These elementary exhortations are from Pastor David Harwood to Restoration Fellowship. Please feel free to review them and write me if you have any questions or insights.

Day 1: Monday

Have you considered the personal relevance of Paul’s prayers for the communities of believers? It seems like they are in every letter. Perhaps they might be helpful to you in your spiritual development.

Priorities:

Paul prioritized praying for the governing powers. Even that was seen as having a beneficial result for the churches.

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,  ² for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Who are the “we” in 1 Timothy 2:2? Look at this exhortation:

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Galatians 6:10)

“We” are the household of faith. Paul instructed the Galatians to prioritize doing good to the household of faith.

What does “household” mean? It means kindred. The people you live with. The “household of faith”… What does that mean? It means brothers and sisters who belong to God. Here are three verses which illustrate that:

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, (Ephesians 2:19)

… the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15b)

For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)

To some degree the way our culture defines “church” works against a “household” identity. Unlike first century disciples (or a modern orthodox Jewish community) we do not live within walking distance of one another. We must intentionally create fellowship and prioritize relationships to approximate the reality of living in close proximity.

Unique Role:

Here’s a question I’ve asked before: what “good” thing can you (Galatians 6:10) do for others that is unique to your identity as a child of God?

Here’s one answer: you can pray for them. Nobody else in the world has the same type of access to Father that the believer has.

We have the opportunity to identify ourselves with one another, value each other, and act as if we were believers who lived within walking distance. Let us do this to further God’s Kingdom, as a witness to people around us and to encourage other believers. I encourage you to freshly highlight the privilege of praying for one another. It is something only you can do. It is a practical overflow of the love you have for one another and the corporate fellowship.

Begin Here:

Today, please pray for Restoration Fellowship according to Paul’s benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14.

The (favor) of the Lord Jesus (the) Messiah, and the (Father’s affectionate) love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Pray it with authority.

You have been given the role of a priest within the believing community. Decree it over the fellowship. Believe that it will come to pass. Know that you are in “agreement” with others in this fellowship. Use it as a blessing to advance the Kingdom of God.

If you are beginning to pray the list, why not use this blessing as a helpful template? If you would like me to send you the list of people who attend our fellowship, please write me and let me know.

 

Day 2: Tuesday

At Restoration Fellowship we have sought to create an environment wherein we experience God’s love and reciprocate by loving Him and one another. We can sincerely do this in a foundational manner by offering thanksgiving to God for one another.

The brethren are a gift. They are worthy of love. God loves it when we appreciate them. Because they are “given” to us by God, and because we love them, we can offer appropriate praise. This praise is initially seen in the offering of thanks.

Thanks-giving is a basic level of praise and worship. Gratitude to God is a rare thing. Appreciation for the brethren before the throne of God is even more uncommon.

This practice aids our sanctification. Isn’t that funny? As you go through the list of people in our fellowship and say, “Thank You, Jesus, for so-and-so”, something may rise up within you. Perhaps you might recognize a judgment against them, or bitterness towards them, or apathy about them. As you allow the Holy Spirit to interact with you in your attitude you will be changed.

This is a sincere expression of love which God appreciates and builds love in you for others.

Do it. We have about 30 people on our list. Why not take some time and thank God for each of them. In fact, if you can think of some actual reasons for gratitude take a few seconds and name them before God.

This is a good habit to develop.

Here  are some verses that illustrate this practice:

I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,  ⁵ because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;  ⁶ and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for (the) Messiah’s sake.  ⁷ For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. (Philemon 1:4-7)

First, I thank my God through Jesus (the) Messiah for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. (Romans 1:8)

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Messiah Jesus, (1 Corinthians 1:4)

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,  ⁴ always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,  ⁵ in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3-5)

Now, imagine this. People are sincerely thanking God for you, today.

 

Day 3: Wednesday

Yesterday I fell in love with this verse:

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Paul’s contrast of the effect of spirit/s on our souls to Timothy is similar to this reminder from Romans.

