Keith Burnett Ministries

Equipping for Evangelism

Presence or Provision

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Bride and GroomHow does one successfully prioritize? Many things are necessary and many things are good. Choosing the best can easily be seen in the marriage relationship. Men, do you love your wife because she is who/what she is or do you love what she provides? Wives, the question also applies to your love for your husband. Is it him, or what he provides? Both are good and necessary, but only one has priority. “For better or worse” means if the day comes when my beloved can’t provide anything at all, I am still going to love. Easy enough!  Or is it?

The concept underscores the most important thing about this ministry. Many things are good and necessary.  A priority exists for all of us and it’s a question of presence or provision. A clear example is found in Exodus 33.

Presence IS Provision 

God told Moses to go into the Promised Land. Moses was told God’s angel would go ahead of the nation and fightPrayer pic the battles on their behalf. What that means is God promised His provision to Moses. The provision of God would do all that was required  for Moses and the people to win. If God gave you such a promise would you take Him up on it?

Moses begged God for something better. He asked for God’s presence. In fact, he asked God not to send  them into the Promised Land if God was not going with them. Would you turn down God’s provision for a promise of His presence?

In every speaking engagement and newsletter, I ask people to take important things to God in prayer! The need for His provision is a constant, but it takes the second seat in relation to seeking the Lord’s presence in all the opportunities He has laid before us. Remember, unless the Lord builds the house they labor in vain that build it.

Always say a prayerThe concept is simple, but challenging. It applies to individuals, churches, and ministries. Do we trust in programs, ask for God’s provisions, or first seek His presence? Make no mistake. God understands your need for provision. But He demands we first seek His face, not His hand. That’s what First Commandment love looks like, and why it is sometimes challenging. Think about  it!  And please pray faithfully for this ministry.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Ministry Opportunity – Mission With A Short Fuse!

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Our next mission team leaves in just 10 days. And there is more than one opportunity for you as this team prepares for our mission. I’ll start with Pastor Ramon. He asked friends to communicate with me prior to our arrival. In response to that, I promised to make our U.S. friends aware of what has happened. So here goes…

mission

Ramon – after the accident

Two words in the news I received alarmed me: motorcycle accident. And bad news seemed more ominous with two more words: Pastor Ramon. Those who have been with us in Barahona know the traffic scene. And all of us are amazed that the number of accidents isn’t higher than it is.

Ramon was one of our original host pastors for the Pastor Training School. He has worked hard to complete classes, engage other pastors, assist us in many ways, and he has graduated twice. And you are probably aware from previous posts that I have invited Ramon to be part of our teaching faculty.

News of his accident was accompanied by two pictures which I have shared here. It seems his injuries were likely sustained by putting his hands and arms out to break his fall. So he is already getting better. But that motorcycle is another story. That motorcycle was to him what your family car is to you. It enabled him to work, minister to his congregation, visit the hospital, get family groceries, and all the rest.

mission

The motorcycle

I sent word back to Ramon that I would make every effort to replace his motorcycle. We can do that in Barahona for $600-$700. That won’t be a new cycle, but I don’t think the wrecked one is repairable for that amount of money. The particulars are the end of this post.

The Prayer Mission

Prayer for the mission team is already happening. In light of this post, we need to add Ramon to our prayers. I know you will do that. Even so, I’d love to see some replies (comments below or emails) I could share with Ramon when we see him. And, Yes!, he will be teaching with us during November.

How To Help

Ministry needs truly are opportunities for us to act in Jesus’ name. And I don’t expect any individual to fully fund this need. But it wouldn’t be too much to think 12-14 people could each contribute $50. The problem is, there isn’t much time. November 9 would be the last possible day for funds to arrive in the mail.

  • Keith Burnett Ministries, PO 803, Scottsboro, AL 35768

That’s the way to participate. Questions? Comment below, send an email, or you can use messenger on the Keith Burnett Ministries Facebook page.

Soli Deo Gloria! 

