A Right Balance is Pleasing to the Lord - Input for Ministry Leadership Team Series
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2010
by Marijo Phelps
Definition of balance = equality in amount, weight, value or importance as between two things or parts of things. It is to compare as to relative importance and bring into proper proportion. The opposite of “balance" is extremism in anything. Balance is not “even Steven". Balance has to do with harmony, value.
Finding “balance" affects our whole priority system, TIME priorities.
Imbalance = sin = missing the mark.
God is not interested in the times we fail but rather when we finally make it!
The other side of imbalance “I can’t think of anything I ever did wrong…."
Self consciousness and self righteousness will keep us from finding and knowing the Lord.
The right balance is difficult to discover and maintain.
Why is the right balance a problem? It demands discipline. I know, we need to pass out the Benadryl before we break out in hives. Actually discipline is not a dirty word nor a difficult word.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV)
Let’s put this promise to the test!
Discipline is that which I demand of me to get desired results and it is not bondage – it is freedom. Discipline is not something we’re taught it is something WE DO. Discipline ourselves and do it or miss what God has for us.
Isaiah 32:9-12 (New King James Version)
Consequences of Complacency
9 Rise up, you women who are at ease, Hear my voice; You complacent daughters, Give ear to my speech. 10 In a year and some days You will be troubled, you complacent women; For the vintage will fail, The gathering will not come. 11 Tremble, you women who are at ease; Be troubled, you complacent ones; Strip yourselves, make yourselves bare, And gird sackcloth on your waists. 12 People shall mourn upon their breasts
For the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.
GOAL: SHUT OUT EVERYTHING AND JUST SEE JESUS
Israel took forty years to learn:
#1 God is the God of preparation
#2 God is the God of provision
#3 God is the God of protection
#4 God is the God of prosperity
Israel went from the extreme of miracle to the extreme of defeat
Israel did not learn to be strong for themselves or each other.
Every leader wants to please the people – WATCH OUT for this tendency if you are in leadership.
Israel only learned responsive praise rather than spontaneous praise. God is worthy to be praised PERIOD.
God is the God of stability and infinite variety.
Psalm 56:3 (New King James Version)
3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.
Do not lie regarding being afraid or you cannot have the remedy or the peace. You have to admit you are afraid before God can give you the answer or solution.
Let’s go over the list of who God is again:
#1 God is the God of preparation
#2 God is the God of provision
#3 God is the God of protection
#4 God is the God of prosperity
Progress from #1 through #4 and KNOW HIM.
#1 Preparation – empty our hands of what we grasp and hold out our hands, empty, for God to fill.
#2 Provision -
Malachi 3:10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. (NKJV)
This is a challenge and a promise. Our God is faithful!
#3 Protection – from people, in spiritual warfare and situations. Do not desire to build SELF up but to rely on God.
#4 Prosperity –
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.(NKJV)
DEVELOP UTTER DEPENDENCY ON JESUS.
Give Him our sins, failures, SELF righteousness, our lusts and strong desires. Confess our extremes, our undiscipline and die to what people think. (Fear of man).
DO IT! Listen to and seek His opinion, not that of others.
(I am speaking to myself here before any readers)
Written by Marijo Phelps February 2010 partially from notes taken March 1980 speaker Shirlee Green
Marijo Phelps,saved by Jesus grace in 1974, from 9 years atheism into His loving arms. She is wanting to spread the good news about His redemptive plan for our lives through written media. Her name is pronounced Mary Jo. She was an RN for 23+ years, missionary with YWAM,statistical analyst for Every Home for Christ 9 years. Her first poem published when she was four years old. (her mom had much to do with that!) She has been writing ever since.
Her new blog can be found: http://myincrediblelord.blogspot.com
Her new blog can be found: http://myincrediblelord.blogspot.com
This Article has been viewed 296 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Boy, you sure stay focused. Thanks for you emotions.He turned my life upside down and forward - I can't help but GRIN!!! Thanks for coming and reading!I always do. I'm still a tough grader and don't often rate or comment on yours. You're popularity shouldn't suffer from an old grouchJack - some of the newbies lately have said "great article" and then given me 3s. Comes with the territory. Some of mine weren't even read - used to be but now they mostly all are being read. I post now on 5 sites - have been on FaithWriters the very longest. They have a place where you can post those pieces that are "free to share" and they keep track of how many people PRINT off that piece - to me that really says something - anyone can click on a title but if they print it off they liked it enough to waste the paper. LOVE that. Tell me what you think of that ground squirrel game...GRIN!
Though the article is very moving and it does stir up the soul a few real life examples would have illustrated it a little more further.On the whole it was a very good read and it was really soul stirring !thank you Ravi - for coming by and commenting - I am looking forward to reading some of your writings soon!
Another great read and much food to contemplate. Thanks for sharing. Linda DI get a smile each and every time I see your name and "face" - thanks so much Linda!
Marijo,O boy that I enjoy this article, I sure love your inspirations by refering to the scriptures,Thank you,Thank you for coming by and reading this Jose - some of these writings are based upon things the Lord laid on my heart over 25 years ago... some are current today.
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