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Category Archives: The Church

Giving and Receiving

03 Nov
Giving and Receiving

We’ve been going through Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. It’s a letter of gratefulness to a church that has supported him throughout his ministry. Now it’s coming to a close.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.

Philippians 4:14-16 NIV

This was a church of faithful support. We need to understand the importance of financially supporting the Gospel. When we give, there’s a sharing of the burden. We’re actually participating with the ministry we’re supporting.

Of course, that means that we need to know who we’re giving to. If they’re not a true minister of the Gospel, then we receive the correction along with them. It’s like the book of Jonah. Jonah was walking in disobedience, but everyone in the boat felt the storm.

In the same way, if the one we support does a good work for God’s kingdom, we receive a reward along with them. Your offering unites you with the ones receiving it.

There’s another truth here that few understand. Paul calls it the matter of giving and receiving. Actually, the Greek word, logos is used there. It should be translated as the Word of giving and receiving.

There’s a scriptural principal of giving and receiving. Unfortunately, in this generation, much of our focus is only on receiving. What can I get from my walk with God?

What we have to come to grips with is the fact that giving and receiving go hand in hand. If I’m not a giver, then I shouldn’t expect to receive very much. We need to learn to live with an “open hand”.

We can’t use the excuse that “I don’t have enough to give”. That’s not ever the case. These Philippian believers are a prime example of this.

And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own…

2 Corinthians 8:1-3 NIV

Here we see two phrases that don’t logically go together. Except that God is at work in them. Extreme poverty and rich generosity don’t sound like they describe the same people. But in Christ, as we follow the Word of giving and receiving, abundance is poured out.

Paul continues to commend this church in his closing.

Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:17-19 NIV

When we give, God sees it as a fragrant, acceptable sacrifice. Along is that is a much-misunderstood promise. God will meet our needs according to His riches in Christ. I’ve heard that quoted out of context so many times.

You need to realize that this promise is not for everyone. You don’t get it simply because you’re a Christian. This is specifically made to a group of Christians who were faithfully supporting the missionary work of Paul the apostle. If you’re not supporting the Gospel, then this promise is not for you.

Paul ends his epistle with a blessing.

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Philippians 4:20-23 NIV

Question: How well do you support Gospel missionaries?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on November 3, 2023 in God's Provision, Ministry, Missions, The Church, The Gospel

 

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Chosen Together

18 Oct
Chosen Together

We’re continuing our study of the book of Philippians. Paul is now dealing with some final issues before closing this letter.

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Philippians 4:2-3 NIV

Here we see something happening that really grieves the heart of Paul. I think that this passage is overlooked too often. It’s something that we should understand – especially in our generation of the church.

In the Philippian church, there were two women, Euodia and Syntyche. They were both mature believers who were strong in the Lord. They were passionate about their faith.

Both of these women were deeply involved in evangelism. So much so, that they worked with Paul in preaching the Gospel and winning souls into God’s kingdom. What, then, was the problem?

As we see again and again, when people work closely together, sometimes their personalities collide. When we work together, we see each other’s quirks and weaknesses. Sometimes these will begin to annoy us. The important thing is how we handle these situations.

The world’s answer is to separate. Stop working together and go someplace different – start over. However, the world’s opinion is seldom the way things work in God’s kingdom.

What the world doesn’t understand is the concept of “calling”. Unfortunately, it’s been my experience that much of the church doesn’t understand it either.

Paul calls these women fellow workers with him. They were obviously called by God to work together with Paul. The word, plead, in this passage means to call alongside. So, the apostle made it a point to say, “I call alongside Euodia, and I call alongside Syntyche.”

In Paul’s mind, their calling hasn’t changed. It was only their attitude toward each other that was the problem. They needed to deal with the root of the issue.

James understood this and wrote about it.

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?

James 4:1 NIV

James actually says that wars and fights start within us. They’re caused by our own desires that are not lined up with the will of God. When our flesh wants something, that’s when the trouble starts.

I would say that most of our trouble with others is caused by something that we desire. Usually, our problems with others revolve around unmet expectations. Expectation is simply another word for desire. It’s your unmet desires that start the problems.

