Discipleship

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matt. 28:19, 20).

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ALMI: Abiding Life Ministries International - An evangelical discipleship ministry committed to helping defeated believers find victory over the daily obstacles of life. The focus of ALMI is on what Christ has already given each believer - His life indwelling. This - the indwelling Christ - is all that is needed. Find out for yourself! There is nothing the nearness of Christ cannot overcome.

Book review: Sidetracked in the Wilderness

Are you discouraged about your spiritual progress? Do you wonder what Jesus was talking about when He spoke of the abundant life? Are you struggling with defeat . . . conflict in your relationships, . . . sinful practices that you just can’t conquer? If the answer is “yes,” Michael Wells has good news: There’s a way out.

Like the biblical Israelites, you have become stranded en-route to the promised land. But, starting today, you can transform your life from one marked by frustration, mediocrity, and failure, to one of joy, purpose, and enthusiasm. The pages of “Sidetracked In The Wilderness”, will assist you in finding your way back to the chosen path, and enable you to re-discover the way back to a deep abiding faith. And a victorious walk in Christ.

Available through: ALMI: Abiding Life Ministries International.

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The Cocoon and the Butterfly

A man came across the cocoon of a butterfly. A small opening soon appeared. So he sat and watched the butterfly for hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. After a while, it seemed as if it had stopped making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and could go no farther. So the man decided to help the butterfly.

He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then proceeded to emerge quite easily. But it had a swollen body, with small, shriveled wings. Eagerly the man continued to watch, expecting that at any moment the wings would enlarge and expand, and be able to support the body, which would contract in time But neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was this: The restriction of the cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were essential for its survival. The intense struggle was exactly what was needed to force the fluid from inside the body of the butterfly out into its wings, so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

And so it is with our spiritual lives. Struggles are exactly what we need. They teach is to rely on the inner man, that we might shed the outer man - the cocoon of our old man - and thus stimulate growth in the new man, and develop our spiritual strength. Oh yes! Going through life without any obstacles is the easy - and the chosen - path for the flesh, but it cripples us spiritually.

You see! By choosing the easy way, we will never be as strong as what we could have been. We will never mount up with wings as Eagles; never enjoy the vistas of mountain top experiences. In short, we could never fly!

I asked for Strength . . .
God gave me Difficulties to make me strong.

I received nothing I wanted . . .
And everything I needed!

"Beloved, do not be astonished at the fiery trial happening among you for your testing, as if a surprise were occurring to you; but according as you share the sufferings of Christ, rejoice; so that you may rejoice exultingly at the revelation of His glory" (1 Pet. 4:12, 13).

"For whom the Lord loves, He disciplines, and chastens every son whom He receives. If you endure discipline, God is dealing with you as with sons . . ." (Heb. 12:5-7, 11).

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (1 Jn. 3:2-3).

"For our light affliction, is but for a moment, and works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" (2 Cor. 4:17).

"Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (Matt. 13:43).

"Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal" (Rev. 20:9-11).

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Brokenness

Could it be that our idea of brokenness is often somewhat removed from the reality of what the Lord is interested in. I tend to think the following story relays that quite well. Perhaps you will agree?

A missionary of a certain denomination went out on the mission field to work as a teacher in a parochial school. Because of her love for the Lord she diligently took up the task of teaching the students, and more. Through witnessing, she also brought many unbelievers to the Lord. And the Lord greatly blessed her work, both in the area of discipleship, as well as the increase of souls to the church.

But because of her great success, her co-workers became jealous. And soon, one from among the denomination accused her of numerous sins. She inquired as to who the charges came from, and what they were, but the missionary board would not divulge who the accuser was, nor would they tell of the specific charges against her. She told the committee, she was willing to return home, but they should reveal who her accuser was, and what sins she had committed that would force her to return home. The committee was adamant, and would not make any disclosure. But they did send out a team to notify her that the denomination which sponsored her was withdrawing their support. As she was expelled from her only means of assistance, she had no alternative, but to pack up her things, and return home from the mission field.

