JOIN GOD IN HIS WORK!

The second attempt also was removed with the title GOD IS ALWAYS AT WORK!  This is really getting frustrating!  I've been posting my blog on Facebook since 2011 without a problem.  But in the last several weeks, it is being consistently removed.  If you're reading this, I hope you'll start coming directly to this blog regularly since I seem to be having problems promoting it on my main traffic system - Facebook!

It happened AGAIN!  Facebook removed this when I posted it to my page.  I had lowered the text so that no words were visible.  Apparently the title alone caused it to be rejected.  The title was JOIN GOD IN HIS WORK!  I guess that title suggests that I was seeking 'Likes'.  I'll change the title and try again...😤

When you read through the Old Testament, it is clear that God works in many places and in many people's lives at the same time!  

It is possible to deduce that God may not only have one, single, solitary plan - but many diverse plans that are independent of one another.

Let me illustrate:

In Genesis 14, Abram's nephew, Lot, was taken captive by a coalition of four kings and their armies.  Abram - hearing this news - leapt into action and rescued Lot and all his family and possessions from these opposing forces.  That's when something extraordinary happened.  

The priest-king of Jerusalem [at that time known as Salem], Melchizedek, came out to meet him as well and brought out bread and wine for them.  Melchizedek was a priest of the One whom he called 'the Most High God.'  Priest-king Melchizedek offered a special blessing to Abram:

"May Abram be blessed by the Most High God, Creator of the heavens and earth.  Blessing and honor to the Most High God, who has clearly delivered your enemies into your hands!"

Abram gave the priest-king a tenth of the captured goods he was bringing back with him.

[Genesis 14:18-20  All quotes from The Voice Bible unless otherwise noted.  Remember that in this version the words in italics are not in the original texts.] 

So, our question is:  Who is this Melchizedek and how did he find out and receive a calling from the God of Abram?  

Clearly, God had made Himself known to Melchizedek independently from the work He was doing in Abram's life! 

We should NEVER limit God!  We will never know all that God is doing nor in whom He may be working to advance His purposes!

Let's consider another instance of God's diverse work:

It occurs in the next book of the Bible: Exodus.  We may remember the story of Moses.  Adopted as a child by a princess of Egypt, he was raised in the royal family.  But as an adult, he was repulsed by the treatment of his people [the Israelites].  He killed an Egyptian and was exiled from Egypt.  After wandering in the wilderness he came to the land of Midian and found an encampment of the priest of Midian.  Moses married one of his daughters and spent forty years working for him as a shepherd!  

Who is this priest of Midian [Jethro]?  Who made him a priest?  How did he come to hear about the one true God?  He later played a vital role in giving Moses excellent counsel while Moses was leading this massive crowd of Israelites out of Egypt!  

We can not and must not put boundaries on God!  God does what He wants to do, when He wants to do it.  His ways are above our ways!   [Isaiah 55:9]

The Apostle Paul speaks to this issue as well in Romans 10.  He does so by quoting Deuteronomy 32:21.

[God speaking to the Israelites] 'I will make you jealous with a people who are not a nation.  With a senseless people I will anger you."  [Romans 10:19]

 [God speaking to Isaiah] "I showed My face to those who never asked for Me." [Romans 10:20]  

Even in the New Testament we find the apostles being upset because they came across a man who was casting out demons in Jesus' name!  

[John speaking] "Master, we found this fellow casting out demons.  He said he was doing it in Your name, but he's not one of our group.  So we told him to stop.

[Jesus responding]  "What? No! Don't think like that!  Whoever is not working against you is working with you."  [Luke 9:49-50] 

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I have been tremendously impacted by books that I've read through the years.  For a long time, I kept a 'Top Ten Shelf' of the ten books that had impacted me most!  Although it's difficult to choose, probably the number one book was EXPERIENCING GOD by Henry Blackaby and Claude V. King.  

The following are the premises that they present:

• God is always at work around you.
• God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal.
• God invites you to become involved with Him in His work.
• God speaks through the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.
• God's invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action.
• You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing.
• You come to know God by experience as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you.

God is not satisfied that Franklin Graham is following Him and doing great things through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association AND Samaritan's Purse.  God is pleased - but not satisfied!  

