Thursday, January 27, 2011
Issues of Life #10
Spiritual Warfare #2
"The Whole Armor of God" by Andy Taylor
“Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles (trickery) of the devil.”
Paul must have had lots of practice in the art of spiritual warfare. He was constantly under attack. He was shipwrecked, bitten by poisonous snakes and beaten on numerous occasions. He did not fear the enemy but he did have a certain respect for his foe. He knew that the enemy could not be defeated except through the Holy Spirit. It had to be “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The armor of God was his protection. In essence, when he symbolically put on the whole armor of God…he was literally putting on Jesus! The belt of Truth, the breastplate of righteousness, his feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God was his armor. Any piece of this armor left off would leave him vulnerable to the attack of the enemy. That’s why he said, “put on the whole armor of God.” We need to be covered and protected by the characteristics of Jesus. It is also interesting to note that there is no provision for the back of the believer. All the armor is for the front! The only thing that we can surmise from this is that we, as the people (army) of God, are not to turn, tuck our tails and run from the attacks of the enemy. We are to continually and consistently take the battle to the enemy. We are to eternally advance the kingdom of God. We can’t do that if we’re in the retreat mode! So, here’s the deal; We are adequately covered with the whole armor of God. We must ‘put on’ Jesus! That’s how we overcome. That’s why we are called “more than conquerors” through Christ Jesus. Let’s claim our victory….now!
Spiritual Warfare #2
"The Whole Armor of God" by Andy Taylor
“Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles (trickery) of the devil.”
Paul must have had lots of practice in the art of spiritual warfare. He was constantly under attack. He was shipwrecked, bitten by poisonous snakes and beaten on numerous occasions. He did not fear the enemy but he did have a certain respect for his foe. He knew that the enemy could not be defeated except through the Holy Spirit. It had to be “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The armor of God was his protection. In essence, when he symbolically put on the whole armor of God…he was literally putting on Jesus! The belt of Truth, the breastplate of righteousness, his feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God was his armor. Any piece of this armor left off would leave him vulnerable to the attack of the enemy. That’s why he said, “put on the whole armor of God.” We need to be covered and protected by the characteristics of Jesus. It is also interesting to note that there is no provision for the back of the believer. All the armor is for the front! The only thing that we can surmise from this is that we, as the people (army) of God, are not to turn, tuck our tails and run from the attacks of the enemy. We are to continually and consistently take the battle to the enemy. We are to eternally advance the kingdom of God. We can’t do that if we’re in the retreat mode! So, here’s the deal; We are adequately covered with the whole armor of God. We must ‘put on’ Jesus! That’s how we overcome. That’s why we are called “more than conquerors” through Christ Jesus. Let’s claim our victory….now!
Labels: Armor, Attack, Devil, Victory, Vulnerable, Word of God
Issues of Life #9
Spiritual Warfare #1
“Let’s Play Offense for a Change!” by Andy Taylor
Why is it that when believers hear the term, spiritual warfare, they immediately think of how they are going to block the blows or fend off the attack of the enemy. It is just how we think. Why should we always think ‘defense’. David is a great example to us when he met the giant, Goliath, in the valley of battle. The Word records that David ran to the battle. No defensive move there! David saw the situation at the battlefield through the eyes of God. He said, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine who thinks he can taunt the armies of the living God?” David was outsized. Goliath was totally covered with armor. He was ten feet tall and the champion warrior of the Philistines. So what made David run to the battle? It certainly didn’t make sense from anyone’s viewpoint. Well, here’s the secret. David knew God. He knew that God would deliver him. He couldn’t believe that this giant was intimidating the people of God. The God that he knew would utterly defeat this obnoxious character. As he ran to the battle he declared, “This battle is not mine, it belongs to the Lord.” You know the rest of the story. Here’s what we can learn from David’s exploits. We are the people of God! Why should we always be on the defensive? What has the enemy been using on you so successfully? Is it anger, unforgiveness, depression, confusion, fear? What is it? Why don’t you use these things on him?? Speak it back into the camp of the enemy! Speak disarray into his camp! Let him get on the defensive for a change. Let’s make him worry about what to do next!
