The Ministry of Assistance To Others (The Ministry of Refreshing Others - Inglês Video)
By David Wilkerson
Some Christians tend to think of the apostle Paul as if he were superhuman because of the powerful writings and his marvelous ministry. But if Paul was not made of the same flesh and the same blood that we - if it was not subject to the same temptations and trials - then he would have nothing to say to the church; all his epistles would have been written in vain.

The truth is, Paul wrote many of his letters during the most difficult periods of his life. He openly confesses to the Corinthian church that experienced tribulations and deep mental anguish, "troubled: fights without, fears within" (2 Corinthians 7: 5). When writing this, the great apostle was in Macedonia where he had gone feeling displaced, inefficient and totally rejected by the church.

As Paul reached that point? Let's see what lay behind the situation. Paul had just written the first letter to the Corinthians, a severe reprimand in order to correct an immoral situation in the church. Although it contains a difficult message, Paul had written in the midst of anguish and tears.

The reason for this letter was a shameful act of fornication for which were being made blind eye. Paul writes to the Corinthians something like this: "You are full of themselves and proud, refusing to cry for that sin done openly in their midst You did not judge the situation correctly should have taken from their communion one who perpetuated it until they saw.. it genuine repentance. " Paul then instructed them for this to be "handed over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord [Jesus]" (I Corinthians 5: 5).

It was a strong, hard message. And after a while, Paul regrets that it sent (see 2 Cor. 7: 8). In fact, from that day Paul was suffering, worrying about how the Corinthians would react to such. Did not they well understand their motives? Or would know that he had written in love, with deep interest as the church paths? He later wrote to them saying, "I do not speak to condemn you" (7: 3).

I know how Paul felt. Over the years I had to bring what some might call hard messages on instructions from the Lord, through His word. After that, prostrated me with his face, praying, "God, would have been too far? Your word tells not rebuke fair nor bless the wicked. Tell me, I hurt Thy righteous with that message? ".

Paul also had learned that false prophets had infiltrated the Corinthian church, causing "despise" his sufferings. In fact, these people said the following about him: "If God is truly with this man, then why do so many shameful allegations are piling up against him Why did Paul being thrown into prison and as a man of God can tell? that is 'hopeless life'? I can not understand how a praying man could be so attacked and diminished. If Paul really had faith, he would not be living these problems. "

Accusations like these are released later today against consecrated servants who face suffering and criticism. How many times have you heard a Christian speaking well of another Christian, "Something wrong thing must have in his life to face such suffering." In Paul's case, the point was his critics wanting to break his spiritual authority.

But Paul says he does not regret for sending the letter to the Corinthians. Rather, he instructed his spiritual son Titus to go to Corinth and explain what purpose he had in the letter: "Tell them I love them and do not want anything bad to happen to them, but that this situation needs to be treated. Then meet me in Troas and tell what kind of effect the letter had. "

When Paul wrote the second letter to the Corinthians,
There was even more reason to Shake It in the Spirit

After sending Titus that mission, Paul part to Troas, stopping at Ephesus. God moves powerfully through Paul there, and his anointed preaching moved multitudes. Many who heard his message run to the house to pick up their occult books, and then come together in the city center to burn them in huge bonfire.

It stirred the smiths of Ephesus, who took most of their income from selling idols of the goddess Diana. Suddenly, they see their living going up in smoke in front of them. They then get up angry with Paul, accusing him of religious bigotry and saying he wanted to destroy their worship. Accusations promote a mass agitation, and Paul narrowly lost his life. When he later writes that "despaired of life," he was commenting on the incident, "I thought it would kill me."

We can not be sure about what else happened in Ephesus, for Paul does not tell us. All I know is that his experience made him feel troubled "above our strength, so that we despaired even of life" (2 Corinthians 1: 8). Indeed, speaking of persecution, his perplexity, his downcast spirit. Now, going to Troas, he longs to see his godly son in Christ Titus - which could resurrect his spirit. Paul could unload the heart of Titus, and to know what had been the impact of your letter.

But when Paul reaches Troas, Titus is not there. He hopes that his spiritual son arrives, but Tito does not appear. Meanwhile, the ministry doors to open for Paul in Troas, but at that time the heart of the apostle was already exhausted. Paul speaks of his experience: "Now when I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, and a door opened in the Lord, I did not, however, peace in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus, so dismissing me them, I went into Macedonia "(2 Cor. 2: 12-13).