God is active in the area where you live and work also!  God desires to have you join Him in His work!  He likely has work that you are ideally suited for!  When you and I fail to move out in faith to follow His leadings - it must be SO DISAPPOINTING to Him!  

Of course, God works through His Church!  Despite your bias, God even works through churches that you think have their theology wrong!  

But - believe it or not - God does a lot of His work through vehicles and people outside of the Church!  God is not limited to working through ecclesiastical systems!  Are you kidding?  There are NO RESTRAINTS on God!  

He has always been working independently and aggressively through the lives of those who are genuinely committed to Him and AVAILABLE TO HIM!!

Are you one of those?  How have you responded to God in the last year?  Where have you joined Him in His work?  Is your fruit basket full or empty?  

Are you consciously looking around to see where - in your world - God is working?  Are you eager and wil work?  

Don't just look in your church!  He may be working in your school, or neighborhood, or family, or small group, or work place, or sports team...

Wherever you see Him working - make whatever adaaptations you must to join Him!  You'll NEVER be sorry!

GOD ALWAYS HAS A PEOPLE!

 I just read Genesis 20.  It includes the story of Abraham and Abimelech - the king of Gerar.  Genesis 20:11-13 is the only place in scripture where it is actually explained that Sarah was Abraham's sister [they shared the same father, but different mothers}.  When they began their wanderings, he said to her:  "This is how you can show your love to me:  everywhere we go, say of me, 'He is my brother.'"  

Abraham underestimated the power and influence of God!  

When they arrived in Gerar, Sarah did what her husband had asked and announced that he was her brother - which was partly true.  Being a beautiful woman, the king had her brought in to be part of his harem.  God immediately closed the wombs of all Abimelech's household.  Then, God came to Abimelech in a dream and said:  "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken;  she is a married woman."  [v.3].  

The king proclaimed his innocence before God and immediately agreed to make everything right.  He returned Sarah the next day!  He gave Abraham sheep and herds, male and female slaves, and a thousand shekels of silver.  He also said, "My land is before you;  live wherever you like."  [v.15].  

Obviously, King Abimelech honored God and knew and revered him!

We see this kind of thing happening repeatedly throughout scripture!

• After defeating a coalition of kings (and their armies) Abraham offers sacrifices to the King of Salem who is a priest of the Most High God [Genesis 14].  His name is Melchizedek.  Where did this guy come from?  Who told him about God and made him a priest?
• Later, Moses flees from Egypt and crosses the wilderness only to wind up being taken in by Jethro - a priest of Midian [Exodus 2].  This man gives Moses a wife, a job and a home.  He later advises Moses wisely in overseeing the massive group of Israelites under his leadership!  Where did this Jethro come from and who made him a priest?  
• Jonah is sent to preach to the population of a large city in Ninevah.  After his rebellion, he arrives and -rather unenthusiastically - preaches a simple salvation message.  The people respond in droves and a great revival overtakes the city [Jonah 3]!  What going on here?  Who prepared these people for this great revival?
• When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, magi from Persia were tipped off by the movement of the stars.  They made an arduous journey that must have taken many months before arriving at the house of Joseph to present gifts to the child, Jesus.  Who was coordinating this effort?  These were Gentiles - what were they doing playing such a major role in the birth of Christ?  
• We're told today of Muslims and even Muhllah's having dreams about Jesus!  Some are so seriously influenced that they're turning to Him with no other intervention!  Who's causing this?  [Definition of mullah : an educated Muslim trained in religious law and doctrine and usually holding an official post.  -  https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mullah]   

We tend to limit God to what we can see, but GOD ALWAYS HAS A PEOPLE AND IS ALWAYS AT WORK!  

We have no idea what He's up to....

Our attitude should be that espoused by Henry Blackaby in his excellent book:  EXPERIENCING GOD:  Knowing and Doing the Will of God:  Wait until we see God at work!  Then join Him in His work!  

Oh God!

Where are You working today?  What people group are You reaching out to?  Which of my neighbors are You wanting to touch today?  Where is Your Spirit lingering?  How can I join You in Your work?  What part can I play in being a part of Your loving outreach?  

Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me
Melt me, mold me
Fill me, use me

Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me

For the Kingdom's sake.  Amen.