Blog for Shaun Joynt

Generous and without finding fault

2011-05-09T07:47:42-04:00

Generous and without finding fault
James 1:2-5 (New International Version, ©2011)

Trials and Temptations

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

“Ask God, who gives generously without finding fault”

1. Our source
a. We ask God as he is able to give it
b. It entails asking – there is something we must do

2. The quantity
a. God gives generously – he gives more than enough
b. There isn’t a limit to his giving – there is no shortage of resources, including wisdom

3. The qualification
a. God gives without finding fault – so everyone qualifies for wisdom
b. It is his nature to give
i. John 3: 16 “for God so loved the world he gave…”
ii. Matt 5:45 “the rain falls on the just and the unjust”

4. Our part
a. Ask and keep on asking in every situation
b. Believe and don’t doubt and it will be yours according to his Word

Those for us are more than those against us

2011-05-09T07:46:41-04:00

Those for us are more than those against us
2 Kings 6:8- (New International Version, ©2011)

Elisha Traps Blinded Arameans

8 Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.”
9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.”
10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.
11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”
12 “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”
13 “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.
19 Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.
20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, “LORD, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the LORD opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.
21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?”
22 “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.”
23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.

1. HEAR what God is saying
a. 2 Kings 6:9-12
b. In the various sphere’s of life e.g. business, direction, for wisdom
c. God can tell you what is happening in secret places

2. SEE what God is doing
a. 2 Kings 6:16-17
b. Remember that we don’t usually see the hosts that battle on our behalf
c. God is busy, just look where
d. Jesus said that greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world

3. ACT according to God’s instructions and his nature
a. 2 Kings 21-23
b. Elisha moved in the opposite spirit and did not tell the king to kill them
c. Note that the last sentence in verse 23 shows the outcome

4. Prayer application:
a. Lord, open our eyes that we may see you and what you are doing
b. Lord, open our ears that we may hear you and what you are saying
c. Lord, open our heart that we may know you more

What is the condition of your heart?

2011-05-09T07:45:21-04:00

What is the condition of your heart?

1. The heart
a. It is the seat of emotions
b. It is used to describe emotions e.g. he has heart, she put her heart into it
c. It pumps the blood around and helps oxygenate the body therefore has a life producing/maintaining effect on the body

2. God’s nature
a. He is a jealous God (El Qanna)
i. Exodus 20:5, Deut 4:24 – He is a jealous God
ii. Ex 34:14 – His Name is “Jealous”
iii. Found 11 times in the Old Testament
b. He is jealous for your affection/devotion (in a good way, not in a human way)

3. Israel’s challenge
a. They had divided hearts (they served BOTH God and Baal, God and Ashtoreth)
b. Our hearts can be divided (we can serve BOTH God and Visa, God and money, God and sport, God and any addiction)
c. When a heart is divided it will seek the path of least resistance and therefore follow the sinful nature

4. The kingdom of God is built upon the condition of your heart (Danie Terblanche)
a. God wants ALL of your heart (devotion & dedication)
i. Ps 86:11 and Ezekiel 11:19
b. God wants a pure heart (with holiness and set apart)
c. Love the Lord your God with all your HEART, all your soul …

5. Surrendering our hearts
a. Give your heart to God anew today
b. Ask him to change/fix it
c. Ask him for a passionate heart, one that seeks him
i. It can be cultivated, remember the story of David

d. Practical application:
i. Spend time listening to your heart – what do you hear? Can you really know what’s in your heart? According to King David – not really.
ii. Spend time listening to God’s heart – what do you hear?
iii. Ask God to give you an undivided heart/ a heart of flesh.
1. Some hearts have become calcified (hard in places)
2. Ask God to soften your heart
iv. Pray for:
1. Open hearts
2. Undivided hearts
3. Passionate hearts

(1st term 2011)

Help, I'm leaking!

2009-12-14T12:29:36-05:00

“But God, I’m broken and I don’t know how to keep your grace from leaking out” I said.

Then I heard Him say “I never meant for you to keep it…”

“But I don’t understand” I replied.

“Look at what has happened to the places and people where my grace has leaked through you” He answered gently.

Our swimming pool has a leak! It’s been leaking for about 2 months now. I’ve tried looking for this leak. I've even had someone tell me what I should do – still no success. But one thing I know, I need to keep on topping up the water levels or else I will sit with a bigger problem – having to redo the whole pool!

I guess it’s the same when we leak grace – we need regular topping up. And the only way is to spend time with God. Jerry calls it “throne room time.” Angus calls it his “prayer closet.” I call it “lap time with Father.” We all need it yet often don’t make time for it. “Lap time” is when we snuggle up close to Father and feel His strong arms engulf us. It’s when we hear His firm soothing heartbeat drowning the cares of this world away. It’s when we excitedly tell Him of the great things that happened during the day. It’s when we allow Him to place a band-aid on our broken hearts and hear His words of hope and love whispered into our ear. This is “lap time” – and we need it to fill up the grace that rightly leaked out of us during each day.

"All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God." 2 Corinthians 4:15 (NIV)

We all need lap time so we can be better children of our Father. Children just like our Father – full of grace. So how about finding a spot and taking time out to just sit on Daddy’s lap.