Because the blow was so great, she wept and pleaded before the Lord. She knew she had been maligned, and had not made any mistakes. Her ministry flourished because the hand of the Lord was in it. Furthermore, there was no hindrance that stood between her and the Lord. Her conscience was clear. Add to this, a great concern over the slander of her character, and the reputation that would follow after her as a result of the situation. Her mind was set upon clearing herself. She had decided to continue pursuing matters until the committee would divulge, either the name of her accuser, or the sins she had committed. And the more she considered her future, in the light of these issues, the more her pride would not let her give in.

For a time she continued on this path, in anguish, and in prayer. But the more she sought for the Lord to come to her assistance, the more it seemed as if the Lord wanted her to let go. It was as if He was saying, “You belong to me. But those who accuse you also belong to me. I am the Head, and you are the members. Consider my hands. Does it make any difference to my Head if the thumb or my little finger is hurting? To my Head both cause pain. Whether you are hurt, or the other, in both situations, I have been hurt. Why do you have to argue, and justify yourself? This will only put shame on others. And while you may clear your name, the hurt to Me will be the same. Why justify yourself, My child? Place your future in my hands, and be at peace.” And so, she felt led to commit the matter fully unto the Lord, and leave it with Him.

And yet, all was not over. After passing thus far through this very trying experience, she returned to her home country. Her lot there was as expected. There were harsh misunderstandings and she was despised by those who once showed respect. Many thought she had committed untold wrongs.

Eventually, the Lord raised up others to support her, and she returned to the mission field. And though her ministry flourished as before, there was a noticeable inward difference; this time her walk with the Lord was deeper, and much more intimate. And in her usefulness, the Lord kept her out in the vineyard laboring for the One she loved longer than any of the others she originally went out with.

Excepts taken from "The Collected Works of Watchman Nee," Vol. 7, p916.

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A Blacksmith Speaks

A number of years ago a Christian blacksmith, whose life was full of suffering and pain, was challenged by an unbeliever to account for all the suffering God had allowed in his life. His response to the challenge went something like this:-

“As a blacksmith, I often take a piece of iron and put it into the fire to bring it to a white heat. Then I put it on the anvil and strike it a few times to see if it can be tempered. If I think it can, I plunge it into cold water, suddenly changing the temperature.

I believe my God and Father has been testing me to see if I can be tempered. He has repeatedly put me into the fire and into the water. I have tried to bear it patiently and quietly, and my daily prayer has been: ‘Lord, put me into the fire if You will. And put me into the water if You think I need it. Do anything You please, Lord, . . . only . . . don’t throw me onto the scrap pile.’”

The Lord’s testing of us is not only a sign of His preparing us for usefulness, but it is also a sign of His love for us. The Scriptures say, it is “for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness” and “afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:10-11).

It is a solemn thing to find oneself on the scrap pile, and this, because we have refused being tempered. May our prayer be, . . . “Let it not be so, . . . Lord . . . . in my life.”

Excerpts taken from the tract A Blacksmith Speaks. Available from: Grace & Truth.

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The Refiner's Fire

Some time ago, a few women met in a certain city to study the Scriptures. While reading the third chapter of Malachi, they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse: "And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3).

One of the women proposed to visit a silversmith, and report to them on what he said about the subject. So, she went accordingly, and without telling him about the object of her errand, begged the silversmith to tell her the process of refining silver.

After he had fully described to her, she asked, "But sir, do you sit, while the work of refining is going on?"

"Oh, yes Madam," replied the silversmith; "I must sit with my eyes steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."

The women at once saw the beauty, and comfort, too, of the scriptural expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

God sees it needful, to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for both of us. Our trials do not come at random. Each is with a specific purpose (2 Cor. 4:17; 1 Pet. 1:6-10). And He will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure (1 Cor. 10:13).

Before she left, the woman asked one final question: "When do you know the process is complete?"

"Why, that is quite simple," replied the silversmith. "When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished."

". . . in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring" (Acts 17:28). Our life is " . . . hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3). Yet there is always ". . . travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you" (Gal 4:19). We must learn to "bear about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus," if we expect "the life of Jesus to be made manifest in our body." Thus, the reason for this discipline! " . . . that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in our body" (2 Cor. 4:10, 11). Ahh yes! ". . . no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" Heb. 12:11). This is our calling: ". . .to be conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom. 8:29). And as surely "as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (1 Cor. 15:49). But it is through trials and testings, we "are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor. 3:18); It is a refining process, learning to "put off the old, . . . " and "put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him" (Col. 3:10). We are the "children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." But, only "as many . . . as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:26, 27).