The cover photo – We took that picture this past Spring. It’s on the building site of Ramon’s family home. We have 2019 mission teams that will be helping with this project. So please keep Ramon and family in your prayers.

Prayer: Taught by the Wish Book

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Our boys have summer birthdays that are just a couple of weeks apart. We celebrated those birthdays recently. But in a previous celebration,  the conversation turned to the good ol’ days. The twenty-somethings asked how Mom and Dad did birthdays way back when. Before I knew it I was trying to explain things they had little chance to understand. prayerHow does one explain the old Christmas Wish Book to young people who never looked through one? They don’t know a world without the Internet! And what does prayer have to do with all that?

I remember the Christmas catalogs arriving in our mailbox. Everything I wanted was marked, dog-eared, and/or initialed. There was no way Mom or Dad could miss what I wanted for Christmas. Did I know what everything I marked would cost? Of course not. Did I care? No. I just knew what I wanted and believed my parents could/should get it. And about Halloween I had to answer the question, If you could only have two or three of those things…?

prayer elijahLife teaches us about limits. We learn to lower our goals, dreams, and expectations. Those lessons become so ingrained we forget how to dream big dreams. This is just one reason Romans tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. A transformed, renewed mind helps free us from small, self-centered prayers. Is your prayer life small and limited or is it marked by big dreams and big prayers? It might help to know what big prayer sounds like.

Elijah’s Big Prayer

Elijah Prayer 2A web search for the subject God-sized prayers will turn up many things from the name-it-claim-it group. Fortunately there are much better examples of a God-sized prayer. Elijah prayed such a prayer. He wanted God to do the impossible for God’s glory and God’s purpose. The answer Elijah sought didn’t have anything to do with Elijah.

There are some God-sized things in this ministry that need our prayer. Mission teams, mission trips, mission funding, and evangelism projects are just some of them. Jesus says we must come to Him like a child. Remember, it was a child that used to believe his parents could get everything in the Wish Book. To pray like that, we need to realize;

  • Our Heavenly Father is truly is limitless
  • Nothing is beyond His power
  • He wants to answer God-sized prayer.

He can and will do exactly that if we just offer that kind of prayer! Will you do it?

Soli Deo Gloria! 

 

Encouragement: You Have the Very Best

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When was the last time the heavens seemed to be as brass? Did you need encouragement? You prayed, you cried out, and it all seemed to fall flat. Worse, you begged God to speak a fresh word to you and all you heard was the crickets chirping. I have some encouragement for you. The Father has not stopped speaking. But you may have been tempted to believe otherwise.

In Hebrews 1:1-3, we find:encouragement

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, v. 2) in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. v. 3) And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high; having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

If there were no other Scriptures to put to rest the idea that God has ceased to communicate, these verses are more than enough. We have the clearest communication of God’s love in the Person of Jesus Christ. In past times, God spoke by ones such as me. The prophets were people like us. The Apostles were people like us. The message was not clear enough.

The Encouragement of Invitation

Now, our Father communicates through One like Him; the Son. His message says we can exchange our sin for His righteousness. If we do, we can join the royal family. We get to be joint-heirs with Him! Remembering that is a great encouragement. And added to that is a Divine invitation. We see one version of it in Hebrews 4:16.

The Encouragement of His Excellency

God’s Son is not merely a prophet. The people who thought He was just a prophet (John 9:17) were wrong. Their error was not seeing that the goodness of every prophet of any age is met and exceeded by Him. And proof is provided in Philippians 2:9-11.

The Encouragement of His Word and Power

In His speaking, He is without mistake. His Word divides between soul and spirit. In power, He is unmatched. Moses directed the wind that divided the Red Sea, but the power was not His. In fact, His direction took place because he was instructed to give it!  Jesus holds the power. The power to make fire fall from the sky did not reside in Elijah. Jesus has that power and He is without peer.