Paul did something he had never done in his life, something that was the opposite of everything he had preached. Instead of ministering when doors were opened to him, Paul walked away. Yes, he shifted restlessly to Macedonia. That the image of this wounded soldier of the Cross: the great apostle was down, fragile and helpless, fainting facing a crisis of mind, body and spirit. Because? What led Paul to this point? The Apostle explains: "I had no peace of mind because I did not find Titus my brother." I was alone and desperately needed comfort from someone.

I know something of what Paul went from my own experiences and from others who have faced the same situations. Satan always comes to attack us when we are exhausted and tired by the battles. This is where we are most vulnerable to their lies, and I believe that the enemy punched Paul with two of them terrible. First, I think I told you, "Titus has not come because it rejects you." Then came this lie: "Titus is not here because you no longer efficient, Paulo You hurt a lot of the Corinthian believers and moved the Your ministry simply does not bear fruit..."

Just imagine the Other Lies
Satan threw About Paul

I hear the devil whispering, "God is no longer with you, Paul. Everyone rejected you in Asia. No one else is with you. Even your spiritual son Titus was contaminated with doubts by your opponents in Corinth."

"Face the thing, Paul. - You have lost the anointing Look Apollo, whose sermons draw huge crowds Everyone trumpets his ministry's efficiency, while you only have small numbers You just generating uprisings where he preached, and the revivals promoting.. end closing, just like in Ephesus You're not loved, Paul -.. and no one else needs you is clear that you are being punished by God Somehow you grieved the Holy Spirit and the Lord withdrew his hand from you. ".

If you have walked with the Lord intimately, you know very well what Paul was facing. Satan is the father of lies, and in fact right now he may be sending you the same lies that launched on Paul:.. "You've been rejected by all You have no ministry, no place in the work of the kingdom of God only is taking up space. " This comes from the depths of hell.

David knew what being overwhelmed by demonic lies. In Psalm 140 he cites is "the day of battle" both physically and spiritually. This godly man prays to the Lord saying ". Violent man whose heart machine iniquities and lives forging strife sharpen his tongue like a serpent; under the lips are poison asp ... extended me a network along the path" (Psalm 140: 1-5).

Still, despite the situation, David exults, "O Lord, You protected my head in the day of battle" (140: 7). Here basically the testimony of David. "God, I was a shield to my mind, protecting me from demonic lies powers of hell sharpened his tongue against me But You protected my thoughts so that Satan's lies not destroy mine. comings and goings".

How God takes Comfort and Renewal When His People
In Rebate Time

As the Holy Spirit brought consolation to Paul? The Apostle tells us: "But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus" (2 Cor. 7: 6). Tito arrives in Macedonia in a spirit of renewal, and suddenly Paul's heart rises. With the communion between the two, joy flows through the body, the mind and spirit of Paul, the apostle writes, "I am greatly comforted and exceeding joyful in all our tribulation" (2 Cor. 7: 4). Paul was declaring, "I'm still experiencing problems, but the Lord gave me what I need for the battle. He renewed me through Titus."

Throughout all my years of ministry, I have seen men and women of God coming to an endurance limit, killed and completely lost. I have distressed me by these dear brothers and sisters in their pain, asking the Lord, "Father, how these Thy servants will get out of this suffering abyss? Where is the power that will get them out of there? What can I say or do to help them? ".

I believe the answer is right here, in Paul's testimony. Here is a man who comes to such a profound exhaustion, it ceases to be himself. Paul was at the darkest hour of his ministry, sunk as ever. But a few hours after he had gone completely from that cesspit and rejoiced in happiness and joy. Once again, the beloved apostle felt loved and useful.

How all this happened? First, let's see what happened in Corinth. When Titus arrived there to meet church leaders, he received his own glorious refreshing. An awakening was taking place in the church because it had followed Paul's instruction, and now God was blessing powerfully. If only the Lord taking away the curtain at the time, and show Paul what was going on! He would have seen Satan's lies being exposed, and reminded that God's thoughts about him were thoughts of good, and that all this had been part of His plan.

Now Tito arrives in Macedonia with encouraging news: "Paul, the Corinthian brothers send their love and love They removed the sin that was in their midst and dealt with the false prophets They do not despise more your sufferings, but rejoice in!. Your witness. "

This word of refreshing, brought by a dear brother in Christ, immediately raised Paulo that rebate pit: "God who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus" (2 Corinthians 7: 6). You see the example here? God uses people to the refreshment of His people. He did not send an angel to refresh Paul. The comfort given by this man came by renewing the spirit of Titus, which in turn led refreshing to Paul.

