Dr. D's Devotional
Title: Discipleship 24
by Dennis Reschke
Eph 6:2-4 also applies to spiritual parents: "Honor
your father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That
it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. And, you fathers,
provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and
admonition of the Lord." The blessing of this applies. It is a biblical
mandate for leadership to hand over the ministry to those who are being
trained: Levitical priests, at 50 years of age, were required to retire
in order to serve the next generation of priests (Num 8:23-26). They were
called to pass on the ministry to those they were fathering.
There are different kinds of fathers, specific to each type of calling.
True spiritual leaders will not hold back their spiritual children to fulfill
their own vision. Apostolic fathers influence rather than control. A pastoral
father will be more nurturing than say an evangelistic father. Each "after
their own kind". If you are called to be a helper, don't be under a father/mother
whose gift is teaching, unless God is leading you into that direction.
Gifts and callings must not take precedent over the fruit of the Spirit.
Rick Joyner said,"Often those who know the power of the Spirit do not display
much of the fruit of the Spirit, and those who have the fruit of the Spirit
do not know the power of the Spirit". Fruit must be cultivated to grow.
Gifts are given, fruit is developed.
Spiritual fathers and mothers have a distinct sphere of influence. Those
operating outside those limits are in the flesh. The Greek word for field
(sphere) in 2Cor 10 is metron: a measure of activity that defines the limits
of ones' power and influence. Every Christian has various spiritual fields
that give him or her great opportunity to experience God's blessing. 2Cor.
10:13 "We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits (measure), but will
confine our boasting to the field (sphere) God has assigned to us, a field
(sphere) that reaches even to you." If you are married, you have a field
of ministry with your spouse. If you have children, it extends to your family.
If you lead a cell group,.... your involvement in your church,... your neighborhood,
your workplace, etc. Each of these fields has certain limitations and boundaries.
These boundaries give protection to the field and must be carefully and
prayerfully respected. Your field has boundaries. Do not surrender your
field to another and do not encroach on another's. "Let all be done decently
and in order" (1Cor 14:40).
VIEW PAST ARTICLES
|
