. He sought his neighbor for food, but his neighbor had gone to bed. Jesus said he would not rise and give him bread because he was a friend, but because of his persistence, he would rise and give him all he needed. Jesus said, "Men ought always to pray and not faint (lose heart). Luke 18:1 In Luke 11:9, Jesus says, " So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it will be opened to you. Ask, seek, and knock are present imperative in the Greek which means a continuous action. In other words ask and keep on asking; seek and keep on seeking; knock and keep on knocking. There are some who would say to ask more than one time is not faith. I say ask until you hear from God, because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the rhema (spoken word of God).
" I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth." Isaiah 62: 6,7 The Lord wants us to be persistent, unwavering. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Friend, don't give up. I could give you all the cliches like it's always darkest before the dawn, or breakthrough comes right before breakdown, but the truth is God has given us a promise, "with persistence comes reward." "For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of god, you may receive the promise." Hebrews 10:36
You might ask, "Haven't you written this same thing before?" I have written very similar teachings, but I have found I need to be reminded from time to time that my efforts are not in vain. There are some of you who have prayed and prayed; you have expended great energy for little results and you wonder at times, "Is it worth it?" or "Am I counting for anything in the kingdom?" You cannot measure results by what you see. Be faithful pilgrim, there is a harvest coming. Be encouraged today in His love.
Blessings,
Herb Dean
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Express Image of the Father
Dear friends,
I pray that you are walking in the reality of the Lord's presence. I haven't written in a while because I have been so busy. Part of that has been preparation for my youngest daughter's wedding. She is getting married August 1. Much has been done and there is still a lot to do, so lately most of my scheduling has had to be ATW (after the wedding). The Lord has laid something on my heart so I want to share a few thoughts with you about where the body of Christ is headed. I hope this will encourage you.
And the express image of His person....
This is a portion of scripture taken from Hebrews Chapter 1 verses 1-4 speaking of God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the express image of the Father. We could say He was the expressed image of the Father. If we want to know what the Father is like, we need only look at Jesus. Jesus is the exact representation of the Father. He came not only to represent the Father, but to re-present the Father.
"If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." Philip said to Him,"Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say,'Show us the Father'?" John 14:7-9
Jesus makes it very clear that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him, so if we see Him we've seen the Father. What implications does this have for the church and its destiny? "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one ,as You, Father are in Me and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17: 20-21. We are to be one with Jesus and the Father. In being one with Them we present a witness to the world that Jesus Christ came from the Father that they may be reconciled unto the Father.
Our journey in Christ has as it destination, the Father. The Father is where we are headed. Some time ago I wrote about the kingdom being about the Father. It was the message of John the baptist which was to restore the hearts of the children to the fathers and vice versa. The only way that will effectively happen is the hearts of the fathers and the children being restored to the Father. What was this message that was to bring this restoration? Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! I talked about how the failure to preach the kingdom had brought about the curse of fatherlessness we have experienced in our land. See Malachi 4:6. The kingdom message is about the restoration of all things to the Father.
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him", it is evident that He Who put all things under His feet is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him Who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. 1 Cor. 15:24-28
All things have their beginning and ending in the Father. The coming of the kingdom in it fullness results in all things being subject to the Father. Our destination is the Father.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:28,29
In the redemptive purposes of God all things may be used in conforming us to the image of Jesus Christ. If Jesus is the express image of the Father and we are being conformed to the image of Christ then whose image will be ultimately expressed? John says of Jesus that they beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father. Jesus said that the glory the Father had given Him, He had given us that we might be one, one with Him and the Father and one with each other. We must become one that the world may see the glory of the Father in the corporate man and know that the Father sent the Son. We have been called to re-present the Father and the Son to the world.
We are heading to the Father. That is our destination and no one can come to the Father but by the Son. In Christ we are seated in heavenly places at the right hand of the Father far above all rule and authority. In His presence there is fullness of joy and at His right hand there are pleasures forever more. Positionally we can taste those blessings here, but ,oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Jesus Christ is the way(the path,the road, the means) and the destination is the Father.
Be blessed of the Lord today. He has everything under control. He is not wringing His hands over the economy or the national deficit. He bids us to come unto Him and find rest. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. You are a blessing to me.
In His love,
Herb Dean
I pray that you are walking in the reality of the Lord's presence. I haven't written in a while because I have been so busy. Part of that has been preparation for my youngest daughter's wedding. She is getting married August 1. Much has been done and there is still a lot to do, so lately most of my scheduling has had to be ATW (after the wedding). The Lord has laid something on my heart so I want to share a few thoughts with you about where the body of Christ is headed. I hope this will encourage you.