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”  ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, (Romans 8:15-16)

Please read the immediate context of 2 Timothy 1:7.

For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.  ⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, (2 Timothy 1:6-8)

The Spirit God has given us is not a spirit of fear He is the Spirit who produces power, love and a sound-mind (leading to self-control, discipline). In this context power, love and discipline has to do with not giving in to fear.

This self-control activates power and love. It overcomes the inactivity natural cowardice, enforced by the spirit of timidity, seeks to maintain. Fear and insecurity clamps off the flow of power and love which is expressed through the ministry of the Gospel.

To what degree do we allow anxiety to influence our decisions? By what spirit are we motivated? Can the spirit of cowardice empower a soul’s point of view? How many deeply held convictions as to the rightness of a course of action are actually the result of the influence of a spirit of timidity?

Do you know anyone who wants to be led by the spirit of fear? I don’t.

Here’s a question you might find interesting. How many decisions do we make that are money-based shall be ultimately revealed as having roots in the soil of insecurity?

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”  ⁶ so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?” (Hebrews 13:5-6)

I think the spirit of cowardice produces a covetousness that seeks to salve underlying anxieties. God has not given us a spirit of timidity which bottles up, or quenches, the ministry of the Spirit. He has given to us His Holy Spirit whose influence is manifest in power, love and a sound mind (a viewpoint that produces discipline and self-control). This power, love and self-control advances the Kingdom.

Today, let’s proclaim over Restoration Fellowship the nature of the Spirit God has given to us. If you are praying the list, first thank God for each person and then ask the Spirit who produces power, love and discipline to live through each person.

 

Day 4: Thursday

In Hebrews the Messiah is uniquely revealed as someOne who praises God the Father with “other believers” and intercedes for these same people.

Hebrews 2:11b-12 describes the dynamic of Jesus’ fellowship with us within the context of a corporate gathering.

He is not ashamed to call them brethren,  ¹² saying, “I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.” (Hebrews 2:11b-12)

Amazing. What goes on behind the seeings (pun alert) is amazing.

The following verse provides further insight into King Jesus’ priestly ministry.

Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

“Intercede” means…

The Greek word for “intercede” in Hebrews 7:25 is used five times in the New Covenant writings. It basically means to plead for, or against (!), another person, or group. Here are two examples of negative “intercession”.

Here is Festus pleading with Agrippa against Paul:

Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all you gentlemen here present with us, you see this man about whom all the people of the Jews appealed to me, both at Jerusalem and here, loudly declaring that he ought not to live any longer. (Acts 25:24)

This is an unlikely use of the word.

God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? (Romans 11:2)

Prior to Romans 11:2 Paul used the word twice in chapter 8.

and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27)

who is the one who condemns? Messiah Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.  (Romans 8:34)

The word has a “face to face” inference. It describes a personal encounter. It is one reason to “draw near to God” (James 4:8a).

When we intercede for one another we have the potential to fellowship with Jesus. It is one reason that people who regularly pray for others tend to have a close relationship to the Lord.

Which comes first? Does intercession indicate or initiate intimacy with Yeshua?

Prayer in Advance

Let’s consider that although we are prohibited from worrying we are encouraged to pray about the future.

Here’s the prohibition:

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)

Here’s the instruction concerning prayer about the future:

‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:13)

An end time exhortation enjoins prayer to prepare for certain trial, in this case, ultimate testing.

“Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap;  ³⁵ for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth.  ³⁶ “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

When we see trials on the horizon it is good to pray for one another.

Today, let’s press in for a personal verbal encounter with the Lord. Persevere in thanking God for one another, blessing and praying for one another (according to 2 Corinthians 13:14) and praying for fellowship with the Holy Spirit who produces within us power, love and good judgment (2 Timothy 1:7).

Here are those verses:

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,  ⁴ always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,  ⁵ in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3-5)

The (favor) of the Lord Jesus (the) Messiah, and the (Father’s affectionate) love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

 

Day 5: Friday

We began this week’s meditations concentrating on Paul’s blessing to the Corinthians. As we go into the weekend I’d like us to take a look at another benediction found at the end of Hebrews.

Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,  ²¹ equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus (the) Messiah, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

We can receive revelatory instruction and faith through this apostolic blessing. In it we find that the God of peace, the God who resurrected Jesus, purposes to be the God who equips.

Ministry’s Purpose

Our meetings’ primary purpose is to relate to God. We seek to enter into corporate priestly worship and intercession which is enhanced by an intuitive, prophetic dynamic. Our next purpose is to be equipped to do the work of the ministry.

God works through people to accomplish this. Take some time to review the purpose of ministry revealed in Ephesians.

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,  ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the Messiah’s body; (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Paul wrote that his goal was to present every man complete in the Messiah.

We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in (the) Messiah.  ²⁹ For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. (Colossians 1:28-29)

Factors

I’d like to focus upon a couple of factors that help this goal happen.

First, those who equip need to be anointed and effective.

and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,  ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:19-20)

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;  ³ praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;  ⁴ that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. (Colossians 4:2-4)

Secondly, the people who are being equipped need to be humble, hungry and willing to believe.

Humble

He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. (Luke 1:51b)

You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. (1 Peter 5:5)

Hungry

Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,  ² like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, (1 Peter 2:1-2)

Faith

For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. (Hebrews 4:2)

This is more likely to happen as you pray for one another.

Pray

Let’s pray that the Lord would make this weekend to be a solid time of growth and transformation. Pray that the Lord would so strengthen each one of us that wherever we go we advance the Kingdom. Let’s pray that Restoration Fellowship grows in love towards God and one another. Enter into faith and expectation that as you proclaim the benediction found in Hebrews that the Great Shepherd of the sheep who raised Jesus from the dead would equip us.

Use this benediction:

Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,  ²¹ equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus (the) Messiah, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

 

Day 6: Monday

Let me begin the week by thanking you for praying the benediction from Hebrews over Restoration Fellowship this last weekend.

Focus

This week I plan on centering us on prayer for RF corporately and for each person on the results of being equipped. We get equipped by God in a number of ways.

One way is through our being engaged in the Messiah’s work. As we serve by the power of the Spirit there is an increase in our lives.

“For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. (Matthew 13:12)

Jesus was a worker, just like His Father.

But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” (John 5:17)

We are equipped to do the work of service (ministry).

He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)  ¹¹ And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,  ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of (the) Messiah; (Ephesians 4:10-12)

Individuated Callings

Ephesians 4 follows, but is not often connected with, Ephesians 2.

For we are His workmanship, created in (the) Messiah Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

God really does have a specific, tailor-made, call on each life. In some ways it is a “one size fits all”, primarily in the high priority of the believing community’s general call and His commandments (to love).

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  ¹⁹ “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’  ³⁸ “This is the great and foremost commandment.  ³⁹ “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’  ⁴⁰ “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  ³⁵ “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

The will of God for one member of the Body and the desire of heaven for a differing member are the same. He wants everyone to fulfill their function. Of course, our function is not the reason for our existence. Our relationships with Him and others are the reason we live. Those relationships are meant to be a reason, in and of themselves, for our being created. That only makes sense when you love. Please consider that.

Pray that people come into their identities. Be yourself with others.

Anyway, His will for an ear is not the same as His will for a foot. Both are necessary. This is something that accompanies spiritual maturity: when someone realizes what he “is”, nothing else is as satisfying. An “eye” wants to be an “eye”. People find that their desires for significant service line up with their identity.  Their service means nothing without love for others. Therefore they instinctively learn to love others so there may be healthy relationships necessary for the Body to function. They cannot function by themselves. If they think they can they do not yet understand who (or what) they are.

The prisms of our personal callings produce a rainbow effect. The varicolored splendor of God’s glory in the earth.

Pray that each member of Restoration Fellowship would become all they are meant to be.

I think this is the first prayer that was made alive to me when I began praying “the list”. Today, let’s work with it together. Either pray it for the corporate, or for individuals.

