Does God Need Prayer to Work on Earth?

Does prayer give license for God to work on earth? The answer is no.

God is sovereign and all-powerful (Psalm 115:3, Daniel 4:35, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 4:11, 5:12) and works all things after His own will (Ephesians 1:11). To suggest that God requires an open door, so to speak, to work on earth, suggests that He is bound. Since God is sovereign, all-powerful, and works everything according to His will, that could not be the case.

Does God need us so He can do work on earth? The answer is no.

God does not need anything from us (Psalm 50:10–12), but He does tell us to pray (Luke 18:1, Philippians 4:6–7, 1 Peter 5:7) according to His will (1 John 5:14–15).

Because we are commanded to pray and are given examples in Scripture of Christians praying and receiving answers (e.g. Acts 4:24–31, Acts 5:12–17), we can conclude that God has ordained will-aligned prayers as one instrument to accomplish His work on earth.

When we pray according to God’s will, He graciously allows us to be involved in His divine work, but He does not need our prayers to work out His will. Even without our prayers, God is able to accomplish His will (cf. Ephesians 3:20).

Since all things happen according to the will of God, we must discover His will through careful study of the word (John 15:7, 2 Timothy 2:15) combined with prayer (James 1:5–7, cf. Ephesians 5:17) and humble yieldedness to it (cf. James 4:7,10). So, it is not God who changes, but we who change (cf. Psalm 37:4).

An answer to the question, Does prayer change God’s mind, on the GotQuestions.org website provides an excellent example of this concept using a father and his daughter who wants a car.

Conclusion

In the end, Jesus gave us a perfect example of how we are to conduct ourselves. He showed us that prayer was important (e.g. Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12, John 17), and even taught us how to pray (Luke 11:1–4). Even though we may not perfectly understand the Lord’s ways (Isaiah 55:8–9), we can follow the example that Christ gave us and obey the word of Christ that tells us to pray, in full faith, knowing that God sovereign and will answer according to His will.

[END]

Written by Jerry Smith
Image source: Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

Are We Enjoying Evil?

I was watching a movie the other day where a thief was portrayed as the hero and the policeman trying to catch him was the bad guy. But this was not the first time. Another movie portrayed a murderer as a hero and the people he killed as the bad people.

We have TV shows glorifying serial killers, drug dealers, and even vampires as heroes, while everyday, law-abiding, moral, and at times God-fearing people are seen as antagonists in the light of the protagonist.

But God tells us:

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter (Isaiah 5:20)!

It seems in modern times, at least in Hollywood movies, people who follow the rules are seen as oafs, losers, squares, and even enemies of these immoral, unethical characters. But not so long ago, heroes and heroins behaved themselves with virtue.

Have we lost our morals? Have we forsaken God so much that we now call evil good? If so, God says, "woe" unto us. The word, "woe," in modern times means intense mourning, but in biblical times it meant simply shock at what was being called attention to.

As Christians, we ought to be careful not to partake in other men's sins (cf. Ephesians 5:7) or vicariously partake in sins through having pleasure in those who do such things (Romans 1:32). We must question ourselves as to whether we enjoy watching a criminal take vengeance on a policeman who helped put him in prison.

Do we enjoy a vampire tearing the head off of someone who insulted it? Do we take pleasure in watching a thief get away with thousands of hard-earned dollars from a rural bank? Where will it end—when right has become wrong, evil has become good, and immoral acts have become acceptable?

Written by Jerry Smith
Image source: https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/marcduf

Do Pastors Need Charisma or Public Speaking Skills to Preach?

Does a preacher needs charisma or public speaking techniques to deliver a message from the word? 

The answer is no on both counts.

In the list of qualifications for a pastor, no requirement is given to be charismatic or a skilled orator. But we do read that he should be disposed to teaching (1 Timothy 3:2). We also read how Peter gave a powerful message from the scriptures after the Holy Spirit came upon him on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, and three thousand souls listened and believed (Acts 2:41), with no mention of his skill, only that he preached the word. 