And the express image of His person....
This is a portion of scripture taken from Hebrews Chapter 1 verses 1-4 speaking of God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the express image of the Father. We could say He was the expressed image of the Father. If we want to know what the Father is like, we need only look at Jesus. Jesus is the exact representation of the Father. He came not only to represent the Father, but to re-present the Father.
"If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." Philip said to Him,"Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say,'Show us the Father'?" John 14:7-9
Jesus makes it very clear that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him, so if we see Him we've seen the Father. What implications does this have for the church and its destiny? "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one ,as You, Father are in Me and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17: 20-21. We are to be one with Jesus and the Father. In being one with Them we present a witness to the world that Jesus Christ came from the Father that they may be reconciled unto the Father.
Our journey in Christ has as it destination, the Father. The Father is where we are headed. Some time ago I wrote about the kingdom being about the Father. It was the message of John the baptist which was to restore the hearts of the children to the fathers and vice versa. The only way that will effectively happen is the hearts of the fathers and the children being restored to the Father. What was this message that was to bring this restoration? Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! I talked about how the failure to preach the kingdom had brought about the curse of fatherlessness we have experienced in our land. See Malachi 4:6. The kingdom message is about the restoration of all things to the Father.
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him", it is evident that He Who put all things under His feet is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him Who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. 1 Cor. 15:24-28
All things have their beginning and ending in the Father. The coming of the kingdom in it fullness results in all things being subject to the Father. Our destination is the Father.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:28,29
In the redemptive purposes of God all things may be used in conforming us to the image of Jesus Christ. If Jesus is the express image of the Father and we are being conformed to the image of Christ then whose image will be ultimately expressed? John says of Jesus that they beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father. Jesus said that the glory the Father had given Him, He had given us that we might be one, one with Him and the Father and one with each other. We must become one that the world may see the glory of the Father in the corporate man and know that the Father sent the Son. We have been called to re-present the Father and the Son to the world.
We are heading to the Father. That is our destination and no one can come to the Father but by the Son. In Christ we are seated in heavenly places at the right hand of the Father far above all rule and authority. In His presence there is fullness of joy and at His right hand there are pleasures forever more. Positionally we can taste those blessings here, but ,oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Jesus Christ is the way(the path,the road, the means) and the destination is the Father.
Be blessed of the Lord today. He has everything under control. He is not wringing His hands over the economy or the national deficit. He bids us to come unto Him and find rest. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. You are a blessing to me.
In His love,
Herb Dean
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Carriers of His Presence
Carriers Of His Presence
And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab; and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. 1Chronicles 13:7.
In chapters 13 and 15 of 1Chronicles we read the account of David bringing the ark to Jerusalem. The first attempt failed as the oxen stumbled and when Uzza put out his hand to steady the ark, he was struck down by the Lord. David was displeased and left the ark in the house of Obed-edom. And the Lord blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had. I Chronicles 13:14 In type the ark represented the presence and glory of God. The house of Obed-edom was blessed by the presence of the Lord. If we are to experience blessing in our homes today, we need the presence of the Lord. In His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16:11
In chapter 15 David makes the second attempt, but this time he chooses to follow God's order. The Levites were to carry the ark on their shoulders according to God's pattern. The Levites sanctified themselves in preparation for bringing up the ark. They carried the ark upon their shoulders with staves as Moses commanded according to the word of the Lord. They went six paces and made sacrifice according to 2 Samuel 6:7. The ark was then brought to Mount Zion where it was set in place in David's Tabernacle.
What is the application for us today? The new cart is man's attempt to usher in God's presence man's way. God has a lot to say about man's ways. When they built an altar they were not to set a chisel to the stone. Israel saw the signs, but they did not know His ways. Moses knew His ways. Our motivation may be good. There was nothing wrong with David's motivation on the first attempt, but it was not according to God's order. There are many people in the body of Christ who have good intentions, but they are out of order. I believe that denominationalism was birthed out of people who wanted to do good, but had the wrong order. If we attempt to usher in the presence of God using the patterns of man we have simply put the ark on a new cart. We often devise our plan and ask God to bless it rather than finding out what God is doing. Like Henry Blackaby says we need to find out what God is doing and get in on that. God blesses what He is doing.