The Encouragement of His Life

encouragementEvery prophet was laid to rest. Jesus has power to lay down His life and take it up again. No matter the features or appearance of the prophets and Apostles, His beauty excels them all. They commanded respect, but His majesty is without equal. In every aspect of life, Jesus surpasses and excels them all. The degree to which He does so cannot be described in human vocabulary!

The Father could not have sent us anyone better. And this is the One He sends to say to you,

Love Me with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.  

In verse 2: “… whom He appointed heir of all things.” Why do you suppose this phrase is included? The Father is telling us Jesus, His Son, can deliver on any and all promises that have been made to us. How can He do this? He is the heir of all things. Nothing that is, or ever will be, can exist outside His possession and control! EVERYTHING is subject to Him.  Consider:

  • His hand holds all stars, planets, galaxies
  • He controls the continents, oceans, mountains, rivers, and winds
  • He owns all the natural resources of every nation
  • All kingdoms, countries, and military powers move at His command for His purposes
  • All life is His because He is Life
  • He can do for you, and through you, all He has said He will do
  • You can trust Him because He is able. (He Who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it! see Philippians 1:6)

This is the One from Whom we receive so great an invitation to love. If we do not hear what He has to say, we will not hear.

Encouragement in Growing

In Eat This Book, Peterson cites Psalm 40:6. Depending upon the translation, the words will convvey that God is opening our hearing or our ears. The Hebrew word we translate as opening literally means dug. Think of chiseling a hole into cement. That cement is my head (not flattering, I know). God has to cut away what is me in order to open my understanding of Him. The awesome part is, He is willing enough, able enough, and loving enough to do it.

I’ll leave you with these great words of David from Psalm 40:

How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.  Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count. Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired; My ears You have opened; Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required. Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.”

Here is my prayer,

Lord, keep digging; I want to hear You better and know You more!

Surely I am not alone in needing to pray that prayer. Think about it!

Soli Deo Gloria!

 

Winning the War That Matters

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Life Lessons – Identify the Enemy

Are you tired of hearing about wars? How many have you heard about lately? Maybe you have spent time and energy on these wars:

  • Terror
  • ISIS
  • Poverty
  • The media’s supposed “war on women”

We should be aware of terrorist activity. We should pray for those persecuted by terrorist groups and evil ideologies. The “war” on poverty is a money pit. The poverty statistics in our country haven’t changed significantly since this “war” began in the 60’s – despite the millions of dollars spent.  Far more important than real or imagined wars is the one YOU are already in. The good news from this Life Lessons post is, you are equipped to win. How?

Life Lessons – Know Your Weapons

Do you want academic answers or would a picture better serve you? For most, the picture is better and we have one in 2 Chronicles 20.  Jehoshaphat was king of Judah. The nation was surrounded by hostile armies. Destruction was imminent. What happened? The king called the people to fasting and prayer.

Prayer is one of our better known weapons. Paul speaks of it alongside other weapons in Ephesians 6. I want you to see another lesser known weapon. The nation of Judah was delivered by this weapon! And it’s just as available and powerful for you as it was for Jehoshaphat.

Life Lessons – Know Who is in Charge

Jehoshaphat led his people in prayer. Part of his prayer was:

O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You.

The king’s prayer continued, but even in this opening verse we can see a truth. Jehoshaphat knew the battle could be won. And He also knew God would have to win it. But God left no doubt for those who may have seen it. His Spirit moved a man named Jahaziel to testify:

Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’

God is in charge. If we try to fight the battles on our own we are very likely to lose! But God seldom fights His battles in ways that make sense to us. Why? Without faith (Hebrews 11:6) it is impossible to please Him! How did He fight for the people of Judah?

Life Lessons – Employ the Weapon(s) God Chooses

battle is the LordsThe nation of Judah went out to battle. If you were leading, what would you do? Where would you place the most powerful, experienced warriors? Where would you place the most effective weapons? Surely you would take thought for those things. Well, God did that. But He didn’t do what you and I would do. And what He did tells us a great deal! Notice:

Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.’  When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the LORD and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, ‘Give thanks to the LORD, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.’ When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.