Spiritual Warfare #1
“Let’s Play Offense for a Change!” by Andy Taylor
Why is it that when believers hear the term, spiritual warfare, they immediately think of how they are going to block the blows or fend off the attack of the enemy. It is just how we think. Why should we always think ‘defense’. David is a great example to us when he met the giant, Goliath, in the valley of battle. The Word records that David ran to the battle. No defensive move there! David saw the situation at the battlefield through the eyes of God. He said, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine who thinks he can taunt the armies of the living God?” David was outsized. Goliath was totally covered with armor. He was ten feet tall and the champion warrior of the Philistines. So what made David run to the battle? It certainly didn’t make sense from anyone’s viewpoint. Well, here’s the secret. David knew God. He knew that God would deliver him. He couldn’t believe that this giant was intimidating the people of God. The God that he knew would utterly defeat this obnoxious character. As he ran to the battle he declared, “This battle is not mine, it belongs to the Lord.” You know the rest of the story. Here’s what we can learn from David’s exploits. We are the people of God! Why should we always be on the defensive? What has the enemy been using on you so successfully? Is it anger, unforgiveness, depression, confusion, fear? What is it? Why don’t you use these things on him?? Speak it back into the camp of the enemy! Speak disarray into his camp! Let him get on the defensive for a change. Let’s make him worry about what to do next!
Labels: Anger, Battle, Confusion, Defensive, Depression, Fear, Unforgiveness
Issues of Life #8
Community by Andy Taylor
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:42-47
This passage of Scripture gives us great insight into the culture of the first century church. The move of God began with a hundred and twenty faithful prayers in an upper room and quickly grew, in one instance, by three thousand and then a few days later by another five thousand! As the Scripture above clearly indicates, the believers were steadfast and focused on Jesus. They continued on in the move of God that began on the Day of Pentecost. They had ‘singleness’ and simplicity of heart. Their lifestyle was one that brought them genuine happiness (gladness) and true contentment.
The closeness of relationships that believers in the first church experienced has been virtually unparalleled in modern times. Our current society certainly has nothing that would compare to it. In fact our culture has moved rapidly away from deep, interpersonal relationships that should be the normal by-product of true church life. We now live in a nation where individualism is the norm. Americans, according to a poll conducted by noted pollster George Gallup Jr., are the loneliest people in the world. While there is ample opportunity and time for deep relationships, Americans have chosen to isolate themselves from their neighbors and, in many cases, even from their Christian brothers and sisters. There is a shift, however, back to a simpler, slower paced lifestyle. It is not widespread by any means but certain indicators are pointing to the idea that Americans are tiring of the emptiness that exists where deep relationships have been forsaken. The ‘first church’ experienced community! Common purpose, common possessions and the building and fostering of spiritual family made the ‘new’ church in Jerusalem a fascinating organism. They lived together, shared meals together and helped one another. They learned to love one another with unconditional love. There was great power manifested by God through His people, much of which can be attributed to the unity and fellowship that they shared with one another. They were in unity because they loved one another as family. It is doubtful that God would have chosen for us to ever move away from that depth of relationship with one another. When the 21st century church comes together today we come together as a group of individuals rather than as a family. There is a change in the wind, though! It is revolutionary! It’s called community! And only those in search of ‘true church life’ will find it!
Community by Andy Taylor
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:42-47
This passage of Scripture gives us great insight into the culture of the first century church. The move of God began with a hundred and twenty faithful prayers in an upper room and quickly grew, in one instance, by three thousand and then a few days later by another five thousand! As the Scripture above clearly indicates, the believers were steadfast and focused on Jesus. They continued on in the move of God that began on the Day of Pentecost. They had ‘singleness’ and simplicity of heart. Their lifestyle was one that brought them genuine happiness (gladness) and true contentment.
The closeness of relationships that believers in the first church experienced has been virtually unparalleled in modern times. Our current society certainly has nothing that would compare to it. In fact our culture has moved rapidly away from deep, interpersonal relationships that should be the normal by-product of true church life. We now live in a nation where individualism is the norm. Americans, according to a poll conducted by noted pollster George Gallup Jr., are the loneliest people in the world. While there is ample opportunity and time for deep relationships, Americans have chosen to isolate themselves from their neighbors and, in many cases, even from their Christian brothers and sisters. There is a shift, however, back to a simpler, slower paced lifestyle. It is not widespread by any means but certain indicators are pointing to the idea that Americans are tiring of the emptiness that exists where deep relationships have been forsaken. The ‘first church’ experienced community! Common purpose, common possessions and the building and fostering of spiritual family made the ‘new’ church in Jerusalem a fascinating organism. They lived together, shared meals together and helped one another. They learned to love one another with unconditional love. There was great power manifested by God through His people, much of which can be attributed to the unity and fellowship that they shared with one another. They were in unity because they loved one another as family. It is doubtful that God would have chosen for us to ever move away from that depth of relationship with one another. When the 21st century church comes together today we come together as a group of individuals rather than as a family. There is a change in the wind, though! It is revolutionary! It’s called community! And only those in search of ‘true church life’ will find it!
