Service in the House of God

This is the season for seeking the Lord for a revelation of His word. It is a time to know and understand the deep things of God. This knowledge will be vital in the coming days of temptation.

Proverbs 2:6-8

6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

There is a way that the Saints of God must take. I recall Jesus saying, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh to the father except by me.” It is critical that the sons of God comprehend this new and living way.

Proverbs 2:9

9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

If these are the elements that we are to understand, then let us take a closer look at each of them.

JUDGMENT: the law of commandments, way of righteousness, divine law, including its transgressions and penalty.

EQUITY: evenness, equal and agreement with God.

RIGHTEOUSNESS: we could go with the Greek terms used here to define this word as to be right, for to be justified. But I would like to give you a good layman’s definition of righteousness. It simply means to walk in obedience to God; to be led by the Spirit of God and to be in right standing with God.

Those who are truly born again are birthed with a desire to serve the Lord. In fact, we wish that was the only thing we could do. We come to church eager to serve and zealous towards all things in the household of Faith. However, there is a criteria for serving. Solomon gave us tremendous advice on this subject.

Ecclesiastes 5:1

1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

Let us be careful to respect the house of God. The Lord chastened Israel concerning this matter of coming into the presence of God with uncleanness in the heart and blood on the hands.

Isaiah 1:15-20

15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Ecclesiastes 5:2

2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

Because you wear a title, do not assume you are able to prophesy or give counsel in all matters. Do not assume you have perfect understanding of all things. This is pride and it will be addressed by the Holy Spirit as you attempt to move forward in ministry.

Ecclesiastes 5:3

3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

Sometimes we dream things because we were busily involved in many things that day. Every dream is not a word from the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 5:4

4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

A good example of this is the fact that Bible Teachers International is a ministry that has adopted the tithing system for taking care of its needs. Those who join this ministry are making a commitment or vow to do the same. The scripture says, defer not to pay it.

Ecclesiastes 5:5-8

5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

Know that God sees all things. He knows the hearts of all involved in any issue. If you enter into a matter with unrighteous judgment, then know that you have subjected yourself to the judgment of God. Oftentimes, saints do not make the tragedies in their life equal with the judgment of God. Somehow they fail to connect the dots. But when we abuse the people of God, the Lord issues a just recompense of reward. Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for few there be that find it and only a few of those who find it shall enter in. But if you purpose to please the Lord, you will seek him with all your might. In doing do, you will find him and in turn find peace for your soul.

Love you always, Mary Banks, handmaiden of Christ