What was the weapon? Who was leading the army? Let me say it in terms you would recognize from your own church services:

The choir led the battle. Worship was the weapon God chose!

You still want to be in the church choir? Paul tells us a great deal in Ephesians 6. Many, but not all, of our weapons are listed there. But he opens that discussion by defining our enemy (see point 1).  But our enemy is subtle. So Paul declares:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

You are a mission volunteer. You freely gave your life to Christ and now you are on mission for Him. How will you succeed? By knowing:

  • Your mission, the enemy, and the goal
  • The battle is God’s, to be won in the power of His might
  • The weapons you have been given for victory

And I already know some of you doubt the application. You really wonder if something God did for the nation of Judah really applies to us today. Can worship really be a weapon of our warfare? Would it help if I told you Jesus said so? See the next post!

Soli Deo Gloria! 

 

Imitation Challenge

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Keith Burnett portraitImitation is the sincerest form of flattery! That’s how the old saying goes. Maybe we should say:

  • Imitation is the sincerest form of worship

Does that cause questions? We should note a couple of things before we start asking too many questions.

First, Jesus was perfect. He stated His own agenda on earth as imitating His Father:

  • John 8:28
  • John 8:38
  • John 12:49
  • John 12:50
  • John 14:10

We are to have the same agenda. Now, if there is any quality of adoration in imitation, then we can safely say that imitating God is worshiping Him. Even if someone made a case against imitation as part of worship, we cannot take away the fact that our perfect Lord perfectly met His goals:

Doing what He saw the Father do, and saying what He heard the Father say

Therefore, we must be imitators as well (see Ephesians 5:1).

I loveThere is a specific point of imitation I want to mention. A word search on ‘compassion’ turns up the times Scripture says Jesus was moved with compassion. He had a compassionate love for people. Many did not respond favorably. His compassion for them was not meant to get a specific response. He was loving and compassionate because they were there. If you did the word search, check the references.

Jesus loved others because it was His nature to do so. So should we. Christians are often guilty of “loving” the lost as a means to win them. If it’s real, that’s great. Here is the test:

Do we keep loving them when they have rejected the Gospel?

Jesus loved them even as they placed thorns on His head! Now, apply compassionate love to those who have already accepted Him:

  • Do we actively love the family of God (all the family)?
  • Is it easier to love selected ones of my brothers and sisters?

If so, the Word says we have not surpassed the love of pagans for even they love those that love them. Our love for one another is supposed to be a noticeable, marking trait of our faith.

Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,” I Peter 1:22. This version says fervently love one another. The KJV calls for unfeigned love. Whichever way we say it, the more we practice it the more effective we will be!

The Imitation Challenge

Here’s the challenge: Pick out just one of those brothers or sisters that it may be challenging to actively, genuinely love. Ask the Father to help you imitate His love for them. Keep asking Him. Commit yourself to the task. Pray for them and pray for yourself.

We can pray for this and know it is the Lord’s will. We also know He already wants to accomplish it. How different would modern churches and ministries would look if we pursued loving one another like this? It can change. It can start with me, or you, or us.

Soli Deo Gloria!

[originally published March, 2015]

15 Helps for Powerful Living

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prayerLet Us Run the Race

The writer of Hebrews penned those words we know so well:

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us – 12:1

Keith Burnett portraitToday is my day, and your day, to run the race of faith. This verse reminds us we are not alone in our faith struggles. It reminds me of high school and college athletics. One thing our coaches did to train us for success was observation. Before we could compete, we had to watch those who already knew how. Seems a basic concept, but it was important for athletics and it’s even more important for our faith journey.

Of all our difficulties and questions, we should move this question to the top of our lists:

How did those who have run before us succeed in the race?

Necessity for Success

From the quotes below, I think it will be easy to see the necessity of prayer. Some of the quotes are encouraging, and many are challenging. But each will help you run the race and equip you for powerful living!

Soli Deo Gloria! 

