Ask for the Ancient Paths

Do you believe in the gifts of the Spirit?Have you heard conflicting teaching on this topic? Do you want to know more about how God uses these gifts?  Today, Mike shares examples of how the Lord has been at work, expressing His gifts among His people.  ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. -- Joel 2; Acts 2 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.-- 2 Timothy 2  

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." -- Romans 12 Today, Mike turns on the microphone and shares what he senses the Lord putting on his heart, using no notes, walking in faith as we continue the series of episodes titled As He Leads.  May these words edify, encourage and comfort you or someone near you today. 

Recently, a friend wrote: Quite a few things went wrong today - I had to die over and over - I'm glad we discussed all the things that we did yesterday. The Lord knew what was coming. All is well. I heard someone say that it is always good to be humbled. What is to be our response when things go wrong, when we must die to self over and over? What is the pathway of the Lord when we're humbled?  Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. -- 1 Timothy, chapter 1

A question occurs several times in the New Testament. It's stated in various ways but aims for the same answer. What must we do to be saved? What must we do to enter the Kingdom? What must we do to do the work that God requires? What shall we do?  "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. Therefore, in the same way, God loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." -- John chapter 3

People say No to God. Even followers of Jesus say No to God. We’ll talk about that today. What is the Lord's view of people saying Yes or No to Him? "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." -- Philippians 2 "That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." -- Matt 12

What is in your spiritual crock pot? In this episode, Mike talks about Love, Sonship, and voting for dictators.  This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Tell this to your masters: With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please. Now I will hand all your countries over to my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him." -- Jeremiah 27

In this episode, Mike again teaches in the manner of charaz, the stringing together of pearls. Mike talks about the cost of discipleship, addresses some listener feedback, and he reads commandments for roommates!

In today's episode, Mike turns on the microphone and shares what the Lord puts on his heart, including this from Isaiah 41: I said, ‘You are my servant’;  I have chosen you and have not rejected you.  So do not fear, for I am with you;  do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  All who rage against you  will surely be ashamed and disgraced;  those who oppose you  will be as nothing and perish.  Though you search for your enemies,  you will not find them.  Those who wage war against you  will be as nothing at all.  For I am the LORD, your God,  who takes hold of your right hand  and says to you, Do not fear;  I will help you.

Elder, Overseer, Shepherd, Pastor, Bishop, Apostle Various Christian traditions have different meanings for these terms. It can be confusing, and the meanings of these words have been obscured over the years.  What does the Bible say? How are we to understand the Lord’s will regarding church leadership? What are the various roles of church leaders? Why in the world do we use these terms?! What is a Bishop? What marks an Apostle?  Let’s get into it. 

Often, we don't have clarity about next steps. What is the Lord's will for us? In the Kingdom, something is more important than clarity about such questions. Today, Mike addresses that issue.  And, Mike talks about the difference between bribery and extortion!  

Today, Mike talks about hedonism, the world's wisdom, and how to walk along the path of life. What must die? Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

What do bits, rudders and sparks have in common? Want to be perfect? Do you want true religion? Do you want to avoid self-deception? James, the brother of Jesus, has the answers. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 

In today's episode, Mike looks at what Peter, Paul, James, the writer of Hebrews and the Lord Himself say about suffering. He also uses the phrase, "you go girl!" You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs–he wants to please his commanding officer. -- 2 Timothy 2 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? -- 1 Peter 4 Mentioned in this episode: Suffering is Not for Nothing.  

Continuing the last episode, Mike looks at the place of perseverance and rest as we walk through times of suffering.  So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while,     “He who is coming will come and will not delay.     But my righteous one will live by faith.     And if he shrinks back,     I will not be pleased with him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. -- Hebrews 10:35-39

Why does God allow suffering? How are we to live through the hardships we experience? In this episode, Mike looks at what the Bible says about the place of suffering and God's purposes.  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." -- Hebrews 12:1-3 -- Credit to David Pawson and Elisabeth Elliot

How can a Christian live a life worthy of God's calling? What is God's call? Mike addresses those questions, and he tells a story of how the Lord manifests His Spirit through Words of Knowledge.  "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." -- 1 Peter chapter 2 "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." -- Ephesians chapter 4  

Let's look at what the New Testament says about Tithing. Does Jesus command His disciples to tithe? Do the apostles tell us to obey the law of tithing?  The topic of tithing can be divisive in the church; it is important to look at what the Lord says, and to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others." -- Luke 11  Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. -- 2 Corinthians 9

The subject of Tithing can be confusing and divisive.  What does the Lord expect of us, His people, regarding tithes?  The answer may be more nuanced than you think. In today's episode, we look at tithing in the Old Testament.    “Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord's; it is holy to the Lord. . . . And every tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman's staff, shall be holy to the Lord."  - Leviticus 27:30-32 

With no preparation, Mike turns on the microphone and shares what the Lord puts on his heart. Please remember to weigh carefully what is said, and in all things bring glory to the Father. 

Today we take a look at the life of Barnabas, a man often overlooked today but very often in the heart of the Lord's work in the book of Acts.  "He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith."  - Acts chapter 11