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THE DOUBLE MINDED

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THE INCONSISTENCY OF THE DOUBLE MINDED MAN

By Ken Blue

“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8.

James is showing the importance of faith in God’s faithfulness when one is praying. There is no reason to doubt God’s goodness, presence, ability, or love. We must be steadfast in these truths when praying.

However, the malady of the double minded man not only manifests itself in his prayer life; it contaminates all his decisions. The double minded man has difficulty following through on any decision. His only consistency is his inconsistency. He does not see two things that are identical, he see two different options, and can’t stick with either one.

Every church has some of these confused souls. They commit to becoming a member of the choir, but at practice time, find excuses why they did not show up. Others respond in a revival meeting to go to Bible College and prepare for the ministry, but circumstances are never “just right” for them to enroll.

The double minded man must hit the altar every Sunday, promising to live for God. But, on Monday he is right back to his old sins. The double minded man is always going to….but never does.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The double minded mans only consistency is his inconsistency. He does not see two things that are identical, he see two different options, and can’t stick with either one.[/perfectpullquote]

Let me suggest a few things that may help. Keep a guard on your mouth. Don’t be the first to speak up and be very slow about making commitments or promises. We have all been guilty, in the heat of the moment, of making promises to God; not even the angels could keep.

You don’t have to always say “yes” to people who ask you if you will do such and such. I have seen many of these. They will say yes and respond positively to every need, but they never show up or do it. All this is eroding their confidence.

Pastor, keep your plans, your vision and goals to yourself, until you have prayed and thought everything through. If you announce anything you are planning to do, and then do not do it, your people will lose confidence in your leadership and respect for you character.

James says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” James 1:19. Remember Nehemiah, the great wall builder. He never announced his plans until he had prayed and had the facts. He had a single eye.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

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GODLINESS OR GREAT GAIN

GodlinessBy Ken Blue
“…supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” 1 Timothy.

It is noteworthy that the text is found in the Pastoral Epistles, and the context is speaking of pastors and teachers. One of the ways God allows men to deceive themselves is their assumption that any kind of gain indicates their godliness. This is where the end is built on the wrong premise.

The pastor should realize that there is little relationship between material success and godliness. Some of us have been around long enough to discover that most of the godly pastors have very little in the form of material possessions.

There is the deception that men build large ministries because they have some secret connection with God. That is not the case. Godliness is one thing; material prosperity is quite another. All of us know men who have built large ministries, while living in gross immorality. The problem is that talent and personality are mistaken for godliness.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]…godliness with contentment is great gain![/perfectpullquote]

Christian, do not envy the successful. Keep your eyes in the Book and on the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t be fooled or infatuated with pastors who are dynamic speakers or have a ministry larger than yours. You keep your heart right with God. That is what matters. Men do not have larger ministries because of godliness!

Godliness is based on your walk with God. Church growth is based on other factors. These do not have to be in conflict or opposition, but they are not the same. They simply need to be understood and identified. Remember, gain is not proof you are godly; but, godliness with contentment is great gain!

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP AND CHURCH HEALTH

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LEADERSHIP OF THE PASTOR

pastorBy Ken Blue

“(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)” Numbers 12:3.

When searching for an example of a pastor, we cannot find anyone better than Moses. He is called the meekest man on earth. Some people confuse meekness with weakness. Therefore, they assume the pastor must take a position of indifference and never control or correct the church. This is a wrong concept of “meekness” and of the ministry.  We must understand that we cannot give people spirituality. We only have three things to give. We can give:

  1. Advice
  2. Influence, and
  3. Example.

I remember hearing a pastor, who led a large church say, “the two things he was accused of most, were a lack of love and being a dictator.” This is how people who resent leadership see you, and if you take the leadership it is the two things you will be accuse of.

Moses was called of God and he knew it. Moses was not eager to lead nor was he seeking a place of leadership. God called him and took time to convince him of His will for him. There are too many problems facing the pastor for him to not have assurance of God’s calling. Are you God called or are you simply a counselor and a social worker? A secure and confident pastor will have a healthy church; I did not say a perfect one.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]People who resent leadership will always accuse the pastor of two things: Lack of Love and Being a Dictator.[/perfectpullquote]

Moses loved God’s people and showed it. Moses would rather die than see God’s people destroyed. He would endure and suffer anything for them. Many pastors are hirelings and searching for the next best financial opportunity. The pastor who loves his people would pastor them without pay, if he could survive. Loving leadership leads to a healthy church.

Moses proclaimed God’s Word and defended it. The call to pastoral leadership is a call to preach the Word and defend it. Sound doctrine is the key to a healthy church. As time progresses, people will become less interested in sound doctrine. They will search for teachers who will sacrifice doctrine for praise and followers. We live in a day where it is practically impossible for believers to find a church that believes in an infallible Bible. The fault lies at the feet of false teachers and preachers who refuse to believe any Bible is inerrant. If your pastor corrects the Bible, you should look for another church. You can only have a healthy church where people have complete confidence in the accuracy and authority of the Bible.

