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September 27, 2006
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Francis
Frangipane: "TO BE LIKE OUR TEACHER--SPIRITUAL TRAINING WILL COST US"
Spiritual Training
"There are two types of Christians--the trained and the
untrained," remarked a pastor I recently met. I couldn't agree more. The fact
is, too many of us view our salvation experience as though it were an
arrival--and on one level it certainly is. Yet, our "arrival" is actually the
beginning of a journey toward Christ-likeness. Being "born again" is a step out
of darkness into a destiny that will involve perseverance, faith, and spiritual
training.
So let us accept the fact that the Lord's goal is not just our rescue, but also
our training. To be spiritually trained will cost us. We must make life
choices, spend time in spiritual development, and give ourselves in unfolding
surrender to learning the glorious ways of God. The result is our
transformation. As Jesus put it:
"A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after
he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher" (Luke 6:40).
In all of life, there is nothing that exceeds my desire to be "fully trained."
In every way I desire to be "like (my) teacher," the Lord Jesus Christ.
Many Approaches To Training
Spiritual training can come in a variety of ways, but at the basis of all
progress is a heart that is serious about transformation. At this very moment,
you can begin accelerated training simply by picking up your Bible and asking
the Holy Spirit to teach you. Remember, Jesus said,
"The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send
in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that
I said to you" (John 14:26).
The Holy Spirit guides us, comforts, and empowers us; He is our life companion
to "teach (us) all things." Approach Him as your personal trainer. Open your
Bible, and ask the Holy Spirit for insight and revelation, and for impartation
and transformation. Take notes when the Lord shows you truths or explains
mysteries; even keeping a pen and pad at your bedside, so you can record
important dreams or insights the Lord gives in your sleep
(Psalm 127:2).
You see, you want to ask the Lord not only to save you, but to train you, to
give you discernment and insight. The untrained Christian can walk into a
life-setting, yet be completely ignorant of the spiritual dynamics that are
influencing him. The spiritual man enters the same setting and he discerns what
is happening; he is led by the Holy Spirit and he is effective in all realms.
As it is written,
"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you
have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the
oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone
who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he
is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have
their senses trained to discern good and evil" (Hebrews 5:12-14).
Listen well to this statement: "Solid food is for the
mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and
evil" (verse 13). Notice the key words: "mature," "practice,"
"trained to discern." The immature, like infants, cannot function
effectively; the mature, through practice, actually possess "the mind of Christ"
and appraise all things (1 Corinthians 2:15-16).
They function successfully and courageously in every dimension of life, because
they have been trained.
Training From Mature Ministries
For all we will gain in our personal training from the Holy Spirit, the Lord
also raises up ministries to train and equip us. God has created us to be
interdependent with one another. I have learned that there are some things God
will not teach directly to me, but will instead require that I learn certain
truths from others.
It's significant that an angel told Cornelius to contact
Peter and have him explain the truths about Jesus Christ. Why didn't the angel
speak directly to Cornelius? It was important that Cornelius learn about God
from another man. Humility requires us to appreciate the influence of Godly
mentors in our lives and learn from them.
Keep in mind that the Lord does not want us blindly submitting to others;
rather, He calls us to see Christ revealed in the heart of that leader first.
Look for Christ the Shepherd to be manifest in the healing love of your pastor;
listen for Christ the Prophet to give guidance toward righteousness using the
voice and example of the preacher. Whatever the ministry--evangelist, pastor,
prophet, teacher or apostle--you must look for, and discern, the person of
Christ in that leader. If they offer training, do not be afraid to submit
yourselves in faith to their ministry programs.
While your focus is on the Lord, keep in mind the Lord's admonition,
"He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet
shall receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the
name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward" (Matthew 10:41).
He who "receives a prophet" or "receives a righteous man" shall also receive
their "reward." To receive someone in "the name of" their spiritual authority is
to recognize a particular spiritual calling in an individual; it is to discern
that they have something spiritual that you need. It is also to position
yourself in an accelerated mode of growth, which comes through impartation.
(Impartation is a Scriptural, New Testament practice that operates through the
Holy Spirit, as this verse in Matthew 10
explains. See also Romans 1:11 and
I Thessalonians 2:8).
Leaders Never Take the Place of Christ
Of course, the leader whom God temporarily uses to train
you, never takes the place of Christ; the Lord just uses the individual to equip
you in a certain area. So, once you see a leader you appreciate and respect,
submit to that leader as unto the Lord, looking to Christ Himself to minister
and train you through that man or woman of God. As it is written:
"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets,
and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of
the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ"
(Ephesians 4:11-12). Remember
that your goal is not to follow men, but to be trained and equipped so you too,
can function in the "work of service."
Training Disciples
Returning to our text in Matthew
10, Jesus also says to the prophet or righteous man,
"And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a
cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward"
(verse 42).
In other words, as a leader, there are a great many demands made upon one's
life. Yet, Jesus desires we discern among the multitudes those who are truly
disciples. He says, in effect, even these who are yet spiritually children (or
little ones), if they come to you "in the name of a disciple" (i.e., wanting to
learn), then take time with them. Even if you can only momentarily quench their
spiritual thirst (even a cup of cold water), Jesus says, you "shall not lose
(your) reward."
In a generation where households may have a dozen Bibles, yet, not a minute to
study, Jesus desires we become serious in our pursuit of spiritual training.
Indeed, let's assure ourselves, no matter what our age or background, in the
promise of our Master:
"Everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be
like his teacher."
Francis Frangipane
Francis Frangipane Ministries
www.frangipane.org
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Francis Frangipane's Upcoming Itinerary:
September 28-29, 2006
International Prayer Conference
Toms River, NJ
Contact: 800-569-4825 or
www.prayerconference.com
October 9-12, 2006
Succot Celebration
Jerusalem, Israel
Contact:
www.succotcelebration.com
October 27-28, 2006
Practical Biblical Unity
London, Ontario, Canada
Contact: www.cfyc.org
"The daily prophetic words that are sent to our 133,000+ subscribers are made possible by the purchase of products like those featured in this email. You may purchase them directly from this email, or visit our online store at www.elijahshopper.com."
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TOP SELLING BOOK
"This Day We Fight!"
Breaking the Bondage of a Passive Spirit
by Francis Frangipane
$12.99
Book
In this day of advancing
evil, will the Church wake up
and fight?
There is an enemy at our gates. Though you may be aware of satan's assault, are you praying with authority against him? If not, it is probably because
satan's first line of attack is often a spirit of heaviness, which renders Christians passive, and thus defenseless, against the unfolding battle. Indeed, if you aren't praying against the enemy, he is probably stealing something precious from you--and it may be the heart of a loved one, the future of your church, or the destiny of our nation.
Author Francis Frangipane tells us that the call of God is a call to war. As we stand at the cusp of a major spiritual awakening in our land, the Holy Spirit is ready to impart a fresh anointing to God's people--an anointing that will activate the "war mode" in your heart.
Ours is not a time of peace or surrender. No, This Day We Fight!
 We at the Elijah List LOVE Francis Frangipane! His heart of compassion, balanced with the will to make a firm stand for the Lord, makes him one of our favorite authors! He never ceases to amaze us with the insight that he has received from God, and
This Day We Fight! is no exception! Find out how to break the bondage of a passive spirit by reading this book. You may find yourself answering God's call to War!
--Many Blessings, Steve Shultz,
The Elijah List
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"Walk With Integrity"
revelation, and easy to understand and apply. His
teaching resources are sure to help you move to the next level. These teachings cover many topics -- but always with one end in mind -- VICTORY in every area of your life. Get ready to go deeper and higher in HIM!
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