”But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. “ (2 Corinthians 3:18)
THOUGHTS FOR CONSIDERATION: Greetings again my friends. Last week we looked at how the educated had to be reduced by God before He could use them. Make no mistake my friend, God is really good at reducing us for service. We saw that especially in the life of Moses. Now please do not misunderstand me here my friend. I am not against education. I have a Masters degree, but it was God’s will for me to get my Bachelors degree in Hospital Management and then my Masters so that I could do the things He wanted me to do. My education was not a priority in our (my family) lives, God was, but it was very important to place me at certain places at certain times so that God’s will could be done in our lives. Anytime we put something ahead of God in our lives we will get off track. The world is full of schools (even Bible Schools) and opportunities to receive the knowledge and wisdom of this world, so take heed my friend. We must never forget where all of the knowledge and wisdom is found. Paul writes to the Colossians, “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:3) ALL (that includes the world’s education) is “hid” in Christ Jesus. “Hid” my friend, where we will have to discover the treasures and riches of Christ. So, this week we are going to talk about the uneducated. How God uses the uneducated to share the truths of the Word of God with people in the world. In Amos we find this truth play out. Amos writes, “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: 15And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.” (Amos 7:14-15) Amos was no prophet nor was he a son of a prophet, oh no he was a shepherd and one who took care of trees. I cannot believe all of those on-line Bible Schools and Seminaries out there waiting to take your money. It is true a fool and his money is quickly parted when it comes to online Christian education. You do not need to go to Bible School or some doctrinal Seminary to be a minister of the Gospel. You do not need a degree to be a pastor. Paul writes to Timothy and helps him understand the requirements to be a pastor (Shepherd, Spiritual leaders within the Body of Christ. Paul writes, “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop (pastor, elder leader), he desireth a good work. 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:1-7) Nowhere in these God ordained requirements does education appear. Oh no my friend God is more concerned about our character, our integrity, our truthfulness, our heart than our knowledge and ability to remember facts and Scripture when leading His people. Oh no, education was instituted by man. I am reminded that Paul was in what we would call Bible School when God kicked him out. Take heed to your self my friend. If you feel God is calling you into the ministry, in a more formed way, I recommend you NOT run off to some Bible School or Seminary, but spend some time with the LORD go overseas get out of your comfort zone for some time and see what God has for you. You know before I take someone overseas with me, I recommend they listen to “Ten Shekels and a Shirt” by Paris Reidhead and see if you are the heathen that needs saved. In Acts we also find some uneducated men ministering. Luke writes, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13) Peter and John were fishermen. They had no formal education. I would be greatly surprised is they really wrote the Books of the Bible they are given credit for. They probably were transcribed like most writings of those days. But notice, when they saw their boldness (boldness is a character trait) not their great swelling persuasive words of wisdom and knowledge, then they knew they were with Jesus. Did you get that my friend. When these unlearned, and ignorant men spoke the world marvelled and they took note or “took knowledge of them” not because they graduated from some high-tech low drag Bible School, oh no, it was their “boldness,” then they saw “they had been with Jesus.” Our call to ministry, especially in a formal way, happens as we spend time with Jesus. Embodied in Jesus is all of the wisdom and knowledge. This is one of the biggest problems in the Body of Christ no one wants to spend time with Jesus. Take heed to yourself. Unless God leads, as it was for me to move along my military progression, education and schooling will not serve you well in the ministry. It is much better to spend time with Jesus.
More next month as we continue to look at the many diverse instruments God can use to communicate with us. Are you there my friend? In tough situations and circumstances? Have you heard His voice? Listen closely and you will. Written by David Stahl
