Life Lesson Number Two
Today’s life lesson is simple to understand, but hard to do, in fact in our own strength, it’s impossible, but with God all things are possible!
2. Obey God and leave all consequences to Him.
I have shared with you over the past months that my church has been undergoing a mighty spiritual attack. Some members, a very few, have taken it on themselves to make major changes and with the power of their financial hold on the church they have succeeded in getting rid of a number of staff members. The church is in turmoil. I know the culprit, it’s Satan, and he is using these members to sow seeds of conflict. I learned the other day that even though they got their way, and pressured our pastor into leaving, that wasn’t enough. One of the people causing all the trouble sent a letter to the church where our pastor is going, accusing him with all kinds of false accusations. It wasn’t enough that they ran off a pastor than 99% of the congregation wanted to stay, they had to follow him to his next appointment and try to hurt him further!!!!
I was very, very angry and had decided it was time to strap on my guns and ride into town, (figuratively), and face down the bad guys! Then Number 2. struck me!!! My position is to be obedient to God and leave the circumstances to Him. I searched the scripture and could not find a reference that said, “When some of God’s people act in union with the enemy, it is your job to go and attack and defeat them.” On the cross, Jesus said, “Father forgive them for they no not what they do.”
That’s hard to do, but if it’s God’s will, it is the only course of action that will bring His results! God has a plan, and He is far more capable of handling this than I am.
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Friday, June 22nd, 2012 at 12:47 pm
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I’ve been in the same place (as you know pilgrim). Trusting God, when circumstances make no sense, is one of the hardest things to do. We are praying for you.
Hi Bill. Love your blog and read it daily. I was moved to respond to this post as I don’t know that I fully agree with you . Certainly God has called us to serve his will, and your decision may be correct. On the other hand we are to fight injustice and that has been one of the hallmarks of the church thru the centuries. So the question is, is it God’s will that you refrain from intervening in your church situation, or is he actually calling you to respond to is as was your first inclination. Sometimes it can be tough to know what the Holy Spirit is asking from us, but He is always faithful if we come to Him in prayer and supplication as I know you do. I will pray for you and your church. Jeff
Something I need to be reminded of daily. God doesn’t need me to fight his battles, but I sure love to try and help Him. I love II Chron 20:17 where Jehoshaphat is told that he doesn’t need to fight, but to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Thank you Bill for your daily encouragement. I always look forward to it.
Hi Bill,
You know I’ve been in ministry for a very long time. As such, I’ve developed a real understanding of what a church needs to recognize when it is searching for a pastor or in regard to anyone in a position of spiritual leadership.
When a Church asks a pastor to come serve the church’s needs (not necessarily it’s wants and desires!), the stipulations must be that he be recognized as one who speaks for God! He should not be controlled by the congregation, or persons with financial, political or social interests. He must be free to speak and act as The Man of God! His purpose is not to make the people happy, but to shepherd, encourage, counsel, help, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2). He is not to lord it over the people or to be arrogant proud, boastful, self serving or demeaning. He is to be The Man of God for all seasons. He is not to be placed on a pedestal, or worshipped, but the Church is to lovingly aid him to keep his feet on the path that God has chosen for him.
Once a Church has covenanted with a pastor, the only reasons they may dismiss him reasonably are for gross infidelity to The Word of God, gross immorality, or gross ethical misbehavior following Biblical principles of prayerful confrontation (Matthew 18:15-17. Together with these Scriptures read Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary on this same passage-This is very good material), and attempts to get spiritual counsel and help for him that have resulted in his refusal to deal with the issues.
Bill, I’ve seen pastors who have been dismissed for both reasonable, just reasons, and unreasonable, unjust purposes.
In some denominations like the AG, when dismissing a pastor, they like to do a clean sweep of all the leadership. When the Presbytery USA dismissed D. James Kennedy this was not for proper cause, and God led him to start a new denomination.
Bill, if your pastor and staff have been dismissed for improper cause, I’d urge you to know that God has written “Ichabod”over the door of this present church. If this is the case, find a good, biblically solid church and leave now before God begins his judgment.
I hate to be so blunt Bill, but this is one of those really tough things. If you’d like to talk, you can write me at my email, give me your phone number and I will call right away.
God Bless You Buddy,
Rob
Dear Mr. Fortney,
I think you have a very good attitude about what is going on in your church, but I want to say that I have heard a teaching about spiritual discipline and its place within a church or fellowship. The gist was that sometimes it is necessary for the good of the fellowship but must be done in a loving way. The teaching can probably be found somewhere on http://www.xenos.org.
Best wishes,
MMB
Thank you for visiting my pesnroal blog . I apologize for taking so long to respond.No matter where we live, this world can be a very harsh and cruel place. The more that God is in our lives, the less room there is for things that are not of God. Your children are such a blessing, they are priceless. Keep your focus on God and He will always be there for you. This life is so short, eternity is forever. I look forward to the day to being with Him.God bless,MichaelPS We need to keep our children and grandchildren in our prayers. We must teach them that this world is not their inheritance, God has all that they will ever need!
Bill,
While I agree that God is in charge and we are to acknowledge His will and plan in all that we do I would posit that Paul, when confronted with those who counseled the early Gentile church to be circumcised and submit to the Law, strongly resisted their efforts.
Similarly, when the present day church is under attack…from within or without it is our duty to listen and respond as His advocates and voice…speak the truth in Love but do not deny what you see as an injustice or wrong.
Please understand, we are charged to bind on earth that which is wrong and must be wholly in submission to His will in order to discern the truth.
You and your church will be in my prayers…may He be ever foremost in our personal and congregational lives.
In His severe Mercy,
Bob