The fact is, when it comes to God’s calling on my life, my desires have nothing to do with it. When I look at the ministry I’m involved in, and the people I’m called to work alongside, it amazes me. In my fleshly thinking, I would never have chosen to work with some of these people.

But it wasn’t up to me. God does the “hiring and firing”. Because of God’s plan – bringing different people than I would normally be comfortable with – I experience a new level of growth. I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but you can’t experience growth without some discomfort.

Now, having worked with people who are much different than me, we’ve become very close. We’ve gone through spiritual battles together.

Do our personalities always agree? No! But our commitment to the cause of Christ becomes the overriding factor. We’re called alongside each other. That’s a lesson we all need to learn in this modern church age.

Question: What are the different personalities God has called you to work alongside?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on October 18, 2023 in Fellowship, Ministry, Relationships, The Church

 

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The Road to Resurrection Power

09 Oct
The Road to Resurrection Power

We’ve been going through Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. For the past couple of posts, I’ve been talking about Paul’s view of his walk with God. I was looking at the following verses.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:10-11 NIV

The question is; do we want to walk in the resurrection power of Christ? If so, there’s only one path to get there. I have to participate, fellowship, in sharing His suffering. This is the death process that my old man must go through.

It literally says that I have to take on the same form as His death. It doesn’t sound pleasant or convenient, but the result is worth it. The way Paul puts it, he wants to somehow – any way and at any cost – arrive at the resurrection power of the Lord.

But what will it take to accomplish this? Do you think that there’s any way to identify with Christ while ignoring His body on earth? Absolutely not! Fitting into the body of Christ plays a big role in conforming us to the image of Jesus.

Please realize that the suffering he’s talking about is not physical pain. It’s an internal discomfort to the flesh – our old sin nature. That’s why we need the church. The fact is that we can’t do this alone.

We know that in Christ, we have everything we need.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

This verse talks about all that God has made available to us. Did you ever stop to think about this? Why has the Lord given us all of these great gifts?

“He loves me. He wants to bless me. He’s given me these promises.” ME, ME, ME!

That’s not the way it is. It’s not all about me. Listen to how this is written.

His divine power has given US everything WE need…through OUR knowledge of him who called US…he has given US his…promises, so that YOU (this is in the plural form) may participate in the divine nature…

This is about us as a body. When Peter says that we may participate in the divine nature; it literally says that we are fellowshippers in the divine nature.

What is the divine nature? It’s God’s way of doing things. Growth by germination. Planting, sprouting, growing, and bearing fruit. This can’t happen if I try to do it all on my own. I need the body of Christ. Only then can I escape the ruin that’s happening in the world.

God wants us to walk in a new nature. This only happens when I connect where God wants me in His Body. Only then will I experience the best He has for me.

This growth doesn’t happen when the world revolves around me. But in the local church I need to think of the needs of others. I have to learn, by the Spirit, to be in unity with some people who are not like me. They might not think like me. There might even be some that I don’t like or, God forbid, that don’t like me.

It’s in the church that we grow together. We see things in us that need the work of the Holy Spirit to perfect. We learn about the grace of God operating in us. We find our giftings and callings.

Don’t take a light view of the fellowship we share. Without it we’ll never reach our greatest potential.

Question: How has fellowship with others changed your life for the better?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on October 9, 2023 in Fellowship, Ministry, Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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A Humble Lifestyle

08 Sep
A Humble Lifestyle

We’ve been discussing how we minister as the body of Christ. This is one of the themes of the book of Philippians. Now Paul brings us to the subject of humility. It’s an important part of our Christian life together.

I think sometimes we get so focused on who we are in Christ that we forget about who we were without Him. Don’t get me wrong. It’s imperative that we understand our “in Christ realities.” But who I am in Christ has nothing to do with my accomplishments and everything to do with what the Lord has done in me.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4

God wants us to walk humbly together. The problem is that many believers don’t understand the Scriptural concept of humility. We don’t like the sound of that word.

At one point children were running around the feet of Jesus. He reached down and picked one up.

And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3-4

We need to learn from the humility of children. When they’re with an adult who shows them love and attention, children are transformed. That adult becomes their world.