Moses comforted God’s people. A good pastor must not only know how to comfort people individually, he must be able to comfort the church collectively. Many within the church are suffering from financial, family, health, and world political issues. A large part of the ministry is that of comforting others. Not only are believers soldiers, who are called to spiritual warfare, they are sometimes casualties in need of a nurse to comfort them. A healthy church is one where people can find comfort.

[perfectpullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]As time progresses, people will become less interested in sound doctrine and will search for praise and followers.[/perfectpullquote]

Moses dealt with sin and exposed it. Most of the problems in our lives are because we are violating some Scriptural principle. Guilt, anger, insecurity, anxiety, gossip, personality conflicts, and a host of other issues are rooted in selfishness and a desire to have our own way. Not only must external sins be dealt with; we must go to the heart of the matter; and usually the matter is with the heart. A healthy church will not only preach against sins, it will help church members who are struggling with them.

Moses knew what people needed for health, and he warned them. There can be no health, soundness, or healing without abstaining from sin and rebellion. Don’t misunderstand me. I am not suggesting that sickness or health issues are the result of your personal sins. Some could be, but not necessarily. However, spiritual sickness is always the result of sin. “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16.

Moses was human and blew it. Moses may be the perfect example of a pastor, but he was not a perfect man; no one is. He made his mistakes and so will your pastor. That is why all church members ought to pray for and encourage their pastor. Moses felt over-burdened with the many task before him. One of the answers was to involve others in the ministry. The work needed to be divided among the members. He needed someone to hold up his hands when he grew weary. Your pastor is not the Lone Ranger. He must have your help, if you are going to have a healthy church.

Many pastors and leaders keep believers in a state of “sickness” by focusing attention on their problems. That is a mistake. Spurgeon said, “When I look at Jesus, the dove of peace lights on my shoulder; when I look at the dove, she flies away.” Get your people to fall in love with Jesus Christ, and spiritual healing and health will return.

ISRAEL’S FIVE SUCCESSIONS OF PUNISHMENT-COURSE # 2

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By Ken Blue

This is the second of the five Courses of judgment promised to come upon Israel should they disobey and refuse to walk in God’s commandments. These are listed in Leviticus chapter 26. We give the five judgments here. 1. Lev. 26:14-17. 2. Lev. 26:18-20. 3. Lev. 26:21-22. 4. Lev. 26:23-26. 5. Lev. 26:27-39.

The second course states, “And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.” Leviticus 26:18-20.

This course deals with constant problems within the political aspects of the nation and the land; its environment also works against them. The time period of this curse was during the ministry of Elijah. It began in  1 Kings Chapter 12 where we see the revolt of the ten tribes and the division of Israel.

Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, was asked by the leaders of Israel to lessen their burdens imposed by King Solomon. He refused their request, assuring them that although his father had scourged them with whips, he would whip them with scorpions. This causes a rebellion of the ten northern tribes; they appointed Jeroboam to be their king. One should pay close attention to verse 15. “Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.”

The following is that prophecy which was coming to pass. “And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field: And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces: And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:2 (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:) Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.” 1 Kings 11:29-33.

This division was the first and the major step in the second course of judgments on the nation because of their apostasy and idolatry. The remainder of 1 Kings and part of the Chronicles record the civil wars between the north and the south. In addition, God sent the prophet Elijah to pronounce famine upon the land. Elijah informed King Ahab that there would not be any rain in Israel for the next three and one half years. This second course of punishment continues until the appointment of Elijah the prophet; it takes on a more severe nature at that point.

THE RIGHT RESPONSE TO SUFFERING

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By Ken Blue

Every faith healer ought to get on the same rocket ship and blast off into outer space on a one-way trip! However, before they leave, they should get on their knees and apologize to a great Christian like Joni Eareckson . To accuse God’s people of not being healed because of a lack of faith is the epitome of stupidly, and a demonstration of one’s lack of sympathy for those who suffer. Every believer should read her life story.

The following message was sent to me today, and I could not restrain myself from sending it on to you so you will pray for her and her family; and that you might be encouraged by her life.

“Joni Eareckson Tada Diagnosed With Cancer.

Joni Eareckson Tada, 60, founder and chief executive officer of Joni and Friends International Disability Center in Agoura Hills, Calif., has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Joni is an international disability advocate as a quadriplegic herself, and is also known for being an artist and author. “I’ve often said that our afflictions come from the hand of our all-wise and sovereign God, who loves us and wants what is best for us,” Tada said. “So, although cancer is something new, I am content to receive from God whatever He deems fit for me. Yes, it’s alarming, but rest assured that Ken [her husband] and I are utterly convinced that God is going to use this to stretch our faith, brighten our hope, and strengthen our witness to others.” [WordPress.com]