EDITORIAL: Qualified Beyond Comprehension
FEATURE ARTICLE: Planting Seeds!
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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. EDITORIAL: Qualified Beyond Comprehension
2. FEATURE ARTICLE: Planting Seeds!
3. PRAYER REQUESTS
4. FEEDBACK
5. CONTACT US
1. EDITORIAL: Qualified Beyond Comprehension!
We receive countless letters each month from brothers and sisters around the world, who simply do not feel qualified to enter into
the Lord's labor. Many within the Body of Christ are expressing these sentiments from a truly sincere and humbled heart, and in
spite of their reservations they are walking and ministering for the glory of our loving Lord Jesus Christ. Many others, however, I
fear, are expressing something completely different.
If you have read The Letters, you already know that I was raised in the Catholic faith. When I found the fullness of Jesus Christ
though, and became born-again unto God through His Son, I attempted to testify of my faith, and witness the full Gospel of God
to the Catholic friends of my you youth - and family. Invariably, the reply I received from these souls, that, "My faith is a very
personal matter, and is not something that is meant to be discussed", is a variation of what I think I am hearing many born-again
Christians say today.
Oh, the words are not quite the same, but the effect most surely is!
The Letters begin with a teaching on spiritual warfare. (Letter #1: Of Faith, Discipleship and Spiritual Warfare). I have often
questioned the logistical positioning of that particular letter, because it always seemed to be an extreme teaching with which to
initiate a series of instructions - to a "seeker". In all honesty, that is why the web site's intro page, (index) is as long as it is. It
serves as my buffer! Anyway, spiritual warfare is one of the common themes that run through the length, width and breadth of
everything we teach, and I have never questioned the necessity or importance of those lessons.
As I have read my mail over the past months, therefore, the Holy Spirit has been opening my eyes to something startling, because
I now know that it is spiritual warfare that is at the very core of those letters which proclaim pleas of inability; Letters that so
innocently declare an "unworthiness" to serve...
From the very depth of my heart, I know that I am unworthy to receive any consideration whatever from the God of all Creation.
From the very core of my soul, I know that nothing good exists within me - outside of God! But God Himself has declared me
worthy, and through His Son He has redeemed me. Furthermore, through His redemption, the moment I became a born-again
child of God, His Holy Spirit has taken- up residency within my soul. Every Child of God must have this conviction.
If, therefore, we can acknowledge together the fullness of everything that God has done for us, then we must also together refuse
to permit Satan to shut our mouth - no matter how unqualified we might feel! Why? Because with God's Holy Spirit abiding within
us, we are qualified to do whatever God asks us to do... Even when His asking is beyond our comprehension.
In a very recent exchange of notes from a brother in Christ, I read this very innocent (appearing) comment: "Although I plan to
finish reading the last of the letters I don't see myself becoming Mathetes anytime soon. I will remain Zeteo for a long time to
come."
My initial reaction to this statement was one of human pride, as I smiled over this brother's seemingly complimentary use of "my"
selected titles for disciple and seeker. As I prayed over this letter though, the Holy Spirit showed me the nature of many within the
Body today, because many of us are clearly refusing to heed God's call. We are refusing to become disciples of Jesus Christ!
What better way to shut the mouths of God's righteous children, than to have those mouths declaring personal unworthiness?
What better way to diminish the glory of God's Holy Spirit within us, than to have us unrightly elevate personal "humility" above
the fullness of God?
Satan's deception, as usual, is extremely devious - and effective. Until it is exposed to the light, that is!
Throughout the Bible God shows us the sin and ugliness of His chosen warriors. Throughout the Bible God teaches us that faithful
obedience is what He desires from us, and that when we offer that faithful obedience to Him, He is "Well Pleased"! If you
question this in any way, brethren beloved of God, then read Hebrews 11 once again, and in the reading of this passage of
Scripture, consider what we are told about every individual named therein. Then, as you consider the lives of God's chosen
warriors, marvel at the fact that God says that all these have, "Gained approval through their faith" (Hebrews 11:39)...