They want to be like that adult. They want to act and talk like them. Children just want to hang around that kind of adult. They look up to them and have the attitude that “he or she is it!”

That’s what true humility is all about. It has nothing to do with considering yourself as dirt. Humility never puts itself down, but rather sees others as better. That makes a world of difference. Humility looks beyond its own interests.

When you’re truly walking in humility, you’re no longer the center of your own world. Now the needs and desires of other people become important to you. You want to find a way to uplift others.

In our walk with God, that translates to seeing God’s desires for us as greater than our own wants. I want to please Him first, before I please myself. I seek the Lord for who He is rather than what I can get from Him.

Instead of looking to Christ and saying, “I want this from You.” we need to be saying, “Lord, I want to be like you.” “Lord, I just want to hang around in Your presence. I want to pick up Your habits and attitudes.”

Whether it’s being humble towards God, or in the church, it means that I take my eyes off of myself. That’s what true ministry is all about. How do I view others around me.

Too often we want people to see how great we are. “Look at the wonderful things I’m doing for God.” We try to make an impression.

Then there are the others who think that it’s spiritual to always be putting themselves down. “I’m not mature enough. I don’t know the Bible well enough. God could never use me.” In reality, this is just another way to call attention to yourself.

I need to learn to exalt others. I must start to see the value God places on the people around me.

That’s what true humility is all about. It has nothing to do with putting myself down or trying to get others to believe that I’m a nobody.

A humble lifestyle means that I take my eyes off myself and focus on the Lord and those He has brought into my life.

Question: What needs to change in order to pursue humility?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 8, 2023 in Fellowship, Ministry, Relationships, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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United Together

06 Sep
United Together

We’re currently studying Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. In my last post we saw Paul’s assumption concerning our life in Christ. Now the apostle shows us the results of these things.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Philippians 2:1-2 NIV

If verse 1 is at work in you (I talked about those in my last post) then these things should be the result. The apostle was rejoicing at the thought of the church living on this level of ministry. We should be striving for the same things.

Being like-minded. This means that we have the same view of things. It’s all about our agreement. This is something that gives power to a ministry.

Too often we see churches that are a conglomeration of warring factions. Each one is trying to outmaneuver the other. That’s not the way things should be.

If we have the same view of Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit, then we should be able to work together in harmony. There doesn’t need to be total agreement on every subject, but submission to God’s plan should be the number one priority.

Having the same love. The same as what? I believe that this is referring back to verse 1. That verse talks about His love, meaning the love of Christ.

We need to walk in that same agape love that Jesus manifested. If you remember from my last post, I talked about the Lord’s love persuading us. The more I learn of His love, the more I love like Jesus did.

It seems to me that this is something we lack in this generation. When I see the discussions online, I wonder where the love is sometimes. Doctrine without love is never correct. People should be able to see our love in spite of any doctrinal differences.

Being one in spirit. This is actually a poor translation of what Paul said. The word, spirit (pneuma) is not in this verse. It’s the word, soul (psuche) that the apostle uses. So, in essence, he’s telling us to be co-souled. (Yes, I made up that word, but it’s what Paul said!)

The Lord wants the church to look like it has one soul. That’s why I’m against a church being run by democratic voting. It should be based upon prayer, and a consensus of what God is speaking to His people. If there is sharp disagreement, then that’s a sign that more prayer is needed.

The one mind that this talks about is not our humanity. It’s being in submission to the mind of God. That’s harder to do. It’s easy to take a vote. It’s more inconvenient to seek the heart of God’s will.

Being one in purpose. Of all the things on this list, that’s by far the toughest to accomplish. The word, purpose, means our thought process, opinions, and interests. This doesn’t just happen overnight. And, it for sure doesn’t happen by argument and debate.

It’s all about what I taught in my last post. That was how Paul led into this whole subject. There’s only one way that individual people can have the same purpose. We must submit to the coaching of the Holy Spirit, the persuasion of Christ’s love, the participation with the Holy Spirit, and a passion for God’s will.

As long as we want to walk in our own wisdom, the world will never be affected. This was the prayer of Jesus right before He went to the cross.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

John 17:20-23 NIV

That prayer says it all. We need to have that same devotion to Christ. Then, the world will be drawn to the cross.