Paul prayed for boldness to speak the word in Ephesians 6:19 not charisma, not a good joke, not public speaking skills. In fact, Paul spoke with frankness (2 Corinthians 3:12) and spoke only what the Lord would have him speak (i.e. the word of God); not with man’s wisdom, but with God’s (1 Corinthians 2:4,13). Another example comes from Acts 4:31 where the disciples received boldness to speak the word after praying and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jokes or anecdotes can lighten things up, get the attention of the congregation, and may enhance learning. The Lord seems to have used humor at times in His messages (cf. Matthew 7:5); Paul evinces humor in 1 Corinthians 12:21 for example, and we read a humorous account in Acts 20:9–12. However, there do not appear to be cases where believers actively sought charisma or public speaking skills—they sought boldness to speak the word.

Can a preacher use charisma and utilize public speaking skills when the word of God is at the heart of the message? 

The answer is yes, but he should not rely on or prioritize them above the word of God.

In terms of relying on our own skills, the Bible reminds us that how people respond to a message is in God’s hands: i.e. it is God who gives understanding (Proverbs 2:6); God who shines light into our minds (2 Corinthians 4:6); it is not by the physical but by the Spirit of God that we build (Zechariah 4:6); God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8); that the flesh profits nothing (John 6:63); that we should not put our confidence in man (Psalm 118:9); that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God (1 Corinthians 3:19), and the philosophy of this world is ineffective in the spiritual world (Colossians 2:8). We can learn from these verses that even the most charismatic individuals or the greatest of speakers have no effect without God.

In terms of having the word of God as the core of any message, the Bible reminds us that believers are born of the word of God (1 Peter 1:23, James 1:18); Christian faith is built up from the word of God (Romans 10:17), and Christ called the word of God truth (John 17:17). Therefore, any message given in church should be on what the Lord has to say.

Humanly speaking, being pleasant and sounding appealing could not hurt because people have limited attention spans (e.g. Acts 20:9–12). Being affable and speaking clearly just seem practical when speaking to an audience. For them, it would be difficult to sit and listen to someone who was unpleasant or unclear. And Paul told Timothy to make full proof of his ministry in 2 Timothy 4:5.

For those reasons, a pastor should be concerned with how to present his message. If the Lord reveals to a pastor that his personality could use some development or that his speaking skills could use some polish, why should he not prayerfully ask God to help him improve or pursue a course in homiletics? However, we must remember that any response to the message is in God’s hands.

Conclusion

A pastor, or anyone who preaches the Gospel or teaches the word is not required to be charismatic or a polished public speaker. We do not readily see examples where believers prayed for or actively sought such things in order to connect with their audiences.

In the end, some will believe, and some will not (Acts 17:32–34, Acts 28:24), not because of charisma or speaking talent, but because it is God’s work. Therefore, a pastor does not need to rely on his charisma or skills, but he can develop them as God reveals the need, while keeping focus on the word of God in his messages.

Written by Jerry Smith

Image source: YouTube screenshot video found on sanderson1611 page

God Demands Just Leaders

God demands that leaders remove violence and theft; to judge between evil and good, to execute justice, to ensure that fairness prevails: 

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD. [10] Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath (Ezekiel 45:9-10).

Since we are all made in the image of God, it is natural that we seek the same. This is why the heart cries out to leadership regarding injustices. 

Whether in the workplace, in politics, in organizations, in the church, in the family, or other, members seek justice. They cry out for it. 

When leaders fail to execute judgment and justice the morale of an entire group of people is damaged. When will leaders understand this? 

Sadly, increasingly more common are leaders who do not hear, do not care to hear, and or fail to execute righteousness on behalf of the people they lead.

Remember this however, that if you are a leader, you were appointed by God to be a terror to evil works (Romans 13:1-6), meaning that you are supposed to make right judgments and implement right solutions that favor righteousness. 