"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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
This month's feature article will expand on this editorial, beloved, because the Holy Spirit is moving me to uplift and encourage the
Body of Christ, in reporting that it is time to step forward in faith against everything that the evil one has raised, and is about to
raise, against our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. Before we can step forward though, we must believe that God is everything
He says He is, and that His desire is that we move forward in His fullness - in faith!
While we are unworthy, in and of ourselves. We now are Worthy, because God has declared us Worthy. And as proof of His
declaration of our worthiness in His sight, He has sent His Son Jesus Christ to redeem us. Therefore, since we have received
redemption through His Son Jesus Christ, we are no longer simply "ourselves". We now have the Spirit of God residing within
each and every one of us!
Surely, in Jesus Christ, with the power of God's Holy Spirit abiding within us, we can realize that we are Qualified Beyond
Comprehension. And, in the fullness of that realization, we can stand firm against the evil one as we speak forth the love of God
to a dying world.
2. FEATURE ARTICLE: Planting Seeds!
In a vast number of His teachings and parables, Jesus used the simple seed to express the absolute power, reality, significance
and truth of spiritual labor. It is no wonder, therefore, that His disciples continued to follow His example in their writings
throughout the New Testament, and it is no wonder that the Holy Spirit continues to teach us today, through our very simple
comprehension and understanding of a very complex matter.
Recently, I rediscovered the truth and practical application of seeds and seed planting, and in a very simple presentation, it is
these things which I wish to share with you today.
Before we begin though, let me relay three things that I know about seeds and seed planting:
1. A seed must be dead before it can come to life and grow! You cannot take a pit out of a peach, for instance, and immediately
plant that pit in the ground - without the pit rotting. That peach pit must sit somewhere first, and be allowed to dry. It must be
allowed to die completely, before it can be planted and watered.
2. A seed must be planted before it can grow! If you permit a peach pit to dry properly, it still cannot grow until it is literally
planted in the ground. It will not grow into anything while it sits on the shelf drying.
3. Seeds, once dead (properly dried) require planting into soil, and once planted, require water and sunlight in order to grow.
Now, this seed planting issue is really quite interesting. I say this, because whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, we are
planting seeds all the time - in everything we say and do! Our every act and word is amazingly significant to God - and to every
person with whom we interact, because our actions and words represent the planting seeds of our life, which either establish or
diminish us as emissaries of God and His Truth.
If I erroneously speak harshly to someone, I plant a seed. Unless I do something to remedy my error, that seed remains within
that person, and in their heart the seed I planted will ultimately grow into anger, hatred and resentment. If I humbly extract that
seed, however, and lovingly replace it with my remorse and apology, then I plant a seed of humility and love - which will
ultimately nurture any seeds that I (or another loving Christian) might plant at a later date.
Likewise, if I speak truthfully about God to somebody, I plant a seed within that person. While the effect of that truth may not be
immediately evident, the seed that I have planted within that individual remains. And, in their heart, the seed I planted can be used
by God. My seed planting, in the hands of God, can add to the fullness of what that person ultimately knows to be true. And in
that fullness, my little seed can contribute to that person's ultimate understanding of their salvation through Jesus Christ!
In his writings, Paul said, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor
the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth" (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). And so it goes for each of us!
I think the significant issue at this point, therefore, is that we recognize the truth of spiritual labor, in relation to seed planting, and
comprehend that it doesn't matter how much we know or understand, nor does it matter how eloquent we are in our presentation
of what we do have. What does matter, however, when all is said and done, is that we present the truth that we do have in the
love of God.
"If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if
I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do
not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not
have love, it profits me nothing" (1 Corinthians 13: 1-3).
Love, therefore, becomes the crucible for our seed planting.
As my editorial stated above, too many brethren within the Body of Christ are outwardly declaring their inability or lack of
qualifications for delving into faithful ministry. The spiritual nature of these declarations though, is that brothers and sisters around
the world are declaring to that world that God is incapable of using them for His work. They are planting seeds of doubt and
faithlessness!
