How Should A Christian Respond To Critics?

It seems that people are against us, what can we do to cope and overcome adversaries? The Bible tells of one who had trouble with critics.

"This is the answers they gave us, 'We are servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago." Ezra 5:11.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND
The people of Israel returned from captivity to a Jerusalem and temple that was destroyed.  Ezra's enemies demanded Ezra identify himself and his followers as they proceeded to rebuild the temple.

WE ARE SERVANTS
Maybe Ezra was not willing to reveal his identity and his followers, but this bold statement is full of significance.

First, we all serve somebody.  The universe is divided into two camps- the camp of the holy, and the camp of evil.  Jesus said it too, "He who is not with me is against me." (Matthew 12:30,  Luke 11:23).  Ezra was confident in who he served, this made him bold.

Ezra had perspective, his answer was like saying, "Don't ask us, instead you should ask our master, we are servants of God."  Our critics are not criticizing us they are criticizing God.

Ezra was accountable to his commission; his answer was like saying, "We do not need to answer you, we answer to God, and we report to him not any king."  If we are doing God's will those who criticize us do not stop us.

To say they are servants of God says that they are obeying the Almighty's command. If we are obeying The Lord we can have confidence in spite of what others say.

The place of a servant is a humble place. We must be humble as we serve.

OF THE GOD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
The God of Heaven and Earth outranks a mere emperor, and he outranks our enemies.

The emperor's officials may worship another deity but the God of Heaven and Earth is still over the official and over his god.

Ezra did not serve some vague force or mystical being; he had a solid understanding of who God is.  His dedication to God must have led him to seek to learn, understand, and know God.  This gave him confidence. If we do not know God this way we will not have this confidence.

AND WE ARE REBUILDING
They had a commission from God to rebuild His temple and so that is what they were going to do. No matter who opposed them they were still going to obey God.  Our commission should be our confidence.

They were focused and they were not going to let the critics distract them from the task.  We must resolve to keep our focus.

Today we are servants of the same God and we have a commission to build up His church - His dwelling in the earth.   We need the same humble resolve as Ezra

(.c)Adron Dozat 1/28/15

What Makes a Successful life? 1 Corinthians 10:31

We want a good life full of satisfaction, fulfillment, reward, and free from regret. What is the key?

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV.

The Apostle Paul instructed the church about their freedoms in Christ and the limits of conscience and love. Paul did not fill his Apostolic teaching with many "do this" or "don't do that" types of commands, but he gave boundaries and guidelines that open up more of our lives.

Click HERE to see some art using the words of this verse. 

Do for the Glory of God:
To do something for the glory of God is not just doing something big but doing something moral and right.

If we are doing what we do for the glory of God we...
*     Will do honorable things,
*     Will do good things,
*     Will do things that make the lives of others better,
*     We will be lifters of burdens and lights in our communities,
*     We will be working in integrity,
*     What we will be done without sin,
*     We will be guided by a moral compass that others lack,
*     We will have excellence.

Whatever You Do:
We do not need to be establishing monuments or great institutions or giving huge sums of money to do something for the glory of God.  It says, "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do." Eating and drinking are widespread daily activity and all healthy people do them. Even the common task can be done to the glory of God and become service in His name if it is done thankfully, in a righteous manner with love and thoughtfulness.

We are not told here to do only some special things for the Glory of God, like observing worship once a week or giving a huge donation once a month, but the instruction is to do all for the glory of God. This is inclusive of all the activities. If I clean house, I should clean house for the glory of God; if I work at a job, I should do it for the glory of God.

In Order To Do All Things To The Glory of God You Might...
*     Begin with a prayer,
*     Invite God's participation or help.
*     Confess any struggles, bitterness, resentment, vain pride, etc.
*     Thank him for the task and ask his blessing,
*     Publicly proclaim that your intent was to do it as unto God.

It's Why We Are Here:
We were made to glorify God, and the strange thing is that when we do focus on giving God glory, we are fulfilled. When we make doing the dishes for God's glory or changing diapers for God's glory, we find a sense of satisfaction; if we change car tires for the glory of God, we will find it rewarding.

(c)Adron Dozat 7/13/12

How to Become a Prophet, What The Bible Teaches 1 Samuel 3:9

The Bible says to desire the higher gifts like the gift of prophecy. What instruction does the Bible give on how to become a prophet?

"So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you say, speak Lord, for your servant is listening." 1 Samuel 3:9, NIV.

This may be the primary verse directed to a prophet on prophet training.

Samuel was a boy living in the tabernacle, where the people of Israel would worship and sacrifice to God. He heard a voice waking him calling his name in the night. He goes to the high priest who sends him back to bed; but the third time Eli realizes God is calling to Samuel and Eli gives Samuel the crash course in being a prophet, the only such instructions in the Bible.

THE PLACE OF TRAINING:
It is significant that Samuel lived in the tabernacle, the place of worship and service since it is in the place of worship that we are readied to develop the gifts that God gives us; for the ultimate purpose of our spiritual gifts are to worship and serve God

THE PRAYER:
Eli's instruction was essentially a prayer. Prayer is critical to seeking anything from God, more so if it is a spiritual gift. We need to pray and ask again and again for the gift, if we truly desire it we must persist in prayer.

