How many of you have been BLESSED by Priscilla Shirer’s ministry? I sure have! She is an incredible teacher, adorable Mom and humble servant. Before I ever had the opportunity to hear her teach, I listened to her Dad, Dr. Tony Evans.
The Lord spoke transforming truth into my life and marriage 20 years ago, through the teaching of Priscilla’s daddy:) I know I’ve said it before, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree:)
Technology is a blessing and a curse…right?! Some days it feels like the enemy himself, distracting me from obedience to God. Other days, it is a blessing beyond belief as I am able to connect with encouraging Sisters like you and “plug in” to incredible teaching right at my fingertips.
I recently went back to my “roots” and downloaded an app available through Tony Evans Ministry. You can find it by clicking the link below.
Oh, how I needed to hear from this passionate, Spirit filled preacher…this morning, I listened to a message entitled
A Challenge to Higher Standards” Part 1…Tony preaches it good!
“The challenge of working to bring more people into the church is that sometimes God’s Word gets pushed out. We rationalize that being sick isn’t so bad…by tolerating what God does not tolerate.” -Tony Evans
The message comes from Revelation Chapter 2
To the Church in Thyatira
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule[a] them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Jesus loved all, but He never “sugar coated” THE TRUTH. The world today preaches tolerance. Jesus says in the text above….- I have a problem with that. AND…even if you are not “doing” “the thing” (the sin) you have turned your head in tolerance.
Dr. Evans explained that Jezebel was married to Ahab, the king of Israel, and she worshipped Baal. Jezebel talked her husband into worshipping Baal. (1 Kings) This influence then poured over all the people of Israel…and so they began the compromise of turning their head to her behaviors. Even though the Church in Thyatira was faithful in many ways, the Lord had a problem with their tolerance of Jezebel.
“Churches today are dumbing down God’s standards for fear of being intolerant.” Society equates intolerance with hatred. It’s not the same thing. “What is unacceptable to God, should be unacceptable to His people.” -Tony Evans
Intolerance should mean that we recognize our sickness. We don’t abandon or turn away from the sickness, but we roll up our sleeves to love others as we help them to move towards wellness.
Unfortunately, the world no longer defines “tolerance” as acknowledgement that others have a differing belief. It has come to mean full acceptance of those beliefs. Of course this definition makes no logical sense because to embrace this type of tolerance precludes any personal opinion or belief. Christians are not to endorse religious beliefs that run counter to what the Bible teaches.
The problem with today’s definition of tolerance is that it rejects the possibility that objective truth exists. The Bible teaches that truth does exist, that God is truth, and that we are to follow in His truth. John 1:14 and 17 says that Jesus, who came from the Father, gives us truth. John 8:32 and Romans 6:16-23 says that the truth sets us free from the control of sin.
The Bible is also clear regarding those who hide or distort the truth in the name of tolerance. Romans 1:18 says whoever suppresses the truth will receive the wrath of God. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus says that our mission is to teach others of the truth about Him. First Corinthians 13:6 (NIV) says, “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” John 14:6 says that Jesus is the truth. While Christians can acknowledge the right of others to have different beliefs, we cannot allow those beliefs to go unchallenged for one simple reason: it is not loving, and Jesus calls us to love (Luke 10:25-37).”
-from Illuminatedtruth.org
I love the illustration that Tony uses to help us understand the intolerance Jesus spoke of…
Hospitals want to help you with pain…with illness. In order for Hospitals to do their job they must hold to the postition that germs are intolerable. If surgery is to happen, then the operating room needs to be germ free or further complications will result …healing will not happen. The hospital is NOT turning away sick people, but they are maintaining standards in order to make people well.
Dr. Evans goes on to say this:
If we fail to recognize and admit our sin…our disease…we will never get the “treatment” needed. Love is the medicine required…not judgement or condemnation. BUT, if we fail to administer medicine without God’s authority, power, blessing, & “standards” the healing will never take place and the germs will remain.
We will NEVER be comfortable in our “flesh” no matter how much as we try. So let’s settle in and be thankful for “the uncomfortable” …it is the built in reminder of our NEED for a Savior.
All of us.
We ALL need the hospital:)
With that last thought, I just have to include one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE videos…written by Jemaine Clement and Bret Mckenzie. (Flight of the Conchords) in order to raise money for a Children’s Hosptial.
IF YOU WANT TO SMILE, LAUGH, AND HAVE A NEW SONG OF HOPE IN YOUR HEART TODAY…watch this video! Jemaine and Bret interview the most precious group of kids, take their responses, and use them to write a song to raise money for the cause. Listen to the interviews and hang in there for the song!
I listen to it at least once or twice a month!!!
“hosptial, lospital.”
1Arthouse 