On the other side of that same coin, however, there are many others within the Body of Christ, who are openly declaring matters
as truth, when in fact these brethren have no understanding of these "truth's" within themselves. Nevertheless, in their wayward
declarations, they are planting seeds - both within the hearts and minds of brethren within the body, and folks outside of the body
as well, which are also causing doubt and faithlessness.
Therefore, it is vital that the Body of Christ unite in its understanding and presentation of God's love for humanity. It is vital that
the Body of Christ unite in supporting the Truth of the Word of God that is significant in matters of life and death, which is, "Christ
Crucified" (1 Corinthians 1:23). And it is vital that the Body of Christ unite in applying that portion of the Word of God
which says, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the
flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against
the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10: 3-5).
God's Word tells us to, "Refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels" (2 Timothy 2:23). One
fruitful application of this Word then, in relation to planting seeds, is that we begin to focus upon that one significant issue that is
set before us; which is, "Christ Crucified" for a dying world.
Please, beloved of God, use what you have - which is the Love of God in your heart - and present that love as your seed
plantings to this world.
Eloquence of speech is insignificant when the person standing before you is dying! Speculating on the rapture pales to less than
nothing when God's Love is not evident.
And please don't "shine" anybody on. If you do not know the correct answer to a question, say so! Pride is not ours to claim,
because that sort of pride is wholly satanic. If the Holy Spirit provides an answer, present it. Otherwise, seek out guidance from
the elders and teachers and prophets.
Use your gifts, whatever they may be, and glorify your Lord Jesus Christ through those loving "seed planting" uses. Walk in faith
every day, and minister to the glory of God in whatever He places before you. He has promised that He would never test us
beyond what we are able to endure, and we must believe Him in that promise!
Plant seeds of God's love, in faith, no matter how simple or unqualified you may feel! And, in faith, believe that God can and will,
use your plantings to glorify His Son Jesus. In these things, you will never be disappointed.
3. PRAYER REQUESTS:
Sandee has been testifying and witnessing to her friend Al, and requests our prayer support; that the Lord would pour His grace
upon Al - ("in spite of my feeble attempts!")...
Many within the body of Christ are suffering financially - and are in need of work. Please remember to pray for the "suffering"
members of the body of Christ.
Many within the body of Christ are suffering physically, or are praying for family members who are suffering.
Kathy is seeking prayer for her nineteen-year-old son, who is rejecting her because of "a woman". She is praying that the Lord
will bring his heart back to God - and back to his home!
Please join us in praying for the body of Christ - that we would allow the Holy Spirit to guide and use us in faith!
* ** Please continue to pray for our ministry *** As many of you know, I went for a rather lengthy walk for the Lord during the
summer of 1999. He taught me a great many things during that walk, but for His reasons, I was not moved to step-out in this
manner last summer.
The Lord is moving in my heart in many ways right now though, and not the least of these is the possibility of taking a very long
walk during the spring and summer of 2001.
Therefore, please pray that we would know the fullness of His will for us. We are seeking His guidance, direction and
deliverance, and covet your prayers in this matter.
4. FEEDBACK:
We are praising the Lord for the outpouring of wonderful letters which last month's Editorial, "Waiting on God", received.
Obviously we touched a few nerves within the body of Christ, and we are praying that the Lord will use this word to heal and
unite the Church.
Additionally, our prayer for healing has been used of the Lord to touch lives in some moving and miraculous ways. If you know of
any who are ill and in need of a healing touch from God, please send them the prayer - as your prayer for them! God can use our
seeds if we will only plant them faithfully!
5. CONTACT larry vosen:
If you have any questions about the Bible, God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Gospel, Faith or any pressing spiritual matter, please feel free to contact me. While I may not possess the answers personally, I know Who Does! Every effort will be made to secure the answer you seek.
Do you have a prayer request? Please share your needs with us... We will post your needs in our "Prayer Request" sections, and approach the Throne of God in a united front on your behalf.
We can be reached via email at: Contact
larry
Or, please feel free to mail your thoughts and requests to:
Larry Vosen
2600 E. Seltice Way, #203
Post Falls, ID 83854
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