If you are not, you bear the sword in vain and are failing to do what God has appointed you to do. You will have to answer to God for that. 

Therefore, please examine yourselves because one day there may be much blood on your hands when you stand before Him.

By Jerry Smith 

Feature image: https://www.freeimages.com/photographer/hbrinkman-61434

Is It Wrong for a Mega Church Pastor to Be a Multi-Millionaire?

To be a millionaire of itself is not wrong. If the pastor of a church makes wise investments with his own money, he can enjoy it and use it wisely—it is a gift from God (Ecclesiastes 5:19).

Bible-Based Questions

However, if he is paid millions from what the church provides in a salary, the question may be how it got to that level. 

A church should be looking out for their pastor, but is paying a pastor millions necessary for his lifestyle? 

What does it look like to people outside the church (cf. Colossians 4:5)? 

Is it a good testimony, paying a pastor so much (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:22)? 

Does it create an enticement for those who are not Christians to enter the ministry (i.e. hirelings, cf. John 10:12-13)? 

A pastor should also be considering those points. It is also worth asking how or why a pastor would allow his pay to be well beyond what is necessary for a comfortable life. 

Could not that money be used to further the kingdom of God elsewhere?

A Pastor's Office Is Not for Money 

Peter tells us not to take the office of pastor for the money (1 Peter 5:1–3) but to feed the sheep and be an example to them. Paying a pastor millions would be a strong temptation to take the position for the wrong reason (cf. Romans 16:18). 

Conclusion

It is not for me or anyone to condemn this pastor or the church, but we are called to question practices in matters of the Christian faith (i.e. judge; cf. John 7:24, 1 Corinthians 6:2, 5 and 10:15, Luke 12:57, 1 John 4:1). 

By Jerry Smith

Feature image: Photo by Dmitry Moraine on Unsplash

Beware of Pastors Using Subtle Bible Translations

Some time ago, I attended a service where the pastor made a few comments on Philippians 2:6. The problem was that he was using a passage from a modern Bible version that demoted Christ from being equal with God to being less than equal with God. 

The pastor was using a passage from the ESV:

Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped (Philippians 2:6, ESV). 

For clarity, the ESV verse above could be paraphrased to read: 

...even though he seemed to be God, he did not consider being equal with God something to be apprehended. 

However, the King James Version reads: 

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.

For clarity, a paraphrase of the KJV verse above could be:

...appearing as God in the flesh, did not think it was a crime to be considered equal with God.

The KJV does not tamper with the Deity of Jesus Christ. 

There is no doubt in the King James Bible that God and Jesus Christ are equal (See also: John 1:1-3, 14; John 10:30, John 17:22 1 John 5:7). 

However, the subtle change in the wording used by the English Standard Version (ESV) along with other modern translations such as the BLB, the NASB, HCSB, NET Bible, ASV, ERV, and the WEB, lowers Christ from being equal with God to something less. 

Examine the subtle changes between the ESV and the KJV above for yourself, and remember, subtlety is the key word: 

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden (Genesis 3:1)? 

The Devil, always seeks to undermine the word of God because it is the believer's foundation. 

You should be alert to these subtle changes that are leading Christians further toward a liberal, hellish, and dangerous theology: 

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1).

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).

Conclusion

Pastors are supposed to protect the sheep from bad doctrine and false teaching (Acts 20:29-32, Hebrews 13:17). 

Sadly, many pastors themselves are the victims of bad doctrine that modern versions subtly push on them; and they are perhaps inadvertently leading others into the same. 

Nevertheless, you as a believer, are also responsible to study (2 Timothy 2:15), and will be held personally accountable. You cannot blame your pastor if God has told you to study. 

By Jerry Smith

Feature image source: https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/skhoward

What Does the Leaven of the Pharisees Mean for Christians Today?