  1. You can do more than pray after you have prayed; but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed. A. J. Gordon
  2. God does nothing except in response to believing prayer. John Wesley
  3. Prayer strikes the winning blow; service is simply picking up the pieces. S.D. Gordon
  4. The greatest thing anyone can do for God or man is pray. S.D. Gordon
  5. The most important thing a born again Christian can do is to pray. Chuck Smith
  6. Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers. Sidlow Baxter
  7. God shapes the world by prayer. The more prayer there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces of against evil … E.M. Bounds
  8. Satan does not care how many people read about prayer if only he can keep them from praying. Paul E. Billheimer
  9. Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer. John Bunyon
  10. Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees. Corrie ten Boom
  11. Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still. E.M. Bounds
  12. The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day. E.M. Bounds
  13. There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God. Brother Lawrence
  14. The prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity. If we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness, failure and disappointment, let us answer God’s standing challenge, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not!” – J. Hudson Taylor 
  15. No learning can make up for the failure to pray. No earnestness, no diligence, no study, no gifts will supply its lack. E.M. Bounds

I couldn’t leave these prayer quotes out!

In case there was any doubt about the essential element of prayer…

  1. He who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a holy and happy life. William Law
  2. The little estimate we put on prayer is evidence from the little time we give to it. E.M. Bounds
  3. Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Christian on his knees. William Cowper
  4. Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness. Martin Luther

 

Prayer For Nicaragua

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Nicaragua

Prayer For Nicaragua

Please join us in praying for Nicaragua. Earlier today I received an email from our Mission: Hope office in Atlanta. Some of you got that same email. Others are not on the Mission: Hope mailing list. So, that email is posted below.

As you pray for Nicaragua, please include all our work in your prayers. I have been traveling this week. This time it has been in the U.S. The summer months are filled with speaking engagements, conferences I lead and/or attend, and meeting with many people to staff upcoming mission teams. That kind of work will continue next week, I just won’t be so far from home getting it done!

Soli Deo Gloria!

From Mission: Hope

Please join us in praying for the unrest that continues to spread in Nicaragua!

At least 127 people have been killed and over 1,000 injured in protests that began in April. These protests started as a reaction to cuts in pensions, which President Ortega imposed. He later reversed the cuts, but other grievances, including corruption, presidential power grabs and the elevation of Mr. Ortega’s wife, Rosario Murillo, to the vice-presidency, continue to inspire protests.

Currently, our work up-river is not directly affected by the protests. However, with the call for government reform, inflation has started to spread across the country which does affect the villages we serve. Our staff in Nicaragua are safe but are surrounded by the violence and have friends that were killed in the protests.

Please continue to pray for everyone in Nicaragua. Pray that those who would use this time for evil purposes would be thwarted and would turn their hearts to Jesus. Pray for peaceful protests and understanding from the government. Pray that conversations take place about how to move forward to listen to the people of Nicaragua.

Pictures In A Picture: What Do You See?

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Picture

Pictures In A Picture

The cover picture had many points of encouragement for me. And another picture was already in my mind as I snapped it. What things do you see in this image of a mission team having breakfast together on their first morning in-country?

Picture Of Encouragement: Today

pictureAn obvious point of encouragement is a mission team on site and ready to work. When we see fellow believers acting in obedience to the call and commands of Christ it should encourage us. There are team members I have worked with on prior missions. And it is good to see familiar faces and renew our relationships. But there are team members I have just met. They are not new to missions but they are new to me. It’s encouraging to meet more people who are willing to invest themselves in the Lord’s call to missions.

pictureThe setting for all these pictures is also encouraging. We are in Samana, Dominican Republic. I was here just a month ago with a group from another church. There are friends here. They are working hard for the Kingdom. It is a blessing to work alongside them. We all share the joy of iron sharpening iron. And we get to see what God is doing in all our labors, wherever they may be. So I see the joy and encouragement in the purposes and calling we all have in common.