Labels: Closeness, Common, Community, Sharing, Simplicity
Issues of Life #7
Trust in the Lord by Andy Taylor
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
It can be simple and complicated at the same time. By God’s own design we are created in such a way as to be able to put our trust in Him. That part of the puzzle is pretty clear, and when we look at it from the proper perspective, it’s also pretty simple. But to learn to bring all our faculties into line and to actually put our entire trust in the Lord goes against the nature of the flesh and thereby becomes one of the great challenges of our lives. But the writer of Proverbs encourages us to do something that is absolutely do-able for born-again believers. In fact, to activate our trust in the Lord it just takes a simple decision by faith to begin the process. The problem is that we learn too early in life to put our trust in other things. And whatever those things are, they are sure to fail somewhere down the road. So for most it requires a total reversal of what our culture has taught us. That makes it much harder than it should be. God, in His infinite wisdom, has created us in such a way as to give us the final say in the matter. We’re free moral agents as the religious experts classify us. That just means that even though God has a ‘perfect plan’ for our lives, we must make the choice, or choices as it turns out to be in the final analysis, to participate in that plan. When we come to the Lord through salvation we should choose to engage with “all our heart”. It can happen that way, and at that point, but I believe in most cases it is worked out in an ongoing process that starts at the point of salvation and lasts for the rest of our lives. We learn as we go through varying circumstances in life that God is real and that He never mishandles our trust, as we place it in Him.
We are also encouraged by the above Scripture to “lean not on our own understanding”. That’s a pretty challenging concept. Sounds simple but when we set to the task we find that it’s harder than it sounds. We gain knowledge, understanding and experience as we live out our lives. If we’re not careful we will put our trust in our own abilities and in our own resources. But the adventurous walk of faith that the Father has destined us to experience can only be successfully achieved by putting our entire trust in Him. We should engage in the simplicity of this verse at face value. And when we do that, “He will direct our paths”!
Trust in the Lord by Andy Taylor
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
It can be simple and complicated at the same time. By God’s own design we are created in such a way as to be able to put our trust in Him. That part of the puzzle is pretty clear, and when we look at it from the proper perspective, it’s also pretty simple. But to learn to bring all our faculties into line and to actually put our entire trust in the Lord goes against the nature of the flesh and thereby becomes one of the great challenges of our lives. But the writer of Proverbs encourages us to do something that is absolutely do-able for born-again believers. In fact, to activate our trust in the Lord it just takes a simple decision by faith to begin the process. The problem is that we learn too early in life to put our trust in other things. And whatever those things are, they are sure to fail somewhere down the road. So for most it requires a total reversal of what our culture has taught us. That makes it much harder than it should be. God, in His infinite wisdom, has created us in such a way as to give us the final say in the matter. We’re free moral agents as the religious experts classify us. That just means that even though God has a ‘perfect plan’ for our lives, we must make the choice, or choices as it turns out to be in the final analysis, to participate in that plan. When we come to the Lord through salvation we should choose to engage with “all our heart”. It can happen that way, and at that point, but I believe in most cases it is worked out in an ongoing process that starts at the point of salvation and lasts for the rest of our lives. We learn as we go through varying circumstances in life that God is real and that He never mishandles our trust, as we place it in Him.
We are also encouraged by the above Scripture to “lean not on our own understanding”. That’s a pretty challenging concept. Sounds simple but when we set to the task we find that it’s harder than it sounds. We gain knowledge, understanding and experience as we live out our lives. If we’re not careful we will put our trust in our own abilities and in our own resources. But the adventurous walk of faith that the Father has destined us to experience can only be successfully achieved by putting our entire trust in Him. We should engage in the simplicity of this verse at face value. And when we do that, “He will direct our paths”!