"In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people" (Isa. 28:5). As we grow up into Christ (Eph. 4:15), let us; "Give unto the Lord the glory due His name;" and "worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness" (Psa. 29:2).

The Refiner's Fire appeared in The Evangelist, May 2002. Permission granted from Evangelical Tract Dist. For its use.

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Life Out of Death

On a trip to Brazil, my wife discovered a favorite - palm heart soup. It is the best. However, the bad news is that the particular palm tree that the soup is made from must grow for 10 years. After that time, at the very top of the tree is the new growth from which the heart for the soup is harvested. The new growth must be cut off. Unfortunately, when it is, the tree loses its life.

There is a message in that tree. If we would minister to others, we must always feed with new growth. The old growth is woody and can't be digested. By abiding in Christ we are always fresh, we are being taught something new, we are sharing invigorating truths, and we are always flavorful. But understand, giving of our new growth means death. Paul said in 2 Cor. 1:9 that a sentence of death was on himself. I often listen to believers, who in depression say, "Nothing is working out for me." How could anything work out for you? You have the sentence of death on self. In never being able to trust in self, we are never old and dry. We must go to Him each day to receive nourishment for new growth.

I was told of a new variety of palm, one in which the new growth could be cut without causing death. However! It just "doesn't taste as good." No, it wouldn't. Paul also says, "Death works in me but life in you." New growth is what the body of Christ is in need off. We must give new growth to the body; and to do that, we must die.

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The Sin Which Doth So Easily Beset Us

How difficult it is to run the race in manner pleasing to the Lord. For years, early on in my Christian life, it was a concept foreign to me, . . . Foreign, that is, until I began to respond to the Spirit's leading instead of, or in the place of, my own leading (according to what I thought the Lord wanted in my life). It was then I entered into another dimension of spiritual reality I was not familiar with. I became aware, the spirit enlightened me to, sins I had not seen in my life previously. And as I tried to address them, oh, the difficulty I encountered trying to rid myself of them; which I must. Why? Because I was aware of how they were hindrances to continuing on, in unbroken fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

For example: A vicious habit learned at school had continued to master me for ten or eleven years. But it seemed, the more I tried to rid myself of it, the more difficulty I encountered. Finally, after more defeats than I care to admit, I was forced to accept the reality; I was a slave, and cruel was the slave-master. Oh! How desperately I struggled, . . . and how miserably I failed. How bitterly I mourned, how sincerely I confessed, and how sweetly I was always forgiven. I came to know as never before the depths of the unfailing grace of God in fulfilling 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins." But pardon so freely accorded did but make me all the more ashamed of my sin. The way of pardon I knew; the way of victory, I knew not. I had been well instructed and was well assured as to justification; but the means of sanctification I had not been shown. Thus my dilemma.

I could tell the lost how to be saved, and did often, but I could not tell the saved how to be holy. Calvary was a precious reality, but Pentecost alluded me. Before God I was in Christ by faith, but evidence of the power of His resurrection life was absent. Absent, that is, until the hour of deliverance struck.

Kneeling at my bedside in agony over the conflict, fighting a desperate but losing battle, suddenly with overwhelming authority the Voice spoke to me. "I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing" (Rom. 7:18). Instantly the whole situation was illuminated. The truth of the assertion was, for the first time, burned into my soul by all those years of dismal failure. In the intensity of the moment I exclaimed: "Then, Lord, victory over sin will never come out of me. Victory over sin is a very good thing; and there is no good thing in me. You can't get blood out of a stone; "now, Lord Jesus, I will see what Thou wilt do for me."

At that instant I was free, completely, liberatingly, joyfully, free forever. One moment I was a slave, the next moment the master. One moment I was a weakly infant in the grip of a giant, the next, a Sampson rending the lion as a kid. Long I had labored, in vain, to draw water out of a dry well; now I drank from the well which alone contains the waters of life. And I knew the Word, in power: "the law of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus" became real to me, in the most practical way. Entering into this reality, I was set "free from the law of sin and death" (Rom. 8:2). From that great hour I have known, through subjective inward experience, what Charles Wesley declared in the matchless stanza:

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eyes diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

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