We see David get angry with God on the first attempt when Uzza was killed. We often hear in our day and time when catastrophes happen, "Why did God let that happen?" or "Why did God do that?" For example, when 9/11 took place we heard those questions. Some said that it's the judgement of God. I believe this way; God is under no obligation to protect that which is not committed to Him. He often does and that is because of His great mercy. In fact 9/11 was the result of religion which I define as man's attempt to find God man's way. Isn't interesting that when the rebellious sons of Eli saw the battle was being lost they went and got the ark hoping it would turn the tide of the battle, but it did not.
The ark was to be carried upon the sanctified shoulders of the Levites. Sanctified means holy, set apart unto. It's no coincidence that they went six paces and they made a sacrifice. Six is the number of man. A sacrifice requires death. I believe this was signifying death to self. It is only when we have died that we can experience the presence of God. It was only at that place of self-surrender that I experienced His presence. We are to be those sanctified priests who carry the presence of God.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father. Revelation 1:5b,6
We have received the Holy Spirit of God to be with us, in us, and upon us.
John 14:17b But you know Him; for He dwelleth with you and shall be in you.
Acts 1:8a But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you.
Every where we go the Holy Spirit goes. If we understand that the kingdom of God is in the Spirit then we understand why Jesus said that the kingdom of God was within and that when He or His disciples went out to minister, the kingdom of God had come near. We are called to be carriers of His presence.
We are entering a season where we are being stripped of those things we have trusted in. The methods of man will ultimately fail. The shaking of things which are not kingdom must fall away that we might depend wholly on the great Agent of the kingdom, the Holy Spirit. God is looking for holy people, not committed to man made devices and forms of religion, but wholly committed unto Him.
My friend if you are born again and filled with the Spirit of the living God you are a Carrier of His Presence and wherever you walk in the Spirit the kingdom of God has come near. If we understand Who it is that is in us, we can make a difference in this world.
Blessings,
Herb Dean
And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab; and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. 1Chronicles 13:7.
In chapters 13 and 15 of 1Chronicles we read the account of David bringing the ark to Jerusalem. The first attempt failed as the oxen stumbled and when Uzza put out his hand to steady the ark, he was struck down by the Lord. David was displeased and left the ark in the house of Obed-edom. And the Lord blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had. I Chronicles 13:14 In type the ark represented the presence and glory of God. The house of Obed-edom was blessed by the presence of the Lord. If we are to experience blessing in our homes today, we need the presence of the Lord. In His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16:11
In chapter 15 David makes the second attempt, but this time he chooses to follow God's order. The Levites were to carry the ark on their shoulders according to God's pattern. The Levites sanctified themselves in preparation for bringing up the ark. They carried the ark upon their shoulders with staves as Moses commanded according to the word of the Lord. They went six paces and made sacrifice according to 2 Samuel 6:7. The ark was then brought to Mount Zion where it was set in place in David's Tabernacle.
What is the application for us today? The new cart is man's attempt to usher in God's presence man's way. God has a lot to say about man's ways. When they built an altar they were not to set a chisel to the stone. Israel saw the signs, but they did not know His ways. Moses knew His ways. Our motivation may be good. There was nothing wrong with David's motivation on the first attempt, but it was not according to God's order. There are many people in the body of Christ who have good intentions, but they are out of order. I believe that denominationalism was birthed out of people who wanted to do good, but had the wrong order. If we attempt to usher in the presence of God using the patterns of man we have simply put the ark on a new cart. We often devise our plan and ask God to bless it rather than finding out what God is doing. Like Henry Blackaby says we need to find out what God is doing and get in on that. God blesses what He is doing.
We see David get angry with God on the first attempt when Uzza was killed. We often hear in our day and time when catastrophes happen, "Why did God let that happen?" or "Why did God do that?" For example, when 9/11 took place we heard those questions. Some said that it's the judgement of God. I believe this way; God is under no obligation to protect that which is not committed to Him. He often does and that is because of His great mercy. In fact 9/11 was the result of religion which I define as man's attempt to find God man's way. Isn't interesting that when the rebellious sons of Eli saw the battle was being lost they went and got the ark hoping it would turn the tide of the battle, but it did not.
The ark was to be carried upon the sanctified shoulders of the Levites. Sanctified means holy, set apart unto. It's no coincidence that they went six paces and they made a sacrifice. Six is the number of man. A sacrifice requires death. I believe this was signifying death to self. It is only when we have died that we can experience the presence of God. It was only at that place of self-surrender that I experienced His presence. We are to be those sanctified priests who carry the presence of God.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father. Revelation 1:5b,6
We have received the Holy Spirit of God to be with us, in us, and upon us.