To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power,  ¹² so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus (the) Messiah. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

 

Day 7: Tuesday

Praying against Rejection

Some of us have suffered more rejection than others.

Some of us suffer more from rejection than others.

Rejection can cause a reflexive withdrawal from God and what He wants us to become. What we become is the foundation for what we do. Restoration Fellowship is to be a people who are growing into the fullness of who they are and what they’re to do. That means we have to overcome rejection.

Moving against Rejection

It is important that we do not reject one another if we want to be in fellowship with the Messiah.

“The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.” (Luke 10:16)

There can be bumps in the road towards being “received”. Jesus said of Himself: But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation (Luke 17:25).

Here’s something crazy. Jesus went where he knew he’d be rejected.

After the two days He went forth from there into Galilee.  ⁴⁴ For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. (John 4:43-44)

We must determine to confront and overcome rejection.

Affirmation

We are called to love one another. That means we are to receive one another. The more we practice this the less rejection rules.

Therefore, accept one another, just as (the) Messiah also accepted us to the glory of God. (Romans 15:7)

We are called to embrace humility, work with one another on our inner narratives and fellowship with one another.

Therefore if there is any encouragement in (the) Messiah, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,  ² make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. (Philippians 2:1-2)

These verses are immediately followed by an exhortation to pursue humility-servanthood in the context of this loving, accepting environment:

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;  ⁴ do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  ⁵ Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Messiah Jesus,  ⁶ who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,  ⁷ but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant … (Philippians 2:3-7a)

Pray for Restoration Fellowship to experience healing from rejection.

That is part of the Messianic identity and anointing.

Identity

You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its remotest parts And said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you. (Isaiah 41:9)

Anointing

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; (Isaiah 61:1)

Pray for reality (deliverance from pride and rejection).

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)

Pray for the advance of God’s kingdom in each person at Restoration.

Here’s a model proactive prayer:

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,  ¹⁰ so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:9-10)

Here’s another:

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,  ¹⁰ so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of (the) Messiah; (Philippians 1:9-10)

 

Day 8: Wednesday

If you see…

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. (1 John 5:16)

The more you know someone, or a group, the more you might be aware of their shortcomings.

Corporate Sin

Daniel

This is how I would think about Daniel: He was part of a people with whom he had little in common. Daniel was spiritual. They were not. Daniel was sanctified. They were not. Daniel knew God’s voice. They did not. Daniel… They…

This is how Daniel saw himself:

we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances.  ⁶ “Moreover, we have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers and all the people of the land. (Daniel 9:5-6)

Wait a second, Daniel. Don’t you mean, “they have sinned… they have not listened…” After all, Daniel, you are seeking God upon the basis of a prophetic word that came through Jeremiah. How can you say “we”?

Are we greater than Daniel? Maybe we have more insight…

The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,  ² “Son of man, say to the leader of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Because your heart is lifted up And you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods In the heart of the seas’; Yet you are a man and not God, Although you make your heart like the heart of God–  ³ Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; There is no secret that is a match for you. (Ezekiel 28:1-3)

Are you aware of any habitual shortcomings of Restoration Fellowship? Are you free from them, yourself?

Either way, perhaps we ought to be “pleading” the blood of Jesus before the courts of heaven on this Fellowship’s behalf.

And what of individuals?

There seem to be two extremes. One ignores peoples’ sinful habit patterns. The other is to get in the face of “sinners” at the drop of a hat.

There is a place for gentle confrontation. This encouragement is not about that. This is about intercession.

John wrote:

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. (1 John 5:16)

The inference here is that we can see a brother committing sin and that does not empower, or enfranchise, us with the responsibility to confront him. It does place a responsibility upon us to pray for him.

Do this:

Spiritual health is often dependent upon a quickness to confess sin upon the basis of the conviction of the Spirit. This is not introspective; it is relational.

Here’s something you might consider praying on behalf of others and Restoration: Matthew 6:12-13a.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from (the) evil (one).

To the degree that you are part of RF you share in the victories and defeats of our corporate life.