Question: What will it take for the church to reach this level of unity?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 6, 2023 in Anointing, Fellowship, Ministry, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Relationships, Revival, The Church

 

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The Basis for Unity

04 Sep
The Basis for Unity

We’re continuing our walk through the book of Philippians. We now come to chapter two. Remember, this letter deals with the church as a body of believers joined together in Christ.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion…

Philippians 2:1 NIV

Paul is now setting the stage for how we work together as one body. He starts with the word, “if”. But don’t get the idea that these things are optional. The assumption Paul is working with, is that all these statements are true.

These are actually four truths that are the foundation of our unity in Christ. We need to understand them so that we can see them manifest in us.

Encouragement from being united with Christ. The word, encouragement, literally means to call beside. That’s the job of a coach on a winning team.

Actually, it’s a word used by Jesus to describe the Holy Spirit.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:26 NIV

When the Holy Spirit is called the Counselor, the same word is used as encouragement, above. I personally would use the word Coach for that aspect of the Holy Spirit. He’s the one who calls alongside us. He’s training us to become what we need to be.

Comfort from His love. This word for comfort actually means a persuasive address. This word for love, agape, is not emotional. It’s a choice to make a positive contribution into the life of another. As we spend time with Christ, His love begins to persuade us.

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

2 Corinthians 5:14 NIV

All of our old prejudices and hatred must be nailed to the cross. Our old life was crucified with Christ. Now His love can persuade me to minister as He would. I just need to allow that persuasion to have its way in me.

Fellowship with the Spirit. This is another important truth. The word, fellowship, means a participation. We need to learn to participate with the Holy Spirit.

It seems to me that for the most part, we ignore the Holy Spirit. We should be working with Him as our great Coach. He’s the One who will lead and guide us into our destiny in Christ. How closely do we follow His plan for us?

We should be spending quality time with the Spirit. Not just rattling off a list of needs, but listening for His gentle voice speaking to us. That’s where the true power of God is found.

Tenderness and compassion. Here, Paul uses two words for our internal organs. Both the Greeks and the Hebrews saw them as the seat of our passions and emotions.

As I look at the previous three truths, I notice that they are choices we need to make. I choose to submit to the coaching of the Holy Spirit, the persuasion of Christ’s love and the participation with the Spirit.

However, there’s one more factor that makes our walk with God and each other complete. We need passion and emotion in our spiritual life. That’s what makes our Christian experience exciting.

Too many believers act like spiritual robots. They just seem to be going through the motions, doing what they feel they need to do. If that’s you, then you need to spend time in the Holy Spirit, picking up His passion for ministry.

Then you’ll find that serving God is not something you have to do, but something that you get to do. You’ll pick up the joy of the Lord.

Question: How well are you participating with the Spirit in these four areas?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 4, 2023 in Fellowship, Power of God, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Relationships, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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Together in Spiritual Warfare

01 Sep
Together in Spiritual Warfare

As we go through the book of Philippians, we now come to a very important truth. This is one of the epistles that the Holy Spirit used to concentrate on us as a body of believers.

After explaining the possibility of persecution for the faith, Paul gives the church this command.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved — and that by God.

Philippians 1:27-28 NIV

In the past, I’ve posted about the connection between prayer in the spirit, unity, and the fight of faith. Did you know that they all go hand in hand? To read these posts, click here.

This is one of many Scriptures where we’re told to contend for the faith. I’ve read through this verse many times. After careful study, I’ve developed a very different take on this passage.

When I read it now, it sounds to me like an army general giving a final speech to his troops on the eve of battle. Listen to what Paul says. Stand firm in ONE SPIRIT. Contend as ONE MAN for the faith. How can this be done in the natural?

We know from God’s Word, that it can’t, it must be a work of the spirit. We must pray in the heavenly gift together, and so line up our spirits with each other and with the Holy Spirit. Only then can we stand firm in one “spiritual wind”. (The Greek word for wind and spirit is exactly the same.)

It’s without a doubt that prayer in the spirit unifies the church for war. This gift is the unifying factor in the body of Christ. There is, however, a deeper reason for using prayer in the spirit as a part of our warfare. I found this, of all places, while watching the Weather Channel.