John 14:17b But you know Him; for He dwelleth with you and shall be in you.
Acts 1:8a But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you.
Every where we go the Holy Spirit goes. If we understand that the kingdom of God is in the Spirit then we understand why Jesus said that the kingdom of God was within and that when He or His disciples went out to minister, the kingdom of God had come near. We are called to be carriers of His presence.
We are entering a season where we are being stripped of those things we have trusted in. The methods of man will ultimately fail. The shaking of things which are not kingdom must fall away that we might depend wholly on the great Agent of the kingdom, the Holy Spirit. God is looking for holy people, not committed to man made devices and forms of religion, but wholly committed unto Him.
My friend if you are born again and filled with the Spirit of the living God you are a Carrier of His Presence and wherever you walk in the Spirit the kingdom of God has come near. If we understand Who it is that is in us, we can make a difference in this world.
Blessings,
Herb Dean
Friday, June 5, 2009
A lesson from the fish tank
Dear friends,
I hope things are well with you. As I mentioned the other day I was praying about sending out prophetic words and insights to those who read these letters and teachings. I heard from a few people who encouraged me to go for it and some of them even had situations in their lives where they needed to hear from God. I was not sure how to go about it, but I believe that some times God will give specific words to people I communicate with and other times it will be a more general word that may apply to many or may apply to a situation one of you maybe dealing with. As I was preparing for Sunday's message I felt strongly that something I saw yesterday was a prophetic picture for someone who reads these letters so I am sending it out to you. I pray that you will be encouraged.
Yesterday I had to be in north Macon to call on a couple of businesses I serve as a chaplain. While I was there I decided to take a few minutes and go by the Bass Pro Shop. As many of you know these stores always have a large aquarium with varieties of fish that are usually indigenous to that area. While I was in the store they announced they were about to feed the fish. Included in the tank were some very large bass, two walleyes, and some gar. There were other breeds, but they were not carnivorous. I noticed up at the top of the tank there were a number of minnows swimming peacefully. None of the fish seemed interested in them. They then began to throw live minnows into the tank ranging from two to five inches long. The minnows who swam peacefully were not attacked. It was only those who sped up and began to swim erratically that the bass ate. There were some who took off to avoid the fish behind them only to swim in to the mouth of another bass in front of them. The whole time I watched I was expecting the bass to eventually go after those swimming peacefully near the top of the pool, but they never did. So what is the relevance of this experience to someone today?
There are some of you who are facing some serious situations. To you they appear big and dangerous and there is the tendency to panic; even to have panic attacks. The Lord is saying today to set your mind on Him and He will give you peace. Fear is your enemy and will set you on a destructive course. Some are running and the Lord is saying, "Slow down; get your perspective right. It is no time to panic. Don't make your decision out of fear." The Lord has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 The psalmist said what time I am afraid I will trust in thee. Psalm 56:3 Remember the minnows swimming peacefully at the top of the pool. You are above and not beneath, over and not under. You are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus far above all rule and authority. Be encouraged the Lord knows what you are going through and He is with you.
Pray for me that I will be sensitive to the Lord and confident in hearing Him. I pray that these writings will speak to you and be an encouragement to you. Let me know if I can pray for you or be of any service.
In His love,
Herb Dean
I hope things are well with you. As I mentioned the other day I was praying about sending out prophetic words and insights to those who read these letters and teachings. I heard from a few people who encouraged me to go for it and some of them even had situations in their lives where they needed to hear from God. I was not sure how to go about it, but I believe that some times God will give specific words to people I communicate with and other times it will be a more general word that may apply to many or may apply to a situation one of you maybe dealing with. As I was preparing for Sunday's message I felt strongly that something I saw yesterday was a prophetic picture for someone who reads these letters so I am sending it out to you. I pray that you will be encouraged.
Yesterday I had to be in north Macon to call on a couple of businesses I serve as a chaplain. While I was there I decided to take a few minutes and go by the Bass Pro Shop. As many of you know these stores always have a large aquarium with varieties of fish that are usually indigenous to that area. While I was in the store they announced they were about to feed the fish. Included in the tank were some very large bass, two walleyes, and some gar. There were other breeds, but they were not carnivorous. I noticed up at the top of the tank there were a number of minnows swimming peacefully. None of the fish seemed interested in them. They then began to throw live minnows into the tank ranging from two to five inches long. The minnows who swam peacefully were not attacked. It was only those who sped up and began to swim erratically that the bass ate. There were some who took off to avoid the fish behind them only to swim in to the mouth of another bass in front of them. The whole time I watched I was expecting the bass to eventually go after those swimming peacefully near the top of the pool, but they never did. So what is the relevance of this experience to someone today?