But I'm a crack pot!

2009-12-07T11:35:58-05:00

I was afraid after Neil had invited me to come and fill my cup from the big brass bowl that God had shown him. I felt so ashamed – my cup was old, chipped and even had a crack or two in it. I was humbled and felt so unworthy to receive this grace that God was giving away so freely.

“But God, I’m broken and I don’t know how to keep your grace from leaking out” I said.

Then I heard Him say “I never meant for you to keep it…”

“But I don’t understand” I replied.

“Look at what has happened to the places and people where my grace has leaked through you” He answered gently.

The apostle Paul knew that the vessels for containing grace, our bodies, are frail and weak. But he also knew that the treasure within was of far greater significance and power. In fact, he uses the word “dunamis” to describe this power. We get our word dynamite from it. It’s explosive power and strangely enough, God chooses to place it in “jars of clay” such as you and me.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)

But being “broken” and chipped” or even “cracked” vessels means this grace leaks out. And where it lands, it brings change. Changed lives, changed hearts, and changed minds. So next time you are concerned about the state of your “clay jar”, look around and notice that where this “grace water” has leaked out, there are beautiful carnations, pansies, daisies, and so much more. Today, as you go about your business, allow God to “leak” through you.

How Much Grace?

2009-10-29T11:30:59-04:00

Neil had seen it.

God had told him where it was.

In front of him was the big brass bowl – just where God had said it would be.

He was concerned because there were a lot of people and the bowl seemed so small in comparison to the multitude. Yet it was this very bowl that God had said would contain what they needed to come and fill their cups with. A strange gift this was.

“God, will there be enough?” he asked.

“My GRACE is more than enough” was the answer he heard.

In the Scriptures, Paul explains that he was struggling with a tough situation and on three occasions he asked God to remove this “thorn in his flesh” from him. However, God’s response was that there would be sufficient grace to face the challenge. We read …

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)

What an encouragement to face our “thorny” situations with faith and courage. We can face each day and its challenges with the knowledge that “God’s grace is SUFFICIENT for me!” There is not one problem, person, or place that is greater than the grace God is extending to me, at this very moment, to handle it. Now having said that, please excuse me while I join the 500 strong queue at Home Affairs :-)

Fatherhood

2009-08-08T05:16:45-04:00

A few years ago we celebrated Father’s Day by inviting our three dads and the rest of the family over for a meal. Now you may wonder why my wife and I have three dads. The truth is we have many more. Considering that we have our Heavenly Father, our biological fathers, our spiritual fathers, and then our adopted fathers, there is no shortage of ‘dads’ in our lives. But on this occasion we had invited my dad, my Trudi’s dad, and our then adopted dad, Steve. Each of these men has had a profound influence on and in our lives. We have seen love, sacrifice, care, comfort, wisdom, and strength displayed through each of them at various times in our short stay here on earth. I guess you could say we have been molded, mentored and discipled by them.

This leads me to thinking about how I am doing as a father. What has the Word and life lessons taught me? Am I growing or stagnating? Am I leaving a legacy, dynasty or misery? I would hope it is a legacy of God-fearing, obedient, loving children rather than a “Shaun” dynasty or unhappy and frustrated children. So in great humility and care, for I do not want to rush in where angels fear to tread, I submit a few points for your reflection.

• Raising children requires dedication. Conceiving a child may be quick, easy, and natural but fathering a child is very different to that. It takes a great deal of love, patience, perseverance, and a close walk with our Heavenly Father to raise godly off-spring. It takes realizing that you are in it for the long haul.
• Raising children requires great flexibility and humility. I have often had to ask my children for forgiveness after being harsh, inconsiderate, or inflexible. It takes backbone to admit you are wrong and that you messed up – ask me, I know. But what amazes me is how much they love me and are willing to give me another chance. They have taught me what forgiveness is and how much each of us needs it.
• Raising children requires a sense of humour. In fact, if you didn’t have one, you are sure to get it after a while. I love watching my daughter’s face light up with expression as she relates her day’s activities to me, especially when she says something really funny. My son can be so serious at times but then he pipes up with a line that just breaks the tension of the moment and we all laugh.
• Raising children requires a strong self image. I struggle to recount all the times my idiosyncrasies and “weaknesses” have been paraded to complete strangers. I have learnt that children are the best “Dictaphones/recorders” in the world! Let me warn you – if you don’t want others to know about anything, don’t talk about it in front of your children! The alternative is to walk with a “small” black hole in your pocket, available for a quick escape in embarrassing situations.

So with some of these lessons learnt and many more on the way, I am sure that there will not be a dull moment in my life nor my family’s. What makes it all so rewarding is knowing that we are adopted into God’s family through Jesus Christ. You and I belong to a heavenly family and it requires dedication, flexibility, humility, humour, and a strong self-image based on God’s Word to be a blessing to those around us. Let’s us enjoy this family and invite others to be also be adopted. After all, Father has enough love for all of us!