The example of Paul and Titus
It illustrates a format Appearing for All Scripture

In Acts 27, Paul was on a boat going to Rome when he made a stop at Sidon. Paul asks permission to the centurion to visit some friends in the city, and "Julius ... allowed him to go to his friends and assistance" (Acts 27: 3). Here is another example of God using believers to the refreshing of other believers.

We see this also in 2 Timothy, where Paul talks about a certain believer, "May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, because often gave me courage and was not ashamed of my chain: but, when he was come to Rome, me He sought earnestly and found me ... And ... how many things he served me "(2 Timothy 1: 16-18).

Onesiphorus was also one of the spiritual sons of Paul, and he loved Paul so deeply and unconditionally, which came to him in the sufferings of this. Once, when Paul was jailed, Onesiphorus went through the city looking for him to find it. His motivation was simply, "My brother suffers He went through the horror of the wreck, and is now being buffeted by Satan need to encourage him..."

The ministry of assistance clearly includes seeking those who suffer. Today we hear a lot in the church about power: power to heal the sick, power to win the lost, power to overcome sin. But I say there is a big healing power flowing from a refreshed and renewed person. Depression, mental anguish or a troubled spirit can cause all sorts of physical ailments, but a spirit that's refreshed and encouraged - a spirit that causes people to feel accepted, loved and useful - is the healing balm which more is required.

We find this refreshing ministry in the Old Testament as well. When David was being chased by King Saul, he came to exhaustion and pain, forced to flee day and night. During this time he felt rejected by the leaders and the people of God. Then, at a crucial moment, Jonathan, David's friend goes to him: "If you picked up Jonathan, son of Saul, and went to David ... and strengthened his confidence in God, and said, Fear not, for the hand of Saul my father, do not you find; thou shalt be king over Israel, and I will be with thee "(I Samuel 23: 16-17).

This word of refreshing could not have been more timely to David. He had just suffered a horrendous rejection after he acted selflessly and with kindness. David and his men had risked their lives to save the village of Keilah - and for a while they found refuge there. But later, when Saul was behind him, David prayed, "Lord, do these people will surrender to Saul?". God answered him, "Yes, they will reject you. Get out of town now."

The Psalms show exactly how David felt under at the time. His soul was seen overturned, and he continually cried, "God, where are you?". Consider also the painful ordeal of Jonathan in relation to its evil and possessed father. Yet this godly friend "strengthened his confidence in God," telling him, "The Lord is with you, David, and you are still loved in Israel. You can not be feeling it now, but thou shalt be king. Your work only started".

That was all David needed to hear - "God is still with you" - and immediately his spirit was renewed to continue. We see examples like this one after the other in Scripture: God sends not an angel or a vision, but another believer for the refreshment of His dear. "

Paul Teaches Us What
There is a Glorious Purpose in Our So many Tribulations

It is possible amid the tribulations see ourselves in a vacuum of lack of faith, hopeless and giving up everything. It happening, just bitter and hardened hearts - unless we face the situation with the truth. The fact is that never will leave these times of confusion and feelings of rejection unless we understand why God allows such problems in our lives. I am convinced that for many readers, this is the cure word to them from God.

When Paul sat down to write the second letter to the Corinthians, he saw before him a multitude who faced the same kinds of suffering it. He tells them, "I want you to know that the sufferings I have experienced are the same type of what you have spent on your periods of tribulation."

"If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort" (2 Cor.1: 6). Paul was saying, "God is using my trials to teach me the ways of comfort. So when you are experiencing their troubles, they will know that my words to you have power, because I also went through them."

It was a wonderful revelation of the Holy Spirit. Paul became aware, "That's why God allowed all this buffeting. The Holy Spirit is going to quiet my soul and heal me through this, so I can comfort and renew others in their struggles. " "It is he who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Cor. 1: 4).

Today there is an avalanche of books, tapes and videos on "how to overcome such a thing." It's a necessary message seriously, and many materials do well when taught by sincere, righteous ministers. But I believe that Paul is trying to tell us: "The only words that bring true refreshing and lasting healing come from what is learned in our many afflictions and tribulations."

Do You Think It Has Ministry
Or that have no use in the kingdom of God?

Not long ago I received a letter from a former nun who is now ordained minister. This woman is fifty-nine, and after suffering a stroke recently, fell into a deep depression. Making a reassessment of her life, she decided to plan her funeral and wrote the following obituary for herself:

"Nobody's Wife. Mother of anyone. Family Set apart for salvation. Has anything important in life. He lived in poverty. He died a true defeated." My heart broke when I read it, to reflect on the sad idea to get to my Lord with nothing. But a pastor gave this woman a copy of my message "I worked in Vain," and she wrote me, "Brother David, your words encouraged me and renewed."