Labels: Choose, Faith, Free, Trust, Understanding, Wisdom
Issues of Life #6
It’s a Good Death by Andy Taylor
Some time back I was spending some quality time with one of our young and aspiring preachers. He was about to be sent out of our church to begin a ministry in a neighboring town. I was aggressive in the advice that I gave him; “When you step out into the ministry that you believe God called you into, He has one thing in mind…..He has to kill you!” It’s His top priority…job 1! But wait a minute! You thought that God loved you with this, so called, unconditional love. You thought that He wanted to give you the ‘highest’ quality of life in Him. So, I’m sure you’re wondering what I’m talking about. Well, God really does have to kill you. But, be in peace, it’s not a literal death. And although it is dreadfully painful you’ll probably live through it. He has to kill the flesh in you if you are to be very effective for Him in His kingdom. He doesn’t need our good ideas. He’s not overly impressed with our resume. So He’s out to kill those things in us that stand in our path on our way to greatness…. Greatness that is….. from His perspective. In fact He may be more interested, at least at first, in doing something in you than through you. It’s all about the people that you’re called to. He wants you to minister in purity, wisdom and power…His power and not yours. This killing process may last for years, possibly a lifetime. But as something in you dies, something beautiful comes to life. It is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” He is being ‘formed’ in you and this is the way it happens. So, be sure, He IS going to kill you and He’s a ‘killin’ machine. And as the man in the Arizona desert said when the temperature peaked at 120 degrees, “It’s a dry heat.” This, my friend, is a ‘good’ death!
It’s a Good Death by Andy Taylor
Some time back I was spending some quality time with one of our young and aspiring preachers. He was about to be sent out of our church to begin a ministry in a neighboring town. I was aggressive in the advice that I gave him; “When you step out into the ministry that you believe God called you into, He has one thing in mind…..He has to kill you!” It’s His top priority…job 1! But wait a minute! You thought that God loved you with this, so called, unconditional love. You thought that He wanted to give you the ‘highest’ quality of life in Him. So, I’m sure you’re wondering what I’m talking about. Well, God really does have to kill you. But, be in peace, it’s not a literal death. And although it is dreadfully painful you’ll probably live through it. He has to kill the flesh in you if you are to be very effective for Him in His kingdom. He doesn’t need our good ideas. He’s not overly impressed with our resume. So He’s out to kill those things in us that stand in our path on our way to greatness…. Greatness that is….. from His perspective. In fact He may be more interested, at least at first, in doing something in you than through you. It’s all about the people that you’re called to. He wants you to minister in purity, wisdom and power…His power and not yours. This killing process may last for years, possibly a lifetime. But as something in you dies, something beautiful comes to life. It is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” He is being ‘formed’ in you and this is the way it happens. So, be sure, He IS going to kill you and He’s a ‘killin’ machine. And as the man in the Arizona desert said when the temperature peaked at 120 degrees, “It’s a dry heat.” This, my friend, is a ‘good’ death!
Labels: Death, Flesh, Greatness, Purity
Issues of Life #5
Working Through the Hard Issues by Andy Taylor
We have a mandate in the kingdom of God to work out difficult issues. Our society has drifted away from doing this. It is much easier to suffer a break in relationship than to work together to resolve disputes and problems between people. There’s no doubt about it…..it’s hard. I, personally, hate conflict and confrontation and it is especially hard for me and people like me to engage in it. But in God’s kingdom it is vital that we sit down at the table and work through even the toughest problems. There is something great at stake here. God’s Word states that, “by this you shall know them, that they have love for one another.” The world is watching us. If we really believe that, in Christ, we are brothers and sisters then we have a responsibility to work things out. Sometimes we have to labor to see the perfect will of God happen. Many times it is easier to just walk away from the tough issues than to work them out. We have found out, down through the years, that when we do the ‘harder’ thing we are always blessed. And, when it really gets down to it, the hard part is maybe having to say, “I’m sorry”, “I was wrong”, “I forgive you”, etc. This is what the kingdom is really all about. This is where maturity begins to take shape. This is where broken relationships are mended. This is where humility becomes real and where the flesh dies! It is a vital part of the ‘conforming’ process in which we are made more like Jesus. It is God’s plan and we must commit to it!