Bargaining with God (Part 2)

2009-08-08T05:15:20-04:00

(Judges 11:30) “And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD : "If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD 's, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering." Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the LORD gave them into his hands. He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith, as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon. When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of tambourines! She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter. When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, "Oh! My daughter! You have made me miserable and wretched, because I have made a vow to the LORD that I cannot break." "My father," she replied, "you have given your word to the LORD. Do to me just as you promised, now that the LORD has avenged you of your enemies, the Ammonites. But grant me this one request," she said. "Give me two months to roam the hills and weep with my friends, because I will never marry." "You may go," he said. And he let her go for two months. She and the girls went into the hills and wept because she would never marry. After the two months, she returned to her father and he did to her as he had vowed. And she was a virgin. From this comes the Israelite custom 40 that each year the young women of Israel go out for four days to commemorate the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite.

I am really touched whenever I read this story. More than that, I am warned not to repeat his error. Jephthah teaches me not to bargain with God, no matter what! I am to rather ask God for assistance and leave the outcome in His hands. This means that if the Scriptures are clear on an issue I can stand on the Word and know it will come to pass. In areas where the Scriptures are less clear, I need to trust in His supreme sovereignty concerning the issue at hand. In fact, the Bible even instructs us to refrain from making promises (read “vows”) – “Above all, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned. (James 5:12)” So let’s focus on what God says and does in our lives and refrain from making deals – now that’s what I call a bargain.

Bargaining with God (Part 1)

2009-08-08T05:14:50-04:00

Supper time at our home ranges between the extremes of a wake and a space shuttle lift-off. There are moments when the experience of falling off a bicycle is recounted in agonizing detail. Tears, a furrowed forehead, and a high pitched voice add to the drama relayed to us. We also get a show-and-tell of where the inflicted gash is covered by a plaster. At other times we experience a frame-by-frame action replay of the cricket match that had taken place earlier the afternoon. This re-enactment of the event is meticulously demonstrated with a commentary that includes sound effects from a dubbed Kung-fu movie.

But this supper time was quite different because it was a Star Wars epic in the making. The “good force of nutrition” was up against the “evil force of dislikes.” Now don’t get me wrong. We all dislike something and that is definitely acceptable. But what transpired was very interesting and noteworthy.

My daughter Genevieve did not appreciate the meal of soup to the extent that the other three family members did. She found it rather unpalatable and by the time we had finished the soup and other food for the evening, she was still busy with her second or third spoonful. Elbow on the table, chin on her palm, and moist eyes were the picture of “utter” sorrow. This continued for approximately half an hour. We had all left the supper table and she was still there. It was at this time that my wife heard “Mom, I will give you all my pocket money if I don’t have to eat this soup.” She was willing to bargain to get out of this situation.

This made me think about the times I have tried bargaining, especially with God. “God, if only You will do ___________ then I will do whatever you want.” It occurred most often when I had either done something wrong and needed a quick escape route or my desire for something was so great that I would do almost anything to get it. You know what I mean. Those prayers that promise the world but deliver a heap of dust when it comes to payback time. In fact there, are a number of such instances in the Bible. One that really stands out is the story of Jephthah in Judges 11.

The Favour of God

2009-08-08T05:12:33-04:00

I am still amazed at how God will speak a single message using a plethora of channels. During the last two weeks I have been exposed to the same portion of Scripture a number of times. I shared it with single mom struggling with a tough family situation, a fellow pastor used it when ministering on healing to our home fellowship, and a guest speaker used it while talking at a counseling meeting, not to mention a few more incidents. This portion of Scripture still makes me excited after many years. In fact there is a Vineyard song that aptly describes the promise and provision of this Scripture. I am talking about Luke 4: 16-20.

16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (NIV)

“God's Spirit is on me; he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, "This is God's year to act!"” (The Message)

Jesus was reading what Isaiah had written hundreds of years before, now referenced in chapter 61 of Isaiah. Just imagine with me the scene. Jesus has returned to the town where he was raised. He goes to the Synagogue as usual. It is his turn or opportunity to read and they hand him the scroll of Isaiah. Note that they handed it to him and not he that choose it. He then goes to “chapter 61” and reads it. After reading it he closes it and gives it back to the keeper of the scrolls and sits down. I just love this part – “The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.” What an excellent example of the use of dramatic pause to gain attention and focus. He then makes the statement “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” With Jesus the scriptures are fulfilled in our hearing.

“TODAY this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Not tomorrow. Not is some distant future. Today is the day of your good news. Today is the day of your freedom. Today is the day of your recovered sight. Today is your day of being released. Today is the day of proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favour!

“Today THIS SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED in your hearing.” Note that the Word of God does come to pass. The prophecies spoken of and recorded in the Bible have been fulfilled and will be fulfilled. The promises made to you are “Yes” and “Amen” in Jesus.

“Today this scripture is fulfilled IN YOUR HEARING.” What an awesome privilege those early Jews had. They heard the message first hand. Today we hear it first hand via the Word of God, confirmed by the witness of the Holy Spirit. God speaks to us and we are able to hear God. We need to remember this.

So where do we go from here? We realize that the favour of God is upon us and that if He is for us, who can be against us?