Make no mistake: God uses people to the refreshing of others. He so loves this kind of ministry that took the prophet Malachi to speak of it as the most necessary work in recent days. Malachi describes how, in his day, God's people was strengthened each other through building one by one: "Those who feared the Lord spoke to one another" (Malachi 3:16).

When did this happen exactly? The word of Malachi came during a time of overwhelming wickedness, when the "devourer" had destroyed much fruit of the earth. God's people had discouraged and began to doubt whether walking with the Lord was worth it. Began to think "We learned it pays to serve the Lord, obey His word and to interest ourselves in His things but we see the proud, and making concessions -.. And it is they who seem happy they aspire to prosperity, carefree life, enjoy life to the fullest. "

The Holy Spirit began to move in Israel, and soon the fear of the Lord came upon a hungry people by God. Suddenly everyone in Israel, young and old, became missionaries one by one. The encouragement of the Holy Spirit, people opened up to one another, strengthening, edifying one another - and comforting those who surrounded them.

I am convinced that the word of Malachi about this ministry is a mirror image of today. The Lord has given us a picture of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days, as God's people stop gossiping and complaining and instead minister assistance. It's happening by phone, by letter, e-mail, and mouth to mouth. And God is so pleased with this ministry, that is registering all this as we learn. Every word of kindness that is made, every phone call, every letter that is written, every effort to comfort the downcast is recorded in (book) "Memorial". And the Bible says each of us whose deeds are recorded, will be precious to him: "They shall be mine jewels, that day, saith the Lord of hosts" (Malachi 3:17).

May God help those who complain of not having a call, or not have open doors for ministry. I tell them: take your eyes off your situation and stop worrying about being molested. Stop trying to please God planning a large and sacrificial work. Instead, get up, try and rekindle a brother or sister suffering.

Become a Titus to someone who's downcast in spirit. Pray for the spirit of Onesiphorus, who went in search of suffering to bring them healing. Think about it: he was given all the power of heaven to renew a believer in pain, someone who needs the consolation that God has given uniquely to you. Yes, there are people who need you and the Lord intends that the consolations of his past bring refreshing to them. Connect to this person or search for that someone today and say, "Brother, sister, I pray for you and encourage you. I have a good word for you."

Copyright © 2002 by World Challenge, Lindale, Texas, USA

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Labels: David Wilkerson
Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Renunciation of Life
By David Wilkerson
Christians today hear much about renunciation of life. But what does this mean exactly? The surrendered life is the act of returning to Jesus the life he granted you. It's relinquishing control, rights, power, direction, all you do and say. It's totally give their lives in His hands, that He leads as you want.

I wonder where these saints have achieved spiritual authority and stamina to do all they did? They were a different kind of people, servants of an entirely different kind that we see today in the church. I just can not see myself related to them, and his walk. I know I'm not totally of their kind. And I do not know a single Christian who is.

Jesus himself lived a life of renunciation: "I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him who sent me" (John 6:38). "I do not seek my own glory" (8:50). Christ never made something of their own will. He never took a step or say a word without being instructed by the Father "I do nothing of myself; but speak just what the Father has taught me ... because I always do what pleases him" (8: 28-29). .

The total submission of Jesus to the Father is an example of how we all should live. You can say, "Jesus was God in human form His life was delivered before coming to earth.". But renunciation of life is not imposed on anyone, including Jesus.

Christ spoke these words being a man of flesh and blood. After all, it came into the world not to live as God, but as a human being. He lived his life the same way as us. And, like us, had willingly. He chose to deliver this will totally to the Father: "Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life to take it again No one takes it from me, but I myself lay it down I have the authority to deliver, and to.. reclaim it "(John 10: 17-18).

Jesus was telling us: "Make no mistake this act of self-surrender is totally under my will I'm choosing to give my life And I'm not doing this because someone He told me to do it No one is taking me.... life from me. My Father gave me the right and privilege to deliver it. He has also given the option of I pass this cup from me and avoid the cross. But choose to do it out of love and complete submission to Him. "

Our heavenly Father has given all of us this same right: the privilege to choose a life of renunciation. No one is forced to give up his life for God. Our Lord does not make us sacrifice our will, returning Him our lives. He freely offers us a promised land full of milk, honey and fruit. But we can choose not to enter that place of fullness.