You may be someone who does not feel like you vitally contribute to the victories. Here’s a spiritual principle for you to consider:

When David came to the two hundred men who were too exhausted to follow David, who had also been left at the brook Besor, and they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him, then David approached the people and greeted them.  ²² Then all the wicked and worthless men among those who went with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away and depart.”  ²³ Then David said, “You must not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us, who has kept us and delivered into our hand the band that came against us.  ²⁴ “And who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike.” (1 Samuel 30:21-24)

On the other hand, you may be someone who is free from the cause of any of the shortcomings of our corporate life. If so, look at Daniel’s example. Look at how Jesus taught us to pray.

Do you see anyone in sin? Pray for them.

Do you see any corporate shortcomings? Pray for us.

Here’s wisdom: include yourself.

 

Day 9: Thursday

Harvest

There are two agricultural metaphors about evangelism that we need to take to heart. Paul mixed his metaphors, so did Jesus. Things are not always given to us to be understood in clearly cut categories.

Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.  ³⁷ Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  ³⁸ “Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:36-38)

Are they sheep?

Are they a field of wheat?

Well, in this case, Jesus saw people as being like forlorn sheep. In response to this He sent His disciples into the harvest.

Of course, these are people. People who are like sheep-sheaves.

There must be something about people which is sheep-like that responds to those who will shepherd them. There must be something wheat-like about people that yield to those who will reap them.

One thing that the shepherd has in relationship to sheep, and the farmer has in relationship to a field is this: the shepherd and farmer go with authority. They know they have authority over sheep and wheat.

Jesus sent His disciples with authority.

“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’  ⁸ “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. (Matthew 10:7-8)

To see the world as a field that is ready to be reaped one must see oneself as a reaper. To behold people as lost sheep who can be helped and brought into the fold one must see oneself as shepherd.

This is a big change in our self-perception.

Most of the time the believing community sees itself more like the ten spies who dissuaded Israel from entering its inheritance. Look at what they said.

But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.”  ³² So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size.  ³³ “There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight. 14:1 Then all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. (Numbers 13:31-14:1)

Most likely this is what the majority of the church will say about the lost and the state of our society. This does not have to be our testimony. We can be like Joshua and Caleb.

Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes;  ⁷ and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land.  ⁸ “If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us– a land which flows with milk and honey.  ⁹ “Only do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.” (Numbers 14:6-9)

Now, upon hearing this, the multitude violently held on to their despair. It was easier. Less threatening. The text says that they picked up stones to kill these awesome men of God rather than have their despair challenged.

Look again at what Joshua and Caleb said and look at the congregation’s response.

… the LORD is with us; do not fear them.”  ¹⁰ But all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Then the glory of the LORD appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel. (Numbers 14:9b-10)

Now, in this story a violent reaction was called for. Stoning someone was not necessarily a bad idea. However, the rocks should have been directed at the ten naysayers.

People take refuge in, “It cannot be done. We cannot do it.” Change threatens. People fear conflict.

Pray for encounter

David faced Goliath with incredible confidence. There are not many “Davids” around. But you can pray that Restoration would become like David in war.

“In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them in that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD before them. (Zechariah 12:8)

Most of us are more like Gideon. However, one prolonged encounter with heaven can transform a weakling into a dynamic man who changed the destiny of a nation.

When Gideon saw that he was the angel of the LORD, he said, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.”  ²³ The LORD said to him, “Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die.” (Judges 6:22-23)

Pray according to the command

So, where does that leave us in regards to prayer? Pray along with Jesus. Pray for workers. Pray for workers. Pray for workers to be raised up in our midst. Pray that the Lord of the Harvest, Who owns the field, would delegate His authority to His workers and that they would go out and reap people. That they would go out and do the exploits of a shepherd who has determined to rescue one lost sheep.

The difference between these two agricultural vocations is great. Note the history of Cain and Abel. Yet, the shepherd and farmer have this in common. They have authority. They have a purpose. They are fitted to the task.