Picture Of Encouragement: Tomorrow

pictureAll the above is true and good. But there is a better picture. And it’s the one this meal scene brought to my mind. Believers are moving to just such a scene. But it will be far greater and grander than we can possibly imagine. Based on Revelation 19:7, we know we will gather around God’s table. Scripture calls it the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. And there are similarities between that table we have not seen and the one in my picture.

We will gather with friends we have known. Our relationships will be remembered and renewed. But we will also sit down with new friends; people with whom we have shared the love and call of Christ. And according to the John’s vision, we will continue to have and share a common purpose. What purpose? We will worship, honor, and glorify Jesus Christ for ages without end. You see, at that feast He is the Groom and we are His bride. And it’s all about Him!

Picture Of Mission

pictureSo the picture of a mission team returns to its origin. The mission of Jesus is draw men unto Himself from every nation, tribe, and tongue. His agenda is to include all who will come in that heavenly celebration feast. And the good news for today is this: You can be a part of what He is doing! If you can’t think of another way, just spend a little time this week praying the mission team in Samana. Pray for the work of Mission: Hope in all its locations. And while you’re praying, lift up your pastors and the ministry of your local congregation. All will be thankful that you prayed. And your prayers will make you part of the picture of missions!

Soli Deo Gloria!

PS – It took a little longer than I predicted to get this out. My apologies. When I posted on Facebook Saturday my intention was for this to be up on Saturday evening. Physical limitations prevented that and I apologize.

Sunday was a great day with our friends in Samana. Thanks to all who prayed for our time and ministry. The Sunday worship was rich and the Lord blessed the preaching of His Word. Thanks again for your prayers. We have several days left, so please keep praying!

Old Tool Shows Great Need

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The Plumb Line Standard

plumb lineAre standards necessary? Many people don’t think so. How do we know that? Look at:

  • Declining or ‘fuzzy’ education standards
  • Moral decline (lack of standards)
  • Relative Truth (‘truth’ is no longer deemed to be objective)
  • Character/Integrity (the biggest liars are admired and applauded)

Did your mom teach you not to follow the crowd? Did she ever say something like, If all your friends jumped off a cliff would you jump off too? Just because the majority seems to have cast off standards doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Scripture says,

There is a way that seems right to men, but the end thereof is destruction. Proverbs 14:12 & 16:25

God’s Plumb Line Applies to All

plumb lineHis standards obviously apply to all people. None of us is perfect. But more particularly, His standards apply to every facet of the lives of His children. His standards are not applied randomly or haphazardly.

Jesus’ own words are a great place to see one of His plumb line standards. Why? They are the words of Jesus’ prayer. Would Jesus pray for something that is in agreement with the will of the Father? Yes. So what did Jesus pray for?

Prayer Identifies God’s Plumb Line

John 17 is referred to as the high priestly prayer of Jesus. What we call the Lord’s prayer was a model of prayer for His disciples. His own great prayer is recorded in John and was prayed in Gethsemane just before He went to the cross. Among other things, Jesus prayed for unity among His followers.

What’s astounding is the degree to which He desires His followers (that’s us!) to be united. He wants us to be as unified as He and His Father are unified. Look it up!  Then, read through the teaching outline below and let the Lord speak to you His thoughts on unity in His body.

 Unity is God’s Will  plumb line

And I am no more in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are. John 17:11

I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; (That us!) That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that You did send Me. John 17:20-21, (emphasis mine)

If the world is not believing, it probably has something to do with lack of unity among His children.

Unity Signifies a Worthy Walk With Christ

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6, (emphasis mine)

 Unity Brings Life

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, coming down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing-life forever. Psalm 133

 Unity Dispels Unbelief

That the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:21b

That last one bears repeating, so I did! Think about it. Unity is God’s standard; His plumb line. Are you in line, or out of line? Belize

Soli Deo Gloria! 

P.S. – Updated from April 2015 post.

 

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Keith Burnett Ministries
P.O. Box 803
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 244-5453
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