What is the meaning of Jesus' words, beware of the yeast of the pharisees found in Matthew 16:6 and verses 11-12. What does it mean for Christians today? 

Leaven, or yeast as we call it today, is used to make bread rise when baked. It gives the the bread fluff from the carbon dioxide bubbles it creates. Contrast that with pizza-crust-thin unleavened bread, and you get the idea.

The Lord spoke of leaven on several occasions in the Gospels (e.g. Luke 12:1, Matthew 16:12, and Mark 8:15), and taught a parable relating to leaven and the kingdom of God (Matthew 13:33). He warned of the leaven of the Pharisees, the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the leaven of Herod (or the Herodians).

Each time the Lord spoke about leaven it was in a negative light. The Jews in Jesus’ time understood that leaven was symbolic of evil; it indicated the entrance of evil, or the entrance of sin. 

Leaven permeates the whole loaf, like corruption subtly permeates a church. It leads to a weak, ineffective, and fruitless condition, both individually and corporately. 

From these Gospel passages, we can glean the idea the Lord was conveying about the leaven of the Pharisees. 

1. The leaven of the Pharisees is hypocrisy—projecting an image yet having a different attitude inwardly.

In ancient times, the Greek word hypokrites was a reference to actors—pretenders that played a part when others were watching but were another way when they were not on stage.

As Christians, we become hypocrites when we act one way in church—when the pastor and brethren are watching—but act a different way at home (work or school).

We forget that our family members see us. The leaven of the Pharisees leads to a poor testimony and defames the name of Christ. 

2. The leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees is disbelief of God's Word and believing false doctrine.

The Pharisees and Sadducees put on a pretty good show, but inwardly did not believe the Scriptures.

Had they believed, they would have recognized Christ and would have been more merciful in their dealings with others.

Had they believed, they would not have taught their traditions as God's law.

Christians can be influenced by the leaven of disbelief and false doctrine by holding more to their traditions than to what God says—I will have mercy over sacrifice.

Are you holding brethren to a higher standard than God does? Perhaps the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees has gotten to you. 

3. The leaven of Herod, or as some say, the Herodians, is faithlessness, forgetfulness, failure to trust God, and or unbelief.

The Herodians were Jews who had become Hellenistic—they loved Greek culture. In so doing, they cleaved to philosophy over the word of God. As a result, they became faithless, forgot God's promises, and trusted their own thinking more than the words of God.

Today, Christians can be tainted with this yeast by holding on to the culture of the world instead of Christian culture; by holding to the philosophy of man over the doctrines of the faith, and by trusting science falsely so-called, over the word God has given us.

Christians today are heavily influenced by modern psychology which tells us man is good inside and sin is just a condition to be treated with medicine or therapy to make him better.

Christians include the world's type of music and entertainment in their worship services. Rather than seek the Lord, we seek our feelings about the Lord.

Rather than trust God and the clear and plain reading of His word, Christians over-theorize, adjust our teaching, and hold to the belief that the world evolved because evolutionary science tell us it has.

The Lord warned the disciples then and warns us today that if we let leaven into our lives, it will affect us. As a natural course, it will be transferred to other brethren, and eventually the whole church to the point that we become diluted and ineffective for the Master's use.

We have all seen or have heard how hypocrisy hurts the credibility of the church and even separates members; how false doctrine takes people down the wrong path, and how faithlessness leads to a failure to trust God and keep His ways, i.e. fruitlessness.

The Lord wants us to live abundant and fruitful lives; so, He tells us to be on guard against the subtle worldly influences all around us.

Conclusion

Please take time and review the Bible passages shared in this post (I personally prefer the King James Bible) and mediate on the word of God about this.

Look for the leaven in your life and confess it to God and become more unleavened.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post or comment here. 

By Jerry Smith

Feature Image source: https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/Savany

Pharisees image source: www.LumoProject.com licensed to FreeBibleimages.org for free distribution