The truth is that we can have as much of Christ as we want. Him we can delve into how we choose, fully living up to his word and direction. The apostle Paul knew that. And chose to follow Jesus' example - that of a total surrender of life.

Paul had been in the past a person who hated Jesus, a persecutor of Christians convinced of his own righteousness. He said literally breathed hatred against the followers of Christ. He was also a very stubborn and ambitious man. Paul was well-educated, having been taught by the best teachers of the time. And Pharisee, among the most zealous Jewish religious leaders.

From the beginning Paul was on the rise, the road to success. He had the acceptance of the religious order of the time. And he had a clear mission, with recommendations from his superiors. In fact, he had her life all planned out, knowing exactly where he was going. Paul was confident of doing God's will.

But the Lord took this man who won for himself, obstinate, independent - and turned him into a burning example of renunciation of life. Paul became one of the most dependent people, full and driven by God of the whole story. Indeed, Paul declares that his life is a model for anyone who wants to live entirely given to Christ: "But for that very reason I received mercy, that in me, the principal, evidenciasse Jesus Christ their complete longsuffering, and I serve as a model for them which should hereafter believe on him to eternal life "(1 Timothy 1:16).

The apostle was saying, "If you want to know how much it costs to live a life of renunciation, check my You set his heart to go deeper with Jesus Here is what you may have to bear.?". Paul knew that few would be willing to follow his example. But his life is a model for all who choose a life of complete surrender.

1. The Way of Renunciation begins with God taking us to
A Feeling of Total Fragility.

God begins the process making us fall off the horse from above. For Paul this happened literally. He was sure of himself going toward Damascus, when a blinding light came from heaven. Paul was knocked to the ground, trembling. Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me" (Acts 9: 4)

The words took Paul back to an event months ago. Suddenly that righteous Pharisee understood why his conscience was restless. Paul had endured long nights of turmoil, plagued with unrest and confusion - because he had seen something that had shaken him to the core.

Paul had followed the stoning of Stephen apostle. I believe Paul remembered the look on Stephen's face in the face of death. Stephen had a heavenly expression, a holy presence about him. And his words had such power. They were penetrating and convicting power of floods. This humble man did not mind a bit with the approval of the world; he was not impressed by the religious authorities. And I was not afraid of death.

All this exposed the emptiness of Paul's life. This Pharisee of the devotees realized Stephen possessed something he did not have. Paul had had contact face to face with a totally submissive to God man, and this made him unhappy. He probably thought, "I prepared myself for years reading the scriptures But this man without studies proclaiming the word of God with authority I had thirst for God all my life But Stephen has the very power of heaven, even to die.... He clearly knows God, as I have never met someone else. But all this time, I was chasing him and his companions. "

Paul knew something was missing in his life. He had knowledge of God, but no self-revelation, like Stephen. Now, kneeling and trembling, he heard these words from heaven: "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting" (Acts 9: 5). It was a supernatural revelation. And the words turned Paul's world upside down. I believe that at this point, it must have been for hours on his face, crying, as if to say:

"I was totally wrong. I spent all these years with education and study, doing good works. But all the time, I was on the wrong track. Jesus is the Messiah. He came, but I do not I met him. All those passages in Isaiah make sense now. They were about Jesus. Now I understand what Stephen possessed. He had an intimate knowledge of Christ. "

Scripture says, "Trembling and scared (Paul) said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9: 6). Paul's conversion was a dramatic work of the Holy Spirit. And that converted unusual was this man. He was the persecutor of God's people. His testimony would be a powerful and irrefutable evidence to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Surely God would use Paul in incredible ways. "Arise and go into the city, which will tell you what you must do" (9: 6).

Try to picture Paul now. This Pharisee with a high degree of schooling was now muted and blind. He had to be driven to the city by friends. It seemed that everything in his life had collapsed. But the reality is this: Paul was being led by the Holy Spirit to a life of renunciation. When he asks, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do," his heart was crying out, "Jesus, how can I serve you How do I know You and to please Nothing else matters Everything I have done in my flesh is dung?.. You're everything to me now. "

Paul spent the next three days fasting and praying. But no word came from heaven. He had taught and preached to others, but none of their knowledge could help him now. He was totally weakened. He must have prayed, "O God, You gave me such a great desire to know You Please show me what to do I'm so blind and confused, nothing makes sense..."

I say to every devoted follower of Jesus, pay attention to this scene. Here is the model for the life of renunciation.