There are some of you who are facing some serious situations. To you they appear big and dangerous and there is the tendency to panic; even to have panic attacks. The Lord is saying today to set your mind on Him and He will give you peace. Fear is your enemy and will set you on a destructive course. Some are running and the Lord is saying, "Slow down; get your perspective right. It is no time to panic. Don't make your decision out of fear." The Lord has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 The psalmist said what time I am afraid I will trust in thee. Psalm 56:3 Remember the minnows swimming peacefully at the top of the pool. You are above and not beneath, over and not under. You are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus far above all rule and authority. Be encouraged the Lord knows what you are going through and He is with you.
Pray for me that I will be sensitive to the Lord and confident in hearing Him. I pray that these writings will speak to you and be an encouragement to you. Let me know if I can pray for you or be of any service.
In His love,
Herb Dean
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The Ministry of Encouragement
The Ministry of Encouragement
We are entering a time when there is a great need for encouragement in the body of Christ. When the word prophecy is used today, it is usually in reference to the "end times". Prophesying has been defined as declaring truth or forth-telling. It is those things, but it is so much more. I would say from experience that out of the few hundred that may read this there are some who are going through struggles. There are times when we need an audible voice revealing the heart of God for us in a situation. One of the great roles of the prophetic in the body of Christ is to be a "ministry of encouragement." I would like to share a little today on the prophetic gift.
But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 1 Cor. 14:3
New Testament prophecy was not given to declare judgement and condemnation; it was given as a gift, a blessing to be an encouragement to the believer. Look at those three words:
1. Edification- given for the purpose of building up. Edify means literally to build, to place one brick upon another.
2. Exhortation- to call along side to help. It comes from the same words as "parakletos" which is the word for the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "I'll send you another helper." The word there is parakletos. To encourage, to help.
3. Comfort- Literally means to "cheer up"
We could say prophecy builds up, helps up, and cheers up. We all need these things in our lives. In much of the church this invaluable gift is not in operation or is not understood.
In Acts 4:36,37 we see a man named Joses or Joseph, who the apostles renamed Barnabas which is translated "Son of Encouragement" or "Son of Consolation". In Hebrew the "bar" means "son" and "nabas" means "encouragement, consolation, or prophecy." Barnabas could have just as easily been translated "Son of Prophecy." Why do you think the apostles called him that? He must have been prophetic; he must have been an encourager. In fact, in Acts 13:1 it says that certain prophets and teachers had gathered at Antioch. Barnabas was among them. Which do you think he was?
Paul placed great emphasis on prophecy. Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 1 Cor. 14:1 There are at least three schools of thought out there. Most would fall into one of these three:
1. Cessationists- They believe that the gifts are no longer in operation. They ceased with the death of the apostles.
2. Those who believe the gifts are still available. They would say that they are open to the gifts, but they don't seek them.
3. Those who believe the gifts are for today and they seek to operate in them.
The word desire in 1Cor. 14:1 is a strong word. It means to earnestly desire or covet. So according to the writing of Paul, it is not enough to be open, but we are to seek spiritual gifts. That seeking is never for exaltation of one's self or to the exclusion of the giver, but the desire to see His body edified. Gifts are "power tools" given to build the body of Christ. It is much easier to build a house with power tools than just a hammer, a hand saw, and an axe.
Years ago, I planted a church. The church was about three years old when because of a doctrinal issue and another pastor coming to town that about half the church left. Most of the ones that left were tithers and the income of the church dropped by 60%. The amount coming in each month was now less than my salary. I was very discouraged and was inquiring of the Lord what I should do. I thought about shutting down or finding a job. I really had four questions that I was asking of the Lord. I had heard about a church in Atlanta where they had prophetic teams minister to your people, so I called them and set up a time. These people knew nothing about our circumstances. As they began to prophesy over me every question was specifically answered. "God started this church and He doesn't want it stopped." They placed their hands on my hands and said that these hands were to do nothing else, but the ministry of the gospel. I left greatly encouraged and strengthened in the Lord. In fact, had it not been for the Lord speaking through these people, I might very well have given up. I have seen the Lord use prophecy in my life to encourage me and praise God, He has spoken through me to encourage others as well. I am fully persuaded of the necessity of prophecy in the church today.
