Psalm 25 Be Teachable!

My Math teacher in seventh grade was a very demanding one, but he was also the best. He was willing to teach all he knew about multiplication and division, but I had to be willing to submit to his methods. Many students looked him up to have him as a teacher. In those days, it was not uncommon for a teacher to smack you with a ruler if you did not follow his instructions. But if I willingly submitted to his requirements, he would do everything in his power to ensure I learned well. To this day, I have not forgotten the multiplication tables.

So it is with our God. He is willing to be our teacher and teach us all we need to know and understand. There should be a longing in our hearts to have God as our teacher just like David himself exclaims in vv.4-5: "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long."

But there are certain requirements for me to be a true disciple of my God. First, I must be a person who accepts that God is upright and I am a sinner. He is the teacher and I am the student. He is above me and I am in need of instruction. It is imperative that I approach God with the proper understanding of my place in his presence. I am in need of him. I must come in repentance and with a contrite spirit knowing that I have not lived up to the expectations of my teacher.

Secondly, "He leads the humble in what is right." My attitude before my God should be one of humility and not pride. I cannot come to receive instruction with arrogance. I must humble myself to my teacher. My God is willing to lead me to what is right only if I come humbly to him. I must abandon my pretense to know it all. I must empty my vessel to receive what God is willing to pour into my life.

Finally, I must be obedient. "All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies." I will not be able to enjoy anything God teaches me unless I am willing to be obedient to what he instructs me to do. I must have a heart that is willing to submit obediently to his instruction.

If I seek my God to instruct me with a repentant, humble, and obedient heart, I will learn much. I will learn what is really important in life and benefit from God's blessings as I obediently practice it every day.

Father, I confess that I have not lived up to your commands. Give me a humble and obedient heart that I may learn from you and please you all the days of my life. Amen.

Acts 11:19-30 The Church in Antioch

Antioch is an exciting church plant and a great model to follow. Most of the believers in those days were preaching to Jews only, but a few began to witness to the Hellenists (Greeks) and they began to trust in the Lord. The word about these conversions came to the ears of the Apostles in Jerusalem and they sent Barnabas to check out what was going on. It is important to note the interest that the Apostles have to ensure the integrity of the preaching of the Gospel. Organization is a very important part of the kingdom of God and we would do well to pay attention to it. The movement in Antioch was at the "grass roots," but nonetheless the Apostles intervened to "supervise it." The Church is built on authority and hierarchies and we can't do away with them. Doing away with them produces chaos at most and a lack of doctrinal integrity at the least.

Barnabas was the emissary of choice because he was a good man, full of the Spirit and of faith. He was able to discern what the Spirit was doing among the people ("saw the grace of God") and rejoiced with them. He was also able to exhort or encourage the brethren "to remain faithful with steadfast purpose." Barnabas is an encourager. The work of the kingdom requires people who are able to encourage others to follow Christ with steadfast purpose. I want to be a Barnabas, an encourager of God's people! A man full of the Spirit and faith able to discern God's work among his people and able to celebrate with them. What keeps me down when I know deep down that I am an encourager?

Interestingly enough, encouragement is not enough and Barnabas was well aware of it. The church needs encouragement, but it is not enough to get it through the trials and tribulations of the day. The church needs strong teaching and Barnabas set out to find it in Saul. Saul was gifted to teach and he taught for over a year at Antioch. The Word of God is very essential for the growth of a church. Encouragement combined with solid Teaching is the winning combination to create an environment conducive to growth. Am I encouraging my brothers and sisters? Am I teaching God's Word to them?

The people from Antioch were the first ones to be called Christians. Without a doubt, the name people gave the early believers is evidence that the community was Christ-centered. The encouragement was done in the name of Christ and the teaching was about the life, ministry, death, resurrection, and return of Christ. Is my life Christ-centered? Is my teaching Christ-centered? Is my encouragement done in the name of Christ?

We can't miss the supernatural work of the Spirit through Agabus - a prophet who foretold a famine in those days. And we can't miss the gracious response in giving to aid the believers in distress. Here is the other element that a healthy church needs: belief and practice of the gifts of the Spirit. A supernatural outlook on life through the eyes of the Spirit. The power of the church is in the operation of the spiritual gifts. Am I taking for granted the gifts of the Spirit? Am I using them to the max? Or am I hiding them in the closet? A healthy church will have the elements of encouragement and solid teaching as well as the operation of the gifts of the Spirit.

Father, may Faith Alliance be a church like Antioch, filled with encouragement, strong teaching, and the gifts of the Spirit. Help me be an encourager and teacher open to the supernatural work you desire to do. May our leadership team offer the gifts you have bestowed for the building of your church and the honor of your glory. Amen.