The True Test

Jesus was questioned frequently about the legitimacy of His teachings and authority to work miracles of healing. He never defended himself, for He knew He was acting on behalf of His Father in Heaven. A crowd of religious leaders and onlookers had gathered with questions and Jesus answered them, "What I teach comes from the One who sent me. Anyone who wants to do his will can test this teaching and know whether it's from God or whether I'm making it up. A person making things up tries to make himself look good. But someone trying to honor the one who sent him sticks to the facts and doesn't tamper with reality..." (John 7:16-19 The Message Bible).

When a country sends an Ambassador to another country, they expect that the one sent - the "Ambassador" will execute the decisions, will, and judgments of the home country, and that he will not be acting from his own opinions and personal will. Jesus too followed the protocol of one sent out to fulfill another's will, namely, the Heavenly Father. At no time did Jesus ever seek His own glory but always made sure to qualify in who's name He was acting.

Likewise, we as we have been sent, we must not seek to draw attention to ourselves to show off skills, talents, beatuty, possessions, or spiritual gifts even.
Even Jesus' brothers did not believe Him and taunted him with suggestions to show off his stuff: "If you're serious about what you're doing, come out in the open and show the world."

Jesus, however, never sought a ministry or even ministry opportunities. Rather, He only sought the face of His Father in Heaven - in the secret place - and could be found hidden away in the hills and mountains into the early hours of the morning. During these times the Holy Spirit spoke very specifically to Jesus about what He was to do next: "Go across the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) and there will be a demon-possessed man there." Not once did Jesus send His disciples ahead of him to the towns to prepare the way with advertising, setting up venues, or promoting his healing ministry in any way. He never showed off the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and often preferred to minister to people alone before the crowds gathered.

So, Jesus answered his brothers: "It isn't my time yet. I'm not ready." He understood who He was and that when God wanted to release Him, He would tell Him. The Holy Spirit did, in fact, direct Jesus to go up to the Feast of Tabernacles, but a couple of days later, after his family were already gone.

The true test of our teaching and ministry is when the Holy Spirit affirms us through the fruit produced by what we are doing for Him. Is it activity to make us "look good," or does it honor and glorify Jesus?

Jesus made sure to only go where the Spirit led Him; He only did what the Father did. As Ambassadors for the Messiah and King, this is our protocol as well. We are to do what Jesus did, for He patterned his life for us.

Where You Go I Go is a great song sung by Kim Walker at the Jesus Culture that offers our hearts in dedication to this purpose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2U3PU-E32E

I Am An Ambassador

I am an ambassador for the Lord - for Jesus. That means I represent Jesus to peoples and nations.

• I come before peoples and nations to represent Jesus to them - in His Name
• I have power and diplomatic authority in His name
• I am sent to represent Jesus in decisions He would make. I must act like he acts towards illness, sickness, hardships - both spiritually and physically
• My speech represents Kingdom talk: faith, love, patience, mercy, etc
• An ambassador is "one sent" appointed by the King Himself to a specific region. The ambassador does not choose the country where he prefers to go to represent the King.
• I am a living epistle - the living word of God resides in me
• God allows me to be seen in trials and tribulations as I follow the King's life-example of how to live, and as one who has been empowered by the Spirit of God

Adonai, Hineni . . . Lord, here am I . . . send me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHACJ6lz5Fo

The Race is Not a Competition

There are many types of races: The 100-yard dash, one mile run, 5 mile race, and the marathon. In the Bible, Paul likened our life to a race, telling us to "run the race."

I was thinking this morning I how much I dislike it when someone infers that I am in a competition with them - especially when it comes to the giftings God has given us. This suggests that the Lord Himself - the One who has called us to work alongside of each other - has entered us into a competetive race against each other. Those who are of this mind set, and also work on a team with people of similiar gifts and strengths, will look around to see with whom he must compete, sizing everyone up against his own gift. And, a competition requires a different set of rules, standards and motivation in teamwork. It is similar to worldly standards, who often operate with cut throat I'll-run-over-you-if-you-don't-get-out-of-my-way-methods that is sure to be contentious and mean-spirited.

I have, in fact, removed myself from such teams. For jealousy, and the ambition to suceed, will always seek pre-eminence. I prefer to step down and give the competetive person my position rather than contend for any "rights" I think I may have.

I do not see this competetive method employed by Jesus Himself when he formed a team to work with. Neither do I believe Paul was suggesting to run such a race - a competition. Rather, we are running a race of endurance. In this race the finish line is the face of Jesus - and His delight - and not the goal of our next ambitious God-event. We sometimes lose sight of this as we seek to serve God.

A devoted worshiper runs the race and competes against no one, often running alone, with eyes upon the goal, undistracted by the crowd response of cheers - or jeers. This race is measured as successful by God's pleasure clearly defined upon the life of the worshiper - not by spiritual gifts, riches, powerful positions of influence, appointed offices in a ministry, or promotions.

The success of this race is the strength of endurance, a gift of God's grace upon our lives, all the way to the end - to the finish line. "He who endures to the end will be saved."

Let's run the race...to Jesus...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTNjM3UnX3I