They were airing a special about wind. Scientifically, the wind is simply air molecules in motion. They talked about everything from light winds to severe winds.

You would think that a 40 MPH wind is twice as strong, does twice the damage of a 20 MPH wind. So did I, and I was wrong. The effect of wind on its environment is an exponential increase as the speed increases.

This means that because of the nature of wind, a 40 MPH wind is actually ten times the strength and effect of a 20 MPH wind. Take hurricanes for example. A Category 1 hurricane, the weakest, is about 75 MPH. The strongest, a Category 5, is about 135 MPH. Even though it has twice the wind speed, a Category 5 hurricane does ten times the damage of a Category 1.

What does any of this have to do with prayer in the spirit? Well, all of this talk about the exponential increase of wind should remind you of a spiritual truth.

How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up? For their rock is not like our Rock, as even our enemies concede.

Deuteronomy 32:30-31 NIV

We usually quote this by saying, “one can put a thousand to flight and two shall put ten thousand to flight.” Whether you know it or not this verse is speaking about the exponential increase of the move of the Spirit of God.

The truth we need to learn is that prayer in the spirit has an exponential effect on the object of that prayer. This is the true power of corporate prayer in the spirit.

This is an important truth for us to learn. That’s because of the generation we’re living in. There’s a rise in persecution against the church taking place. This is what Paul is referring to. He continues that thought.

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Philippians 1:29-30 NIV

We need to begin contending together, as one man for the faith. The requires corporate prayer in the spirit.

Question: Why is the power of corporate prayer in the spirit largely untapped in our generation?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 1, 2023 in Faith, Fellowship, Power of God, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Warfare, The Church, Word of God

 

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The Path to Change

16 Aug
The Path to Change

I’ve been posting lately, about our place in society right now. I believe that this is the Moses generation. God’s people should be crying out to God concerning the conditions around us.

When Moses was at the burning bush, that’s what he learned from God.

“…And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Exodus 3:9-10 NIV

We need to heed this lesson. We can’t remain complacent at this time in history. There’s too much at stake.

Much of the church is simply going along with the winds of our society. We don’t want to be ridiculed or accused of being uneducated. But the fact is – the Word of God stands true, no matter what direction society heads off in.

At the end of my last post, I quoted a verse from the Old Testament that applies to our generation.

…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

We need to follow the guidelines of this verse. It starts with an “if”. This doesn’t say that if my people vote for the right person… if my people join the right political party… if my people would fill the internet with their comments.

None of that is effective in bringing change to society. This only breeds dissension and strife. That’s not what we’re called to do.

We’re called to humble ourselves and pray. But there’s even more to it. There needs to be a spirit of repentance. That means a true sorrow and turning from sin.

“Wait a minute, Pastor Nick! I’m not the one sinning. Why do I need to repent?”

I’m glad you asked that. Think about Daniel. He was in captivity in Babylon because of the sins of the Hebrew people. How did he pray?

I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.”

Daniel 9:4-5 NIV

Understand this…of all the people alive at that time in history, Daniel had nothing to repent about. He was walking before God in purity and righteousness. He even defied kings in order to please God fully.

And yet, in spite of his righteous life, he still repented of the sins of his people. Those of us who are mature can do no less.

It’s time to stop looking at those around us and commenting about their sin. It’s time to take up the mantle of repentance and stand in the gap for our nation. Along with that we need to be praying for the segment of the church that’s asleep at this time.

Only then will we see the move of God that we so desperately need. God is waiting for us to cry out to Him.

Question: How desperate are you for spiritual change?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on August 16, 2023 in Ministry, Prayer, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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Crying Out

14 Aug
Crying Out

For the past couple of posts, I’ve been comparing our present church environment to that of Israel in Egypt. Whether we know it or not, we’re in a kind of captivity to the world.

For the most part, the church keeps to itself. We don’t want to “rock the boat” of society around us. We want to be able to fit in and enjoy riches of the modern world.

The fact is, we need a move of God. No political vote will ever bring about a spiritual change in our country. But why does God notice and bring about that change? The answer came to Moses at the burning bush.