LORDSHIP:

What Does The Bible Say About Becoming A Prophet

"Speak Lord." We must be obedient to God. Jesus put it this way, "Why call me Lord Lord and do not do the things I say?" (Luke 6:46).  If we are not obedient to the former we cannot expect the next blessing.

SERVANT:
The purpose of the gift is not to promote yourself but service, all the spiritual gifts are for service to God and to his church.

LISTENING:
In today's world, we do not listen.  We don't listen to each other or to God. We need to take moments daily and stop and listen to what God has for us.

• Some people practice a discipline of silence in prayer as part of their daily worship; it is a time of quiet waiting for God to speak. 
• Some people read their Bibles with the attitude and expectation that God can and will speak to them through his Word. 
• Some people have an attitude of listening throughout the day where a conversation is lived out with God.
• Some people take time in their day when to stop their busyness to wait quietly and ask God to speak to them.

Books have been written on the spiritual gift of prophecy but the Bible says little about it because God is not a God of living by the recipe but a God of relationships; we must each find God's will for us personally.

(c) Adron 6/16/12

What Did Jesus Say About Worry, Luke 10:41-42

We struggle with priorities, objectives, and commitments if only there was a single guideline that would solve all the problems of personal management.

“‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed, Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:41-42. NIV.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND

What does Jesus say about worry

Jesus was a guest in Martha’s home. She was cooking, serving, cleaning, and meeting the needs of a famous teacher and his many followers while Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening. Martha complained to Jesus about Mary’s neglect of the duties of hospitality.

JESUS
The important thing is not the two ladies but what the Lord said. He pointed out that Martha was worried and upset about many things. Who couldn’t relate to that? We have many personal challenges in our lives in this time of economic and social desperation. Even faithful Christians who serve the Lord are not exempt. Our acts of service may be shadowed with worries and concerns. Like Martha, we are practical, we are getting an education, a job, a promotion, a house, or a family dinner on the table. Like Martha, we are serving the Lord, showing hospitality, serving, and meeting the needs of his church. We are so busy, busy, busy!

FREEDOM

Mary and Martha. Luke 10:41-2

Jesus liberates us, saying, "Only one thing is needed." He saw all Martha was doing, and there was nothing wrong with her activities; they, too, were good, but only one was needed. Martha might have thought Jesus was speaking of her guest's needs, but the need was not his; it was hers, the ultimate human need. Martha's sister, Mary, found that her need to be met by making the correct choice. It was not a choice to ignore the duties of hospitality but a choice to come to Jesus. She chose what is better than the other things. What Martha was doing was good, but Mary chose the better. She chose to come to Jesus.

DOING
Like Martha, we are full of doing the necessary things. Serving will end, the dishes will be cleaned, the house swept, and the pantry tidied, (and if they are not- in a thousand years it won't matter). The choice of Mary was eternal since no encounter with Jesus is ever temporary; every life that touches his is forever marked. Jesus said, "And it will not be taken away from her." We must become like Mary and choose Jesus. We should beware of our frantic activity and start sitting at Jesus' feet. In choosing Him, we choose the best, and that will not be taken away.

(c) Adron 5/5/12

The Lord Was With Him, But Who Was He? 1 Chronicles 9:20

You might say someone is talented, smart, or attractive; but nothing beats the statement made about the ancient gatekeeper, Phinehas.

 "In earlier times Phinehas son of Eleazar was in charge of the gatekeepers, and the Lord was with him." 1 Chronicles 9:20. NIV.

What does the scripture mean when it says "The Lord was with him?" We know it means some blessing on Phinehas. Was the Lord like a companion to him? Was this ancient gatekeeper somehow more holy than the rest of us?

I AM WITH YOU
If a friend says "I am with you," it means he is supporting your cause or activity, or he agrees with your actions or ideas. If it gives courage and comfort to think our friends are with us, what if that friend is the Lord Almighty?

JUST PHINEAS
Phinehas was the chief doorkeeper, not a king or a prophet. It was a humble position in the community of the temple staff. He did not get to offer up sacrifices or prayers, he did not officiate any ceremonies or minister to the king, he was just a gatekeeper. In spite of the lowly position of gatekeeper Phinehas, son of Eleazar received the commendation that the Lord was with him.

GATEKEEPER
What is a "gatekeeper?" A gatekeeper did a lot of the menial tasks; such as cleaning up, locking doors, lighting lamps, sweeping floors, that is what today's gatekeepers do, we are ushers, nursery workers, building trustees, church janitors, and parking lot attendants. Even though our service is a meager one in the eyes of men it matters not to the Ruler of the Universe, He may still be with us.

GOD
Phineas must have been in tune with God. He must have had an ear to God's heartbeat, and meditated on God's laws and ways. No doubt he considered God his in decisions and made choices that were right by God's standard. He was careful to not do whatever offends God and thereby shut God out.

HUMBLE
Phineas stood outside the place of worship and held the door for others, yet he must have been inside in his heart. God does not come uninvited and Phineas maybe had a daily attitude of inviting God in. Perhaps opening the door for others to enter for worship was a model that he himself should have an open heart and invite God in. Perhaps in simple faith, Phineas just asked God to be with him.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have people say the Lord is with you?  May we all aspire to be like Phinehas.  Let's turn away from that which shut God out and keep open the door for the Lord to be with us.

(c)Adron Dozat 2/4/11