Pastor Daniel took the stage to give one of the year’s last messages. He said that we should end the year with the same spirit in which we started; and grow in depth. He chose to share from his personal journey, something he felt we could all benefit from.
The Hatfield rail crash was a railway accident that happened on October 17, 2000. Although only 4 people died, it exposed the major stewardship shortcomings of the national railway infrastructure company. The flaws revealed fatigue cracks, fundamental things, which had been neglected. Abraham was almost derailed himself, when he began to walk by sight and not by faith. From Negev (a place of dryness and famine) he had traveled to Egypt; known at the time for being a place filled with godlessness, flesh, and a self-seeking world system.
It was only when he moved up to Bethel that he called on the Lord. The crack was that he hadn’t called on the name of the Lord, and had leaned on his own understanding instead. It is so important that we worship, pray, surrender totally, submit and depend on God. It is our faith that will give us revelation and clarity of vision when we don’t know what to do.
Even a Pastor can be disillusioned, disappointed and discouraged in faith – when a life is lived without an altar for God. We can burn out with routine, even when we serve the Church. Ministry itself can become a God to us, if we aren’t careful.
Genesis 13:9
Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.
Abraham decided to separate himself from Lot. How can two walk together when one is so clearly wrong company? If he hadn’t chosen to go his separate way, he may have missed the blessing from God.
Pastor Daniel himself had taken a job at 20 years of age which had kept him from coming regularly to Church and from fellowship with others. He resigned and then received another offer, with double the pay! Some things may be good, but they are out of the boundaries of God’s blessings. We need to recognize the existence of this in our own lives.
At a retreat, a young girl he’d met shared with him a tragic story of having entered into a relationship with a non-Christian boy. When Pastor Daniel advised her to cut all ties and part with her boyfriend, she chose not to. Ask yourself if there are any ‘Lots’ in your own life, ones that you need to part with. ‘Lots’ could also been certain lifestyles which need to be left behind.
An altar is a place of sacrifice. It’s a place of death to your dreams and your Self. Separation will happen here, so determine what are your ‘Lots’ and make a choice to leave.
Genesis 13:14-15
The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.
Once this has happened, you will gain a clarity of vision. Abraham fixed his eyes on Jesus.
Our outlook determines our outcomes. Eve saw what was pleasing to the eye, just as our eyes see what our heart loves. This is what led Abraham to choose the plains instead of the provisions of heaven. What kind of eyes do you have?
What do you feed your eyes daily? Is it the word or something else? Be careful about what you see. Guard the spirit which fills you. Let the spirit control your life. Pray in the spirit and you’ll be given oil for your ‘lamp’.
Symptoms of a cracked lamp is a lack of appetite for God, no desire to worship, and no need for Church of God himself. If you are in this state you will also excuse yourself in sinning and even sin deliberately.
Lastly, Abraham let God choose for him last possessions. Lot however, chose for himself what he felt was best. When Abraham was in Bethel God said for him to look up from where he was, which poses the question, “Where are you now?” This pertains to your spiritual condition. Are you Negev, Bethel or Egypt? If you are at Negev, move up and not downstream.
28 November 2010
Special Thanks to Pastor Daniel Tan
Thanks so much for preaching contribution on site.
Blessed Reading: Sometime is difficult to explain how we feel.
Where are you now?
God will never leave you
God Bless
Anisa