“…And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Exodus 3:9-10 NIV

Why did God move to change their situation? The cries of the Israelites had reached Him. The Lord’s people need to cry out to Him.

That begs the question; are we crying out to God? Do we even care about the present situation of the church and society around us?

As I look around, it seems to me that much of the church is simply going along with the flow of our culture. Listening to a good gospel message once a week, then getting back to the business of making money and accumulating stuff.

The problem is that we’re comfortable in the present conditions. How long will it be before we start to see things through God’s eyes? How uncomfortable will it have to become before we cry out to the Lord?

Israel had to experience bitter slavery.

During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.

Exodus 2:23-25 NIV

It’s interesting that there are four different words being used here for how the Israelites cried out. Two were what they did and two were what God heard.

They sighed and they screamed. They cried out in the bitterness and abuse of slavery. Their lives were at stake. God heard it as a call for help and groaning.

I ask again – why does God move upon the scene? The cry of His people has reached Him. So, the questions remain… Why are God’s people not crying out? Do we even know that the church is in slavery? Are we content to sit around and eat spiritual food yet do nothing? Are we going to allow the enemy’s kingdom to continue to be built up?

More than ever before, we need to be the intercessors for the church and our nation. Take stock of your life. If you’re spiritually asleep – WAKE UP! The time is now for God’s people to arise in the power of the Holy Spirit.

There’s a Scripture that I’ve heard applied to our nation over and over again. We need to finally walk in it.

…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

This should be a wake-up call to the church. God’s people are the only ones with the answers to the ills of society. But we need to rise up and BE the church.

Question: What needs to happen for a majority of the church to wake up?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on August 14, 2023 in Ministry, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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What Are We Seeing?

11 Aug
What Are We Seeing?

In my last post, I started talking about life in our present society. In many ways it’s like when the children of Israel were captive in Egypt at the time of Moses.

There is great pressure on the church to agree with the world’s goals or stay quietly in the background. All the while, the enemy’s kingdom seems to be strengthening. Many of God’s people are in hiding, afraid to speak up.

Moses ran away from his problems and became a shepherd in Midian. As he was out tending the sheep, he sees a burning bush that isn’t being consumed.

As he checks it out, he hears the voice of God, speaking to him.

“…And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Exodus 3:9-10 NIV

There are some important truths in this passage that we need to hear in this generation. One of the key statements is this: “I have seen the Egyptians oppressing them – so I am sending you to Pharaoh.”

Moses’ problem was that he thought the enemy was the Egyptians. The Lord set him straight. Pharaoh was where the victory needed to be won.

In the same way, our fight is not against flesh and blood. How do we see spiritual change? It won’t come about by attacking the Egyptians – the people of the world. We need to go against the spiritual “Pharaohs.”

However, there’s something that has to happen first. God said, “The cry of the Israelites has reached me.” That’s the important statement.

Are we crying out to the Lord? Do we even understand that we need the Lord’s help to rescue us? Or, are we happy to go right along with the world’s agenda?

This is the heart of the matter. Much of the church is content right where they are.

This is illustrated powerfully later on the book of Exodus. After the Israelites left Egypt, they were going through the wilderness. At one point they were complaining about the food God was miraculously providing.

The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

Exodus 16:3 NIV

Their view of the situation was skewed. They don’t seem to remember that they were tasked with building the enemy’s kingdom, brick by brick. They don’t remember the abuse they had to endure – only the pots of meat they had available.

For the most part, the church doesn’t even know they’re in slavery. In the USA we can get a rich spiritual meal anytime we want it. TV, radio, and internet. We can live stream a message from some of the greatest preachers in the world.

Then, once we finish our hefty spiritual “meal”, we run off to continue building the enemy’s kingdom. We chase after the world and all it has to offer us. There is so much available in the way of entertainment, athletics, recreation, and educational opportunities.

We can fill our schedules so full that there’s no room for what God is calling us to do. In many cases, our spiritual life consists of a church meeting (online or in-person) once a week.

Actually, in our generation, what is considered an average committed Christian attends church twice a month. We’re too busy doing other things.

We need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the present condition of the church.

Question: What’s your view of the church in this present society?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on August 11, 2023 in Ministry, Prayer, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Spiritual Warfare, The Church

 

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