Pray for a transformed, obedient, perspective

“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest ‘? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.  ³⁶ “Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.  ³⁷ “For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’  ³⁸ “I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.”  (John 4:35-38)

Don’t give up

Is it useless to pray?

Is it impossible for the Lord to restore apostolic evangelism to our fellowship? No. Nothing is impossible for God. He splits seas, empowers the weak, raises the dead, calls that which is “not” into existence.

You and the people with whom you fellowship have the living God dwelling within. He is highly motivated, powerful beyond words and wise beyond reason. Trust Him. Pray. Watch and see.

Who knows? Perhaps this will be the season that the Holy Spirit will say, “”Set apart for Me Restoration Fellowship for the work to which I have called them.” (From Acts 13:2)

Pray the list or for the congregation corporately.

“Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:38)

This is a matter of primary obedience to Jesus. Restoration Fellowship must be involved in the Great Commission.

Let’s pray and expect.

 

Day 10: Friday

Going to War

This is a quick survey of spiritual warfare and congregational life.

First of all, we don’t have to go to war. We were born on an active battlefield.

Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. (Matthew 2:16)

As soon as we get saved the enemy tries to destroy the life, steal the seed of God’s word, deceive us. That is why believers need one another and young believers need to be involved in fellowship.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.  ¹¹ “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.  ¹² “He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  ¹³ “He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. (John 10:10-13)

Part of our being involved with spiritual warfare has to do with the conflict over the souls of alienated humanity.

The adversary has blinded.

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,  ⁴ in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of (the) Messiah, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

The evil one has authority over them.

We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. (1 John 5:19)

The adversary works within them.

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,  ² in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.  ³ Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. (Ephesians 2:1-3)

The adversary owns them, but the adversary can be bound and people can be released.

“But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.  ²¹ “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed.  ²² “But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder. (Luke 11:20-22)

Warfare and Prayer: 6:11-20

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)

Amazing to me, but Paul instructs the believers that they are actually in an arduous conflict with the forces of the devil

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.  (Ephesians 6:12)

We’re told to put on the armor of God.

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:13)

The list of articles that comprise the armor of God are not magical items applied by faith. They are virtues that the corporate community is meant to “put on”.

Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,  ¹⁵ and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;  ¹⁶ in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  ¹⁷ And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:14-17)

I’ve mentioned before (at RF) that this weaponry is utilized for the sake of prayer. The “period” at the end of “the word of God” in vs. 17 should not be there. The next group of verses should be connected to the passage through “dia” which (connected to the genitive) means “through”, or “by means of”. I generally use (apart from the Greek) seven versions of the NT in my general study. Only one of them has the correct connective. That is Young’s Literal Version. This is how it reads:

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the saying of God,  ¹⁸ through all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the Spirit, and in regard to this same, watching in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints —  (Ephesians 6:17b-18 YLT)

Believers are called to war on one another’s behalf through prayer.

Conflict and the Call for Consecration

When Israel was about to go to war to liberate Canaan from demonic dominion there was a special call to separation.

Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” (Joshua 3:5)

When we, like Israel, are on the offense each week is punctuated with times of preparation for war. When you know you’re going into a battle stop normal holy life and press into a time of special consecration.

Warfare and Worship

However, sometimes we’re simply living and battle comes to us. It is not unusual for the odds to be overwhelmingly against us. This does not mean we’re doing anything “wrong”. It does mean that we need to seek God.

Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.  ⁴ So Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD. (2 Chronicles 20:3-4)

In response to a prophetic word, the leader and the people determined to send out the Levites to worship God and God acted.

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.”  ²² 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. (2 Chronicles 20:21-22)

This was not a time for depression and complaint (see the Psalms, there are a lot of complaints and laments). It was a time for preemptive celebration. As they celebrated the adversary self-destructed.

This survey is to encourage you to pray for Restoration Fellowship, to pray for each person in our fellowship, to recognize that we are in a war, to offer a perspective and posit some courses of action.

Please pray that this weekend would be a time during which we are equipped to do the work of the ministry.