It is my desire to encourage you. I am praying about sending out prophetic words on a regular basis as often as God may give them for the people who read these teachings. Would you pray with me on that. I know there are people out there that need to know that God still knows their address and that He is concerned with the situation they are dealing with. To give them hope that yes, the prodigal is coming home. The pain you are dealing with will last for a season, but God is going to use your deliverance to minister to others. They need to know that God has given them a purpose and a destiny. I appreciate your encouragement and your prayers. May you be greatly blessed of the Lord.
We are entering a time when there is a great need for encouragement in the body of Christ. When the word prophecy is used today, it is usually in reference to the "end times". Prophesying has been defined as declaring truth or forth-telling. It is those things, but it is so much more. I would say from experience that out of the few hundred that may read this there are some who are going through struggles. There are times when we need an audible voice revealing the heart of God for us in a situation. One of the great roles of the prophetic in the body of Christ is to be a "ministry of encouragement." I would like to share a little today on the prophetic gift.
But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 1 Cor. 14:3
New Testament prophecy was not given to declare judgement and condemnation; it was given as a gift, a blessing to be an encouragement to the believer. Look at those three words:
1. Edification- given for the purpose of building up. Edify means literally to build, to place one brick upon another.
2. Exhortation- to call along side to help. It comes from the same words as "parakletos" which is the word for the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "I'll send you another helper." The word there is parakletos. To encourage, to help.
3. Comfort- Literally means to "cheer up"
We could say prophecy builds up, helps up, and cheers up. We all need these things in our lives. In much of the church this invaluable gift is not in operation or is not understood.
In Acts 4:36,37 we see a man named Joses or Joseph, who the apostles renamed Barnabas which is translated "Son of Encouragement" or "Son of Consolation". In Hebrew the "bar" means "son" and "nabas" means "encouragement, consolation, or prophecy." Barnabas could have just as easily been translated "Son of Prophecy." Why do you think the apostles called him that? He must have been prophetic; he must have been an encourager. In fact, in Acts 13:1 it says that certain prophets and teachers had gathered at Antioch. Barnabas was among them. Which do you think he was?
Paul placed great emphasis on prophecy. Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 1 Cor. 14:1 There are at least three schools of thought out there. Most would fall into one of these three:
1. Cessationists- They believe that the gifts are no longer in operation. They ceased with the death of the apostles.
2. Those who believe the gifts are still available. They would say that they are open to the gifts, but they don't seek them.
3. Those who believe the gifts are for today and they seek to operate in them.
The word desire in 1Cor. 14:1 is a strong word. It means to earnestly desire or covet. So according to the writing of Paul, it is not enough to be open, but we are to seek spiritual gifts. That seeking is never for exaltation of one's self or to the exclusion of the giver, but the desire to see His body edified. Gifts are "power tools" given to build the body of Christ. It is much easier to build a house with power tools than just a hammer, a hand saw, and an axe.
Years ago, I planted a church. The church was about three years old when because of a doctrinal issue and another pastor coming to town that about half the church left. Most of the ones that left were tithers and the income of the church dropped by 60%. The amount coming in each month was now less than my salary. I was very discouraged and was inquiring of the Lord what I should do. I thought about shutting down or finding a job. I really had four questions that I was asking of the Lord. I had heard about a church in Atlanta where they had prophetic teams minister to your people, so I called them and set up a time. These people knew nothing about our circumstances. As they began to prophesy over me every question was specifically answered. "God started this church and He doesn't want it stopped." They placed their hands on my hands and said that these hands were to do nothing else, but the ministry of the gospel. I left greatly encouraged and strengthened in the Lord. In fact, had it not been for the Lord speaking through these people, I might very well have given up. I have seen the Lord use prophecy in my life to encourage me and praise God, He has spoken through me to encourage others as well. I am fully persuaded of the necessity of prophecy in the church today.
It is my desire to encourage you. I am praying about sending out prophetic words on a regular basis as often as God may give them for the people who read these teachings. Would you pray with me on that. I know there are people out there that need to know that God still knows their address and that He is concerned with the situation they are dealing with. To give them hope that yes, the prodigal is coming home. The pain you are dealing with will last for a season, but God is going to use your deliverance to minister to others. They need to know that God has given them a purpose and a destiny. I appreciate your encouragement and your prayers. May you be greatly blessed of the Lord.
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