Working Through the Hard Issues by Andy Taylor
We have a mandate in the kingdom of God to work out difficult issues. Our society has drifted away from doing this. It is much easier to suffer a break in relationship than to work together to resolve disputes and problems between people. There’s no doubt about it…..it’s hard. I, personally, hate conflict and confrontation and it is especially hard for me and people like me to engage in it. But in God’s kingdom it is vital that we sit down at the table and work through even the toughest problems. There is something great at stake here. God’s Word states that, “by this you shall know them, that they have love for one another.” The world is watching us. If we really believe that, in Christ, we are brothers and sisters then we have a responsibility to work things out. Sometimes we have to labor to see the perfect will of God happen. Many times it is easier to just walk away from the tough issues than to work them out. We have found out, down through the years, that when we do the ‘harder’ thing we are always blessed. And, when it really gets down to it, the hard part is maybe having to say, “I’m sorry”, “I was wrong”, “I forgive you”, etc. This is what the kingdom is really all about. This is where maturity begins to take shape. This is where broken relationships are mended. This is where humility becomes real and where the flesh dies! It is a vital part of the ‘conforming’ process in which we are made more like Jesus. It is God’s plan and we must commit to it!
Labels: Conflict, Confrontation, Forgiveness, Relationships
Monday, January 3, 2011
Andy Taylor - Abraham's Stepping-Out Faith
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8
There is much to be learned about faith by reading Hebrews, chapter 11. One of the interesting things is how Abraham responded to the testing of God. The Bible states that, “Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness”. Abraham actually demonstrated God’s plan for faith four hundred and thirty years before the law was instituted. As we have discussed in previous letters,(See Trinity Fellowship - Andy Taylor's Page) Abraham had to do some extreme things to be obedient to God’s plan for him. He was asked by God to leave his country, his family and his father’s house (his generational influence). That would be an incredible test for anyone! But he wavered not. And the Word records yet another amazing thing that Abraham did that defies logic and conventional thinking. The Bible says that, “he went out not knowing where he was going.” Was it not enough for the Lord to require Abraham to leave virtually everything familiar and important to him behind? Couldn’t God at least tell Abraham where they were going? Apparently not!
Why would God be so vague and secretive to a person as obedient and devoted to Him as Abraham was? Well, the Lord knows the beginning from the end. He’s the author and finisher of our faith. God, in His wisdom, knows the frailties and weakness of human flesh. He knows that if He reveals to us the destination, or destiny, of our lives that we’ll try to find that destination by our own devices and get hopelessly lost doing so. It’s the way of the flesh. We are always trying to figure things out with our own minds.
If God had told Abraham the specifics of what his life would hold or if He had told Him where the ‘two of them’ were going Abraham would be like us. He’d try, by his own devices to get there. When we look at it that way it is obvious why God would not reveal where they were going. God had a plan. His plan was to have a family that would be the object of His blessing and His love. Abraham was to be the ‘father’ of that family. Since Abraham didn’t know the exact destination (destiny) He would have to totally depend on God for directions and that’s just the way God wants it….for Abraham and for you and I
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8
There is much to be learned about faith by reading Hebrews, chapter 11. One of the interesting things is how Abraham responded to the testing of God. The Bible states that, “Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness”. Abraham actually demonstrated God’s plan for faith four hundred and thirty years before the law was instituted. As we have discussed in previous letters,(See Trinity Fellowship - Andy Taylor's Page) Abraham had to do some extreme things to be obedient to God’s plan for him. He was asked by God to leave his country, his family and his father’s house (his generational influence). That would be an incredible test for anyone! But he wavered not. And the Word records yet another amazing thing that Abraham did that defies logic and conventional thinking. The Bible says that, “he went out not knowing where he was going.” Was it not enough for the Lord to require Abraham to leave virtually everything familiar and important to him behind? Couldn’t God at least tell Abraham where they were going? Apparently not!
Why would God be so vague and secretive to a person as obedient and devoted to Him as Abraham was? Well, the Lord knows the beginning from the end. He’s the author and finisher of our faith. God, in His wisdom, knows the frailties and weakness of human flesh. He knows that if He reveals to us the destination, or destiny, of our lives that we’ll try to find that destination by our own devices and get hopelessly lost doing so. It’s the way of the flesh. We are always trying to figure things out with our own minds.
If God had told Abraham the specifics of what his life would hold or if He had told Him where the ‘two of them’ were going Abraham would be like us. He’d try, by his own devices to get there. When we look at it that way it is obvious why God would not reveal where they were going. God had a plan. His plan was to have a family that would be the object of His blessing and His love. Abraham was to be the ‘father’ of that family. Since Abraham didn’t know the exact destination (destiny) He would have to totally depend on God for directions and that’s just the way God wants it….for Abraham and for you and I
Labels: Believe, Called, Faith, Logic, righteousness
